After a whirlwind spring and summer filled with practices, performances and fundraisers, two Howard Payne University groups will leave for international appearances at the beginning of August. HPU’s Winds of Triumph musical ensemble will perform in conjunction with the London 2012 Olympic Games on August 3, 5, 6, 7 and 8. A group from HPU’s Department of Theatre will perform at the International Collegiate Theatre Festival in Edinburgh, Scotland, on August 6, 8, 9 and 11.

Local audiences will have a chance to support the groups before they leave. Grimaldi: King of the Clowns, the play the theatre group will perform in Scotland, will be presented at the HPU Theatre on Sunday, July 29, at 2:30 p.m., and Monday, July 30, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $5 each and available at the door. To reserve tickets in advance, call the School of Music and Fine Arts at (325) 649-8500. Donations will also be accepted. See a photo from the play at top.

A “bon voyage” concert featuring Winds of Triumph will be held on Tuesday, July 31, at 7 p.m., in HPU’s Mims Auditorium. There is no charge for admission, but donations will be accepted.

A send-off is planned for both groups on August 1 at HPU’s Davidson Music Complex parking lot off Center and Whaley streets. The public is invited to attend the gathering at 8 a.m. before the buses depart at 8:15 a.m.

Winds of Triumph

Winds of Triumph is one of only five university musical groups from the U.S. invited to perform in conjunction with the Olympics. The musicians will play in many locations around London, including Exhibition Road, Potters Fields Park, Olympic Park and more. They will also perform at the Arêne de Montmartre in Paris.

“As the time for departure draws near, we are more and more excited about taking our Good News in music and representing our Lord, HPU, Brown County and Texas in this world event,” said Stephen Goacher, professor of music and director of Winds of Triumph. “Learning that we will be performing at sites licensed for 30,000 people a day elevates this experience to an awesome opportunity and an awesome responsibility.”

Headed to London are Allen Andrus, a senior from Anson; Elizabeth Bates, a 2011 graduate from Austin; Christopher Burnett, a sophomore from Early; Mercedes Cardenas, a junior from Brownwood; Kimberly Collins, a senior from Bay City; Talitha Cook, a May graduate from Howe; Taylor Cook, a junior from Howe; Tyler Cooper, a senior from Brownwood; Megan Irwin, a sophomore from Brownwood; Tyler Matthews, a senior from Weatherford; Grant Newman, a senior from Springtown; Ethan Yeats, a sophomore from Big Spring; and Kyle Ziegler, a senior from Brownwood.

Theatre

HPU is one of only 18 colleges and universities from the U.S. to perform at the International Collegiate Theatre Festival. ICTF is part of the Fringe Festival in Edinburgh, which is the largest theatrical event in the world, hosting more than 500,000 people.

“To be invited to perform at the Fringe Festival is a huge honor,” said Dr. Nancy Jo Humfeld, head of the Department of Theatre. “This opportunity will allow our students to attend many different performances and make contacts from all over the world, as well as the incredible chance to perform on an international stage. We have already been contacted by an actor who is doing a performance that is of the same genre and it will be fun to compare our historical notes. We appreciate all the support we have had and look forward to this once-in-a-lifetime experience.”

Students going on the Scotland trip are Katelyn Bare, a sophomore from Quito, Ecuador; Colbie Crow, a freshman from Brownwood; Katherine Dobson, a junior from Rowlett; Audrey Harris, a junior from Early; Joshua Helms, a senior from Lindale; Tucker Hull, a junior from Brownwood; Jared Russell, a sophomore from Hillsboro; Rivers Shotwell, a senior from Grand Saline; Phoenix Solis, a junior from Brownwood; Alexandra Taliaferro, a sophomore from Springtown; Doris Walton, a freshman from Lolita; Meredith Underwood, a freshman from Brownwood, and Jarrod White, a junior from Ben Wheeler.

“We’re excited and pleased our students have these opportunities,” said Dr. Robert Tucker, dean of the School of Music and Fine Arts and extended education. “HPU will be well represented in Scotland and England.”