
February 8, 2024
SWOSU Press Release
The Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) Department of Music has announced a special event featuring Christopher Adkins, Principal Cellist of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra. Adkins’ guest appearance, scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 14, will include a masterclass and workshop, ending with a free recital.
Event schedule:
3 p.m.: String Masterclass, Berrong Music Hall (BMH) 101
4 p.m.: Workshop, BMH101
7 p.m.: Recital with Dr. Sophie Hung, Piano, BMH101
Christopher Adkins, a distinguished musician, received his training at the University of North Texas and Yale University under the guidance of Aldo Parisot. Adkin’s impressive career includes serving as the principal cellist with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra in 1987, a position once held by his former teacher, Lev Aronson.
Apart from his orchestral commitments, Adkins is a faculty member at Southern Methodist University, and he has garnered acclaim for his performances across the region as an accomplished recitalist and chamber musician. As the long-time cellist of the contemporary music group Voices of Change, Mr. Adkins was nominated for a Grammy award for the recording “Voces Americanas.”
This guest artist residency is made possible by the Dallas Symphony Orchestra Principal Chair Endowment Program, supporting guest artist recitals at National Association of Schools of Music (NASM)-accredited programs across Texas and surrounding states. To date, the program has underwritten recitals at 54 separate institutions across the region.
The recital is free and open to the public! For further information, please contact Dr. Alex Lee at alex.lee@swosu.edu.
About SWOSU Department of Music
SWOSU includes one of Oklahoma’s largest music schools—one of established excellence. The Department of Music is one of the region’s largest and finest music schools. The excellent quality of training offered at SWOSU is demonstrated daily by the hundreds of graduates now working in Oklahoma and throughout the United States. SWOSU’s Department of Music works with students to achieve their personal best regardless of their musical goals. Students study with superb musicians committed to their academic and musical advancement. With individual training customized to meet each need, SWOSU’s Department of Music provides students with educational and performance opportunities to put them on the path to musical success.
SWOSU offers a full range of scholarships and financial aid to university students. For information about scholarships, contact Dr. Shelly Martinson, Chair of the Department of Music, at 580-774-3708 or shelley.martinson@swosu.edu.
Copyright 2023 Paragon Communications. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without permission.

Marlow Man Injured in Rollover Crash on Highway 54
Custer County, OK – A Marlow man was injured early Wednesday morning when his commercial vehicle rolled over on State Highway 54 in Custer County, about 11 miles south of Thomas, according to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol.

Citizen of the Year and More Celebrated in Clinton
Clinton, OK – Clinton’s business and civic leaders gathered Friday night at the Frisco Center for the annual Clinton Chamber of Commerce Awards Banquet, where longtime community leader Ken Baker was honored as the 2025 Clinton Citizen

Cheyenne Man Arrested After Police Chase on Stolen Mini-Bike
Elk City, OK – A Cheyenne man is facing multiple felony charges after allegedly stealing a mini-bike from Tractor Supply in Elk City and leading law enforcement on a chase through Beckham County. According to a probable

Elk City Man Arrested on Kidnapping Charge
Elk City, OK – An Elk City man has been arrested and charged with kidnapping after police say he took a 10-year-old girl without permission and transported her to multiple locations around town while intoxicated. According to

Clinton Teen Facing Felony, Misdemeanor Charges After Police Chase
Clinton, OK — A Clinton teenager is facing felony and misdemeanor charges following a high-speed police pursuit earlier this month in Custer County. According to court records, Ryder Lane Entz, 18, of Clinton, has been charged with

Brooklyn Man Charged in Custer County with Drug Trafficking
Custer County, OK – A Brooklyn, New York man is facing felony drug trafficking charges in Custer County after authorities allege he was caught transporting more than 25 pounds of marijuana. Quan Chen, 46, was formally charged

Wellington Man Sentenced in 100th Judicial District Court
Childress, TX – On Wednesday, September 3, three pleas were heard in the 100th Judicial District Court in Childress County. One of those pleas involved a Wellington man. Luke Inman, District Attorney for the 100th Judicial District,

Mountain View man injured in Washita County crash
Washita County, OK – A Mountain View man was seriously injured Thursday night in a single-vehicle crash on State Highway 152 in Washita County. According to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, 54-year-old Terry L. Sperle was driving eastbound

SWOSU Announces Supporting Sponsors for 2025 Charitable Hunt
Weatherford, OK – The Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) Foundation, Inc. is pleased to announce the Supporting Sponsors for the 6th Annual SWOSU Charitable Hunt, scheduled for Friday, September 12, 2025, at BlackOak Farms in Devol, Oklahoma.

Two Injured in Wrong-Way Collision in Beckham County
Beckham County, OK – A wrong-way collision Thursday morning sent two people to the hospital in Amarillo, according to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol. Troopers said the crash happened just after 10 a.m. at the intersection of State

Local Voters Approve Arapaho-Butler Bond, Elect Adams to Clinton Council
Custer County, OK – Voters in Western Oklahoma made key decisions Tuesday, approving a school bond for Arapaho-Butler Public Schools and selecting a new representative for Clinton’s City Council. In Arapaho-Butler, residents backed a $5.475 million bond

Minco Softball Team Bus Overturns After Striking Deer on SH-152
Caddo County, OK – A school bus carrying the Minco High School fast pitch softball team overturned Monday night after colliding with a deer along State Highway 152, according to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol. Troopers say the

Amarillo Man Involved in Rollover Crash on I-40 in Beckham County
Beckham County, OK – A 22-year-old Amarillo man escaped injury after a rollover crash Sunday morning on Interstate 40 in Beckham County, according to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol. Troopers said the wreck happened around 7:25 a.m. on

Boating Accident at Fort Cobb Lake Injures Chickasha Man
Ft. Cobb Lake, OK – A Chickasha man was injured Sunday afternoon in a boating accident at Sunset Cove Marina on Fort Cobb Lake, about four miles north of Fort Cobb. According to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol,

OSIDA Space Education Grant Now Accepting Applications
Burns Flat, OK – The Oklahoma Space Industry Development Authority (OSIDA) is now accepting applications for the Space Education Grant. Educators and program leaders have until September 22 to apply for funding aimed at supporting innovative space

Elk City Police Department Offers Ride-Along Program for Interested Applicants
Elk City, OK – The Elk City Police Department is opening its doors to community members who want to explore a career in law enforcement through a new Police Ride-Along Program. The initiative gives participants a firsthand

Jim Loomis Honored with SWOSU Presidential Order of Merit
Weatherford, OK – The Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) Athletic Auction held Saturday, August 9, was also the stage for a special recognition. Mr. Jim Loomis of Weatherford, a 1966 SWOSU alumnus, was presented with one of

GoFundMe Established for Family of Elk City Teen Killed in Crash
Elk City, OK – A GoFundMe has been launched to support the family of 17-year-old Chaston Adams, the Elk City High School student who lost his life in a car crash northwest of Elk City on Saturday.

Justice Served in Detroit: Elk City Police Officers Testify in Homicide Trial
Detroit, MI – Elk City Police Department officers Lt. Brad George and Captain Sammy Weygand played a key role in securing justice in a Michigan homicide case last week. The two officers traveled to Detroit, Michigan, at

California Man Arrested in Custer County With 55 Pounds of Marijuana
Clinton, OK — A California man is facing a felony drug trafficking charge after troopers reported finding more than 55 pounds of marijuana during a traffic stop in Custer County. According to court records, 41-year-old Yuanfeng Chen

Beckham County Jail Earns 100 Percent Compliance Rating — Again
Sayre, OK – Beckham County Sheriff Derek Manning says the county’s detention center has achieved a rare distinction: back-to-back perfect inspection scores. “Congratulations to my staff,” Manning said. “A few months ago, the jail inspector came out

Erick Man Arrested After High-Speed Chase in Elk City
Elk City, OK – An Erick man is facing charges after allegedly leading law enforcement on a high-speed motorcycle pursuit through Elk City earlier this month. Authorities say 23-year-old Ethan Melton was spotted riding a black Harley

Sayre Man Facing Felony Charges After Being Found With Juvenile in Abandoned Trailer
Sayre, OK – A 31-year-old Sayre man has been charged after authorities say he was found with a 15-year-old girl inside an abandoned trailer in Beckham County. According to court records, the incident occurred on August 18,

Fatal Crash in Roger Mills County Claims Life of Georgia Teen
Roger Mills County, OK – A 19-year-old Georgia man was killed early Sunday morning in a single-vehicle crash on U.S. Highway 283, just north of State Highway 33, according to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol. Troopers said the

Teen Killed, Another Injured in Rollover Crash Northwest of Elk City
Elk City, OK – A 17-year-old Elk City High School student was killed and another teen seriously injured Saturday afternoon in a one-vehicle crash northwest of town, according to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol. Troopers said the crash