Henderson Oracle

A tornado warning temporarily disrupted an annual campus event Friday night.

The NuFusion concert is held either on the Quad or in the Day Gym, depending on the weather. NuFusion is a jazz ensemble led by Dr. Rick Dimond, professor of music. The group consists of 22 members, including a horn section, guitarists, percussionists and vocalists.

The band meets two to three times a week during both semesters to practice and spends a lot of time composing charts that will be played at this concert. Many of the tunes the ensemble plays are composed by other people but arranged by members of the ensemble. The concert began 18 or 19 years ago, according to Dimond. "We lost track," he said. "And I didn’t keep good records."

The past few years, the site has alternated between the Quad and the gym. This year, rainy weather forced the group to set up in the Day Gym.

Just 15 minutes into the two-hour show, Henderson’s emergency alert system issued an emergency text message telling students a tornado warning had been issued for Arkadelphia and to take cover immediately.

The band finished the piece they were performing before Dimond announced that they would take a break until weather cleared.Henderson employees led the audience into halls away from outside walls for about 20 minutes until the warning expired.

The ensemble resumed the concert and, judging by the reaction of the crowd, put on a successful and enjoyable show.

"That concert was frickin’ sweet," senior music composition major and ensemble member Drew Worthen said.

"It kind of stunk that we got rained out again, but I think we rocked just as hard as The Eagles. I take that back, we rocked harder than The Eagles. Take that, Joe Walsh!"