SMU Page Series presents Native Dance Ensemble Oct. 12

WINONA, Minn. — The Saint Mary’s University Page Series will present the Kevin Locke Native Dance Ensemble with “The Drum is the Thunder, The Flute is the Wind,” Tuesday, Oct. 12. The performance will begin at 6:30 p.m. in Page Theatre, located in the SMU Performance Center.

Representing the Plains nations of Lakota, Anishinabe, Comanche, the Southeastern tribe Choctaw, and the Woodlands Nations of Ojibwe and Oneida, this one-of-a-kind ensemble of American Indian champions and award-winning dancers offers a rich variety of American Indian traditions and aesthetics in dance, instrumentals, song, storytelling, sign language and audience interaction.

The ensemble is led by Kevin Locke, who is known throughout the world as a visionary hoop dancer; the preeminent player of the indigenous Northern Plains flute; a traditional storyteller; cultural ambassador; recording artist; and educator.

In 1990, Locke was awarded a National Heritage Fellowship by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), which recognized him as a “Master Traditional Artist who has contributed to the shaping of our artistic traditions and to preserving the cultural diversity of the United States.”

At this time, there are no tickets available for this performance. However, a limited number may be available at the SMU Box Office one hour prior to the performance. Tickets are $12 for adults, $5 for students and seniors.

A school matinee performance of “The Drum is the Thunder, the Flute is the Wind” is supported in part by the Winona Foundation and Arts Midwest and by the Elizabeth Callender King Foundation.

Saint Mary’s University is a fiscal year 2010 recipient of an Institutional Presenter Support grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board. This activity is funded, in part, by the Minnesota arts and cultural heritage fund as appropriated by the Minnesota State Legislature with money from the vote of the people of Minnesota on Nov. 4, 2008.

Free presentation at the library

Additionally, Park Ranger Ed Lagace of the Trempealeau Wildlife Refuge will present “Gathering at the Waters,” at 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 9, at the Winona Public Library, where he will speak about how early Native American settlers used the natural world. Refreshments and ticket give-away opportunities will be offered. The event — free and open to the public — is supported by a SELCO’s Arts and Cultural Heritage Grant.

SMU Jazz Ensemble releases first CD ‘Staycation’ Friday

WINONA, Minn. — The Saint Mary’s University Jazz Ensemble, under the direction of Dr. John Paulson, will release its first CD, “Staycation” at the Family Weekend Jazz Concert Friday, Oct. 1. The performance is set for 6 p.m. in Figliulo Recital Hall, located in the SMU Performance Center.

The project has been a joint effort by SMU students and faculty. Participants included members of the SMU Jazz Ensemble and students majoring in music technology, under the supervision of Dr. Paulson and adjunct music faculty member and Grammy-winning engineer Brett Huus. Music tech students working on the project included Tim High, Andrew Jambura, Kalinn Bangasser and Andrew Bauer. High and Jambura — overseen by Huus — also did the mastering, in connection with their recording class.

The CD, featuring seven selections, was recorded this past February on campus — during what would have been the student musicians’ winter break. The students chose to stay on campus and record their music rather than go on tour this year — which brought about the CD’s name, “Staycation.”

The entire project was done using the recording facilities in St. Yon’s Hall, which supports the music technology program. Eric Heukeshoven, also from the SMU music faculty, did the graphic design and layout for the CD templates.

The CD, a collection of various styles, includes the vocal talents of professional jazz musician Miles Johnston who also solos on cornet. Johnston performed with the jazz ensemble in the December 2009 concert and can be heard on the recording performing Cole Porter’s “Night and Day” and the great jazz standard by Klemmer and Lewis, “Just Friends,” both arranged by Dave Wolpe for big band and vocals. Other features include “Quintessence” by Quincy Jones, highlighting the talents of alto saxophonist Vanessa Grams ’10, and “Midnight Voyage” by Joey Calerazzo, featuring Winona Senior High tenor saxophonist Ross Nixon. Also included is an arrangement of the “OO7” James Bond theme by Jeremy Johnston ’09, “I Love You” by Cole Porter and a funky new chart, “Out of the Doghouse” by Eric Morales.

The CD will also be available at the campus bookstore in the Toner Student Center. A YouTube segment, which can be found at www.smumn.edu/staycationvid, captures some of the recording session. For more information, go to www.smumn.edu/staycation or contact Dr. Paulson at (507) 457-1596 or jpaulson@smumn.edu.

Israeli clarinetist, saxophonist kicks off Saint Mary’s 2010-2011 Page Series

WINONA, Minn. — Israeli-born jazz clarinetist and saxophonist Anat Cohen will kick off Saint Mary’s University’s Page Series Friday, Oct. 8. The performance will begin at 7:30 p.m. in Page Theatre, located in the SMU Performance Center.

“One of the brightest, most original young instrumentalists in jazz” (according to The Washington Post), Cohen will present a rousing tribute to Benny Goodman, “the King of Swing,” as well as selections from her four highly praised CDs.

The winner of four consecutive Jazz Journalists Association “Clarinet Player of the Year” awards and multiple “Rising Star Clarinet” DownBeat critic’s polls, Cohen and her quartet are performing around the world, reestablishing the clarinet to its rightful role at the forefront of jazz.

Cohen will lead a masterclass on jazz improvisation with area jazz students from 4 to 5 p.m. Oct. 8. She will then offer a free pre-show conversation at 6:30 p.m. Both events will be in Figliulo Recital Hall.

Tickets for the performance are $25 for adults or $20 for seniors and students and are available at the SMU Box Office, (507) 457-1715, Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. or online at www.pagetheatre.org.

Next Saint Mary’s exhibit features pottery, drawings Oct. 8-Nov. 14

WINONA, Minn. — Two Midwestern artists will display work at Saint Mary’s University Oct. 8 through Nov. 14.

Pottery by Schwarz features work by Dean Schwarz, a ceramic artist, painter, writer and teacher who co-founded South Bear School, an innovative summer arts school in Highlandville, Iowa. Schwarz was born and raised in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The son of a welder, his initial interests were in athletics, but as an undergraduate student, he developed an interest in ceramics, painting and other visual arts, and abruptly changed his major. While serving in the U.S. Navy in the early 1960s, he used his shore leaves to visit the studios of world famous potters, notably Shoji Hamada in Japan, and Bauhaus-trained Master Potter Marguerite Wildenhain at Pond Farm near Guerneville, Calif. His work is represented in numerous private collections and in the holdings of museums and universities throughout the world.

Drawings by Whelan features work by John Whelan, an adjunct instructor in the SMU Department of Art and Design, who currently lives in La Crosse, Wis. Whelan was born and raised in the Old West End of Toledo, Ohio, less than a mile from the Toledo Museum of Art, which he visited often during his youth. He has taught studio art and art history throughout the Midwest, including 23 years at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa. In 1998, he took a leave from teaching to attend the University of Iowa College of Medicine and was awarded the M.D. in 2002. Whelan’s exhibit centers around studies of flowers and the human figure.

The show, free and open to the public, will be on display at the Lillian Davis Hogan Galleries, located in the Toner Student Center. Gallery hours are 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.

For more information, call (507) 457-1652.

Saint Mary’s invites nonprofits to submit ‘to-do’ lists for ‘Make a Difference Day’

WINONA, Minn. — In recognition of national “Make a Difference Day,” Saint Mary’s University’s Volunteer Mentors group is inviting Winona nonprofit agencies to submit requests for service.

Do you need someone to help with your fall cleaning, to rake leaves, to do some painting, or to help with construction? Approximately 150 Saint Mary’s University students will be teamed up from 9:30 a.m. to noon to help groups and organizations on Saturday, Oct. 23, in recognition of “Make a Difference Day.”

Saint Mary’s will supply the workers, if you supply the materials needed (paint, brushes, rakes, tools, etc.).

“Make a Difference Day” is the most encompassing national day of helping others, a celebration of neighbors helping neighbors. Created by USA WEEKEND magazine, this annual event takes place on the fourth Saturday of every October. SMU is proud to join the millions of people throughout the nation who are participating.

To register your request, please call Chris McClead at (507) 457-7268 or e-mail volunteermentors@smumn.edu by Monday, Oct. 11.

Saint Mary’s speaker to give first-hand account of Brother James Miller’s life, death

WINONA, Minn. — Guest speaker Brother Paul Joslin, FSC — a colleague and friend of Brother James Miller — will present “Witnessing to Nonviolence” Thursday, Oct. 7, at Saint Mary’s University.

This year marked the 28th anniversary of the death of Brother James, a member of the De La Salle Christian Brothers and a 1966 graduate of Saint Mary’s. Brother James was doing “God’s work” of bringing education, faith and hope to marginalized Guatemalans when he was shot and killed on Feb. 13, 1982 by four masked gunmen while mending a wall outside the De La Salle Casa Indigena where he worked.

The La Crosse, Wis., Diocese has presented cause for his canonization and the Church is currently investigating cause for his sainthood. He has been named a Servant of God.

Brother Paul, also a De La Salle Christian Brother, teaches at St. Raymond High School in Bronx, N.Y. Between 1976-1988, Brother Paul ministered in Guatemala, and in 1982, Brother James and Brother Paul formed the staff of the De La Salle Casa Indigena in Huehuetenango. Consequently, Brother Paul’s presentation will include first-hand information about the happenings of Feb. 13, 1982 — the day of Brother James’ martyrdom.

“Brother James took young people from the hills that had no chance and gave them a combination of hope and life. Are we, too, willing to rise up like Brother James to take the young by the hand and lead them to freedom?” asked St. Paul-Minneapolis Archbishop John R. Roach in 1982.

The event, part of SMU’s Lasallian Week of Peace, will run from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. in Salvi Lecture Hall, located on the third floor of Saint Mary’s Hall.

For more information, contact Dennis M. Gallagher, SMU’s dean of Campus Ministry, at (507) 457-6936 or e-mail dgallagh@smumn.edu.

Saint Mary’s hosts free violin recital Sept. 29

Saint Mary’s University will host a free recital featuring violinst Tien-Hsin “Cindy” Wu and pianist Jiayi Shi at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 29, in Figliulo Recital Hall located in the SMU Performance Center.

Violinist Tien-Hsin “Cindy” Wu enjoys a versatile career as a soloist and a chamber musician, having performed with renowned musicians and ensembles in Europe, the United States and Asia. She has appeared as soloist with the National Symphony Orchestra of Taiwan and Taipei Symphony Orchestra in her native country, as well as with the Odessa Philharmonic Orchestra (Ukraine) and the Russian State Symphony Orchestra.

Wu’s 2010-2011 season highlights include performances on the Linton Chamber Music Series, Marlboro on Tour, Caramoor Rising Stars, as well as an invitation to Music Sharing International Community Engagement Program 2010 LAOS. In addition to performances across the globe, Wu also began teaching violin/viola this fall as an adjunct professor at the Thornton School of Music at the University of Southern California.

As a solo recitalist and chamber musician, Wu has performed extensively in Taiwan, Europe and North America, at such prominent venues as New York City's Alice Tully Hall, Boston's Jordan Hall, Washington D.C.’s Kennedy Center and Library of Congress, as well as in Philadelphia, Baltimore, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Vancouver.

Pianist Jiayi Shi began playing the piano at age 4. A few years later, she was accepted to the prestigious Shanghai Conservatory of Music in China and studied there until 1996, when she was granted a full scholarship to the University of Texas at Austin. Shi continued her education at the Eastman School of Music and graduated from Eastman in 2002 with both a master’s degree and a Performance Certificate in Piano. Besides completing her Doctoral of Musical Arts at Manhattan School of Music, she is currently on the piano faculty of Biola University in California. She maintains an active schedule as a chamber musician and collaborative pianist, working extensively with the internationally renowned violinist Midori.

Saint Mary’s jazz groups kick off the year with Family Weekend concert Oct. 1

The 18-piece Saint Mary's University Jazz Ensemble and Jazz Combo I will perform a concert at 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 1, in Figliulo Recital Hall, located in the SMU Performance Center.

This concert, part of SMU’s Family Weekend festivities, marks the release of the first big band CD “Staycation,” recorded by the jazz ensemble last February. It was produced and recorded by SMU music technology majors under the direction of Dr. John Paulson, professor of music, and Brett Huus, adjunct music faculty member and CEO of Soundstrations Studios in La Crosse, Wis. The CD will be available at the concert, in the campus bookstore and online at www.smumn.edu/music.

The jazz combo will lead off the concert with Herbie Hancock's famous “Cantaloupe Island,” arranged by the group, and freshman alto saxophonist Katie Kosiek will be featured on the ballad “Come Rain or Come Shine.” The closing set will be “Nutville” by Horace Silver. The big band will feature sophomore drummer Allen Mekash on Mark Talor’s “Power Play” and the trombone section on Dave Barduhn’s “Safety Net Blues.”

Also included in the set will be “Maputo” by Marcus Miller featuring Tommy Quinn on alto sax and freshman Webster Camden on guitar, “Big Cat” blues by Dave Hanson and the funky “Poultry in Motion” with solos by the always enthusiastic Benjamin Scott on tenor sax.

Jazz musician Anat Cohon and her jazz quartet will start off the Page Series season Friday, Oct. 8. Cohon, one of the top jazz clarinetists in the world, will be doing a free Masterclass on jazz improvisation with SMU's Jazz Combo I from 4 to 5 p.m. in Figliulo Recital Hall. She will join Paulson for a pre-show interview in the recital hall.

Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students and seniors and are available at the SMU Box Office, (507) 457-1715 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday or online at www.pagetheatre.org.

Saint Mary's invites public to Fall Frolic Oct. 2

The public is invited to participate in the 23rd Fall Frolic 5K fun run/walk at Saint Mary’s University Saturday, Oct. 2.

Registration will run from 8 to 9:30 a.m. in SMU’s Toner Student Center with the race beginning at 10 a.m. The $8 cost includes a t-shirt.

The annual event is free to SMU students, faculty and staff, but is open to the community as well. Typically close to 500 people participate; competitors of all levels (including walkers) are welcome.

Participants will enjoy the beautiful bluff trails of SMU’s Winona campus. Registration forms — as well as a complete weekend schedule — are available online at www.smumn.edu/familyweekend.

Family Weekend runs Oct. 1-3 and includes a full slate of activities for families of students and the SMU community. In previous years, as many as 1,000 visitors have come onto campus for Family Weekend music and theatre events, sporting events, the Fall Frolic, and other games and activities.

SMU Concert Band, choirs to combine Oct. 2 for Family Weekend concert

Saint Mary’s University’s Concert Band and choirs will combine for a 2 p.m. concert Saturday, Oct. 2, at Page Theatre, located in the SMU Performance Center.

The Concert Choir and Chamber Singers, under the direction of Dr. Patrick O'Shea, and the Women’s Choir, directed by Lindsy O'Shea, will present works in English and Latin, including compositions by Palestrina, Randall Thompson, and Moses Hogan.

The SMU Band, under the direction of Dr. Janet Heukeshoven, will start the year with a fanfare for concert band by Jack Stamp, “Cenotaph.” This will be followed by Malcolm Arnold's “Scottish Dance No. 1” (from “Four Scottish Dances,” arranged for band by John Paynter) and another work based on the Scottish tradition, “Perthshire Majesty,” by Samuel Hazo. The band will conclude its part of the concert with the “Florentiner March” by Czech composer Julius Fucik.

To conclude the performance, the choir and band will combine for Randall Thompson's “The Last Words of David.”

This is the inaugural concert for SMU’s new acoustic shell.

Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students and seniors and are available at the SMU Box Office, (507) 457-1715 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday or online at www.pagetheatre.org.