Recital Breaks
The Pilot—Page3
Choral Variety At G-W
Those of you who missed the Faculty Recital on Friday, Sep
tember 21 at 8 p.m. truly missed a great series of performances.
Chris McKinney’s dramatic readings of selections from God’s
Trombones, by James Weldon Johnston, started off the program
with a rarely seen air of scholarship that could have only shocked
me further if the works quoted had been by T.S. Eliot, or W.H.
Auden. McKinney’s presentation iilled a gaping cultural gap
here, and his performance left little to be desired.
Terry Fern followed the opening with a repertoire of three
songs, the most memorable of which was Charles Ive’s “Charlie
Rutlage.” I was amused with Mr. Fern’s “casual” approach to
the whimsical song, and Tina Summey’s accompaniment was
equally commendable, especially considering the harsh dis
sonances characteristic of Ive’s music.
Dr. Caroline Billings then sat me on the edge of my seat, im
mobile for at least 12 minutes. Her rendition of Prokiev’s Sonata
No. 7, Opus 83, produced some rhuthms and tone clusters that are
still bouncing around in my head. Although the Allegro Inquieto,
the first movement, stretches nearly to the breaking point, Dr.
Billings managed to contain my attention through the entire
piece. Normally, I dislike piano recitals, but anyone who at
tempts a Twentieth Century Piece can count on my attention.
This was definitely the highlight of the entire recital.
Following Dr. Billings, Stephen Harrill sang two numbers, an
Italian, and an English piece call, “My Master Hath a Garden.”
Althou^ Mr. Harrill’s performance rang clear and true in his un
ique tenor voice, I felt that the music limited Mr. Harrill, who has
been known to astound us. (Remember The Student Prince last
year?) Dr. George Cribb, chairman of the music department, ac
companied Mr. Harrill.
Bringing a new twist to the idea of “performance,” Elizabeth
Minus and Terry Fern sang a series of three soprano-bass duets,
accompanied by Tina Sununey. I was shocked to see a stand full
of music brought onto the stage, and equally distracted by the
flipping of pages as the two followed along. Sorry, folks; that’s
Just Not Done! However, their performance was immaculate.
Mr. Fern and Mrs. Minus sang, “Only the Longing Heart” with
such intensity that lines like ”I’m on the verge of madness”
seemed ahnost believable. Equally intense was their final duet,
“Come to my castle, Love,” a Mozart piece from the Opera Don
Giovanni. The slapstick in this piece was carefully
choreographed, and the result was hilarious. These two work in
credibly well together, and I should hope to hear some more of
their combined efforts before the year is out.
While I was resting my stomach from its fits of laughter and
wiping my silly grin from my face, Timothy Cherry took to the
stage. Mr. Cherry is Assistant Professor of Arts, and his original
slide/tape production, “Images of Christ in Art” closed out the
evening. This presentation, despite initial technical difficulties
publicly ascribed to “Operator Incimpetency,” carefully por
trayed much of Christ’s life through various works of art.
“Images of Christ in Art” was done very professionally, boasting
snippets of Handel’s Messiah and portions from “Jesus Christ
Superstar” in the accompaniment tape. The overall effect was
extremely sensitive; I felt a tear slip down my cheek before it
was over, and anyone who didn’t was missing the whole point of
the presentation. Mr. Cherry billed this piece as “Dedicated to
my Father, David,”
A singularly phenominal recital. The dramatic readings and
slide presentation made this the most enjoyable recital I’ve ever
attended at Gardner-Webb, and along with the Prokiev piece by
Dr. Billings, probably the most enjoyable anywhere. Congratula
tions to all that took part. If you packed up your suitcase and mis
sed this one, I’m sorry you blew it.
Language Choir. Only hearing impaired students trained in sign
and interpreters are permitted in the choir. Carol Rellick will be
advising directors Ilene Allinger and Becky Hicks. The choir will
be performing at Convocation several times this year and is
seeking opportunities to perform for community churches and
other organizations in this area. Performances will include Top
40 pop hits, Christian contemporary music, and hynms. Members
of this groi?) include Debbie Adams, Angie Ayers, Tamara Wood,
Abby Babson, Cathy Cline, Krista Matthews, Rhonda McBerry,
Don Donald, Rhonda Downey, Michelle Durso, Troy Smart, and
Debbie Lynn. If you are highly qualified in manual sign language
you mi^t want to consider becoming part of this group which
communicates in such a meaningful way!
In keeping with the ongoing tradition of fine
choral music at Gardner-Webb College, the
prospects of this school year are very promis
ing. The curtain rises on two brand new musical
groups which will perform concerts both on
campus and on the road. But not only does the
Gardner-Webb Concert Choir and the Chorale
afford the interested student musical oppor
tunities, but also opportunities for fellowship,
experience, travel, and a lot of fun.
Under the direction of Dr. Phil D. Perrin, the
Concert Choir meets three times per week with
one credit hour awarded. The Choir sings the
finest arrangements in musical history
available to students from such composers as
Schubert, Vittoria, Bach and Handel. If you like
foreign languages, this year’s Choir will sing in
Latin and German. If not, several English
arrangements, as well as Negro spirituals and
also a choreographed number will be perfor
med.
Throughout the year, the Concert Choir will
represent Gardner-Webb in churches and
schools across North Carolina, as well as per
forming in special concerts on the campus.
Several students hold important positions in
the 41-member choir. Chris Roberts is well
qualified as this year’s Assistant Conductor.
Anna Saunders and Sherry Lieurance lend their
talents at the piano as co-accompanists. Con
cert Choir members are accepted by audition
only. Since this is the first year of organization
for the Choir, you still have a chance to be a
charter member by auditioning in the spring.
Also in the capable conducting hands of Dr.
Perrin is the all-new G-W Chorale. Unlike the
Concert Choir, the Chorale is open to all stu
dents without audition, it meets two times per
week for one credit, and is a bit less formal.
On a few select occasions, the Chorale and
Concert Choir will combine to form the Choral
Union under the direction of Mrs. Elizabeth C.
Minus with Dr. George Cribb as piano accom
panist. The highlight of the year for Choral Un
ion will be a performance with the Asheville
Symphony Orchestra later in this semester.
Whether you are a performer or an avid
listener, the 1984-85 Gardner-Webb choral
groups will display music with which any
college would be proud to be associated I!
Why Convocation Anyway?
Convocation. This seems to be a widely discussed issue among
the Gardner-Webb students this year. For the first time in six
years the Convocation requirement is being strictly enforced.
This requirement, found in the Gardner-Webb handbook, states,
“Each student is required to attend Convocation eadi semester of
full time enrollment at Gardner-Webb College...Exemption from
Convocation attendance and satisfactory attendance are deter
mined by the Vice President of Academic Affairs. Only in cases
where an exemption has been granted can the hours that would
have been gained by Convocation attendance be replaced by
taking other credit hours to complete the graduation require
ment.”
This policy has been in effect for six years, but only now is it
being strictly enforced. Dr. John Drayer, Vice President for
Academic Affairs brought this matter to the attention of the Con
vocation Committee and the faculty. He noticed an alarming drop
in the number of students receiving Convocation credit. In the fall
of 1981, 940 students received Convocation credit. By the fall of
1983 only 510 students received Convocation credit. Secondly, Dr.
Drayer felt that it was not fair to the students who were attending
so he decided to the committee that the policy be enforced more
strictly.
Communication Connection
Starting this semester Gardner-Webb College offers a new
major in Communications for all interested. Dr. Bill Stowe is the
Director of Conmiunications Studies. He states, “There is an ob
vious need for a bridge between the growing chasm of “supply
and demand.” There is a big gap between employment demands
and college graduates communications skills. If a conmiunication
major that is well grounded in liberal arts and strengthened on
conmiunications skills can be offered, Gardner-Webb will be able
to bridge this gap.
This major is different from other majors in that it requires a
nucleus of courses in written, oral, and visual communications.
The major also requires courses in media specialty, which
includes radio, television, drama, the print media, and
photography. After this is completed, two internships must be
done in the student’s specialty.
This schools program does not intend to compete with other
school’s programs, but graduates of the program at Gardner-
Webb, will be able to compete for the best jobs in the field of
specialty. Dr. Stowe insists that the unity and coherence of this
program will be more attractive than many hastily assembled ap
proaches at other small colleges.
If you are interested in this degree and want to know more, con
tact Bill Stowe in the Lindsay building.
Religious
Emphasis Week
Religious Emphasis Wedt, a
yearly Gardner-Webb tradi
tion, is an activity funded by
the Thomas F. Stanley Founda
tion, a trust fund designed to
encourage religious activities
in various colleges. This foun
dation sponsors Religious
Emphasis Week (or Fall
Revival,) each year.
This year, Fall Revival will
be held during the week of Oc
tober first through fifth, with
guest speaker Dr. Nathan Por
ter of the World Hunger
Association. This year’s guest
music director will be Gerald
Hamilton, Minister of Music at
First Baptist Church in Lum-
berton, N.C., and a Gardner-
Webb alumnus. The theme of
Fall Revival this year is “It’s
A Family Affair,” a topic
suggested by last year’s
Religious Activities Commit
tee.
The five morning services
are being held in the Lutz-
Yelton Convocation Center,
and the evening services in
Dover Chapel at 6 p.m. The
morning services are con
sidered a part (tf convocation,
and thus the attendance of all
students is expected. The less
formal evening services are in
tended more as an evangelical
outreach, and as a source of
strength for the Christian stu
dents here. The Fall Revival
services are open to the public,
in order that the conmiunity
and student body may
fellowship together. •