The
Gardner-Webb University
Tuesday^ October 28^ 2003
www,^upilotcom
Volume? No.
0 Jj^ ^ IIC challenges
with his musical talent
Photo by Kaylln Bowers
Derek Lane reads the words to his music in braille during rehearsal
Kaylin Bowers
Pilot Staff
Sophomore Derek Lane does
not consider his blindness a handi
cap.
In fact, this communications
major only considers it a "mere
inconvenience."
"Ultimately, I would love to
work with radio productions,
doing sound effects and voice
overs," said Lane, who was bom
blind.
This past summer, Lane did
audio work for his church during
the services.
Music has been a large part of
Lane’s life since he was young. He
began taking piano lessons at the
age of five and now sings for the
Gardner-Webb Concert Choir.
However, Lane learns the
music somewhat differently from
everyone else. Since he cannot see,
he must have his music translated
into Braille. There are Braille
codes for music notes, said Lane,
but he does not know them very
well. He has the words to the songs
put in Braille and bound together
for him by the Noel House.
During performances, the
Concert Choir is allowed to have
music available to them, but Lane
typically memorizes the song,
keeping the words handy as a back
up.
Since He only has the words
translated into Braille for him, he
listens carefully to the parts around
him in order to learn the song’s
tune. Also, Lane receives a tape of
the music with just his part on it,
which helps him to learn the song
more quickly.
"Obviously, one hindering
aspect of blindness is that I cannot
sight-read," said Lane. "Some peo
ple are really good and can pick up
music and start playing or singing
just from sight-reading."
Lane either has to wait until
the music is put into Braille or
have someone read him the words.
Even though this could be a major
hindrance to some people. Lane
calls them "minor annoyances."
These "minor annoyances" also
including getting adjusted to a new
performance place.
No matter how many annoy
ances life gives, music remains a
part of Lane’s life.
"He is so talented," said
Maggie Koon, a junior who sings
with Lane in the choir. "It’s got to
be difficult. He has such a passion
for music and it is more than just
singing. It is for music as a whole,
even keyboards."
To Lane, his blindness is not a
handicap.
"A handicap is something that
you start out with and it gets
worse," said Lane. "If you were
bom in a certain state, it has never
existed, therefore not being a
handicap."
Lane has overcome some of
the difficulties blindness may
cause and has leamed to enjoy life
— and music — the way it is.
President Campbell’s contract extended
Jennifer Menster
Pilot copy editor
The Gardner-Webb board
of trustees made it official last
Thursday.
Well actually, they made
him official.
Frank Campbell is no
longer considered interim pres
ident, but the real thing. The
board extended his contract
until June 30, 2005.
"I feel good about the deci
sion," Campbell said. "I love
Gardner-Webb. I love working
with the students and am anx
ious to move on."
The "moving on" Campbell
is talking about is from the
NCAA violations that Gardner-
Webb is dealing with.
Campbell said the board has
asked him to bring the investi
gation to a close, which will
take several more months,
depending on the NCAA.
In December, Campbell
will travel to Indiana to present
a response to the NCAA. After
On the Inside
Spring break
mission trips
offered to
students...
page 2
Learn about
local Halloween
events...
page 3
Cultural oppor
tunities found
for students
studying
abroad....
page 4
Try some new
food dips for a
snack...
that, Campbell said the earliest
the school will hear back from
the association is eight weeks.
Campbell came to GWU
about one year ago to help
rebuild the school after former
President Chris White resigned.
Campbell said he is sorry for
the reasons behind his coming
the GWU, but is glad he has the
Women’s Soccer
advances to tour
nament...
opportunity to work at the col
lege.
"I had always known about
Gardner-Webb, but didn’t
know how good it really was,"
Campbell said. "We need to tell
people that this school is really
good."
He is closely watching the
see CONTRACT page 4
page 7
page 8
News pages 2^3
Features
pages 4-5
pages 8