The ethnic arts festival this year was an entertaining experience, but that is about the extent of it.
I have my feelings where diversity and acceptance is concerned, but I think that this entire festival was highly unnecessary. I feel that if I were a member of any ethnicity that was singled out for this festival that I would much rather be a part of the larger community and not singled out and studied.
Acceptance does not mean that we need to single out these groups and subsequently individuals; acceptance means that we celebrate all of us as the larger conglomeration that we are.
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
Kyrie eleison, Christe eleison: Beethoven's Mass in C
This years spring oratorio was a production of Ludwig van Beethoven's Mass in C Major. It was put on by the members of Pike Kor, Norsemen, the Symphony Orchestra and the Nordic Choir with Dr. Craig Arnold conducting.
As a member of the Nordic Choir, this was a phenomenal experience for me both as a participant and as an observer. I was able to be a part of this amazing event and was also able to observe my fellow colleagues at their best.
The way that all four of these ensembles came together for the greater cause of this gargantuan work was absolutely humbling. I realized that performing this work was so much bigger than any of the people on the stage; it encompassed every single person in the audience and, more so the spirit of Luther College. This is one of the only places in the country, and even the world, that a performer can be a part of such a work. This experience has greatly impacted my feelings towards works of this kind and working with a large group of people for a greater good.
As a member of the Nordic Choir, this was a phenomenal experience for me both as a participant and as an observer. I was able to be a part of this amazing event and was also able to observe my fellow colleagues at their best.
The way that all four of these ensembles came together for the greater cause of this gargantuan work was absolutely humbling. I realized that performing this work was so much bigger than any of the people on the stage; it encompassed every single person in the audience and, more so the spirit of Luther College. This is one of the only places in the country, and even the world, that a performer can be a part of such a work. This experience has greatly impacted my feelings towards works of this kind and working with a large group of people for a greater good.
For the Sake of the World: Spring Convocation 2007
This years spring convocation was given by Mark S. Hanson, presiding bishop of the ELCA. This was a wonderful event to attend for anyone who enjoys a good speaker. Rev. Hanson was an excellent speaker and had a few very good points to address.
His main theme was that the people of this world were so caught up with "things" that they had lost the calling that we, as members of the Christian faith were given; to go into all the world preaching the gospel. He said that we should model our lives more like the life of Jesus Christ; to constantly be curious of all things around us and to constantly search for ways to assist our fellow man (and women).
Rev. Hanson's message was both clear and insightful. I hope to someday incorporate his techniques into my own teaching style.
His main theme was that the people of this world were so caught up with "things" that they had lost the calling that we, as members of the Christian faith were given; to go into all the world preaching the gospel. He said that we should model our lives more like the life of Jesus Christ; to constantly be curious of all things around us and to constantly search for ways to assist our fellow man (and women).
Rev. Hanson's message was both clear and insightful. I hope to someday incorporate his techniques into my own teaching style.
FMEA Fiesta!
On April 3, 2007 I had the privilege to attend an FMEA meeting with Professor Juan Tony Guzman. This meeting was different from many FMEA meetings I have been to; Tony had set up a Latin percussion workshop.
This was an excellent experience to learn about something relatively new from a very experienced educator/performer. Tony has more rhythm in his little finger than most people have in their entire bodies.
He began the workshop with teaching how to play the congas (and other like percussion instruments). He taught us the technique and a simple, but effective pattern. We then moved on to other percussion instruments (guiro, cowbell, claves, etc.). However, Tony did not just move on. There were several students that were struggling with the rhythms and he made sure that they were confident before moving on. By the end of the night he had taught us a traditional Cuban protest song, Guantanomera, and we were all playing (more or less) like professional Afro-Cuban percussionists.
I can only hope that someday I have as much passion and compassion for my students and my subject as Tony has. I know that if I can achieve that level of commitment, my students will have the best education that they can get.
This was an excellent experience to learn about something relatively new from a very experienced educator/performer. Tony has more rhythm in his little finger than most people have in their entire bodies.
He began the workshop with teaching how to play the congas (and other like percussion instruments). He taught us the technique and a simple, but effective pattern. We then moved on to other percussion instruments (guiro, cowbell, claves, etc.). However, Tony did not just move on. There were several students that were struggling with the rhythms and he made sure that they were confident before moving on. By the end of the night he had taught us a traditional Cuban protest song, Guantanomera, and we were all playing (more or less) like professional Afro-Cuban percussionists.
I can only hope that someday I have as much passion and compassion for my students and my subject as Tony has. I know that if I can achieve that level of commitment, my students will have the best education that they can get.
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