February 2020

2020 Vision

Welcome to the new year and to another semester full of celebrations, performances, exhibits and visions coming to fruition. The Millikin-Decatur Symphony Orchestra will celebrate 100 years of voting rights for women and Beethoven’s 250th birthday, and two outstanding candidates for the position of music director/conductor will serve as guest conductors for these concerts. This month will also feature a concert by world-class pianist and Millikin Associate Professor Silvan Negrutiu, performances by our award-winning percussion ensembles, a Valentine’s Day jazz concert with alumna Angel Spiccia ’03, a new spin on the operetta “The Pirates of Penzance” and an exhibition of the work of renowned ceramicist Simon Levin. See the calendar below for further details.

Speaking of vision, the Center for Theatre & Dance is nearing its long-awaited completion. On the 24th of each month this spring, we will open the facility to tours for friends of the University who have supported the project or would like to do so. Please call the College of Fine Arts at 217.362.6499 to get your name on our list. Hard hats provided! The view from the large, glass-enclosed dance studio alone is worth a donation.

Please have a look at the news from some of the “behind the scenes” places where our students and faculty do some of their best work: in Millitrax Recording Studio, on a bus with a touring industrial supergroup and various service locations within our own community.

Your support for the Center for Theatre & Dance, the Patrons Society and ticket sales to performances and events is our lifeblood, and we work hard to pay it forward by creating meaning and value in your lives through engagement with the arts.

See you soon!

Laura Ledford Dean, College of Fine Arts College of Fine Arts News

Blue Review All Access: The Art of Art Therapy For some people, art is a way to de-stress after a long day, and for some, it is a way to heal during and after a traumatic experience. The art therapy program at Millikin University prepares its students to be able to teach all of the above.

On the Road with Millikin’s Martin Atkins What better way to learn about the music industry and tour management than by going on the road and experiencing them first hand? Eleven music business students recently embarked on an extraordinary journey this past November — a 16-day, 16-city tour with industrial rock supergroup Pigface, led by Martin Atkins, coordinator of music business at Millikin University.

Musical Theatre Major Brings Authenticity to the Stage Four years ago, Trey DeLuna ’20 was auditioning for various college theatre programs but wasn’t landing the opportunities that he was hoping for. He applied and auditioned at Millikin University, knowing Millikin is home to one of the best musical theatre programs in the country. As it turned out, DeLuna wanted Millikin, and Millikin wanted him right back. Read more →

Renovations Put Millitrax Recording Studio on Another Level Millikin University’s School of Music offers an environment where students can grow as artists and scholars through the blending of creative, performative and entrepreneurial experiences designed to train the next generation of music professionals. The recent renovation of Millitrax is just one example of the School’s commitment to that growth.

Arts Tech Student Wins at the Shortcut to Startup Competition Congrats to Kade Nylen ’22, who won a $2,000 prize while competing in the Shortcut to Startup Competition, which was hosted by Millikin University’s Center for Entrepreneurship.

Patrons Society The mission of the College of Fine Arts Patrons Society is to bring together individuals who believe in the unique power of the fine and performing arts to make a better world and who support the students, teachers and academic programs in Millikin’s College of Fine Arts.

Fine Arts Fridays Elizabeth Mason Creighton ’01, lecturer in the School of Music, and Laura Ledford, dean of the College of Fine Arts, continue to host “Fine Arts Fridays” from 5-6 p.m., sponsored by the Millikin University College of Fine Arts.

They talk about all things fine arts at Millikin and beyond ... the people, the process, the performance and the pandemonium.

Join them for “Fine Arts Fridays” from 5-6 p.m. on WSOY 1340 AM, 103.3 FM and streaming live on NowDecatur.com.

Arts@Millikin Calendar

MDSO Masterworks III Tuba and Simon Levin Celebrate the centenary Electronics “Lineage” year of the 19th Join Tim Simon Levin is a full- amendment with a Schachtschneider as he time studio potter concert dedicated to the presents a recital filled working exclusively with legacy of revolutionary with jazz, poetry, wood firing. His award- women and their allies. cinematic stylings and winning work is actual sounds from space exhibited internationally Learn more → indexed on the NASA and appears in several website. contemporary ceramic books. Learn more → Learn more → Beethoven 250 Internationally- acclaimed pianist and Millikin Associate Professor Silvan Valentine Gala Ballet Folclórico Negrutiu returns to the Join guest vocalist Angel It is the mission of the Kirkland stage for a Spiccia ’03 and Jazz Ballet Folclórico Nacion recital celebrating Band I for their third al de México to preserve Beethoven’s 250th annual Valentine gala at and promote the culture birthday. the Decatur Club on of Mexico. Friday, Feb. 14. Learn more → Learn more → Learn more →

MDSO Masterworks Percussion Ensemble The Pirates of IV Synergy Penzance Since its premiere in Percussion Ensemble 1808, Beethoven’s Fifth In this new imagining of Synergy showcases the Symphony has attained Gilbert and Sullivan’s distinctiveness of worldwide renown, classic operetta, “The Millikin’s influencing composers of Pirates of Penzance,” our interdisciplinary symphonies and chart- “pirates” are members of alliances through a topping hit songs alike. a ’50s biker gang and are collaborative concert rebels without a cause. featuring performances Learn more → by the students and Learn more → faculty across the College of Fine Arts.

Learn more → SEE MORE ARTS@MILLIKIN EVENTS →

MILLIKIN UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF FINE ARTS 1184 W. Main St. Decatur, IL 62522 800.373.7733 | millikin.edu/cfa

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