Fall 2006 Alumni Magazine

OUTREACH

and NGAGEMEN E Hixson-Lied College teams with 4-H to bring arts across the state T LETTER FROM THE DEAN ear Friends, since that time more than a dozen of our D I hope this finds you all well and students in visual art, drama, music and film enjoying some restful and interesting summer have become involved. As an outgrowth of activities. Our lives here on campus this this program, we have also begun to establish summer and throughout the past year have short duration day camps in various counties been busy and exciting, as you will read in that focus exclusively on the arts, in which our this latest edition of our Alumni Magazine. students work with children of all ages. In fact, this entire year has been the busiest This past year marked a milestone for two since my arrival as Dean five years ago, and as of our faculty in the School of Music, Quentin you read through the pages that follow, I am Faulkner and George Ritchie, both of whom sure you will agree that our College is indeed have retired after long and distinguished prospering in so many interesting and varied careers. Since their arrival over thirty years ago, ways. Quentin and George have built and nurtured One of the focus areas for this edition of the our program of studies in Organ to a level that Magazine is that of outreach and engagement, has earned it recognition both nationally and which is among the top strategic priorities internationally. They both have also made of our College. In this regard, you will see significant and lasting contributions to the a featured article by Dr. David Myers from growth of the School of Music and the College Georgia State University, along with our for which we are all sincerely grateful. Indeed, cover story about a collaboration with the they will both be missed! Cooperative Extension Division in the College With the inauguration of our Donor of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources. This collaboration Recognition Day Luncheon in the fall of 2004, we began a focused began as a conversation with Cooperative Extension Dean Elbert effort to recognize all those donors to the College have made a Dickey as to how our College could embrace the University’s land grant difference in the range and quality of scholarships, fellowships, and mission of outreach and engagement by partnering with Cooperative other opportunities that we are able to provide for our students. Extension on initiatives that would bring the Arts to communities in With this issue of the Magazine, we continue this focus through our various parts of the state. My goal was to have a process that would featured Donor Profiles of Ron and Chris Harris, Dan and Barbara involve both faculty and students from our College. Fortunately for Howard, and Jim and Rhonda Seacrest, whose generosity has enabled us, Dean Dickey was extremely receptive to the concept and over the the establishment of special initiatives in the Johnny Carson School course of the next six months he and I developed a plan for having of Theatre and Film, the Department of Art and Art History, and students from our College serve as interns in three residential 4- the School of Music, respectively. We plan to continue these Donor H summer camps. The plan was initiated in summer of 2003, and Profiles in future editions of the Magazine and Newsletter. CREDITS Fall 2006 Art Directors Special Thanks Via mail: John W. Richmond, IV Dickson For Alumni and Brent Atema UNL College of Kathe Andersen, Fine Director, School of Leta Powell Drake Friends of the Craig Reier Journalism and Mass and Performing Arts Music Bonna Hays Communications Magazine, 102 Nelle John Heineman Hixson-Lied Cover Photo Dean H. Will Cochrane Woods, Paul Steger, Richard Moses College of Fine Students show off Norton, Jr. Lincoln, NE 68588- Director, Johnny Lance Nielsen and Performing the mosaic they and Professors 0144. Carson School of Carol Thompson Arts, University of created at the 2005 Charlyne Berens and Via e-mail: Theatre and Film Valery Wachter Nebraska–Lincoln Fine and Performing Nancy Anderson [email protected]. Lucy Buntain Arts Camp in Wilbur, for their guidance Via fax: Hixson-Lied Advisory Comine, University of Dean Nebraska. They were and collaboration on (402) 472-9353. Board Nebraska Foundation Giacomo M. Oliva taught by Department this project. We reserve the right John C. Angle of Art and Art to edit letters for Terry L. Fairfield We do not Associate Dean History students Abby Hixson-Lied length, style or Christina M. Hixson discriminate on the Robert A. Fought Byorth (back row, Endowment for clarity. Heather Jones basis of gender, age, far left) and Jeremie assistance with the Giacomo M. Oliva disability, race, color, Editor Memming (back row, funding. http://www.unl. Chancellor Harvey S. religion, marital Kathe C. Andersen second from right). edu/finearts Perlman status, veteran’s Photo courtesy of How to reach us: James W. Strand status, national or Contributing Writers UNL Extension 4-H Letters to the editor, College Sandy Veneziano ethnic origin, or Joel Gehringer Youth Development. Jill Havekost alumni news, story Administration Susan Varner Wilkins sexual orientation. Photography Katelyn Kerkhove ideas or address Edward Forde, Chair, All photographs by David E. Myers changes may be sent in Department of Art College Alumni Kathe C. Andersen any of the following and Art History Board except as noted ways: Susan Brasch Adrienne Dickson

2 University of Nebraska-Lincoln LETTER FROM THE DEAN Let me also call your attention to our newly-formed donor “Circles” arrived, and it is our hope that next year’s publication will include that have been organized to better recognize alumni and friends photos of the completed project, along with details concerning the who are dedicated to enhancing the programmatic resources of the special dedication event that we are planning for the Fall of 2007. Stay Department of Art and Art History, the School of Music, and the tuned! Johnny Carson School of Theatre and Film. Each circle is designed Finally, let me remind you all to visit our College website often. A with four giving levels to encourage donors at every stage of life. Lists major redesign of the website was completed last fall, and we continue of contributors to the various Circles have been included in a special to make small adjustments to it on a routine basis to ensure that it section of the Magazine. keeps our extended College family, as well as our prospective students Last year at this time we were just concluding arrangements to have and their parents, well informed about all that is going on. Along these the Chiara String Quartet serve a three-year chamber music residency lines, be sure to read the story about the STARTS (Students in the Arts) in the School of Music. Since their arrival last fall, the members project, which was funded by a $25,000 University-wide Initiative for of the Quartet have not only established new benchmarks for the Teaching and Learning Grant, and matched in part by funds from the chamber music curriculum, but have also had a significant impact on Hixson-Lied Endowment. When completed, the project will result in our campus as a whole, as well as on the Lincoln Community. They an interactive webpage for newly-admitted students that should have began the year with featured performances for the NU Foundation a significant impact on the ease with which they make the transition to Board and as part of the Chancellor’s State of the University Address, becoming new members of our College student body. and have since become wonderful ambassadors for our College, as As always, we in the College remain truly grateful for all that you, well as for the University as a whole. This coming year they will be our alumni and friends, continue to do for our students and faculty. undertaking several initiatives that will embrace the outreach and We are indeed making great strides and accomplishing great things, engagement missions of the College, the University, and the Lied and to be sure, your participation and contributions have played a Center for Performing Arts. major role along the way. Please stay in touch with us, and be sure to I could not conclude my introductory remarks without telling you visit if you are in the neighborhood! that we are about to break ground for the expansion of the Temple Building that was made possible through Johnny Carson’s generous With warmest regards, gift. This expansion will include the construction of a new scene design shop, as well as a new black box/film sound stage, two high tech classroom and computer design spaces, additional side stage and storage areas, newly designed scene and lighting rigging, and for those of you with fond memories of UNL in its earlier days, the reopening of the “R” Street entrance to the building. As you will see later in the Giacomo M. Oliva magazine, the fences have gone up and the construction vehicles have Hixson-Lied Endowed Dean TABLE OF CONTENTS

Cover Story 18 Von Seggern Creates 56 College Welcomes 5 32 Ron and Chris Harris Marble Sculpture New Faculty The Hixson-Lied 34 Dan and Barbara 38 College of Fine 19 School of Music a 58 Arts Outreach and Howard and Performing Arts has Family Affair for Engagement in the Jim and Rhonda collaborated with Cooperative 36 Salistean University Setting. Seacrest Extension on a series of arts Guest article by David camps at 4-H camps across 20 Student, Stuntwoman E. Myers the state. Jessica Graf Departments

Features 21 Organists Ritchie, Development 2 Dean’s Letter Faulkner Retire 9 Karen Kunc Wins 24 Thank You to Our 4 News and Notes National Printmaking 48 Alumni Weekend Donors 42 Faculty Notes Award Wrap-Up 26 Donors to @rts 44 Alumni Notes 12 Chiara String Quartet 50 College Honors 3 Patron’s, Carson and in Residence Alumni Encore Circles 53 Call for Nominations 15 Temple Building 54 College Aims to 28 Hixson-Lied Renovation Begins Incorporate Digital Arts Endowment Report

Hixson-Lied College of Fine and Performing Arts 3 NEWS & NOTES

said. “I have heard wonderful things School of Music student about the program, and I know and respect the work selected for NATS internship of several teachers who attended as Jamie Reimer, a Doctor of Musical Arts substantially the studio teaching skills of interns in previous student in the School of Music who studies these promising young teachers. years. It is quite under Professor Donna Harler-Smith, was “Jamie is the third of my students to an honor to be one of 12 students selected from the United have been selected for the NATS Internship Jamie Reimer counted among States and Canada for the prestigious Program, and I am very proud of this,” them.” 2006 National Association of Teachers of Harler-Smith said. Reimer plans to pursue a tenure-track Singing (NATS) Intern Program. Anthony The program took place this summer position on the voice faculty at a respected Price Radford, who received his D.M.A. at the NATS Conference, June 13-23, at post-secondary institution following the from UNL in December 2005, was also the University of Missouri-Kansas City completion of her D.M.A. at UNL. selected as a NATS Intern this summer, Conservatory of Music. Reimer was paired “This experience will allow me to hone representing Canada. with master teacher Stephanie Samaras, my teaching skills under the guidance of The NATS Intern Program pairs a private studio teacher from New York some of the best teachers in the United experienced and recognized master City. States, as well as develop professional teachers of voice with talented “This was the second year I applied, so relationships that will be helpful as my young members of NATS to improve I was really thrilled to be selected,” Reimer career progresses.”

Teo’s ‘Almost Normal’ premieres

“Almost Normal,” a film by Sharon Teo, Lincoln using many faculty and students. associate professor of film, had a gala The film also received a grant from the premiere at the Mary Riepma Ross Media Hixson-Lied Endowment. Arts Center on Sept. 23 at the start of its Teo’s film secured national distribution Associate Professors Virginia Smith and Sharon Teo at the Lincoln premiere of one-week run at the Ross. Teo produced rights, and the DVD is now available “Almost Normal.” Smith starred in the movie. and edited the film, which was shot in nationwide at retailers and rental outlets.

Grad conductors work with Slatkin

National Symphony Orchestra Music conductor Slatkin combines the roles Director Leonard Slatkin did a masterclass of internationally celebrated musician, for School of Music graduate conducting staunch advocate for music education students on March 31. The National and champion of American music and Symphony Orchestra was in town for musicians in his role as Music Director for a performance at the Lied Center for the National Symphony Orchestra. He is Performing Arts on March 30. the founder and director of the National The entire graduate student body, along Conducting Institute, a groundbreaking with additional undergraduate students program that assists conductors in making National Symphony Orchestra Music and faculty, observed the masterclass by the transition from leading part-time or Director Leonard Slatkin works with Maestro Slatkin. academic orchestras to working with full- graduate conducting students at a The American-born and trained time major symphony orchestras. masterclass in Westbrook Music Building.

4 University of Nebraska-Lincoln NEWS & NOTES Kunc, Souto attend exhibit in Egypt

Cather Professor of Art Karen Kunc and Assistant Professor of Art Francisco Souto traveled to Cairo, Egypt, in November to attend the opening of the exhibition “Open Expression: Contemporary Printmaking Art” at the American University in Cairo. A grant from the Hixson-Lied Endowment and a Woods Grant from the Department of Art and Art History sponsored the trip. The exhibition was a project initiated and curated by Kunc in collaboration with Photo courtesy of the artists Dr. Wael El Sabour El Kader, a professor Assistant Professor of Art Francisco Souto (fourth from left) and Cather Professor of Art Karen Kunc (third from right) in Cairo at the opening of the exhibition “Open Expression: of art at Elminia University in Egypt, who Contemporary Printmaking Art.” was a UNL visiting scholar in 2001-2003. The exhibition consisted of two prints by Joshua Luther (M.F.A. 2005), Debora In addition to attending the opening of 30 American artists, including Kunc and Oden (M.F.A. 2003), Matthew Wittmer the exhibition, Kunc and Souto conducted Souto, as well as several UNL alumni, (M.F.A. 2000), Jessica Mills (B.F.A. 2004) seminars with Egyptian students, faculty including Brian Curling (M.F.A. 2004), and Andrew Schroeder (B.F.A. 2005). and artists.

the world to the Tyler White wins ASCAP Nissim UNL campus. The composition and premiere of Mystic Prize honorable mention Trumpeter were supported by a Tyler White, associate professor always like to see their music gain notice Maude Hammond of conducting and composition and and life beyond the first performance or Fling Faculty director of orchestral activities at the two—and unfortunately, that doesn’t D e v e l o p m e n t University of Nebraska–Lincoln School always happen. The Nissim Prize is one Grant from UNL of Music, received honorable mention of the significant awards in American Tyler White and by a Composer in the 26th Annual American Society composition, and the jury’s singling out Assistance Grant of Composers, Authors and Publishers of my work may speak well, I hope, for from the American Music Center. (ASCAP) Foundation Rudolf Nissim Prize the piece’s prospects to attract future The Nissim Prize is funded by The Competition. performances.” ASCAP Foundation through a bequest of White received honorable mention for Associate Professor William Shomos and Mystic Trumpeter (Symphony No. 2), a the UNL Symphony Orchestra premiered the late Dr. Rudolf Nissim, former head of 22-minute piece for baritone and large Mystic Trumpeter (Symphony No. 2) under ASCAP’s International Department. The orchestra with text comprised of fragments White’s direction in April 2005 as part of Nissim competition is open to all ASCAP of several poems by Walt Whitman. “Leaves of Grass: The 150th Anniversary members who compose concert works “I am naturally very pleased by this Conference,” which brought prominent requiring a conductor that have not been recognition,” White said. “Composers poets and Whitman scholars from around professionally premiered.

Hixson-Lied College of Fine and Performing Arts 5 NEWS & NOTES MFA Student wins Southern Hixson-Lied Graphics Council Fellowship graduate fellows Sherry Black, an M.F.A. in art student Conference in Kansas City in 2007. from Ephraim, Utah, is the recipient of Catherine Meier (B.F.A. 2005) was the the Southern Graphic Council’s Graduate recipient of the Undergraduate Fellowship finish program Student Fellowship for 2006. Only one in 2005. graduate fellowship is awarded each year. The Southern Graphics Council is a Black just completed her first year nonprofit membership organization that The first class of Hixson-Lied at UNL and is studying under Cather advances the professional standing of graduate fellows graduated in May. The Professor of Art Karen Kunc and Assistant five students began their careers at UNL Professor of Art Francisco Souto. artists who make original prints, drawings, in the fall of 2003. Black will present her work at the SGC books and hand-made paper. The Hixson-Lied Graduate Fellowship program, created with funding from the Hixson-Lied Endowment, provides supplemental funding to the regular 2006 Mary Riepma Ross Awards graduate assistantships that each academic unit awards, making them On May 22, the Mary Riepma Ross Levine is famous for her development the most prestigious fellowships in Media Arts Center presented its 2006 of film studies at the University of the College. The supplement varies by department. Mary Riepma Ross Awards to June Levine Nebraska–Lincoln. A member of the “Our Hixson-Lied Fellows have made and Lew Hunter. Department of English, she taught from the most of the opportunities afforded The awards pay tribute to established 1958-1993. Hunter, a native of Guide them, and in the process, they have film or video artists whose roots or artistic Rock, Neb., has gained his reputation concerns are grounded in the Great Plains represented the College exceptionally through screenwriting for numerous well,” said Hixson-Lied Endowed Dean region and culture, and whose lives and television programs and his highly revered work have contributed significantly to Giacomo Oliva. “Their accomplish- text, “Screenwriting 434,” written during the art of cinema and the culture of our ments have helped us set a high standard his tenure at UCLA’s film school. nation. for our graduate programs in all three arts areas.” Members of the first graduating class of Hixson-Lied Fellows were:

Krecklow selected for musical Mike Legate, Johnny Carson Rob Krecklow, a junior theatre “The Burnt Part Boys” is a bittersweet, School of Theatre performance major and musical theatre comic musical adventure with book by and Film. Legate minor, was invited to audition for and was Marianna Elder received his Mas- contracted to reprise his role of “Dusty” and lyrics by ter of Fine Arts in in the Equity premier production of the Nathan Tysen and sound design. At new musical “The Burnt Part Boys.” The music composed UNL, he designed reading premier of this new musical was by Chris Miller. or co-designed presented by a cast of UNL students on The lives of two nine theatrical Mike Legate April 29 in Kimball Recital Hall. teen-age brothers productions and The musical’s professional premier and their friends led or assisted with the sound design of was June 21-July 2 at Barrington Stage are shaped by the 10 student films. He plans to teach. Company in the Berkshires (Mass.). The Rob Krecklow loss of their fathers, limited run served as an out-of-town who died a decade Sarah MacMillan, Department of Art tryout for this new musical, which is being earlier in a tragic mining accident. A and Art History. MacMillan received considered by several producers for future journey to the Burnt Part of the mountain her Master of Fine Arts in studio art production in New York City. changes everyone.

6 University of Nebraska-Lincoln NEWS & NOTES and served as a Hixson-Lied Fellow at the Sheldon Memorial Art Gallery and Sculpture Garden, where she promoted First Hixson-Lied professors named exhibitions and facilitated relationships The Hixson-Lied College of Fine and Gail Kendall, between students and faculty and the Performing Arts has begun a Hixson-Lied H i x s o n - L i e d Sheldon’s collection and staff. She also Professorship program to recognize the Professor of Art. initiated and implemented an active work of our most outstanding faculty. Kendall is a ceramic student docent program with Sheldon Two professors from the Department of artist and dedicated Curator of Education Karen Janovy. She Art and Art History, Gail Kendall and teacher, who has begins a residency at Hunter College in Christin Mamiya, were named as the first shown her work New York City in September. Hixson-Lied Professors at the College’s in more than 22 Honors Day Dinner on April 22. solo and two- Ausra Motuzaite-Pinkeviciene, “It has been our goal all along to person exhibitions Gail Kendall School of Music. Motuzaite- implement a faculty recognition and more than 150 group exhibitions, P i n k e v i c i e n e program with the Hixson-Lied funding including the Sheldon Memorial Art received her Doc- that recognizes outstanding faculty Gallery and Sculpture Garden, the John tor of Musical Arts accomplishment over a sustained period Michael Kohler Art Center in Wisconsin, degree in organ. of time,” said Hixson-Lied Endowed Dean the Clay Studio in Philadelphia and the She has returned Giacomo Oliva. Fusions Gallery in Australia. Her ceramic to her home in Eligibility for consideration of these work is included as part of the collection Lithuania and prestigious fellowships is limited to at the Minneapolis Institute of Art and the plans to pub- tenured faculty in the Hixson-Lied College General Mills Corporation in New York lish part of her of Fine and Performing Arts at the rank City. dissertation in the Ausra Motuzaite- of associate or full professor who do not Kendall has presented more than 80 scholarly journal Pinkeviciene already hold a named professorship, who workshops and lectures nationally and Ars Organi. have demonstrated exceptional overall internationally. She was selected last performance over an extended timeframe, spring to present a Nebraska Lecture on Nancy Vogt, School of Music. Vogt and whose accomplishments have gained her work as part of the 2006 Chancellor’s received her significant recognition beyond the Distinguished Lecture Series. Doctor of Musical University. Arts degree in The Hixson-Lied Professorships carry Christin Mamiya, Hixson-Lied trombone. She a $3,000 annual stipend that can be Professor of Art History. Mamiya is an performed with used to augment the recipient’s salary authoritative voice on contemporary art. the Plymouth Brass or to support the recipient’s creative or Her book “Pop Art and Consumer Culture: and the Monday scholarly work. American Supermarket” led to invitations Night Big Band “The selection committee had a tough nationally and in Lincoln. She job this year, as the pool of nominees was internationally to was the assistant Nancy Vogt very strong,” Oliva said. “Christin and Gail write and speak program director at Blue Lake Fine Arts are most worthy to receive this special about artists of the Camp in Michigan. recognition, and we feel strongly that their later 20th century. selection will bring increased national She also wrote Melinda Yale, Department of Art and recognition and visibility for them, as well “Renaissance to Art History. Yale as for our College.” Postmodern Art” received her Master Members of the Hixson-Lied for “Gardner’s Art of Fine Arts degree Professorship Committee included Peter Through the Ages,” Christin Mamiya in studio art with Bleed, UNL professor of anthropology an award-winning an emphasis on and geography; Ellen Weissinger, executive textbook that has introduced a generation printmaking. She associate dean for graduate studies; of students to the issues and works of has moved to New Tice Miller, professor of theatre; Karen modern aesthetics. York City to pursue Kunc, Cather professor of art; and Glenn Mamiya was selected for membership her art career. She Nierman, Steinhart professor of music in the Academy of Distinguished Teaching has begun a one- Melinda Yale education. at UNL in 2005 and received an Annis year Keyholder Residency at the Lower- The first two faculty members to be Chaikin Sorensen Award for Distinguished Eastside Printshop in Manhattan. named as Hixson-Lied Professors are: Teaching in the Humanities in 2001.

Hixson-Lied College of Fine and Performing Arts 7 NEWS & NOTES College receives $25,000 grant for STARTS program

The Hixson-Lied College of Fine and Performing Arts received a $25,000 grant from the UNL Initiative for Teaching and Learning Excellence (ITLE) awards to develop a pilot program designed to assist new students in making the transition to life at the University of Nebraska– Lincoln. STARTS (Students in the Arts) is a comprehensive program of advisement, mentoring and retention services for students entering the Hixson-Lied College of Fine and Performing Arts either as freshmen or as transfer students. The dynamic program includes: • a dedicated College advising team comprised of faculty, staff and peer advisers during the period of transition. • development of an online introduction of advisers and first-semester instructors. • special College orientation events and programs to assist students new to the College and the University. • formation of a peer advising program. The College, in cooperation with its academic units, is integrating these components into an overarching structure Photo courtesy of UNL Publications of support spanning the period from The STARTS team includes (clockwise from upper left): Todd Jensen, Robert Mond, Aaron New Student Enrollment in the summer Holz, Robert Fought, Sara Fedderson and Robert Woody. through the end of the fall semester. “Every year, new students come to the Johnny Carson School of Theatre and program because I wished there were a University with diverse backgrounds, Film; Benjamin Kamprath, Department program like this when I was a freshman,” expectations and levels of confidence,” said of Art and Art History; Nathan Ohlrich, she said. “I am hoping to get incoming Associate Dean Robert Fought, the project Department of Art and Art History; students involved in the department and coordinator. “The STARTS program will Brooke Stevens, Johnny Carson School of more informed on such things as when to help the College send a message to all of Theatre and Film; Devon Strosahl, School apply for scholarships or to help out with these students that there are people at of Music; and Jamie Unger, School of questions about registration.” UNL who want them to succeed and who Music. The College and UNL’s Information will give them support as they face a new “I applied for a position as a STARTS Services produced a rich media set of challenges.” mentor to get more involved with my presentation, including streaming video The other members of the project team College,” said Kamprath, who is a junior. and a Web site that included a directory are Sara Fedderson, advising coordinator; “I remember feeling lost as a freshman of all academic advisers in the College and Aaron Holz, Department of Art and Art with no idea of how the College worked instructors of selected core courses. History; Robert Woody, School of Music; or how my degree was structured. Being a The program, designed as a one-year and Todd Jensen, UNL Information part of the mentoring program allows me pilot study, will be evaluated next spring. Services. A faculty member from the to guide new students as they make the STARTS’ goals are to result in clarified and Johnny Carson School of Theatre and transition into a college scene.” communicated program requirements, Film will be named to replace faculty Helping new students get more involved closer identification of incoming students member Robert Mond, who left UNL this is the reason Barlean, a senior, wanted to with the College, eased transition into the summer. get involved. University, and increased retention and The student mentors will be Joy Barlean, “I applied for a position for the STARTS degree completion.

8 University of Nebraska-Lincoln NEWS & NOTES Kunc to receive Printmaker Emeritus Award

Cather Professor of Art Karen Kunc as a printmaker and artist whose works into some big shoes to fill when I came will receive the prestigious Printmaker have been exhibited in venues as varied back,” Kunc said. She returned to teach Emeritus Award at the 36th annual as Kearney, Neb., and Laramie, Wyo., to at UNL in 1983 after receiving her M.F.A. conference of The Southern Graphics Switzerland, the Czech Republic, Finland, from the Ohio State University. Council in March 2007. The Southern France, Iceland, Italy, Japan and Russia. Kunc said three things drew her to the Graphics Council is the largest non-profit Kunc’s medium is reduction wood cut field of printmaking. printmaking organization in the country. print, a painstaking process that works in “There were fewer people in printmaking The Printmaker Emeritus Award, the negative and in stages. Using a variety than in the painting studios,” she said. “I created in 1978 and presented annually, of tools to extract layers of wood, carving could work among people in a community is a distinction bestowed by the Southern patterns and strokes and lines, the technique studio, but I didn’t have to talk as I was Graphics Council on an individual quite shy, and it suits my aesthetic—my who has demonstrated outstanding interest in line, shape and drawing.” accomplishments and made lasting She says certain things have remained contributions to the art of printmaking. consistent in her work over the years. She “It is a wonderful surprise and honor,” has always been interested in abstraction Kunc said. “I will be in really a favored and has always worked in color. company of past recipients.” “The evolution [in my work] is Southern Graphics Council Immediate understanding what my voice is and the Past President April Katz said of Kunc: decisions I make about composition. I find “The beauty of her relief prints and meaning in things that seem purely formal, artist’s books, her innovative approaches as I put ideas into issues of perception and to the medium, and her international transmission of visual sensation.” engagement all have had a tremendous Kunc takes equal pride in her teaching at impact on the print world.” UNL and in her work as an artist. Kunc joins a prominent list of “I’m best at the one-on-one relationships printmakers who have received the award, with students,” Kunc said. “Helping them including Michael Mazur, Elizabeth with technical problem-solving and Catlett, Kenneth Tyler, June Wayne, Nancy resolving their conceptual development. I Spero and Robert Blackburn. like the strong relationships that happen “This is a very well-deserved recognition from teaching. I believe that conversations for Karen and for all the work she has over the working table bond people. That done in building her outstanding career, atmosphere is something I’ve valued and as well as the national and international tried to cultivate.” reputation of the printmaking program Cather Professor of Art Karen Kunc In addition to the honors scheduled here at UNL,” said Assistant Professor for next spring, Kunc has two important of Art Francisco Souto. “Obviously I am creates prints in stages, color by color, layer international exhibitions coming up. thrilled and excited to be working with one by layer. Her prints are bold, dramatic, She has been invited to participate in the of the best printmakers in the nation.” calculatedly puzzling. They are instantly International Print Triennial in Krakow, The Southern Graphics Council recognizable due to her unique style and Poland, in September. She will also have conducts an annual conference that brings dazzling color. She was Nebraska’s Artist a solo show at the Seventh Triennale together artists and scholars from around of the Year in 2000; in 1998, she received Mondiale L’Estampes et de la Gravure the United States and the world. Kunc’s the University’s Outstanding Research and Originale in Chamalieries, Auvergne, prints will be featured in an exhibition at Creative Activity Award. France, which opens in October. Kunc won the 2007 Conference next March in Kansas Kunc began her printmaking career in second place in the 2003 Triennale for her City, where she will receive her award. high school and when she came to UNL work titled “Echo Spring,” earning her the “I hope many of my colleagues, students for her undergraduate degree, she already solo show at the 2006 Triennale. and alumni can be there, and they would knew that this is what she wanted to “Indeed, I have been fortunate to be join the network of printmakers I know continue to do. She earned her B.F.A. from part of the international print world, even from all over the country—as I have been UNL, where she studied under Michael being from Nebraska, which has not been a everywhere,” she said. Nushawg. drawback for me—which even has a sense Kunc has an international reputation “I succeeded him and knew I stepped of the exotic out there,” Kunc said.

Hixson-Lied College of Fine and Performing Arts 9 NEWS & NOTES

Stacia Blasé, who was in the beginning ceramics class, works on painting her tile. Ceramics classes create tiles for Selleck Dining Hall

By Kathe Andersen monochromatic servery, using ceramic “It was exciting that the architects and tile,” said Jennifer Rohn, an interior University Housing were embracing the tudents in Hixson-Lied Professor designer with Erickson Sullivan Architects idea of handmade artwork in a commercial Sof Art Gail Kendall’s beginning and in Lincoln. “We wanted to take the idea plan,” she said. intermediate ceramics classes last spring one step further and introduce some Each student in Kendall’s beginning created ceramic food-themed tiles colorful food-themed tiles, to not only add and intermediate ceramics classes created that were installed this summer at the color, but a theme and pattern. However, two 12-inch relief tiles (approximately 48 University’s Selleck Dining Hall as part of such commercial tiles are hard to find in all) based on food themes found in the an interior finish upgrade to the dining and quite expensive, and that’s where the serving area at Selleck, such as soup, deli, facility. University Housing made a $2,000 idea was born to get the UNL art students breakfast, Italian and desserts/ice cream. donation to the UNL Ceramics Guild in involved.” “We are thrilled with the finished exchange for the tiles. Kendall said she was intrigued by the products,” Rohn said. “They are creative, “The challenge issued to us by UNL project when she was approached by colorful and completely unique.” Housing was to incorporate color into the architect Dave Erickson. Ellen Hardy, program coordinator for

10 University of Nebraska-Lincoln NEWS & NOTES the Selleck Dining Hall, agreed. “I think they are awesome,” she said. “They add a touch of whimsy to the dining room. They exceeded my expectations.” Master of Fine Arts student Susan Dewsnap, who was Kendall’s graduate teaching assistant in the two ceramics classes, said the final tiles were varied in style. “The tiles are beautiful, colorful and varied,” she said. “Ideas for the tiles were based on trips to Selleck Dining Hall, as well as looking at other sources of how to compose food, such as historical and contemporary still life paintings. The outcome runs the gamut from the classic, like fish served on a plate, to the more contemporary hotdog with a bite taken out of it and served with tater tots.” At the beginning of the project in March, students went to Selleck Hall to see where the tiles would be presented and to get ideas about what foods are served in the dining hall. “Although initially students seemed to view this project as a bit of an intrusion into the flow of their creative ceramic work, once work started on the tiles, it generated Susan Dewsnap and Gail Kendall hold up two of the finished ceramic tiles. an abundance of talk, sharing ideas and creative laughter among the students,” colors, as well as patterns, to make the tiles graduation.” Dewsnap said. “The project brought to as unique as we could. Professor Kendall let A lasting legacy for the students was one bear the cycle of ceramic making: the labor us decide as groups what ways we wanted reason the architectural firm wanted to of hand-pounding out individual 12-inch to decorate and design the tiles. We were use the students’ work. by 12-inch tiles, conceiving an idea and given a lot of freedom. I liked best that “We felt that the concept of integrating figuring out how to execute that idea on we had creative freedom when we made student art into the wall design was a great a tile. Finally, students painted the tiles the tiles, and that it was so different from way to foster a shared-authorship of the with a white slip anything that most final design with the students, some of and then applied of us had done which will use the facility for several years,” bright colored in other ceramics Rohn said. “And since the ceramic tiles are underglazes to classes.” an element of the permanent wall finish, bring to fruition Students also they will be enjoyed by other students and their tiles.” realized they were faculty for many years beyond the original Megan Mag- leaving their mark artists’ time at the University.” samen, a Bachelor on campus for years Dewsnap fired and glazed the tiles of Arts major to come. in May, and they were scheduled to be from Lincoln in “There is always installed in July by Krogman Tile. Students the intermediate Finished tiles. a feeling of pride will see the finished work when the dining ceramics class, said when you leave hall re-opens this fall. students enjoyed the extra freedom of this something behind at your school to be “I’m excited to see the tiles up,” said project. seen by all in the future,” said Kim Nuss, Stacia Blasé, a studio art sophomore from “I was in the dessert group, and we an art education senior from Aurora, Neb., Liberty, Mo., who was in the beginning decided to do a colorful variety of as many who was in the intermediate ceramics ceramics class. “The vibrant colors different kinds of desserts as we could class. “I think I will be even prouder if I are going to make that cafeteria look think of,” she said. “We tried to use bright actually come back and see them after awesome.”

Hixson-Lied College of Fine and Performing Arts 11 STRING QUARTET Residency begins with rave reviews

The Chiara String Quartet: Rebecca Fischer, violin; Julie Yoon, violin; Jonah Sirota, viola; and Gregory Beaver, cello.

By Jill Havekost clapped in time to the Husker fight song. School expected great things from the “It was great because people were really Quartet when it arrived from New York— he Chiara String Quartet hit all the shocked,” said Rebecca Fischer, one of the and that it has not been disappointed. Tright notes when the group played Quartet’s violinists. “People went crazy. It “We’re very excited about their presence classical music for the crowd gathered was nice because we felt really welcome.” here,” he said. at University of Nebraska–Lincoln The September performance marked the The Quartet, composed of violinists Chancellor Harvey Perlman’s State of the first of many well-received presentations Rebecca Fischer and Julie Yoon, violist University address last September. given by the Quartet, which began a three- Jonah Sirota and cellist Gregory Beaver, But the group really struck a chord when year residency at UNL in the fall semester comes to the University after occupying it played “There is No Place like Nebraska.” of 2005. the Lisa Arnhold Residency in the Julliard For a moment, the audience sat in shocked Dr. John W. Richmond, professor and School of Music in New York City. silence. Then people enthusiastically director of the School of Music, said the Fischer said the Chiara String Quartet

12 University of Nebraska-Lincoln STRING QUARTET hopes to heighten the awareness of string performance, chamber music and orchestral music during its time in Lincoln. To accomplish all that, they plan to teach and coach UNL and public school musicians, to develop a graduate certificate program and to play a robust national concert schedule. Richmond said the Quartet has already helped the School of Music to realize some of its educational goals in dramatic ways. For example, the school has experienced explosive growth in the number of its chamber music ensembles since the arrival of the Quartet. A year ago, six to eight student chamber music ensembles rehearsed. Last fall, there were 28. “Their charge is principally energizing the chamber music program,” Richmond said. “And we’ve seen a 155 percent increase in their first semester.” They have also been working with Dr. Terry Sebora and the Nebraska Center for Entrepreneurship to create Photo by Troy Fedderson, courtesy of The Scarlet a graduate certificate program in Arts Beaver and Sirota perform at the Chancellor’s State of the University address at the Lied Entrepreneurship. Center for Performing Arts last September. Richmond said the group’s educational contributions have been profound and To that end, the Quartet plans to play in rural Nebraskan town or a cosmopolitan have helped students at all levels to concert halls and homes around the world. European city, the Quartet strives to recognize the potential of chamber music. They will be raising not only awareness of forge connections with individual “Continuing to raise the consciousness chamber music on their tours but also the audience members and to give each one a of our students concerning the potential visibility of UNL’s School of Music. meaningful experience. and benefits of chamber music has been Richmond believes that the Chiara “We want to make everyone in the their single greatest contribution because String Quartet’s charge to help maintain community feel comfortable coming to it works with other faculty who also are the school’s high profile is vital to the a concert of ours and want to come,” she active chamber musicians,” he said. success of the School of Music. said. The group’s efforts extend beyond the “I hope they will continue through For those who cannot attend a live campus realm. The Quartet has reached their robust concert schedule to raise performance—or who have and cannot into the greater Lincoln area to encourage the visibility of the School of Music in wait to hear more—the group has aspiring young musicians. Senior Lecturer the minds of Americans and other folks developed a line of CDs under their record Ann Chang-Barnes coordinated Chiara all around the world,” Richmond said. label New Voice Singles. String Quartet performances in local “Because they concertize internationally, They received critical acclaim from public schools. She and the Quartet they represent us wherever they go as Fanfare and American Record Guide for have also tried to form chamber music artists-in-residence of the School of Music their “Triptych” CD, a musical recreation ensembles at the high school level. of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.” of the events of Sept. 11, 2001. Fischer said Fischer said coaching and performing For the dates between August 2005 she thinks that the work demonstrates in public schools help the musicians with and April 2006, the Chiara Quartet had why music touches people so deeply. one of their chief professional ambitions: scheduled concerts in cities throughout “It’s an experience we all shared, in to share their art with the multitudes. the United States. The Quartet planned to a way,” Fischer said. “And people are “You know we love the music; we love perform several times in Lincoln during really interested in art that helps them what we do,” Fischer said. “But one of our July and again later this fall. understand things, because you can’t put dreams is to share string quartet with as Fischer said that whether they are into words what happened. And music many people as possible. That’s really playing for a living room of a few dozen makes that a little easier because it’s more important to us.” or a concert hall of several hundred, in a abstract.”

Hixson-Lied College of Fine and Performing Arts 13 STRING QUARTET Fischer said chamber music particularly resonates with audiences for several reasons: composers wrote the music passionately, the musicians of a quartet work as equals and performances have a certain intimacy. Fischer said that the Chiara String Quartet incorporates a variety of music into its repertoire, though such a large quantity of chamber music exists that a group could spend a lifetime focusing on a single time period. But Fischer said she would not complain about the wealth of chamber music available. “We’re very fortunate to play some of the greatest music ever written,” Fischer said. “Basically we love everything we play. You can’t go wrong with string quartet music, because it’s all really good.” Fischer said another aspect of chamber music that makes the performances memorable is the democratic nature of a small group of musicians. Richmond also noted the unique dynamic of a four- person group. The Chiara String Quartet discuss a piece during rehearsal in Westbrook Music Building. “There’s only one musician on a part it—drew them together 10 years ago and headliner group of the 2004 Meadowlark in chamber music, and because there’s continues to bind them to this day, Fischer Music Festival. no conductor in chamber music every said. They made an excellent first musician is part of the musical decision- She said that the group has grown close impression. making process, and that really is a very over the decade they have spent together. “They did a wonderful job,” Richmond empowering thing. It advances their Fischer and Beaver played together at band said. “They played brilliantly, they musicianship as well or better than camp as children, all four of the Quartet’s coached really well, they taught really well. anything else I can name,” Richmond members studied at Julliard together and They were personable and affable and said. What truly separates chamber music all took their first steps into the world of charming.” from other music in Fischer’s opinion, professional music hand-in-hand. Richmond said that he felt thrilled when however, has nothing to do with the way “A string quartet really operates as a a group of such talented and friendly a musician plays. It has everything to do family,” Fischer said. “You’re so close to musicians agreed to accept a residency with why a musician plays. these people.” at UNL. And he feels even more excited Fischer said the Chiara String Quartet And she said she hopes her musical about the potential the future holds. plays for its audience, not for the sake of a family stays close-knit as the group “We’re very excited about their presence paycheck or rave reviews. continues to pursue its career goals. here,” he said. “We’re very excited about “I’m not such a fan of the idea of “We continue to love doing what we do, what the future of their residency might walking out on stage, not saying anything, and we continue to respect each other as mean for the School of Music.” sitting down and playing, having no musicians. And we continue to further the Fischer said the Quartet is also glad to interaction with the audience. That is just life of the string quartet,” she said. “Those be at UNL. Nebraska has struck a chord not interesting to me,” Fischer said. are the more abstract things. I’m the most with the Chiara String Quartet. What Fischer does find interesting is the proud of those things, even if they’re not “We really like it here,” she said. “We connection. necessarily tangible.” really like living here. We feel really “The interaction between the performer The Quartet does, however, boast welcome here. People have embraced us; and the audience is just so magical. It’s one many tangible accomplishments. Its the community has embraced us. And we of the reasons we love it. We want to try to deep, rich sound has won it the Fischoff are really grateful for that.” make that magical connection even more Chamber Music Competition, and they so,” Fischer said. were prizewinners at the 2005 Borciani Jill Havekost is a junior advertising major The group’s belief in that magical International String Quartet Competition. in the College of Journalism and Mass connection—and their quest to perfect They first came to Nebraska as the Communications from Scribner, Neb.

14 University of Nebraska-Lincoln EXPANSION Temple Building construction under way

By Joel Gehringer

he fences are up and the machinery Tis running as construction gets under way for the renovation and expansion of the Temple Building, home to the University of Nebraska–Lincoln Johnny Carson School of Theatre and Film. The renovations were made possible by a $5.3 million gift to the University of Nebraska Foundation from Carson, who died last year. The improvements will include expansions to the building’s Howell Theatre, a new theatre and sound stage, a new scene shop and storage area and an improved main lobby. It’s the first work done on the 100- year old building in 30 years, and both department leaders and project architects said the renovations will not only bring the aging building up to standards, but also will make UNL’s program one of the Weitz Construction fenced off the construction area in late June to begin work on the most competitive in the region. Temple Building renovation. “It’s a great time for us as a school and for the university to be adding a gem like tions, the Howell Theatre will soon get “We’re not going to have to take students this to the campus and to open up what’s a new wing on the south end, allowing on these catwalks to load and unload this already great in this school for much space for storage and an exit for actors, rigging,” he said. “It’s a new system that greater things to happen,” said Paul Steger, adding more options and diversity to utilizes electric drums that raise and lower director of the Johnny Carson School of productions. curtains and drops. It’s state-of-the-art.” Theatre and Film. “It will improve our ability to move sets In addition, a new scene shop will be during a show,” Buffum said. “Right now built behind the stage in the space between The Howell Theatre we don’t have any way to do it.” the Temple Building and the Mary Riepma In its current state, the Howell Theatre The stage will also receive a new, Ross Media Arts Center. is a bit outdated. The rigging isn’t up to computerized section of rigging, which “This is probably the biggest challenge par, there’s no stage left, and the scene can be programmed to drop scenery at of the whole project,” campus architect shop is on an entirely different level. All of the push of a button. Part of the current Paul Couture said. “We’re constructing an these issues limit the scope of UNL stage rigging will remain. addition between two buildings and it’s a productions. “We’ve been working with this fly system very narrow space.” That will all change soon, said in the theatre, and it’s old, but it’s very The scene shop will be on the same level Production Manager Brad Buffum, who’s functional,” Steger said. “It’s just not up to as the Howell stage, and a large door will acted as liaison between the school and what a student should leave here with in connect the two. the architects, dictating to designers what regard to experience. Now what we’ll end Underneath the shop will be storage improvements and changes would be best up with is a way for them to work with areas for scenery and props, which will for the program. what is the newest technology, and what allow for quicker access than the current “It’s been a very interesting process to is old.” storage spaces on the fourth floor. go through all of this,” he said. “I’ve been It’s also going to be much safer, said The shop will also contain all new mostly giving advice on how the theatre Stephen Clymer, an architect with Bahr tools, including a ventilated welding area stuff works.” Vermeer Haecker who helped design the and dust collectors for saws and routers, Per Buffum’s and others’ recommenda- renovations. and a freight elevator to lift scenes and

Hixson-Lied College of Fine and Performing Arts 15 EXPANSION

Filling in the gap Photos courtesy of Bahr Vermeer Haecker Architects

Above left, the new addition is seen from overhead between the Temple Building and the Mary Riepma Ross Media Arts Center. The photo on the right includes an artist rendering of the new addition.

materials from street level into the shop. television performances down the road. additional shows are in the works just yet. “It’s going to improve the flexibility of “We have a burgeoning film and new “It’s going to be an amazing huge our scene designs 100 percent,” Buffum media program, and the students require advantage,” said senior film and new said. some place to shoot their films and control media major Jason Slaughter. “It will make what happens on that camera and that student work 10 times better, and we’ll be The Sound Stage film,” Steger said. able to advance skill sets in both those The space north of the Howell Theatre Right now, students shoot at remote areas of art, be it film or theatre.” that formerly acted as the Temple scene locations—outdoors or in homes shop will soon become a combination and apartments—but the new space The Lobby black box theatre and sound stage. With will allow for construction of custom As construction continues, the lobby of dual capabilities as a live performance scenery for films and control over entire the Temple Building is a temporary storage area and a film studio, the new theatre is environments. area for scene shop materials and tools. the main “gem” Steger previously men- Two of the biggest and most useful It doesn’t look pretty, but when tioned. features of the sound stage will be the construction is finished, that will certainly “This sound stage puts us ahead of all sound control booth, located above the change. the schools in the Midwest,” he said. theatre with a window out to the stage, Though the lobby’s improvements are Schools like UCLA, USC and some and a lighting grid with 10 independent not the most important or technologically Florida film schools have similar stages, sections that can be lowered to the floor advanced changes to the Temple Building, but UNL’s will be the only one in the for programming and adjustments. architect Stephen Clymer believes the region. The lighting system will be much safer renovations in that area might be the most “For us to have a sound stage out here and convenient, Steger said. visible and striking to visitors. in the middle of everywhere, it provides The space itself will be another space “Everything we’ve done is kind of a place for filmmakers in the middle here for live theatre performances. Currently behind the curtains,” he said. “Most of the to have somewhere to do their own work,” the plan calls for just under 200 seats to public will never know we did anything at Steger said. be installed on the north and west sides. It all. But with some of the bids being lower The stage will have green screen could also open the performance schedule than expected, we looked at updating the capabilities and could be ideal for live for more productions, but Steger said no lobby.”

16 University of Nebraska-Lincoln EXPANSION The lobby will receive new carpeting, and on the north side of the building, next to the new sound stage theatre, the former north entrance will be reopened, with new stairwells leading to the main level. “People will be able to enter the building from the north and the west then,” Steger said, “and it will be a nice entrance into the new theatre.” In addition, access to restrooms will be improved, and the main elevator will receive some refurbishing. The current elevator car’s interior is heavily banged up from moving props and scenery, but with the new storage area and freight elevator, the main elevator will no longer be needed for that purpose. The improvements also will make the main floor the most visible area to the public, as the third floor stage will primarily be used for class work and additional classrooms will be added on the northwest end of the main floor.

Construction The lobby of the Howell Theatre has become a temporary storage facility for items from the Work began on the building in late scene and prop shop. June, and campus architect Couture said he expects construction to continue year, and the students will definitely feel through May 2007, if the project stays on ‘It’s a great the impact of it,” he said. “But next year schedule. we’ll end up with a new theatre, a new Additional improvements will bring the time for us as a classroom and an additional class space building up to current code — especially that will open. It helps us out immensely.” those dealing with sprinkler systems, school and for Slaughter said he wouldn’t mind heating, air, energy and the Americans the construction, even as a senior who with Disabilities Act, Clymer said. the university to probably won’t be around in time to take Improvements to the building structure advantage of the full improvements. will also be made. The aging structure He said he understands the sacrifices needs new supports on some of the weaker be adding a gem will greatly improve the school and be walls. a huge advantage to student work and All in all, the architects said they expect like this to the recruitment. construction to run smoothly and on “Even though I might not get to be able schedule, but that still means the majority campus.’ to fully utilize it, even as an alumnus I’ll of the work will be done while school is be able to come back and work with it in session. Paul Steger, and see what the students are doing,” he “Essentially, we’re a production said. “I know the type of people going in program,” Steger said, “and without director of the Johnny that school are going to be of the highest having a theatre and scene shop, we’re Carson School of quality. Knowing this has Johnny Carson’s essentially going to have to do smaller and name on it, knowing he was a person that fewer shows.” Theatre and Film sought out talent throughout his career, The school will put on four productions this is a definite legacy for him.” instead of the usual five during the As for the academic year, Steger upcoming season. They’ll be held in the acknowledged students might be a bit Joel Gehringer is a junior news-editorial third floor studio theatre, with one in the inconvenienced by construction. major in the College of Journalism and Mass Lied Center’s Johnny Carson Theater. “It will be a little crazy throughout the Communications from Papillion, Neb.

Hixson-Lied College of Fine and Performing Arts 17 STUDENT PROFILES

Aaron Von Seggern used his Hixson-Lied Undergraduate Research/Creative Activities Grant to fund his sculpture of John the Baptist. Von Seggern creates marble masterpiece

By Jill Havekost bust of John the Baptist with the aid of He needed patience. He needed a rock. a Hixson-Lied Undergraduate Research/ “I had no money, and I wanted to carve Creative Activities Grant last year. stone,” Von Seggern said. To make his idea he Bible relates the story of John The senior sculpting and painting major possible, he said he had two options. He the Baptist—the man who baptized T added the sculpture to a portfolio thick could sacrifice his body to participate in believers in the Jordan River, wore clothes with artistic accomplishments. a medical study or he could apply for a fashioned from camel hide and lost his head at the request of a harlot—in more But before he did, Von Seggern had grant. than 20 scattered verses. to chisel through a series of obstacles to Von Seggern chose to apply for the Aaron Von Seggern tells the story in a make his vision of a decapitated John the grant. He received a $1,590 Hixson- single sculpture. Baptist. He did so with dedication and Lied Undergraduate Research/Creative Von Seggern completed a white marble determination—but he also needed time. Activities Grant.

18 University of Nebraska-Lincoln STUDENT PROFILES Von Seggern had conquered a major obstacle in his quest to sculpt John the Baptist, but then he faced another daunting task: actually sculpting John the Music runs in the family Baptist, a man dead for two millennia and By Jill Havekost revered around the world. “Being an artist, bringing about a visual image is not easy,” he said, “because you eople’s blood types range from A through B and AB to O. always question your creation.” P But Tom Salistean seems to boast a new But Von Seggern accepted the challenge blood type: A sharp. The UNL sophomore nonetheless. He started to find answers music education major has music in his to some of his questions by studying bones, boasting a family tree with deep the work of Bernini and Michelangelo. musical roots. Then he traveled to Kansas to study stone Salistean’s mother, Kim, graduated cutting under Miles Schnider. from UNL’s School of Music with a degree Von Seggern also sought out UNL in music performance. His aunt, Tami religious studies professor Dr. Stephen Pederson, wife of UNL athletic director Lahey to be a model for the work. Von Steve Pederson, followed suit. His older Seggern said he felt that the professor brother, Rob, also graduated from the possessed the “age, soul and the physically School and now works as the assistant intense look” that he had envisioned. director of bands at Lincoln North Star And finally, the young artist spent hours High School. in the sun, the sleet and the other elements Salistean, of Lincoln, continued the to create his sculpture. Von Seggern said family tradition when he enrolled in that the work was not exactly glamorous, UNL’s School of Music and joined a host Tom Salistean of musical bodies. During his freshman involving lots of shivering, sweat and year he marched with the band, occupied physical labor. a seat in the orchestra and jammed with Salistean’s professors noted his ability “I was outside all day hammering,” he the jazz ensemble. He also earned the to take music’s difficulties in stride and to said. “It is not the thing that movies or respect of his peers and professors. accept their advice as he strives to become television shows are made of.” “I’m enjoying him right now. And I’m a better player. It was, however, the dedication it took really looking forward to the next three “He is willing to listen to ideas, new to create a piece of highly praised art years with him,” said Assistant Professor ideas,” White said. “He takes constructive that has won Von Seggern respect and Paul Haar, Salistean’s jazz ensemble criticism very well.” recognition. leader. Professors also noted Salistean’s desire to “What makes him exceptional is that Several of Salistean’s professors said help others battle through difficult aspects he works around the clock,” said UNL some of his success is due to his musical of music. Salistean illustrated their point Associate Professor of Art Mo Neal. lineage and natural talent, but his trumpet when he spoke of his younger brother “Where other students think they’ve done professor, Associate Professor Darryl Adam, an eager eighth-grade pianist. enough after an extra 10 hours work White, said most of it is the result of a “The kid amazes me,” Salistean said. “I’m not the greatest teacher yet, but I try outside class a week, Aaron is putting in single value Salistean cherishes. to help him when I can.” an additional 30 to 40 hours per week.” “Hard work,” White said. “He puts a lot of time into his instrument and a great His professors expressed their beliefs That dedication paid off when Von that Salistean has the talent and personality Seggern received three awards in the last deal of focus. He has a good attitude.” Salistean said he spends at least an hour to help many more students begin musical year, including the F. Pace Woods Award or two a day practicing. His dedication has careers. and the Dan and Barbara Howard Creative been rewarded with scholarships, a place “All of us, in music, had a teacher with Achievement Award. in the Cornhusker Marching Band (and Tom’s personality,” Haar said. Neal has also nominated him for two therefore free football tickets) and lifelong There is music in Salistean’s blood. But more awards: the International Sculpture friendships with fellow musicians. more importantly, there is music in his Center’s Outstanding Student Award and Salistean says he enjoys being a part of heart. And Tom Salistean is likely to pass the National Sculpture Society Award. the music program, but there are times the music on to more than his relatives. “One cannot be lazy — intellectually when it is difficult. “Tom is so friendly, and that makes or physically — and expect to make good “Playing in college is a lot of fun, but the perfect educator,” Haar said. “He can art,” Neal said. “Aaron isn’t,” and the art he there’s definitely a serious aspect to it,” he create other great musicians. He is going creates measures up. said. to make a difference.”

Hixson-Lied College of Fine and Performing Arts 19 STUDENT PROFILES Student and stuntwoman

By Jill Havekost

t’s a bird! I It’s a plane! It’s Superman! Wait — no! It’s Jessica Graff — the University of Nebraska-Lincoln senior theater performance major, movie and television stuntwoman and pole-vaulting phenomenon who plans to live a life that a superhero would envy. “My goal in life is to tell stories that are so incredible that people who first meet me will think that I’m a pathological liar,” she said. Graff, who was born in New York, already boasts some professional accomplishments that might be hard for people to believe. At 22, she has earned her Screen Actors Guild card and has appeared in three film productions including “Bones” and “The Visiting.” While working to become a stuntwoman, she has studied circus gymnastics, practiced falls from three-story buildings and driven vehicles during car chases. She has also taken circus gymnastics, ridden cattle, jumped trains and rafted down the Mississippi — but that’s just for fun. Senior Jessica Graff plans to fall into a career as a stuntwoman. Graff said she fears only two things: mediocrity and getting fat. Everything else athlete. It’s all about body-awareness and but she plans to live a life that would make is fair game — even heights. Especially timing, which is crucial to stunts.” for an entertaining comic book series. heights. What makes most peoples’ hearts Pole-vaulting coach Kris Grimes said he She plans to move to Los Angeles, be in pound makes Graff’s glow. loved Graff’s dedication, work ethic and an Asian pole-vaulting commercial, study “I’m kind of in love with heights,” Graff intelligence. at a stunt school in Seattle and a circus said. “She’s disciplined and focused and has a school in Hollywood and maybe jump Graff said she hopes to specialize in film really good understanding of what it takes off a speeding motorcycle and into the fighting and aerial work. As a pole-vaulter to be competitive,” he said. window of a moving car. on the UNL track team, Graff has had Grimes said that he trusted Jessica’s Graff said she cannot help seeking out ample practice free falling. The academic judgment so much that he rarely felt excitement. And if she doesn’t find it, All-American said that pole vaulting nervous about her off-the-field escapades. she said it has a way of finding her. Just has helped her to prepare her for a stunt “I think her adventures are more as Superman can always find Lois Lane career. entertaining than they are scary,” he said. and Batman can always spot an evildoer, “Pole vaulting is a stunt,” she said. “To After she graduates, Graff may not trade stuntwoman Jessica Graff can always find be a stunt person, you have to train like an in her track uniform for tights and a cape, a new adventure.

20 University of Nebraska-Lincoln RETIRING FACULTY Organists Ritchie, Faulkner retire

By Joel Gehringer

t’s May 17 and, other than a few papers Iand office supplies on the desk, George Ritchie’s office is completely empty. He and Quentin Faulkner are meeting in the office down in the basement of the Westbrook Music Building on the University of Nebraska-Lincoln campus. The two UNL organ professors retired this summer after a combined 54 years of teaching. But there’s more to these two men than college courses. They’re also two of the most respected figures in local music, as founders of the Lincoln Organ Showcase, and internationally accomplished performers and scholars in their own right. They’re here in this empty basement office to discuss their work and accomplishments one last time, taking a break from wrapping up their final school business and preparing for summer. Faulkner’s got a little more time — he says he won’t be vacating his office until July. As for Ritchie, this is it. “You won’t be able to reach me here anymore,” he says. “As soon as we’re done here, I’m closing the door for good.” But first, they’ve got an entire career of stories, research, community work and performances to talk about. Photo by Tom Slocum of University Photography Ritchie arrived in Lincoln in 1972. Dean Giacomo Oliva, Quentin Faulkner, George Ritchie and School of Music Director John A California native, he first taught organ W. Richmond at the College Honors Day Dinner. at Duke University, where he was also chapel organist. Then he accepted the job From Roberts, the two learned the suddenly there was demand on professors at UNL. Faulkner, from New Jersey, arrived tradition and workings behind the for publication and visibility. To make that two years later after serving as assistant program, which had already garnered happen, teaching loads had to be limited. organist of St. John the Divine Cathedral much attention thanks to Roberts’ work. “It was only when that happened that in New York. He would succeed legendary “Myron Roberts really put (the organ either of us found the time to focus more music professor and internationally known program) on the map, largely because on other things,” Faulkner said. church and concert organ music composer of his composing,” Faulkner said. “So we Well, wait, Ritchie says, wondering if Myron Roberts. inherited a heritage.” those last few parts came across correctly. There was no Hixson-Lied College of Of course, each had his own research He bounces a few ideas off Faulkner, Fine and Performing Arts at the time — the interests, but they soon discovered time which sets off a quick exchange of School of Music was still under the auspices for research and performance was limited. numbers and dates about teaching loads of Arts and Sciences. Nevertheless, organ In the late ’70s, the philosophy of the and performances. instruction and research was thriving. University shifted, Faulkner said, and While they try to figure out exactly how

Hixson-Lied College of Fine and Performing Arts 21 RETIRING FACULTY master organ builder Charles Fisk, who gave credit for the success of his Meyerson Concert Hall organ in Dallas to what he learned at the “Organ and the Conference Hall” conference in 1981. There have been 24 UNL conferences so far, and when the two professors retire, they said, it’s up to their successor, Syracuse organ professor Christopher Marks, to determine the future of the series. *** At this point, Ritchie grabs a stack of brochures, one of the last remaining paper bundles on his desk. The brochures are a virtual timeline of the conferences. Some look classic and gothic, while others have a funky, new- wave feel, illustrating the wide variety of topics they’ve explored. The organists go through the brochures, pointing out highlights from key years. Starting the conference was a challenge Photo courtesy of Quentin Faulkner Quentin Faulkner at Cornerstone Church in 1977. for the two professors, but UNL Professor of Music History Pamela Starr saw it as part to phrase the ideas, each seems to know of their proactive and altruistic nature. exactly where the other is trying to go. ‘The organ “It was an act of love and commitment It’s nothing new. The two have always on their part,” she said. “It isn’t just that worked well together, transcending ego in conferences were they made huge contributions in their area a field where competition is the name of and that was it. They really took their roles the game. intentionally as leaders of the faculty seriously. They just “That’s very unique in the music world,” gave and gave and gave.” Ritchie puts the brochures away for now. said Lincoln organ builder and longtime designed to It’s time to talk about research. friend Gene Bedient. “It’s very common To put it simply, Faulkner’s and Ritchie’s at prestigious conservatories for people research centers around the music of to be very at odds and very competitive, destroy Johann Sebastian Bach. but those two have always been very stereotypes.’ Ritchie recently completed an 11-CD cooperative and generous.” collection of Bach’s complete organ works. That cooperative spirit made Faulkner It’s being released on the classical music and Ritchie successful in all of their Quentin Faulkner label Raven Recordings. endeavors, Bedient said, whether they It’s the first collection to document were instructing students, researching new In 1977, the two professors formulated the music performed with the same early techniques or putting together the next the perfect way to drive that point home— techniques Bach used, which have long Organ Showcase. they would put together an annual organ been forgotten by modern organists. “Plus,” Bedient added, “I think it speaks conference. Ritchie also co-authored a book on those very much to the very large and generous At the time, there was nothing like it. techniques. human beings they are.” “The organ conferences were Meanwhile, Faulkner authored “J.S. Meanwhile, the two professors have intentionally designed to destroy Bach’s Keyboard Technique: A Historical come to a consensus and are ready to stereotypes,” Faulkner said. “Everybody Introduction,” a book Ritchie called “the continue. knew pretty early on we were interested in most important book yet about Bach’s From the beginning, Ritchie and early music and techniques, and we took playing technique.” Faulkner have tried to make sure their pains to make sure the organ conferences Between Ritchie’s performance and students understand something about were not strictly like that.” recordings and Faulkner’s research and organ music: there’s an intellectual side The conferences attracted some of publications, the two changed the academic and a performance side, and neither side the world’s top professionals, including world’s understanding of Bach. works correctly without the other. German organ pioneer Harald Vogel and But some of the work was hindered by

22 University of Nebraska-Lincoln RETIRING FACULTY limited availability. At the time, nearly all of the organs Bach originally played were in East Germany — behind the curtain of Communist rule and, therefore, unreachable. *** So when the Berlin Wall fell in 1989, it was, as Ritchie put it, “Christmas in July.” The new information broadened the two researchers’ work and inspired UNL’s first international organ conference, which took 115 people to Naumberg, Germany, in 2003. Now, Faulkner and Ritchie realize what they’re talking about isn’t the most accessible of topics, and they’re taking great pains to make sure they’re understood correctly. But they’re not elitist or condescending. Photo courtesy of Quentin Faulkner In fact, they’re quite patient. Church Music Workshop Panel Discussion Leaders in Naumburg (Maria Magdalenen It’s their signature teaching style, Kirche): Quentin Faulkner, George Ritchie, Christoph Wolff and Robert Clark. said Sara Schott, a former student and co-chairwoman of the Lincoln Organ Showcase and director of music at Grace Lutheran Church. “They’re incredible teachers, and students were gifted with their partnership,” she said. Schott, a 1996 graduate, took organ instruction from Ritchie. “He was the pickiest man alive, and I never made a mistake he didn’t make a comment on, but he was so nice about it that I always tried harder and harder to do my best,” she said. She also took courses on church music From the March 1982 American Guild of Organists magazine from Faulkner and uses what she learned 1982 UNL Organ Conference leaders (left to right): Robert Emile, Maurice Peress, Charles daily at Grace Lutheran. Fisk, Gene Bedient, William Albright, Robert Newman, Richard French, Quentin Faulkner, Once all the gritty details about Eugenia Earle, Myron Roberts, George Ritchie and Raymond Haggh. recordings and transcriptions have been cleared up, it’s time to move on to the next and traveling. There’s plenty more to talk about, but topic. *** eventually the two professors decide they’re Despite their forthcoming departures Both said they want to ensure a smooth content with what’s been said. from the University, neither man is very transition for Christopher Marks. But they They add they’re grateful to the interested in retiring. also know it’s time to move on. University for its support, and they hope Faulkner is heading to Germany for That’s part of the job, they both agreed, their students will remain involved with a year to teach historical organ practice and they hope it’s one thing those around performance, the Showcase and the courses and to discuss with students their them will remember. American Guild of Organists just like country’s historic instruments. “We are only links in a centuries-long they have, but other than those few notes, He’s staying near Bach’s hometown, and chain of people trying to keep a tradition everything’s been touched upon. he’ll be checking out the various organs in going,” Ritchie said. “We’re here for a After all it’s time to close that office the area while doing research. relatively short time here in the big picture, door. Meanwhile, Ritchie plans on catching so we try to take what we’ve learned and up on “about 10 lifetimes” of interests, pass it on from one generation to the This story first appeared in the Lincoln including reading, watching films, hiking next.” Journal Star. Reprinted with permission.

Hixson-Lied College of Fine and Performing Arts 23 DEVELOPMENT Hixson-Lied College of Fine and Performing Arts Giving The Hixson-Lied College of Fine and Performing Arts gratefully acknowledges the following contributions to the University of Nebraska Foundation to support the College from June 1, 2004, to May 1, 2006.

Dean’s Club Mr. & Mrs. Dan F. Howard Ms. Ellen W. Baldwin Drs. Quentin & Mary M. John & Catherine Angle Dr. & Mrs. Lee R. Kjelson Mr. Kenneth Berlack & Ms. Faulkner Ellen W. Baldwin Mr. Donald B. Koenig Kathryn Coleman Dr. & Mrs. Duane J. Fike Dr. Howard A. & Barbara Mrs. Nancy J. Koenig Ms. Esther L. Beynon Mr. & Mrs. Larry J. Frederick Dinsdale Mr. Lewis W. Lehr Mr. Gary R. Campbell Mr. & Mrs. Thomas E. Geu Norman Geske Mrs. Ruth Diamond Levinson Mrs. Bonnie Weddel Caplan Mrs. Martha Aitken Greer Richard S. Hay J Willard and Alice S Marriott Dr. & Mrs. James Christensen Dr. & Mrs. Raymond Haggh Glenn Korff Foundation Clark Foundation Mr. & Mrs. Gordon A. Hansen Larry & Karen Lusk Miss Margaret A. McGregor Mrs. Erma C. Damme Mr. & Mrs. Morris D. Hayes Ann Rawley The Presser Foundation Ms. Leta Powell Drake Mr. & Mrs. Glenn J. Hild Carl H. & Jane Rohman Mrs. Joan M. Reist Mr. & Mrs. Frank H. Dupuis Mr. Leo Hill Mary Riepma Ross Col. Jack Rokahr Mr. Tobias J. Fike Mr. & Mrs. Brandon S. Jenison Paul & June Schorr Mrs. Mary E. Riepma Ross Mrs. Muriel P. Johnson Mr. & Mrs. John R. Keith Frank C. (Bud) & Ann Sidles Mrs. Harriet J. Schiff Ms. Helen L. Laird Dr. & Mrs. William E. Kelly Paula Varner Mr. F. Pace Woods II Dr. & Mrs. Jerome L. Mahloch Kristi L. Kendall, J.D. Avery Woods Mr. & Mrs. William H. Ms. Dorothy J. Ladman Mrs. Anne Lieben F. Pace Woods II $1,000-$4,999 McCartney Mr. & Mrs. Edward J. Love Donna Woods Mr. & Mrs. Robert A. Basoco Dr. & Mrs. John C. Nelson Mrs. Dorothy E. Lyle Ms. Karen A. Blessen Mr. & Mrs. William A. Nelson Mr. & Mrs. Jerald C. Maddox In Memoriam Mr. William C. Buntain Dr. & Mrs. Curtis B. Siemers Dr. & Mrs. Roger W. Mandigo Halcyon Allsman Mr. Lawrence & Dr. Lucille Mr. Jack R. Snider Mrs. Annette J. Markell Ruth Amen Buntain Comine Mr. Keith N. Sturdevant Dr. & Mrs. Martin A. Frank A. & Kay Decker J. Gordon Christensen, Ed.D. Mr. Edward Wishnow Massengale Jane Geske Mrs. Janet Coleman Margaret McGregor Trust Leo Hill Mr. & Mrs. Walker Kennedy Jr. $100-$249 Col. John C. Mollison Jr. William (Laurie) & Anne Miss Katherine V. Kilgour Mr. & Mrs. C. Phillip Agee Thomas H. Olson, M.D. Porter Mr. Glenn H. Korff Mr. & Mrs. Stephen D. Mrs. Victoria M. O’Neal Jim Rawley Mr. John W. Madden III Andersen Ms. Brenda J. Pettijohn Woody Varner Mr. & Mrs. Larry D. Maupin Mr. Roy I. Anderson Nonglak Prasopsook, D.M.A. Thomas C. Woods III Mr. Maxim E. Mogilevsky Mrs. Mollie Baldwin Dr. Mary L. Pritchard Drs. Cary & Lisa Sandberg Ms. Edna Bechhofer Mrs. Mary M. Provant $25,000 and above Peterson Christian P. & Kristin M. Mr. & Mrs. Carl H. Rohman Mrs. Kathryn M. Bostrom Ms. Esther M. Pfeiffer Westin Behmer Mr. & Mrs. Edward T. Saad Mr. John W. Carson Mr. George Poll & Mrs. Ann Mr. Bruce L. Chapman Mrs. Viann E. Schroeder John W Carson Foundation Blomquist-Poll Mr. Douglas S. Chappell Mr. & Mrs. Alan J. Schuster Inc. Mrs. Ann K. Rawley Mr. & Mrs. Dennis J. Coleman Mrs. Susie S. Severson Miss Marguerite A. Hac Mrs. Janine Ross Mr. John Coleman Ms. Kari Sigerson & Mr. Dirk Mr. Jerry K. Jensen Mr. Denny L. Schneider Mr. & Mrs. Roy E. Cook Kaufman Gregory W. Kallos, D.D.S. Sigma Alpha Iota Alum/ Mr. Dennis P. Daigger Dr. & Mrs. Carl V. Smith Richard P & Laurine Kimmel Patroness Dee J. Danner, D.D.S. Mr. & Mrs. Clay F. Smith Charitable Fdn. Jeanne L. Trabold, Ph.D. Mr. & Mrs. Earl J. Danner Mr. Michael J. Smith Lied Foundation Trust UNL Band Alumni Assoc., Inc. Mr. Adam R. DeMars Mrs. Cathie M. Sutton Ms. Ann M.P. Woodruff Patricia J. Emile, Ph.D. Mr. & Mrs. John R. Vanneman $5,000 to $24,999 Mrs. Delores G. Erfurdt Mr. & Mrs. Ronald J. Wachter Mrs. E. Dorene Eisentrager $250-$999 Mrs. Shirley Ekstrom Mr. Richard M. Warren Mr. Joseph L. Gray Mr. Stephen M. Alexander Mr. & Mrs. Robert A. Fall Miss Christine A. Wirthwein

24 University of Nebraska-Lincoln DEVELOPMENT

$99 and under Dr. & Mrs. Robert L. Doxtator Mr. & Mrs. Robert T. Kraemer Mr. & Mrs. Rodney W. Schmidt Ms. Susan Abundis Mrs. Marsha M. Dunn Mr. & Mrs. James W. Krause Mrs. Lucile A. Schmitz Mr. & Mrs. Tandy M. Allen Mr. & Mrs. Roger Edmonds Mr. & Mrs. Russell L. Kumm Mr. & Mrs. Edward R. Schultz Mr. Bert A. Anderson Mr. Winston Elizalde Ms. Lindsay J. Ladman Mr. & Mrs. Richard N. Scotese Ms. Rita A. Angell-Spitzli Mr. Gerald C. Elliott Ms. Norma P. Lindner Mrs. Mary A. Sexton Mr. Robert J. Arp Mr. Jeffery S. Elwell Mr. & Mrs. Roger R. Mr. & Mrs. Matthew V. Mr. & Mrs. Roger W. Baddeley Mrs. Mildred O. Elwell Ludemann Sheppard Mr. David C. Bagby Mrs. Beverly A. Eyberg Miss Mary J. Lux Mr. Rodger H. Skidmore Mr. & Mrs. Floyd E. Barnett Mrs. Sharon M. Fair Capt. Daven L. Madsen Mrs. Beverly J. Slader Mr. Bruce A. Bartels Mr. Ross M. Faubel Mr. & Mrs. Dale E. Magnuson Mr. & Mrs. F. Blaine Sloan Dr. & Mrs. Wayne Bath Mr. & Mrs. Warren J. Ferrel Mr. & Mrs. David W. McCord Miss Marjorie M. Smith Mr. Barry R. Bengtsen Mr. & Mrs. Robert E. Fitzgerald Ms. Kathleen A. McGee Mrs. Sharon L. Smith Mr. & Mrs. Mark J. Benson Ms. Ethelyn Flora Mr. & Mrs. Homer E. McIntire Jack F. Snyder, Ed.D. Mrs. Ghita Bessman Mr. & Mrs. James T. Fuelberth Mr. & Mrs. Philip S. Mead Mr. & Mrs. N. W. Jerry Robert L. Bohlken, Ph.D., Mrs. Edith F. Garey Col. Herbert N. Meininger Solomon Ed.D. Mrs. Marilynn Goetowski Mr. Martin W. Miller Mrs. Dora L. Starks Mrs. Helen S. Bollinger Ms. Marilyn R. Gorham Capt. & Mrs. Richard B. Mills, Mr. Daryl M. Stehlik Mr. & Mrs. Branson Bradley Mr. & Mrs. Steven T. Gorham Retd. Mr. & Mrs. Donald Steinegger Mr. & Mrs. Byron B. Bradley Mrs. Judith C. Greene Mr. & Mrs. Earl H. Mitchell Dr. & Mrs. Basil M. Stevenson Mr. Nathan M. Brandt Dr. & Mrs. William T. Griffin Mr. Kenneth A. Molzer Mr. & Mrs. John W. Stewart Dr. & Mrs. Lawrence H. Mr. & Mrs. David L. Hague Mrs. Carolyn E. Mook Mr. Conor G. Sughroue & Ms. Brannigan Mr. & Mrs. J. Frank Hall Mr. & Mrs. Joel R. Mosley Mary E. Ducey Ms. Suzanne K. Brinkman Ms. Margaret Hall Dr. & Mrs. Willis P. Mundt Mr. & Mrs. Eugene J. Sundeen Joann S. Brown, Ph.D. Mrs. Harriet L. Hanson Mr. & Mrs. Phillip L. Murphy Mr. Mark H. Tallman Ms. Mona J. Brown Mr. & Mrs. William J. Harms Mrs. Dorothy K. Heidemann Dr. & Mrs. Terry M. Theis Mrs. Sally A. Buchholz Ms. Sue Harris Nelson Mr. & Mrs. Mark E. Thornburg Mr. & Mrs. H. Glen Buchta Dr. & Mrs. Wayne A. Harrison Mrs. Helen D. Nemzek Ms. Michele J. Tilley Mrs. Elaine O. Buescher Mr. & Mrs. James L. Henkle Ms. Debra S. Nihiser Mr. & Mrs. James E. Tillma Ms. Linda A. Bushnell Heather M. Hernandez, D.M.A. Ms. Sue Nollkamper Ms. Jennifer A. Toebben Dr. & Mrs. Ronald P. Byars Mr. Scott R. Herr Mr. & Mrs. Kenneth A. Norvell Mr. & Mrs. Dennis Tomasevicz Dr. & Mrs. Dale A. Capek Robert Hillestad, Ph.D. Mr. & Mrs. James D. Ochsner Ms. Suzanne M. Treinen Mr. & Mrs. Bernard J. Cech Mr. Edward J. Hirsch Mr. Alan M. & Mrs. Germaine Mrs. Christine M. Tucker Mrs. Ruth E. Ciranni Mrs. Linda S. Hoff C. Oldfather Ms. Ann E. Tyler Mrs. Lenore E. Coats Mr. & Mrs. John R. Holmes Ms. Linda S. Olmstead Mrs. Leitha I. Vlcan Mrs. Lynne A. Cobb Mrs. Sharon M. Huffman Mr. & Mrs. Aurelio L. Ornopia James E. Weesner, D.D.S. Ms. Cynthia Coleman Gregory & Jennifer Isaacs Mrs. Julia H. Orsi Dr. & Mrs. Donald C. Weldon Morris & Aleta Collier Mr. Donald E. Jacobson Mr. & Mrs. Tonn M. Ostergard Christopher R. Werner, D.M.A. Karen H. Copp, Ph.D. Dr. & Mrs. Vaughn Jaenike Mr. Arnold E. Otto Mrs. Lola F. Wheeler Ms. Deborah G. Cox Mr. & Mrs. R. Keith Jobes Mr. & Mrs. Douglas D. Mr. & Mrs. Herman A. Wiebers Ruth Cranni Mr. Neil L. Johnson Peterson Ms. Janice M. Wiebusch Mrs. Rebecca J. Crofoot Mr. Charles J. Jones Mr. & Mrs. John D. Porter Ms. Kathryn H. Wilke Roger L. Crossgrove Mr. & Mrs. Paul R. Jordan Ms. Judy E. Prentice Mr. & Mrs. Ronald J. Mrs. Ann S. Dillow Crowley Mr. & Mrs. Steven K. Jordon Dr. & Mrs. Donald F. Prince Willingham Mr. & Mrs. James M. Mr. & Mrs. Richard C. Mr. & Mrs. James W. Reece Mr. & Mrs. Audie J. Wise Cunningham Jorgensen Mr. & Mrs. James E. Riehl Jr. Bruce E. Woodruff, Ph.D. Ms. Emily A. Daharsh Mrs. M. Gretchen Juffer-Geist Mr. & Mrs. Alan C. Riggins Mr. Kevin J. Wright Mr. Michael D. Daniels Mrs. Kay Lynn S. Kalkowski Mr. & Mrs. Leslie A. Roberts Mrs. Donna Wurst Mrs. Carole A. Davis Ms. Deborah S. Kawakami Mr. & Mrs. John M. Robson Ms. Susan M. Wurtz Ms. Elizabeth P. Davis Dr. & Mrs. Wayne F. Keim Mr. & Mrs. Warren D. Rodgers Mr. & Mrs. Richard J. Yata Mr. & Mrs. Lloyd D. Davis Dr. Fred N. Kempf Mrs. Jacquelyn H. Rosenlof Mr. Timothy M. Dickmeyer Mr. & Mrs. Harry R. Kettelhut Mrs. Patricia J. Ruppe Ms. Sarah E. Diegel Mrs. Linda A. Koeman Mrs. Carol M. Rustad Every attempt was made to verify accuracy and completeness of this list. We apologize Mr. & Mrs. Harold C. Diffey Mr. & Mrs. Phillip H. Mr. & Mrs. Richard C. Sachan for any omissions or errors in this donor Mrs. Sara E. Dillow Kommers John R. Schedel, Ph.D. list.

Hixson-Lied College of Fine and Performing Arts 25 DEVELOPMENT Hixson-Lied College of Fine and Performing Arts Circles Last spring the Hixson-Lied College of Fine and Performing If you are interested in joining one of these Circles, please Arts invited alumni and friends dedicated to enhancing fill out the form enclosed in this magazine, or you can donate the programmatic resources in each of our three academic online any time by visiting our Web site at http://www.unl. departments to join the @rt Patron’s Circle in the Department edu/finearts and clicking on the “Give to the College” link on of Art and Art History, The Carson Circle in the Johnny Carson the left side of the page. School of Theatre and Film, and The Encore Circle in the We are pleased to thank the following contributors who School of Music. Each Circle is designed with four giving levels accepted our invitation to join the @rt Patron’s Circle, The to encourage donors at every stage of life. Carson Circle and The Encore Circle from March 1, 2006 to Gifts at any level help and enable so many opportunities for May 1, 2006. our faculty and students.

@rt Patron’s Circle Department of Art and Art History

@rt Patron’s Society Mrs. Valery J. Wachter Mr. & Mrs. Kenneth A. Norvell Mr. & Mrs. Warren D. Rodgers ($500 and above) Mrs. Beth A. Piotrowski Mrs. Carol M. Rustad Ms. Esther L. Beynon @rt Lovers ($50-99) Mr. Rodger H. Skidmore Dr. and Mrs. Larry H. Lusk Ms. Rita A. Angell-Spitzli @rtisans ($49 and under) Mrs. Audrey J. Smock Christian P. & Kristin M. Mr. Bert A. Anderson Mr. Conor G. Sughroue & Ms. @rt Collectors ($100-$499) Westin Behmer Joann S. Brown, Ph.D. Mary E. Ducey Larry & Lucy Buntain Comine Mrs. Sally A. Buchholz Ms. Linda A. Bushnell Ms. Michele J. Tilley Mr. Edward C. Forde Mrs. Elaine O. Buescher Mrs. Lenore E. Coats Ms. Jennifer A. Toebben Mr. & Mrs. Glenn J. Hild Mr. Roger L. Crossgrove Mr. Bryan R. Crook Ms. Suzanne M. Treinen Dr. Giacomo & Dottie Oliva Mr. Steven O. DeLair Ms. Sarah E. Diegel Ms. Ann E. Tyler Mr. James W. Pile Mr. & Mrs. Thomas E. Geu Gregory & Jennifer Isaacs Mrs. Lola F. Wheeler Mrs. Susie S. Severson Mrs. Harriet L. Hanson Mr. Paul P. Kopischke & Mrs. Carl V. Smith Mr. Charles J. Jones Mr. and Mrs. Ronald W. Legg Mr. & Mrs. Clay F. Smith Mrs. M. Gretchen Juffer-Geist Ms. Linda S. Olmstead The Carson Circle Johnny Carson School of Theatre and Film

The Carson Society Kristi L. Kendall, J.D. Supporters ($50 to $99) Patrons ($49 and under) ($500 or more) Mr. & Mrs. Walker Kennedy Jr. Mr. Charles H. Bethea Robert L. Bohlken, Ph.D., Ms. Ellen W. Baldwin North Lincoln Voters for Dr. & Mrs. Dale A. Capek Ed.D. Mr. & Mrs. Frank H. Dupuis Landis Mr. Jeffery S. Elwell Mr. Nathan M. Brandt Dr. and Mrs. Larry H. Lusk Dr. & Mrs. Tice L. Miller Dr. & Mrs. William T. Griffin Ms. Elizabeth P. Davis Mrs. Ann K. Rawley Dr. Giacomo & Dottie Oliva Mrs. Linda S. Hoff Dr. & Mrs. Robert L. Doxtator Dr. & Mrs. Curtis B. Siemers Dr. & Mrs. Martin A. Duane J. Fike, Ph.D. Benefactors ($100 to $499) Mr. Paul A. Steger & Ms. Sara Massengale Robert Hillestad, Ph.D. Mrs. Mollie Baldwin L. Bucy Mr. & Mrs. Carl H. Rohman Mr. & Mrs. Homer E. McIntire Larry & Lucy Buntain Comine Miss Christine A. Wirthwein Mr. John C. Stark & Ms. Lori J. Mrs. Helen D. Nemzek Mr. Adam R. DeMars and the Wirthwein Adams Mr. Arnold E. Otto Mr. & Mrs. Larry J. Frederick Corporation John R. Schedel, Ph.D. Mrs. Martha Aitken Greer Mrs. Beverly J. Slader Dr. & Mrs. William E. Kelly Mr. & Mrs. John W. Stewart

26 University of Nebraska-Lincoln DEVELOPMENT

The Encore Circle School of Music Standing Ovation Second Call ($50 to $99) Mr. Scott R. Herr ($500 and above) Mr. & Mrs. Roger W. Mrs. Sharon M. Huffman We want your Mrs. Bonnie Weddel Baddeley Mr. Hugh P. Johnson alumni news! Caplan Mr. David C. Bagby Mr. & Mrs. Richard C. Fill out the form below or submit Mrs. Muriel P. Johnson Mr. & Mrs. Mark J. Benson Jorgensen news online anytime at Ms. Helen L. Laird Mr. & Mrs. Roy E. Cook Dr. Kay Lynn S. Kalkowski http://www.unl.edu/finearts/ Dr. & Mrs. Larry H. Lusk Mrs. Carole A. Davis Dr. & Mrs. Wayne F. Keim signup.shtml. Mr. & Mrs. William A. Mr. Timothy M. Dickmeyer Ms. Lindsay J. Ladman Nelson Mrs. Marsha M. Dunn Mrs. Hester M. Landers Name: Mr. Jack R. Snider Heather M. Hernandez, Mr. Mark M. McClenahan Address: D.M.A. Col. Herbert N. Meininger City/State/Zip: Rave Reviews ($100 to Mr. Edward J. Hirsch Mr. & Mrs. Phillip L. Phone: $499) Mrs. Diana F. Johnson Murphy E-mail: Degree(s): Ms. Ellen W. Baldwin Capt. Daven L. Madsen Mr. Stephen H. Nazarenus Year(s): Larry & Lucy Buntain Dr. & Mrs. Roger W. Mr. & Mrs. James D. Major: Comine Mandigo Ochsner Mr. & Mrs. Robert A. Fall Dr. & Mrs. Martin A. Mrs. Julia H. Orsi Alumni News: Drs. Quentin & Mary M. Massengale Ms. Esther M. Pfeiffer Faulkner Earl H. & Marilyn R. Mr. & Mrs. John M. Robson Dr. & Mrs. Raymond Mitchell Ms. Julie A. Sandene Haggh Mr. & Mrs. Alan C. Riggins Mrs. Lucile A. Schmitz Mr. Leo Hill Mrs. Janine Ross Mrs. Mary A. Sexton Mr. & Mrs. John R. Keith Mrs. Patricia J. Ruppe Mr. & Mrs. Matthew V. Ms. Dorothy J. Ladman Mr. & Mrs. Christopher S. Sheppard Miss Lorraine J. Loeffler Sawyer Mr. Rodger H. Skidmore Mr. & Mrs. Edward J. Love Mrs. Sharon L. Smith Miss Marjorie M. Smith Dr. & Mrs. Jerome L. Dr. & Mrs. Donald C. Jack F. Snyder, Ed.D. Mahloch Weldon Mr. & Mrs. N. W. Jerry Col. John C. Mollison Jr. Ms. Janice M. Wiebusch Solomon Dr. & Mrs. John C. Nelson Mrs. Dora L. Starks Dr. Giacomo & Dottie Take a Bow ($49 and Mr. & Mrs. Donald Oliva under) Steinegger Thomas H. Olson, M.D. Mr. Robert J. Arp Mr. & Mrs. Eugene J. Mr. George Poll & Mrs. Mr. Bruce A. Bartels Sundeen Ann Blomquist-Poll Mrs. Sally A. Buchholz Dr. & Mrs. Terry M. Theis Nonglak Prasopsook, Mr. Andrew M. Chisholm Mrs. Kathleen R. Toillion D.M.A. Mrs. Lynne A. Cobb Mrs. Christine M. Tucker Dr. John W. & Jill Mrs. Ann S. Dillow Crowley Mr. Jeffrey A. Tupper Richmond Ms. Emily A. Daharsh James E. Weesner, D.D.S. Mr. & Mrs. Carl H. Mrs. Sara E. Dillow Christopher R. Werner, Rohman Mrs. Beverly A. Eyberg D.M.A. Mrs. Cathie M. Sutton Mrs. Sharon M. Fair Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth J. Mr. & Mrs. John R. Mrs. Barbara J. Goulet West Vanneman Mr. & Mrs. J. Frank Hall Return to: Dr. & Mrs. Ralph L. Hall Fine and Performing Arts Alumni Magazine Hixson-Lied College of Fine & Performing Arts 102 Nelle Cochrane Woods Lincoln NE 68588-0144

Hixson-Lied College of Fine and Performing Arts 27 DEVELOPMENT Hixson-Lied Endowment Funding 2005-2006

The Hixson-Lied Endowment continues to fund exciting College of Fine and Performing Arts in January 2000. and innovative projects. The endowment, named the Christina M. Hixson-Lied The Hixson-Lied Advisory Board meets twice a year, in Foundation Trust Endowment for the College of Fine and October and April, to review and approve expenditures. Performing Arts, benefits all areas of the College. Half of the The board was created to review and react to requests for fund’s income provides support for programs in the College expenditures of income from the Hixson-Lied Endowment and the College’s affiliated organizations, including the Lied to benefit the College and its affiliated organizations. Center for Performing Arts, Sheldon Memorial Art Gallery, The board encourages requests for funding that will truly Mary Riepma Ross Film Theater, Lentz Center for Asian advance excellence in the college and enhance its national Culture and the Nebraska Repertory Theatre. reputation. The remaining funds are divided equally to support Additionally, the Board is involved in overseeing the faculty and students. investment of the endowed funds in cooperation with the What follows is a report on the new projects that were University of Nebraska Foundation’s Finance Committee. approved in 2005-06 for funding in the three funding areas: Miss Christina Hixson, the sole trustee of the Lied Program Support, Faculty Support and Student Support. Foundation Trust, announced a gift of $18 million to These do not include the on-going, multiple-year projects the University of Nebraska Foundation to support UNL’s that were covered in previous alumni publications.

the Sheldon Graduate Fellowship, a Hixson-Lied College of Fine and Program Support collaboration between the Sheldon Performing Arts Dean’s Office, $5,000 Memorial Art Gallery and Department to match a $25,000 University Initiative Lied Center for Performing Arts, of Art and Art History, to place a for Teaching and Learning Grant to $25,000 over two years, for Major graduate Master of Fine Arts studio art enhance college advising through University Presenters Value and candidate at the Sheldon for a three- the STARTS (Students in the Arts) Impact Study. This groundbreaking year period. The Sheldon Graduate program. marketing research project aims to Fellow will be trained by and work better understand the values driving with Sheldon Curator of Education performing arts participation, and how Karen Janovy to develop and increase Faculty to use this information to gain a clearer audiences for the Museum and its picture of the personal benefits and programs. Support public value that university presenting programs create in their communities. Nebraska Repertory Theatre and • Faculty Research/Creative Johnny Carson School of Theatre and Sheldon Memorial Art Gallery, Film, $40,000, for the celebration of Activity Travel Grants These grants are awarded on a $35,000, “Forming American Identities” the Nebraska Repertory Theatre’s 40th competitive basis to offer partial support initiative. This new initiative will Anniversary, the 100th Anniversary of to faculty members who are invited to examine how artists express their the Temple Building and the Temple present their creative and scholarly work identities and share formative Renovations Dedication, all happening in regional, national and international influences within their work. The in the summer of 2007. settings. thematic thread, titled “Forming American Identities,” will connect Hixson-Lied College of Fine and numerous museum programs, artists Performing Arts Dean’s Office, $45,000 Art and Art History and exhibitions during coming seasons. over three years, to match College funding for College publications, Santiago Cal, $702: Presentation of Sheldon Memorial Art Gallery, including our College DVD and “Landings2” at Centro de Artes Visuales $28,400 over three years, to continue Alumni Magazine. in Merida, Mexico.

28 University of Nebraska-Lincoln DEVELOPMENT Hixson-Lied Endowment Funding 2005-2006

Santiago Cal, $790: Participation as Gretchen Foley, Robert Woody, an Artist in the 11th Annual Havana $545: Presentation $710: Two Biennial in Havana, Cuba. of “Contour presentations at the Transformation as MENC Biennial Michael Hoff, $720: Presentation at the Motivic Process” Meeting in Salt Lake Annual Meeting of the Archaeological at the Eastman City. Institute of America in Montreal. School of Music at the University of Robert Woody, Aaron Holz, $650: Rochester in New Gretchen Foley $1,700: Presentation Robert Woody Presentation of York. of a paper at the “Studies of Vellum” ISME World Conference in Malaysia. at the MPG Gretchen Foley, $650: Presentation of Contemporary Art a paper at the College Music Society Robert Woody, $1,100: Presentation Gallery in Boston. National Conference in San Antonio, of two papers at the 9th International Texas. Conference on Music Perception and Christin Mamiya, Cognition in Bologna. $450: Presentation Aaron Holz Rhonda Fuelberth, $1,700: of a paper at the Presentation of a paper at the ISME Brenda Wristen, North American Victorian Studies World Conference in Malaysia. $860: Presentation Association/North American Society at the Performing for the Study of Paul Haar, $700: Presentation at the Arts Medicine Romanticism Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic in Symposium in Conference. Chicago. conjunction with the Aspen Music Sandra Williams, Kevin Hanrahan, $1,700: Presentation Festival in Aspen, $1,225: Support for of a paper at the ISME World Colorado. Brenda Wristen her solo exhibition Conference in Malaysia. at the Stevenson Brenda Wristen, $680: Presentation Gallery at Southern Peter Lefferts, $700: Presentation at at the MTNA Annual Conference in Oregon University. Sandra Williams the Medieval Academy of America Austin, Texas. Annual Meeting in Boston. School of Music Johnny Carson School of Theatre Susan Levine, $400: Presentation and Film John Bailey, $820: of a Lecture/Demonstration at the Presentation of McKinley Center in North Platte. William Grange, a recital at the $510: Presentation National Flute Glenn Nierman, at the Comparative Association $600: Presentation Drama Conference Annual National of a paper at the at Loyola MENC Biennial Convention. Marymount Meeting in Salt Lake University in Los John Bailey City. Ariel Bybee, $1,150: Angeles. Performance William Grange Glenn Nierman, William Grange, as concert soloist and master class $1,700: Presentation Glenn Nierman $1,715: Presentation of a paper at conductor as part of the 11th Annual of a paper at the the 11th Annual International Ibsen American Festival Tour in China. ISME World Conference in Malaysia. Conference in Oslo, Norway.

Hixson-Lied College of Fine and Performing Arts 29 DEVELOPMENT Hixson-Lied Endowment Funding 2005-2006

Sharon Teo, $960: Presentation of her Rachel Charlop- Denis Plutalov, School of Music, film at the Dodge College of Film and Powers, Johnny $1,200: Performance at the Media Arts at Chapman University in Carson School of International Russian Music Orange, Calif. Theatre and Film, Competition. $1,100: Study at • Faculty Grants Canada’s National • Undergraduate Research/ These grants are awarded on a Voice Intensive. Creative Activities Grants competitive basis to support projects Support for research, exploration and that assist faculty with their research Eric Guttormson, Rachel development of an idea or set of ideas Charlop-Powers or creative activity in ways that bring School of in which an undergraduate student national and international attention to Music, $1,200: is thoroughly engaged and actively the College and the creative and scholarly Participation in the Ameropa Chamber pursuing. Provides partial support for work of the faculty. Music Festival in the Czech Republic. students who wish to produce work otherwise difficult to accomplish due Art and Art History Hye Won Lee, School to cost. The program is intended to of Music, $1,300: encourage students to think of their Participation in Aaron Holz, $5,000: chosen field as a discipline, rather than the Casalmaggiore Project entitled a series of courses, better preparing them International Music “Painting Hybrids.” for life in that discipline. Festival in Italy. Francisco Souto, Mark Romano, Johnny Carson School Shannon Postier, $3,000: Project of Theatre and Film, $1,800: “Improv- Art and Art History, Hye Won Lee entitled “Mezzotint A-Palooza” project. Romano produced $1,200: Singing as Testimony.” a 52-hour improv show that took place Francisco Souto Study in Lied, Austria. in Chicago this past spring. The event consisted of 15 students from Lincoln, Melissa White, Art and Art History, as well as students from Sioux Falls, Student Support $1,300: Study in French through S.D., and Miami, Fla., and professional Cultural Experiences Abroad in Paris. performers from Second City in Seattle • International Study and Los Angles. There were four groups • Presentation of Scholarly/ Partial support for students who are of improvisers that rotated being on Creative Activities selected to study abroad. Funding is stage for a total of 52 hours in order Partial funding support for students who intended to help defray costs such as to break the current world record for are selected to compete, perform, make travel, lodging and meals that are longest improv show. presentations or present exhibitions associated with study in a foreign in regional, national or international country. John Skinner, Department of Art venues and programs. and Art History, $1,035: “Art of Christian Bohnenstengel, School of Communication” project. Skinner Melinda Yale, Jennifer Ghormley Music, $1,200: Participation in the has been photographing Nebraska’s and others, Department of Art and Ameropa Chamber Music Festival in communication hardware as a personal Art History, $2,000: To assist with the the Czech Republic. project and to document the electronic presentation of an exhibition at the pathway that connects Omaha to Haydon Art Center. Kearney. The result was a multimedia portfolio presented as a solo show in Javier Montilla, School of Music, Lincoln in March 2006. $1,200: Performance at Santa Fe University in Argentina.

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Chris and Ron Harris Harrises’ passions include giving back

By Katelyn Kerkhove this person is,’” Paul Steger said. “But it’s Ron Harris grew up in Lincoln, was such a great thing to have such a fun and a Lincoln Southeast graduate and is on and Chris Harris share a passion loving couple providing this opportunity an alum of UNL’s College of Buisness Rfor philanthropy, but the motivation for our students.” Administration. Chris grew up with a behind their support for the University of And while the students eagerly await the military family in Europe, but the couple Nebraska-Lincoln’s Hixson-Lied College arrival of these famous guests, the Harrises met in college and, since then, has never of Fine and Performing Arts often has sometimes struggle to understand who, permanently left Nebraska. stumped even them. exactly, the visitors are and why they are For years the Harrises have owned For years the Harrises have helped fund so important to the film industry. and operated the family business, Harris the Ron and Chris Harris Lectureship “Even though they aren’t ‘movie buffs,’ Laboratories, a medical testing lab in Program, which brings successful movie- they have a great appreciation.” Steger Lincoln that grew to worldwide status. makers to UNL. said. “They’ve always been very gracious. Ron Harris said he feels obligated to give Paul Steger, director of the Johnny I can see why they would say they aren’t back to the community, and his business Carson School of Theatre and Film, said movie buffs, but they help those of us who networks give him a great advantage in while the Harrises admit to knowing are.” helping bring people and resources to his little about film, they still understand the The Harrises have spent many years home town. impact these guests have on the program helping people by giving to the community He serves on numerous community, and its students. and university that have helped shape corporate and university boards while also “Often they’ll say, ‘I have no idea who them individually and as a couple. giving his time to the lectures in honor of

32 University of Nebraska-Lincoln DEVELOPMENT cancer. Chris is a very strong, independent woman. I can’t say anything but great things about them.” With the Harrises’ new connection through Veneziano to people in the film industry, Chris Harris said the couple chose to support the lectureship series because of the benefit it would have for the students. Students have a chance to hear from professionals what it’s really like in the film industry, something Ron said he felt was vital to their success upon graduation. Steger agreed, saying the most important part of the series is the connections the students can make. Moving to Los Angeles is scary and, as Veneziano pointed out, the business is tough, so to know a familiar face is both comforting and important. “I think any time you are studying a certain field of interest, it is really great to get outside the academic environment and hear people talk about it,” Ron Harris said. From left, writer and creator Jorge Zamacona, producer Mel Efros, designer Sandy Veneziano and actor Ernie Hudson meet with students in the Film and New Media program “They can learn set design and editing in last fall. classes, but when Mike Hill— who edited ‘A Beautiful Mind’—comes in, they learn his father, Dr. Lewis E. Harris, through the really not too surprising that the Harrises from the practical and realistic side. corporation of the Lewis E. Harris Lecture started a lectureship series for the Hixson- “And while many of these students on Public Policy and the E.N. Thompson Lied College of Fine and Performing Arts. probably won’t end up as Hollywood Forum. He also started a scholarship It’s another way to give back. notables, they may very well end up program to help business students study But the way the series started was mostly working in a local television studio, a abroad. luck. community playhouse or something like He is the service chair for the Madonna A carpenter who did some work on that. If they don’t make it a career, they’ll Rehabilitation Center and said he considers their house almost a decade ago and at least make it a hobby. …” it a “hidden jewel” that provides care that who is now deceased, discovered that the While speakers for the lectureship series isn’t truly appreciated until a person’s Harrises planned to vacation in Canada. are based a lot on luck—who is available loved one has been treated there. He enthusiastically suggested they meet at what time—it has been a great source Chris’s main efforts have focused on his wife, Sandy Veneziano, when they were of inspiration for students. The Harrises the Cedars Youth Services and Fresh Start in Toronto. said that even though they don’t interact programs. With two children of their own, Veneziano, a successful set designer and with the students every day, it is wonderful four grandchildren and another on the UNL graduate, happened to be working to see their enthusiasm and excitement way, Chris said organizations for children on the set of “That Old Feeling,” starring about the people who come to speak. have always pulled at her heart. Bette Midler. When the Harrises walked “I think they are a great couple,” Steger Overall, picking a favorite cause was onto the set a few weeks later, Veneziano said. “They love to go out for dinner with difficult for both Ron and Chris. gave them a tour and introduced her whomever we bring in (for the lectures), “I would say we have been bigger new acquaintances as “my friends from even if they don’t know them. They are supporters, consistently over the Nebraska.” She then asked them to walk both really friendly people and extremely years, of charitable community-based Bette Midler’s dog, but not to lose it. supportive of the arts. . . . but they don’t organizations,” Ron said. “We’ve also The rest is history. like to have much of the spotlight. They given money to the university in a variety “I think they are a couple very much in work behind the scenes.” of ways, if not anything but by buying love and just wonderful, giving people…,” football tickets.” Veneziano said this summer. “Ron has a Katelyn Kerkhove is a junior News- Considering their commitment to very scientific mind. He’s a huge reason Editorial major in the College of Journalism their community and the university, it’s for the Harris Labs finding cures for and Mass Communications from Omaha.

Hixson-Lied College of Fine and Performing Arts 33 DEVELOPMENT Howards create Art, Art History award By Joel Gehringer

t’s been nearly 50 years for Dan IHoward. Painting, drawing, instructing, administrating and just plain working for the last half century kept him occupied, and it paid off in its own huge way. The expressionistic painter and former chairman of the Department of Art and Art History has received his fair share of national attention and awards. He’s been called “Nebraska’s leading award-winning artist,” and he knows he’s a lucky and fortunate man. But through all those years, Howard never forgot what helped make him who he is: the teachers, professors, fellow artists and friends who encouraged him and instilled in him an interest in fine art. Well, that and a love for comics, but Dan and Barbara Howard with the first recipients of the Dan and Barbara Howard more on this later. Creative Achievement Awards, Amanda Smith (M.F.A.) and Aaron Von Seggern (B.F.A.). Howard understood just how important the extra boost from those around him used to get me to go to bed at night by was, and with that in mind, he and his ‘An art drawing me a picture of an animal.” wife, Barbara, recently donated $3,000 But as a paperboy, Howard also a year to the University of Nebraska gallery is as developed an interest in comic strips. He Foundation to create the Dan and Barbara was a fan of “Terry and the Pirates,” “Dick Howard Creative Achievement Awards, important to Tracy,” “Flash Gordon” and “Krazy Kat.” two awards, one for an undergraduate and He also read the Sunday newspaper comic one for a graduate student. The awards the training book insert “The Spirit”— his favorite of have become the most prestigious in the all comics. Department of Art and Art History. of an artist as “Those strips fed my determination to The gift is the latest in a long tradition for make it as an artist myself,” Howard said. the Howards, who have been supporters a recital hall “I didn’t know I was going to become of the art school and art community since a serious artist, but I first did cartoons, arriving in Lincoln in 1974. The couple is to a music sketches and drawings that led to my fervently believe they should return the going to art school.” favors they received early on. student...’ In grade school and high school, he “Since we’ve been able to (give back), received further support from his art and since we’ve been in the position to do teachers. That encouragement drove it, we’ve done it,” Howard said. “Coming Dan Howard Howard to pursue his career and led to his up, it was important to me to receive who enjoyed music and played piano, enrollment in the University of Iowa. support and reinforcement from others, After earning his undergraduate degree and his father, who founded the wrestling and this is one way we can support the up- in 1953, Howard shipped off to Lackland program at the University of Iowa. and-comers in the department.” Air Force Base in Texas as part of his two- It’s hard for Howard to recall a time “I think it was just inbred in him,” year ROTC commitment. There, he used when he wasn’t influenced by the arts. Howard said of his father’s love of visual his talents to work on designing manuals As a child in Iowa City, Howard became arts. “He never studied art or music, but and training aids for the basic training exposed to the arts through his mother, he had a natural flair for drawing, and he program. Howard joked he joined the

34 University of Nebraska-Lincoln DEVELOPMENT military only to be surrounded by civilians in his office. But the experience he received further strengthened his determinations. “Coming back from the service, I was ever more persuaded I wanted to pursue art at the graduate level,” he said. Back in Iowa City for graduate school, Dan met Barbara through a university choral group, and the two started dating. In the meantime, Dan was starting to exhibit his work in galleries and competitions. “I’m a competitor by nature, so it’s always been important for me to test and gauge my progress against comparable artists,” he said. In one particular show — the University of Iowa graduate art gallery — Dan was exhibiting two pieces, as required by all graduate students at the school. “After two days up, one of the paintings was stolen,” Barbara Howard said. “He didn’t know whether to take that as a compliment or what. But the second work he sort of half promised to me.” After the show ended, Dan went to visit Barbara, but he didn’t have the painting he had promised her. “I was sort of crestfallen,” Barbara said, “and I asked, ‘Where’s the painting?’” As it turned out, a collector had offered to buy it, and Dan had accepted. But he still had a gift for Barbara. Photo by Tom Slocum of University Photography With the money from the sale, Dan Dan and Barbara Howard with Eisentrager-Howard Fellowship recipient Xanthe Isbister at bought Barbara a diamond engagement the 2005 Donor Appreciation Lunch. ring. That was 49 years ago. He was responsible for hiring some of the school and community. They continued “And I never did give her her painting,” department’s first female faculty, and he to support the Hixson-Lied College of Dan said. continued developing art and art training. Fine and Performing Arts, the Nebraska “Well,” Barbara answered, “that’s not He also looked to introduce new ideas to Art Association, the Sheldon Memorial really true.” the department. Howard took particular Art Gallery, the Lincoln Arts Council, the After completing his Master of Fine pride in hosting the Midwest College Art Museum of Nebraska Art in Kearney and Arts degree in 1958, Howard took his first Conference in 1976 and inviting comic the Lied Center. teaching job at Arkansas State University. book legends — including “The Spirit” But perhaps the Howards’ most notable After 13 years, he moved to Kansas State creator Will Eisner — to discuss the past contribution after retirement was their University, then to UNL in 1974 as the Art and future of comics. funding of the Eisentrager-Howard and Art History Department chairman. But after 10 years, Howard wanted a Gallery in Richards Hall along with former He was also showing his work, eventually more active role in student development. UNL Professor Jim Eisentrager, who died exhibiting in and winning some of the “The administrative aspects became in 2002, and his wife, Dorene. The gallery country’s biggest shows, including the less and less interesting, and I was more provides a space for art students to exhibit New Orleans World’s Fair, the Palm Beach and more inclined to want to spend time their work on a regular basis. Society of the Four Arts National Show working with students,” Howard said. “So “An art gallery is as important to the and the Chataqua National Exhibition in I went back into teaching full time and training of an art student as a recital hall New York. taught until 1996.” is to a music student and a theatre is to As department chairman, Howard saw Howard retired after that year, but a theatre major,” Howard said. “Since many assets and a potential for growth. he and Barbara stayed involved in the the inception of that gallery, we have

Hixson-Lied College of Fine and Performing Arts 35 DEVELOPMENT supported that gallery. We and Dorene Eisentrager continue to contribute on an annual basis.” That was about eight years ago, and the Howards felt it was time to take the next step in supporting student achievement. “With the gallery functioning on a regular basis, we determined there weren’t many incentives or encouragements for both undergraduates and graduates to do their level best, to push themselves in a meaningful way for the furtherance of their training,” Howard said. “Barbara and I decided one conspicuous way of encouraging this would be to establish a new award. So this last year, in conjunction with the University Foundation, we established the Howard Creative Achievement Award.” The first two recipients were undergraduate student Aaron Von Seggern and graduate student Amanda Smith. Von Seggern used his award to travel to Rome and visit as much art as possible. Smith bought a camera and traveled to Italy. “That’s exactly the type of thing we’d like to see happen,” Howard said. “This isn’t to be used for lunch money. If they’re good enough to receive these awards, it means they’re good enough to want to excel, and they’re going to use this extra dollop of support to do something meaningful that will be helpful to themselves.” Von Seggern said he’s grateful for the opportunity the award gave him. “(The Howards) are both incredible people for seeing the benefit in the arts and supporting the department,” he said. “It is a good thing for students to work Photo by Steve Hermann/UNL College of Journalism and Mass Communications A gift from Jim and Rhonda Seacrest allowed UNL opera students to compete in Ireland. towards achieving this honor. It creates competition, which always brings about hard work. Plus, it supports artists, where financial support is hard to come by.” The Howards said they look forward to Seacrests support opera continued involvement in the department, and Howard said he has no plans to slow By Jill Havekost sweet, thick, fine maple syrup. She also his work down, even after all these years. sent a note to express her gratitude to the Seacrests for sending her and the UNL “I can’t imagine not being engaged and iving is sweet. involved in art,” he said, “I have to exercise opera program to Ireland to compete in James and Rhonda Seacrest have a my mind and my capacities as an artist. G the Waterford International Festival of It’s just something that’s ingrained in me. bottle of Canadian maple syrup to prove Light Opera in 2002. I’ve been doing art for almost 50 years it. And while the Seacrests appreciated now, and I can’t think of anything else I’d A Canadian graduate of the University of her thank-you, they did not fund the trip rather be doing. Nebraska–Lincoln’s Hixson-Lied College because they need breakfast condiments. “I’m not a rocking chair type at all.” of Fine and Performing Arts mailed the The Seacrests find pleasure from

36 University of Nebraska-Lincoln DEVELOPMENT philanthropy. some important parts of life.” “We enjoy doing it,” Jim Seacrest said. “I Seacrest said that people who believe think there’s almost a selfish aspect to it. If the arts and humanities are important we can get a kick out of helping someone, need to open their hearts and their wallets why not do it?” to ensure they continue to exist at their Seacrest said it was that spirit that current level of excellence at UNL and so inspired the couple to donate $60,000 to they improve in towns and cities across the University of Nebraska Foundation to the state. support a chamber/opera orchestra and “I would say to Nebraskans: support the another commitment to sponsor a second arts and humanities, no matter how big or trip to Waterford Festival in 2007. small the community is,” he said. “Support “They really have a tremendous sense it, support it, support it. It’s impossible to of civic duty and of commitment and of put a price tag on the arts and humanities, concern,” said Dr. John W. Richmond, and if we don’t support it, it might not be professor and director of the UNL School there at all.” of Music. “They are thoughtful, dedicated, Photo courtesy of the School of Music The Seacrests have worked hard not extraordinarily generous friends and UNL Opera’s “The Bohemian Girl” won Best only to ensure the continuing success of neighbors, citizens of Lincoln and citizens Operetta at the Waterford International the arts in Nebraska but also to support of Nebraska,” Festival of Light Opera in Ireland in 2002. the education of future business and Richmond said the school was grateful communications leaders. The couple for the Seacrests’ support, which has Jim Ford. “The Most Happy Fella” is an donated a total of $1 million to the College increased the school’s international operatic American musical featuring Frank of Journalism and Mass Communications visibility and improved the educational Loesser’s show-stopping and beautifully and the College of Business Administration. experience of hundreds of UNL students, haunting songs. Jim Seacrest said their commitments stem including those who attended the 2002 Jim Seacrest said as much as he enjoyed from a sense of duty instilled in him and Waterford Festival. financing the performance in 2002, he is his wife. “It was powerfully important to the equally excited to seeing UNL’s newest “My parents tried to explain the spirit students,” Richmond said of the 2002 and brightest opera stars on stage. of philanthropy,” Seacrest said. “They told trip to Ireland. “It really created for them “I think that there’s talent out there. Real me, ‘Of those to whom more is given, a sense of perspective of their work and talent. There may be another Pavarotti out more is expected.’” helped them to gauge the next steps they there,” Seacrest said of the current and Seacrest said he always hoped to needed to take in their own professional future UNL opera performers. make a major gift to the University preparation.” In addition to sending Nebraskan after he graduated from UNL in 1963 The trip also brought awards and musicians abroad, the Seacrests also work with a bachelor’s degree in business recognition to the School of Music. to support the opera/chamber music administration. After a long career in The 2002 UNL group performed “The program within the state. Their donation the newspaper business as the president Bohemian Girl” and returned to the to the University of Nebraska Foundation and chairman of the Western Publishing United States with four awards, including helped to make it possible to sustain Company, Seacrest was glad to have the the Best Operetta Award. a chamber orchestra to play for opera opportunity to fulfill his dream—and Such international recognition brings performances on and off campus. hopes to keep fulfilling it for years to visibility to the School of Music, which The Seacrests said it was important come. Richmond said attracts new students to them that everyone at least have the “If we have the ability to continue to and young artists, a crucial factor in the opportunity to experience the arts, though give; I hope that we will continue to give,” continued success of the UNL music they recognized that some people choose Seacrest said. program. not to participate. Richmond said the Seacrests and their “The visibility of our program is an “The arts can elevate the human spirit,” continuing generosity set a high bar for engine that drives our future, that drives Rhonda Seacrest said. “But that has to be an Nebraskans to meet. our growth,” Richmond said. “It’s very, individual’s decision. The philanthropist “I think the Seacrests are standard very important.” just puts the plate out there.” bearers who set a marvelous example and The group that will head to Ireland in Jim Seacrest echoed his wife’s that all of us should be inspired to follow 2007 plans to perform “The Most Happy sentiments. their lead, to look for opportunities to Fella.” Associate Professor of Voice Ariel “There are people who will never enjoy make a difference,” Richmond said. “They Bybee will co-direct the production the arts,” he said. “And that’s too bad do that well. We should be inspired to do with UNL Associate Professor of English because I think they’re missing out on likewise.”

Hixson-Lied College of Fine and Performing Arts 37 COVER STORY

Students perform “Alice in Wonderland” at the theatre 4-H camp in Nebraska City in June. College, Extension team up for 4-H By Katelyn Kerkhove program. A UNL film student at the we were not trying to find ways to get our time, Wright was chosen by Hixson- kids involved in ‘service learning,’” Oliva Lied Endowed Dean Giacomo Oliva said. “With this program, we get them out mong the things Cullen Wright took to document the work of then-theatre there and put them in situations where Aaway from the 2003 4-H camps was student Abby Miller. they have to work with kids, teaching and something very special: a nickname. What began as a small summer project communicating about their art. I believe Known as “movie guy” to the teens by two students in 2003 has—in three that while all of them might not teach in he interacted with at 4-H camps short years—developed into a program a formal way when they get out of school, statewide, Wright was one of the first two with eight students involved during the every artist has to be able to communicate participants in a collaboration project summer of 2006 and plenty of enthusiasm with his or her audience.” between the Hixson-Lied College of Fine for the future. The collaboration between the 4-H and Performing Arts and the University “I had always thought we were missing a program and the College has provided of Nebraska–Lincoln Extension’s 4-H chance, especially in a land grant school, if a better education for all students

38 University of Nebraska-Lincoln COVER STORY involved, both college and junior high. Through it, the middle school-aged teens are exposed to theatre, music and art, and undergraduates learn how to communicate their art through teaching. By incorporating the arts into the already established 4-H camps, teenagers have a chance to explore options they may not have been exposed to in school. The camps vary in length, and each summer has seen a different focus, whether music, theatre or art. Having worked in land grant schools for almost 20 years, Oliva saw a need for the Hixson-Lied College of Fine and Performing Arts to contribute to UNL Extension’s duties of reaching out and engaging Nebraska communities. Historically, the engineering and agriculture programs had been the most active in the 4-H camps, but, according to Oliva, over the past couple of decades many other people in academia have been trying to figure out ways to bring their Photo courtesy of UNL Extension 4-H Youth Development knowledge into the mix. Johnny Carson School of Theatre and Film senior Mark Romano works with students at the Of the three arts—music, theatre and Gretna Arts Camp in June. visual art—music has had the most outreach practice, putting on concerts Allowing arts students to participate “(Being a counselor) gave me the right throughout the state for many years now. in residential 4-H camps—where teen attitude and that connection,” Wright said. Over time, Oliva realized that participants stay overnight—was the most “I’m a big kid at heart anyway, and I had incorporating all three into some logical idea, said Beth Birnstihl, associate been to this exact camp when I was in the sort of program would be beneficial dean of UNL Extension. sixth grade. Being an honorary counselor for his students and many Nebraska “The kids get to see new opportunities helped bring me back to that age. It helped communities. and career choices that they may not have me shape the attitude of the piece itself.” “Being in a land grant school in a rural thought about,” Birnstihl said. “From the As “honorary counselor” Wright state, where you have lots of people who standpoint of the Hixson-Lied College of participated in many of the campers’ are distant (from the university campus), Fine and Performing Arts and Extension, it activities. His documentary became a it occurred to me that this might be a good has opened up a whole new set of resources publicity piece for 4-H and a great learning place to work on a project,” Oliva said. “I for both of us. Fine and Performing Arts experience for Wright. thought when I came here it would be a has a lot of students who need internships Wright said he owes a lot to Oliva and wonderful opportunity to talk with the and experiences, and we have a lot of the camp experience. It was the first time folks on East Campus in UNL Extension communities who have young people who he had been in charge of a full project, and and see if they had some inclination to do need to make new discoveries.” the “real world” experience helped him this type of thing. I was overwhelmed by While the first summer’s collaboration land his first job after graduating in 2005. the fact that the dean of UNL Extension consisted of only one student teacher and a “I learned a lot about shooting was like, ‘Look, let’s talk. We think this is a student documenter, the experience for all on location and shooting freely and really good opportunity.’” involved showed the program’s potential. spontaneously,” Wright said. “In school The first conversation between UNL Selected by Oliva, Wright and Miller we were always taught to create a moment, Extension and Oliva started in the fall attended the camps. Wright said he but in this situation, I had to capture of 2002. With both sides interested in considered himself an “honorary the right moment. I had to get that one putting together a project that would counselor,” participating in the activities kid laughing hysterically or that look of expose rural Nebraskans to the resources with the teens more than being in charge excitement.” of the university, discussions began on of the process. But, as his documentary Since then, the entire process has made how the arts could be integrated into the progressed, Wright’s unique role was some necessary adjustments in recruiting 4-H summer program. crucial. instructors and students, increasing

Hixson-Lied College of Fine and Performing Arts 39 COVER STORY year I made a pitch to all the students through the student advisory board. We had many more students interested. They are realizing that it’s a reasonable summer employment for them.” After being selected, students must develop their own curricula. They begin by deciding what they would like to accomplish in their allotted teaching time. Since the amount of time varies among the different camps, the student instructors have to be able to adjust. Once they have an idea of their material, they design marketing brochures that will attract the age group they are targeting. Throughout the process, Lodl and members of her department are always available to help. As the main connection between the communities and the students, the experience she brings is crucial. “This is an interesting process for the college students because they are really learning how to do an educational (Above) Students program,” Lodl said. “They are learning work on their things like how long it takes for kids of a film at the 4-H Filmmaking particular age group to do an activity, so Camp. we help with that part—what the timing is going to be like—and what to put on the (Right) Associate Professor of brochures to get the kids excited.” Film Sharon Senior theatre performance major and Teo guides vocal minor Rachael Miller was introduced high school students at the to the program by a friend and, after 4-H Filmmaking attending a meeting, she chose the 4-H Camp. camps as her summer employment. Miller said she was excited to be selected and was looking forward to trying different things with the students. “I know what excites me about theatre, but I don’t know what they’ll enjoy, and I’m looking forward to finding that out efficiency in publicity and improving More exciting than the mundane clerical with them,” Miller said. preparation for clerical work and work is setting up the camps themselves. With three years under its belt, the curriculum. While student-instructors were originally program has become something more According to 4-H youth development selected by Oliva and other faculty, now than it was originally. At this point, specialist Kathleen Lodl, assigning students are taking the initiative. Miller’s duties have developed into those student-instructors to camps has been the With the help of the Hixson-Lied of a teacher and counselor. most difficult task. In an effort to work College of Fine and Performing Arts’ But beyond the development of the with most college students’ schedules, Undergraduate Student Advisory Board, instructors’ roles, the camps themselves the 4-H program likes to arrange the Oliva publicized the work opportunity have evolved. While only a couple of arts camp schedules to fit the availability of last spring and was happy to get a positive students each year have been involved its student-instructors. What used to response. since that first attempt in 2003, this take many weeks to organize has become “The program is starting to gain some summer’s eight students will allow all somewhat more efficient, but Lodl says traction,” Oliva said. “We went from theatre three art forms—music, theater and art— more can be done. and film, then art and then music, so this to be taught at different times but at all the

40 University of Nebraska-Lincoln COVER STORY camps. Also, instead of participating in the three residential camps alone, arts students are now participating in community camps as well. While the arts instructors stay overnight in the communities they are teaching in, just as they did in the residential camps, their students participate only during the day, returning home at night. These camps last, at most, four days, but, because they involve only one community, a celebration of campers, parents and community members concludes each camp. The celebration gives the camps’ participants and student instructors a chance to show their accomplishments by putting on a play, concert or exhibition for the community. Camp counselors also use the closing festivities to inform and recruit students into the College. By sharing the different opportunities the students have had personally at UNL, the College hopes Photos courtesy of UNL Extension 4-H Youth Development to show communities that the arts can be a profession, not just a hobby. (Above) Students work on a still As the years pass, new ideas and life drawing project at the Fine recommendations will only help improve and Performing Arts Camp in the project. Oliva said the student Wilber, Neb., in June 2005, with the assistance of Department of Art and instructors are required to keep journals Art History senior Jeremie Memming. during their work. The journals help students analyze their teaching methods (Left) The mosaic created at the 2005 and the developments of their campers. Fine and Performing Arts Camp. In addition, the students are invited to one-on-one meetings with Oliva at the end of the summer to give evaluations of their experiences. Lodl hopes that process will improve. She would like to see more solid feedback from the arts students as to a degree necessarily, but it’s a program experience. well as from the communities and the of things we do that’s very important. But more than his personal benefit, camp participants. And it’s important that it be seen as a Wright hopes that the teens experience With a solid foundation built over the real collaboration between us and the something they can’t get anywhere else. past three years, continuing the camps agriculture college.” “I hope it creates a venue and an and developing them further has people As the program becomes entrenched, opportunity for kids to really experience from all three areas excited. Oliva hopes future campers and student the arts in a fun atmosphere verses Oliva, Birnstihl and Lodl all agreed that instructors will continue to benefit from something like a school play where the the main goal is to make the experience as the experience. teacher has the a whole vision that the kids positive as possible for the arts students Besides his “movie guy” nickname, don’t create,” Wright said. “In this they get and camp participants. But Oliva wants to Wright earned what he called a “college to experience theatre in a more engaging see as it as a fixture in the College for years graduate’s dream job,” upon graduation. way. It’s not so rigorous, and it helps shape to come. At Out Post 12 Studios, a full production them to be confident in themselves in front “I, personally, as the dean, want this to studio, Wright is in charge of videography, of others. And, maybe, it can give them a be seen in our college as a program,” Oliva motion graphics and does some 3-D work. drive to excel in the things that they are said. “It isn’t for credit, and it doesn’t lead And he said he owes a lot of it to the camp passionate about. It did all that for me.”

Hixson-Lied College of Fine and Performing Arts 41 FACULTY NOTES

Ron Bartels’ “Another Viewpoint II” lenticular print.

Scott Anderson, Vegas Flute Festival at the University of Music series in Associate Profes- Las Vegas in March. He gave a recital, Chicago. While in sor of Trombone, two masterclasses and a lecture on flute Chicago, on Feb. performed with history. 14, Barnes gave a number of a lecture/recital ensembles includ- Carolyn Barber, on symbolism ing the Nebraska Associate Professor in music for the Jazz Orchestra, and Director of music students where he played Bands, presented of Northeastern lead trombone a session at the Illinois University. on a new NETV Scott Anderson 2006 College Band Barnes was also a Paul Barnes production on the Directors National featured clinician evolution of swing music in Nebraska. Association Con- in the Omaha Conservatory’s Spring Filming was done at the historic Sokol vention in Evans- Workshop held March 3-4. Barnes Theatre in Omaha. He premiered Michael ton, Ill., March performed Mozart in a faculty recital Colgrass’ Mystic with a Credit Card for 9-11. “Influencing Carolyn Barber and gave master classes to pianists in the trombone and synthesizer with the New Sound: Revising Omaha region. The official recording Music Agency at a January concert and Pedagogical Practices to Improve of the Lewis and Clark concerto Barnes received an invitation to guest conduct Conductor Efficacy” focused on the pitfalls recorded last September in Seattle with two trombone choirs at the Siouxland of contemporary conducting instruction, the Northwest Chamber Orchestra has Trombone Festival in February. Anderson and suggested an alternative physics-based been released by Orange Mountain Music presented his faculty solo recital at UNL approach based upon Barber’s recent and distributed internationally. which featured trombone works from the research and writings. Paris Conservatory, and the University of Ron Bartels, Associate Professor of Art, Nebraska Brass Quintet presented their Paul Barnes, Associate Professor of had his lenticular print work selected for on-campus recital featuring guest artists Piano, recently taught for distinguished inclusion in a show devoted to university Jay Wise and Mary Bircher on works professor of Music Menahem Pressler professors from five different countries by Rayner Brown and Ingolf Dahl. The at Indiana University. Barnes was on the and 16 universities. Bartels’ work, “Inside quintet is made of the brass faculty at the campus of IU from Jan. 25-29 and taught Out” and “From Here in Time” was School of Music. Pressler’s entire piano studio and gave a selected for exhibition in the Digital Media masterclass. On Feb. 12, Barnes performed category. The exhibition, “New Generation John Bailey, Larson Professor of a solo recital featuring works of Albeniz, 2005: The International Exhibition of Flute, was the featured artist for the Las Mozart, Glass, and Barber on the Mostly Professors in Graphic Design” was hosted

42 University of Nebraska-Lincoln FACULTY NOTES by Sangmyung University, Anseo-dong, the featured guest soloist with the Moran the Big XII Music Executives Conference Chonan, Chungchongnam-do, South Quintet in a Kimball Hall performance of in Santa Fe, N.M., in May. Richmond Korea. Bartels’ digital video QuickTime© the Sextet for Winds and Piano by Czech and Dean Giacomo Oliva presented on motion file, “The Art of Lawn Mowing,” composer Bohuslav Martinü. “Composition Education in the 21st has been selected in an international Century” to the 2006 World Conference competition sponsored by ColorCalm™ William Grange, Professor of Theatre, of the International Society for Music DVD. His work is designed from several has been appointed to the Fulbright- Education in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in still video capture files and manipulated in University of Vienna Distinguished Chair July. a 20-minute, time-based motion file that in the Humanities and Social Sciences. expresses abstract views. This work will His tenure begins in March 2007. He Francisco Souto, Assistant Professor of be compiled with Brian Eno’s Ambient played Caldwell B. Cladwell under Equity Art, received the Gracefield Arts Centre Music for a Color Calm™ DVD entitled contract in “Urinetown” at the Haymarket International Prize at the 6th British “Motion Art,” scheduled to be released in Theatre this winter. He presented “The International Miniature Print Exhibition November 2006. German Theatre and the German in the United Kingdom. Souto’s recent Presidency” at the Comparative Drama exhibitions include “Francisco Souto Peter Bouffard, Lecturer in Music, was Conference in Los Angeles earlier this year Recent Prints” at the Slugfest Gallery in commissioned by Abendmusik to arrange and presented “Reaffirming Distinctions Austin, Texas; 7eme Mondial de L’Estampe a piece for large brass ensemble and through Indecisive Assertions” at the Mid- et de la Gravure Originale Triennale de percussion for their February concert at American Theatre Conference in Chicago. Chamalieres in France; The International First Plymouth Church in Lincoln. He was He published “Hitler Laughing,” a 200- Mini-Print Biennial Cluj-2005 at the Cluj- also commissioned by Nebraska ETV to page scholarly monograph on comedy Napoca Art Museum in Romania; the 6th write an arrangement for a documentary in the Third Reich through American British International Print Exhibition at entitled “Hard Times Swing.” In March, he University Press this year. Gracefield Arts Centre; 7th Bharat Bhavan was a featured performer and clinician at International Biennial of Print-Art 2006 the Nebraska Jazz Festival. Kevin Hanrahan, at the Roopankar Museum of Fine Arts in Assistant Professor India; and The Bibliotheca Alexandrina Second International Biennale for Artist’s Stan Brown, of Voice and Voice Books at the Library of Alexandria in Associate Professor Pedagogy, was Egypt. Souto has also been a visiting artist of Theatre, taught selected for a workshops at the at the University of Texas at Austin and at poster presentation National Theatre Kansas State University. at the National School of Canada in A s s o c i a t i o n Montreal, Quebec, Alison Stewart, Professor of Art His- of Teachers of in February. tory, had her recent book, “Saints, Sinners Singing National and Sisters: Gender and Northern Art Convention this Mark Clinton, Stan Brown in Medieval and Early Modern Europe” July. Kevin Hanrahan Associate Professor reviewed in the College Art Association of Piano, appeared with the recently (CAA) Reviews online. formed “Trio Nuovo” on the Kimball Tammy Meneghini-Stalker, Senior Hall stage on Feb. 5. He joined Lincoln Lecturer in Theatre, received her Sharon Teo, Associate Professor of Symphony Orchestra concertmaster Anton Fitzmaurice Certification in voicework in Theatre and Film, received a $2,000 award Miller and Associate Professor of Cello January. for Independent Artist Fellowship in Film Karen Becker in a recital featuring the from the Nebraska Arts Council in April. “Ghost” Trio (op. 70, no. 1) by Ludwig van Giacomo M. Oliva, Professor and Dean Beethoven, and the Piano Trio in D minor of the Hixson-Lied College of Fine and Sandra Williams, Associate Professor by Anton Arensky. Two days later, Clinton Performing Arts, served as judge for the of Art, had a solo exhibition at Southern presented a recital with Larson Professor University of Illinois School of Music Oregon University in April and May and of Flute John Bailey featuring works for Concerto Competition on April 9. will have one at McHenry County College flute and piano by Blumer, LaMontaine in Chicago in September and October. and Heiden. On Feb. 15, he appeared John W. Richmond, Professor The exhibitions were made possible with on the Kimball Hall stage with mezzo- and Director of the School of Music, the assistance of a Hixson-Lied Travel soprano Anne Donnadieu, cellist Karen presented guest lecturers on music Grant and a Woods Travel Grant. Williams Becker, and the Chiara String Quartet in education, philosophy and leadership to also participated in “Tugboat Presents” at a recital of works by Brahms, Chausson, undergraduate and graduate classes at Hot Shops in Omaha, and the 2nd Annual Saint-Saëns, Gounod, Thomas, Weill and Northwestern University in May. He also Regional Exhibition, Barton Community Oscar Straus. On March 23, Clinton was represented the UNL School of Music at College in Great Bend, Kan.

Hixson-Lied College of Fine and Performing Arts 43 ALUMNI NOTES Codes: B.A.=Bachelor of Arts B.F.A.=Bachelor of Fine Arts B.M.E.=Bachelor of Music Education B.F.A. Ed.=Bachelor of Fine Arts in Education B.S. Ed.=Bachelor of Science in Education M.M.=Master of Music M.F.A.=Master of Fine Arts M.A.=Master of Arts D.M.A.=Doctor of Musical Arts Ph.D.=Doctor of Philosophy

1954 John S. Kudlacek (B.F.A. art, 1958 B.F.A. Ed. art) was the 2006 recipient of the Kansas Artist Fellowship in Crafts (ceramics). The award of $5,000 is based on artistic merit and recognizes sustained achievement and excellence. Now Professor Emeritus of Emporia State University, he resides near Topeka, Kan., where he continues to work J. Dolores Rodgers, “Waverly Roses.” in his rural studio. Achievement Award in Music, and visited 1972 1955 with Joan Reist, John Marshall, Dick Moses Charlotte Bumgarner (B.S. Ed., 1973 J. Dolores Rodgers (B.F.A. art) was the and Carolyn Coffman Hansen. M.M.) is currently working for the North featured artist in this year’s annual “Wings Carolina Association of Educators as a over the Platte” show and competition 1964 UniServ Director. She works with certified at the Stuhr Museum in Grand Island. and classified personnel as it pertains Carol Copeland Huntington (B.M., She was awarded the visual artist of the to their member rights and facilitates 1968 M.M.) is retired from teaching year in 2005 by the Moonshell Arts and various leadership trainings and works orchestra and string classes in the Corvallis Humanities Council of Grand Island. She with members on lobbying for education Public Schools (Ore.). She plays in several had an exhibition at the Prairie Winds causes. She has worked in this capacity in chamber music groups just for fun. Art Center (where she is part-owner) in Nebraska, Oklahoma, Illinois and now Grand Island in June called “Black White North Carolina. Bumgarner is still singing and Gray All Over.” 1969 in church, as well as some concerts. Linda Ross-Happy (B.M.E.) received 1958 the Platinum Award for Excellence in Robert Jones (B.M.E.) is currently Jim Cantrell (B.F.A.Ed. art) had an Teaching from the U.S. Distance Learning Associate Professor of Voice at North exhibition of his work last October Association at its national conference last Dakota State University. for Bardstown’s 225th Birthday at the October. The organization’s highest honor Bardstown, Ky., Old Courthouse. recognized her creation of an online 1973 course in the history and development Glenda Dietrich Moore (B.F.A. art) 1960 of rock and roll for college students. Dr. works as an artist, art instructor, leader Frank Tirro (B.M.E.) is still teaching Ross-Happy was also awarded emeritus for creativity and spiritual life retreats music history at Yale University. He just status upon her early retirement from and is the program secretary for the UNL finished a book, The Birth of the Cool of the University of Missouri-Kansas City Women’s and Gender Studies program. Miles Davis and His Associates that should Conservatory of Music. She is now She has had several paintings used for be available within the year. Tirro was developing music courses for educational magazine covers and illustrations. The recently on campus to receive the Alumni television and the web. magazine, “Zion’s Herald,” used her

44 University of Nebraska-Lincoln ALUMNI NOTES painting, “Holding Up the Heaviness” on Teaching Council Grant from Sul Ross the front cover of the March/April 2006 and nominated for the Outstanding issue. Glenda’s artwork is also used for Teacher of the Year in 2005-2006. He was the UNL Women’s and Gender Studies the musical director for the Big Bend program posters and brochures. Glenda Theatre’s production of “Annie Get Your was the speaker at the Church of the Gun” this summer. Freed has had articles Brethren Clergywomen’s Breakfast at the published in the Journal of Singing and General Conference in Des Moines in Choral Journal this year. The Sul Ross July. Choir premiered his new choral work, “The Sacred Hoop,” on the text from Black 1976 Elk Speaks. The piece was in memory of Larry Lawless Lawrence Gwozdz (M.M.) conducts The his mother, Mary Louise Callen Freed, who Sax-Chamber Orchestra, which recently died Dec. 4, 2005, and was a UNL alumna. released a CD entitled “Parabolically Freed also had two other choral works, is currently working as Assistant Professor Bach” (Romeo Records). The 11-member “In the Lord You Are Light” and “Bleak of Theatre and Costume/Makeup Designer ensemble is comprised of students at The Midwinter” that came out last spring. for Vanguard University of Southern University of Southern Mississippi. The CD California. She is a member of the is an all-Bach program of works originally Rob Hartung (B.M.E., 1988 M.M.) has founding production team for American for keyboard, choir and orchestra. been Director of Bands at Madison Public Coast Theatre Company (ACTC). Schools (Nebr.) for 12 years. He has been Albert Sperath (M.F.A. art) continues named Outstanding Band Director of 1981 to serve as Director of the University the Year at the Mid States Conference Michael Fowler (M.F.A. art) is the Mary Museum and Historic Houses at the three times, and he has been nominated Durban Toole Chair of Art and Associate University of Mississippi. Recently William to Who’s Who of American Teachers Professor of Design at the University of Faulkner’s home, Rowan Oak, was placed three times. He received a Golden Apple South Carolina at Aiken. under the museum’s responsibilities and Teaching Award from Nebraska Wesleyan a multimillion dollar restoration of the University. He is the lead trumpet and 1982 house and grounds is continuing. Director of Music for the Columbus Jazz Orchestra and leader of the jazz sextet Larry Lawless (M.M.) and his The The High Tops. He also plays trumpet in Lawless Percussion and Jazz Ensemble went 1977 the Nebraska Rock and Roll Hall of Fame into the studio this summer to record their Nancy Anderson (B.M.E.) recently Band, The Smoke Ring, and is the Praise debut CD, “Behind Bars.” The CD consists returned from New York City, where Band Director for First United Methodist of all original jazz music composed by her Sheldon High School Varsity Choir Church in Norfolk. each of the five members of the ensemble, performed Haydn’s “Paukenmesse” with performed entirely on percussion the Willamette University Singers under instruments. The release is set for October the direction of Dr. Wallace Long at 1979 2006 at www.lawlesspercussion.com. Carnegie Hall in New York City, where Jeanine York Garesche (B.M.) is a they received a standing ovation. replacement player with the St. Louis Craig Lee (B.F.A. art) is a fine artist Symphony Orchestra and has performed, living in Omaha. He is primarily a painter 1978 recorded and toured with them. She is and has done a wide range of murals, Val (Vollers) Bard (B.S. Ed. theatre) also a very active freelance performer paintings, drawings and theatre scenery. has been Managing Director of the Little throughout the St. Louis area and the Red Hen Theatre in Wakefield, Neb., since Midwest. She is a faculty member of Tom Mitchell (M.F.A. theatre arts) 1994. They completed their first year in Webster University and the University of has been appointed Acting Head of the their new black box theatre on May 1. Missouri-St. Louis and a former member Department of Theatre at the University of the Fort Wayne Philharmonic in Fort of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Donald Callen Freed (M.M., 1991 Wayne, Ind. Ph.D.) was appointed Associate Professor 1983 of Vocal Music at Sul Ross State University 1980 Lynn-Steven Johanson (M.F.A. theatre in Alpine, Texas. He was awarded a Lia M. Jantz Hansen (B.F.A. theatre arts) arts), had his play, “A Tale from the North

Hixson-Lied College of Fine and Performing Arts 45 ALUMNI NOTES Woods,” win Arizona’s East Valley Fall as an Assistant Professor of Theatre Community Theatre’s 2006 Playwriting also in the Communication Program at Contest, and it is scheduled for a February UIS. Her recent directing credits include 2007 production. In addition, his play, “Stop Kiss” and “The Glass Menagerie” “The Crucifixion of Moe and Ira,” was both at Illinois College, where she was a produced by the Makor Theatre in New half-time Assistant Professor of Theatre. York City in July 2005 and was scheduled Eric and Missy have a 5-year-old daughter, for production at the Great Plains Theatre Emma. Festival in Omaha in June 2006. 1996 1986 Ron Gann (M.M.) is a saxophone/ Kari Sigerson (B.A. art history) is co- clarinet player with the U.S. Air Force founder of Sigerson Morrison, which Bands and currently a Military Training designs and produces luxury ladies shoes Instructor for Lackland Air Force Base and accessories in Italy. She operates (Texas) Drum and Bugle Corps. He is branded boutiques in New York City and responsible for initial military training Los Angeles. with all members of the U.S. Air Force Bands program. 1987 Susan LaFever (M.M.) attended the Tom Woldt (Ph.D. Dramatic Arts) took Barry Tuckwell Institute at Gettysburg over as Chair for Region V of the Kennedy College in June. Besides participating Judith Wynhausen as “Mother Goose.” Center American College Theatre Festival in masterclasses, she performed the in April. He will serve a three-year term “Nocturne” by Franz Strauss for horn Mouse King” at the Commonweal. as Chair of the seven-state Great Plains and piano and the first movement of Eric Region, coordinating the yearly regional Ewazen’s “Grand Canyon Suite” for eight 1992 festivals and representing the region as a horns. Judith K. Sweney (M.A. museum member of the national committee at the studies) is Professor of Art at Union College Kennedy Center. Tom continues to serve 1988 and Southeast Community College. as Chair of the Department of Theatre Judith Wynhausen (M.F.A. theatre Arts at Simpson College in Iowa, where he arts) is a professional storyteller and has Ann VanAllen-Russell (M.M.) has been both lives and works with Ann (Niergarth) recently been accepted on the Missouri appointed Senior Lecturer and Deputy Woldt (M.F.A. 1993). Arts Council Touring Roster and School Head of Undergraduate Programmes Touring Roster of Performing Artists. She at Trinity College of Music in London. 1997 performs in costume as Mother Goose She received her Ph.D. in 2004 from Ben Strain (B.M.E.) is the band director and recently completed a translation of the University of London Goldsmiths and percussion coordinator at Blue Valley 38 traditional Mother Goose rhymes into College. High School in Stilwell, Kansas. He just Spanish. completed his Masters of Music degree 1994 from the University of Missouri-Kansas 1991 Missy Thibodeaux-Thompson (M.F.A. City. Christine Winkler (B.M.) is performing theatre arts) and Eric Thibodeaux- the role of Irene in Henrik Ibsen’s “When Thompson (M.F.A. theatre arts 1992) are 1999 We Dead Awaken” at the Commonweal living in Springfield, Ill., where Eric has Jeremy Kolwinska (M.M.) has been Theatre Company in Lanesboro, Minn. been Director of Theatre and Assistant named Chair of the Department of Music Christine is currently a Resident Company Professor of Theatre in the Communication at the University of Tennessee-Martin. In Member, Managing Director, Actor and Program at the University of Illinois at addition, he plays trombone in the Jackson Musical Director for the Commonweal Springfield since 2002. His recent directing Symphony. Theatre Company. In March, she directed a credits include “Hedda Gabler” and high school production of “You’re a Good “Oedipus the King” for the 2005-2006 UIS 2000 Man, Charlie Brown.” Last December, season. He performed again this summer Ruth Foley (D.M.A.) is Associate she assistant directed a world premier with the Illinois Shakespeare Festival in Professor of Voice at Liberty University, production of “The Nutcracker and the Bloomington/Normal. Missy started this where she has been since 1992.

46 University of Nebraska-Lincoln ALUMNI NOTES Godwin Sadoh (M.M.) was appointed Jessica Hutchinson (B.A. theatre arts) school in Boulder, Colo. She just purchased to the position of Assistant Professor of started in February as the Education and a home and enjoys spending time in Music at LeMoyne-Owen College (LOC) Community Programs Assistant at the the mountains on the weekends. She is in Memphis, Tenn. He coordinates the Goodman Theatre in Chicago, where she also teaching private piano lessons and sacred music program of the Department had previously completed an internship beginning classwork toward her Master’s of Music and directs the LOC Concert from January-June 2005. degree. Choir. In May, Sadoh completed his fourth book, “Intercultural Dimensions in Catherine Wallis (B.F.A. theatre arts) Michelle M. Bennett (B.M.E.) just Ayo Bankole’s Music.” It will be published was a production stage manager for a film completed her first year of teaching K-5 by Wayne Leupold Editions, North festival live show this past year. She stage elementary general music at McKinley, Carolina, in 2007. The world premiere of managed for the Snowy Range Summer Emerson and Roosevelt Elementary his “Nigerian Suite No. 2 for Organ Solo” Theatre in June and July and will be stage Schools in Sioux City, Iowa. was June 21 at the Rochester Christian managing “Babes in Arms” at the Missouri Reformed Church in Penfield, N.Y. The Theatre in the fall. Anna Drozda (B.A. art history) has been world premiere of his “Ose Baba [Thank awarded a competitive 2006 Fulbright You Father]” was July 9 at the Evangelical 2004 grant to study in the Czech Republic. Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd Denise Brady (M.F.A.) has been appointed Executive Director of the in Fayetteville, N.Y. Shauna Goodsman (B.F.A art) is Kimmel Harding Nelson Center for the working for Walt Disney World Parks and Arts in Nebraska City. Denise directed 2001 Resorts in sales and marketing. Elizabeth Schuller (B.M.E.) is currently the Nebraska Book Arts Center since its founding in 1989 at the University of teaching strings and general music in Esme Guenther (M.F.A. art) was featured Nebraska at Omaha and has served on Chesapeake, Va. in the Spokane (Wash.) Spokesman- the boards of the Omaha Printmaker’s Reviews weekly entertainment insert on 2002 Guild and the Nebraska Center for the Abby Miller (B.A. theatre arts) is acting Book. She is a book artist and fine printer June 9 as a emerging artist profile. in Los Angeles. She appeared in the May whose handmade limited edition books 9 episode of “Gilmore Girls” on the WB and broadsides of contemporary poetry Rafael Mevorach (D.M.A.) has been network. are held in private and public collections appointed Professor of Music at DIA in the U.S. and Great Britain. University in Norwalk, Calif. Mitchell Wininger (M.M.) was recently named Coordinator of Secondary Fine Travis Richter (M.M.) performed Peter T. Scherr (B.F.A. art) and his Arts for the Galena Park Independent Monostatos in “The Magic Flute” and wife, Stacy, celebrated the birth of their School District in Houston. She will be Sellem in “The Rakes Progress” for Des daughter, Olivia Rose Scherr, on January responsible for art, band, choir, dance and Moines Metro Opera. He was a guest 6, 2006. Olivia underwent successful theater at the secondary level (grades 6- recitalist at Minnesota State University open-heart surgery on April 27 to correct 12). and the University of Southern Alabama. a congenital heart defect. He is currently pursuing his D.M.A. in 2003 voice performance at Louisiana State 2006 Jefferson Campbell (D.M.A.) accepted University. Joshua Harris (B.M.E.) has accepted the position of Assistant Professor a position with the Grand Island (Neb.) of Bassoon and Music History at the Michelle Warner (B.F.A. technical Public Schools to teach elementary band University of Minnesota Duluth. theatre) has been accepted to the University and assisting at the high school and junior of Nevada-Las Vegas to pursue a Master of high. Gina Goettl (B.A. music) is assistant Fine Arts degree. principal horn of the Duluth-Superior Sarah MacMillan (M.F.A. art) will Symphony Orchestra. Gary P. Wilson (D.M.A.) has been hired begin a residency at Hunter College in as Director of Choral Activities at David New York City this September. Amy Hutchinson (B.F.A. art) is Lipscomb University in Nashville, Tenn. currently at the University of Iowa in the Dan Perry (M.F.A. art) was included School of Library and Information Science 2005 in an exhibition of Iowa artists entitled and Center for the Book joint program Kimberly Alspaugh (B.M.E.) is teaching “There’s No Place Like Home” this pursuing a Master’s degree. general music at a bilingual elementary summer at the Des Moines Art Center.

Hixson-Lied College of Fine and Performing Arts 47 ALUMNI WEEKEND

(Below) Members of the Undergraduate Student Advisory Board had lunch with the Alumni Achievement Award winners at Selleck Dining Hall on April 21. From left, Joy Barlean and Jason Slaughter, both of the Johnny Carson School of Theatre and Film, Bob Askey, Frank Tirro, John Nygren, Curtis Moeller of the School of Music, and Blair Diers of the Department of Art and Art History.

(Right) From left, Frank Tirro, Hixson-Lied Dean Giacomo Oliva, Bob Askey and John Nygren at the Honors Day Dinner on April 22. Photo by University Photographer Tom Slocum College Alumni Weekend held in April

he Hixson-Lied College of Fine and of Merit and Student Leadership Award Other honorees included recognition of TPerforming Arts celebrated its annual winners are selected by the College’s the first two Hixson-Lied Professors, Gail Alumni Weekend with its Honors Day Alumni Board from nominations Kendall and Christin Mamiya, and the Dinner on Saturday, April 22 in the Johnny submitted by the general public, faculty recognition of retiring organ professors Carson Theater on the UNL campus. and alumni. The alumni achievement Quentin Faulkner and George Ritchie. More than 170 people gathered to award winners met with students on celebrate the achievements of students, Friday, April 21. faculty and alumni at the Honors Day Other scholarship award recipients For a full listing of award recipients, Dinner. are selected by their respective academic please visit http://www.unl.edu/finearts/ Alumni Achievement Award, Award departments. honorsawards.shtml.

(Left) (Left) From left, Sarah Alumni Hranac, Taylor Achievement Award Bendgen, Traci in Theatre recipient Christensen, Bob Askey (center) Hixson-Lied Dean meets with Johnny Giacomo Oliva, Carson School of Caitlin Applegate, Theatre and Film Jennifer Ghormley, students (left to Megan Ratchford, right) Jim Hopkins, Cessa Cantrell and Flynt Burton, Helen Nosova. Acquah Dansoh and Ja’Nelle Taylor.

Photo by University Photographer Tom Slocum

48 University of Nebraska-Lincoln

ALUMNI PROFILES Putting a face to a familiar voice “It was the only place I worked where the By Joel Gehringer studios had wallpaper with red hearts.” He settled in Longmont, Colo., in 1967 Bob Askey received the 2006 Alumni and was elected to the city council in 1975 Achievement Award in Theatre. and as mayor in 1979. “I found that a mayor is the servant of aybe it’s the broadcast training and the people, because while I’m out there Myears and years of radio experience, looking at 50-year water or electrical but there’s a certain tone in Bob Askey’s plans, my constituents were calling me at voice that lets you know he’s been a few home and saying, ‘Bob, could you fix that places, met a few people and seen a few pothole down there?’” things. Askey decided to serve only one term After all, he’s been a sports broadcaster because he had found another job as the in Lincoln, a helicopter traffic reporter voice of Talking Book Publishers, an audio in Denver and the mayor of Longmont, book company that recorded literature for Colo. the blind. For 30 years, Askey lent his voice He was a classmate of both Dick Cavett to tales from Tom Clancy, Dr. Seuss and and Johnny Carson. In fact, he watched even the Bible. his first television program in the Carsons’ Askey said the techniques for recording living room. Bob Askey came quite naturally. But that same quality in Askey’s voice “That preparation and training was all also gives away the fact he’s proud of his Of course, Carson and Cavett would go back from the University of Nebraska,” he work and content with life in retirement, on to careers in television, but Askey took said. knowing he’s done more than his fair share a different route. Often, Askey would record all parts in to give something back to his community Through college, Askey worked as a the book himself. and the world. copywriter for KOLN Radio to pay his “It was very much like reconstructing Once again, it was all in the voice. tuition bills. One summer day in 1949, he an old-time radio show, and I was the Born and raised in Lincoln, Askey was in studio with Jack Hyland, who was one-man band,” he said. “It’s quite a trick enrolled in the University of Nebraska- calling a Lincoln Chiefs baseball game. to do that.” Lincoln in 1948 after graduating from “We also had a guy who would read the Among his community of listeners, Lincoln High School. commercial breaks in between innings,” Askey became a celebrity, receiving fan He wanted to be an English teacher, but Askey said. “Well, he left the building for a mail and phone calls from across the along the way, he found an interest in ra- moment. He thought the inning would be country. Often, he phoned back so people dio and changed his curriculum to mainly longer than it was.” could hear his voice in person, and anyone broadcasting courses. But sure enough, the inning ended who sent him a letter would receive a hand- It was in those classes he met his now quickly, leaving no one to read the written Askey response — though he did famous peers, though he was more of a advertisements. have to start sending mass mailings after friend to Dick Carson, Johnny’s younger “I was the only guy there, so I just sat letters started arriving in the thousands. brother, than to the famous “Tonight down and read the commercials on the ra- He even received the Narrator of the Show” host. Nevertheless, Dick invited dio,” Askey said. “And that was my start. Year Award from the American Federation Askey and a few other classmates to his I was 19 years old, and I’ve been doing it for the Blind in 1986 and 2002. house one night because his father, Kent ever since.” Askey retired in 2004, and since, he’s Carson, an electrician, had recently bought Now 76, Askey enjoyed a long career on been into investing, photography and a 12-inch, black-and-white television set. radio after graduating from UNL with a travel. “They’d invited a bunch of radio and B.A. in speech. His radio career took him He said he doesn’t know what his next TV guys — actually, it was a bunch of through stints at KFOR, KLIN, KHOW project will be or where his retirement radio guys. There were no TV guys at the in Denver, where he called traffic reports travels will take him. university quite yet,” Askey said. “So I went from the air, and KAAT in California, But one thing’s for sure in his made-for- on down there, and it was in their house which broadcasted out of Hugh Hefner’s radio, loved-by-millions voice: Wherever that I first saw television.” old Playboy Club. his travels take him, he’ll be ready.

50 University of Nebraska-Lincoln ALUMNI PROFILES The history of History of Jazz By Joel Gehringer

Frank Tirro received the 2006 Alumni Achievement Award in Music.

nyone who has ever taken a Acontemporary music history course should know the name Frank Tirro. Most don’t, of course, but they should. Tirro is the one they have to thank for courses like the history of jazz, blues or rock ‘n’ roll. Before Tirro, academics didn’t study modern music, but the accomplished jazz musician and aficionado changed all that with one simple presentation in 1966. Born and raised in Omaha, Tirro first experienced music through violin lessons at age 4 and piano lessons at 6. As a student at Central High School, Tirro was involved in ROTC and eventually Frank Tirro talks about Miles Davis in Professor Pamela Starr’s music history class in April. earned the position as drum major of the Central ROTC band. As a nod to the history of the city, the traveled to Italy for two years in 1971 and Upon graduation in 1953, Tirro initially society decided to hold a session on jazz. 1972. When he returned, he took a job at left Nebraska to earn an engineering “When I saw this session, I had a great the University of Kansas, where he started degree at Cornell University, but his idea for a presentation,” Tirro said. He his first jazz history course. father’s death led him to return and enroll wanted to present a comprehensive From there, he was hired as chairman at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. history of jazz music. The society accepted of the department of music at Duke While studying engineering, Tirro his abstract, and Tirro traveled to the University before becoming dean of the stayed involved in music, playing in jazz convention to give his presentation. Yale University School of Music. bands at small gigs and fraternity parties. And though it was an unconventional As dean at Yale, Tirro discovered students As a senior in engineering, just credits topic, the presentation and accompanying were learning music and performance shy of his degree, he decided he would article, “The Silent Theme Tradition in without understanding where their styles switch to music. He finished the degree in Jazz,” were well-received. and techniques came from. He reworked two years and three summers, graduating After presenting his piece, Tirro was the curriculum so students would learn in 1960 with a bachelor of music education. approached by all kinds of researchers and more about the history of their music. He then earned a master’s degree from historians. Tirro stepped down as dean a few years Northwestern University and began his “A couple of people came up to me ago, but he still teaches music history doctorate at the University of Chicago. asking if I would write a book,” Tirro courses. Right now, he said, he’s enjoying Now, up to this point, Tirro exclusively said. “From that came the book that was the extra time and searching for his next studied classical and Renaissance music. published in 1978.” big project. “The University of Chicago had some That book was “Jazz: A History,” the “I’m just trying to get a little fun out of very well-known Renaissance scholars,” first comprehensive jazz history text and life,” he said. “I’ve just finished a book on he said. “That’s all that was being taught. the leading text for history courses across Miles Davis” — it’s called “The Birth of the That’s what was being focused on at the the country. Cool of Miles Davis and his Associates” — time.” Needless to say, Tirro’s book was quite a “and I think I’m going to start something Through his doctorate program, Tirro jump for his career. on Benny Goodman or his arrangers. I’ve joined the American Musicological Society, “It got both of my kids through college,” got to find the materials and support the which held its 1966 annual meeting in he joked. ideas I have, but I think that’s probably New Orleans. After completing the doctorate, Tirro where I’m going to go next.”

Hixson-Lied College of Fine and Performing Arts 51 ALUMNI PROFILES Renowned glass artist has roots in Nebraska By Joel Gehringer at Wilmington College in North Carolina. While teaching there, Nygren recon- John Nygren received the 2006 Alumni nected with Curt Hoard, a student he knew from Cranbrook who was coincidentally Achievement Award in Art. teaching glassblowing classes in another North Carolina school. or all intents and purposes, John Nygren Nygren went to visit Hoard and returned is a one-man operation. F to Wilmington with 100 pounds of glass. He has no partners in business, no His casual interest would soon become a assistants and no collaborators. serious business. Everything that comes from his glass- Nygren quit teaching in 1970 and moved blowing workshop in Walnut Cove, N.C., to Walnut Cove to open his studio, but it is entirely his own. Even the tools and was a difficult time for contemporary glass equipment he uses are hand made. But even for a man who has made artists. himself one of the most respected glass “There weren’t any galleries then, and artists in the country, Nygren can’t stress there were very few glass artists, even,” he enough the importance of his mentors said. “But probably the big break came —especially those at the University of when the first New York gallery called.” Nebraska–Lincoln who introduced him to That gallery was the Contemporary Art the world of glasswork. Glass Group, formed by now famous gallery Today, Nygren specializes in glass, and his owners Doug Heller and Josh Rosenblatt. Nygren was one of four artists exhibited, pieces often reflect themes of nature, which John Nygren Nygren said has its roots in his childhood. even though most times, his work was Nygren was born in Big Springs, but shown for a short while at random shows he said. “I can’t stress enough the power of then stored for long periods of time. his family moved often, as Nygren’s father that faculty. They welcomed us into their was a civil engineer. He remembers living “There was really no place to show it,” he worlds.” said. “There was no market for it.” in Ashland, Denver, Mead and Ceresco, It was at UNL where Nygren was opened though he said he just considered himself But Nygren knew the market was up to new ideas and mediums, and he gave opening up when Rosenblatt called one a citizen of Saunders County. credit to two specific instances for steering But the moves didn’t distract from his day after a New York antique show to tell him toward glasswork. him his work had been sold out and buyers two main interests: art and nature. “When I went in, I wanted to be a painter, “Apparently, I was drawing pretty early were fighting over his pieces. and I started in that direction,” Nygren said. on,” Nygren said. “But I was also interested Contemporary glasswork was finally “Well one day, I was walking past the pot in outdoor stuff in general — insects and receiving the attention it deserved, and shop and a kid I knew who had just been that in particular.” Nygren soon saw his work accepted into through ceramics called me in.” When Nygren graduated from Ashland collections across the country, including High School in 1958, he had a tough After that, Nygren was hooked and knew the Smithsonian Institution and the decision to make about his future. he wanted to work with three-dimensional Corning Museum of Glass. “I had to decide whether I was going to mediums. “I guess mostly it’s been a really good be an entomologist or an artist,” he said. Then, in 1962, Geske, Richards and a life,” Nygren said. “We’ve never had a lot of “Well, I decided on art. I had visited the Ag group of professors returned from a trip money, but we’ve had time and I’ve pretty college, but their interest was really more to Italy with examples of contemporary much been able to do what I wanted to do how to kill insects. I was more interested in Italian glasswork. and make what I’ve wanted to make.” how cool they were.” “I remember looking at those pieces Today, Nygren said he’s more or less After a short period at Luther College, and wondering, ‘How did they do that?’” retired, taking time with his wife Sharon at Nygren came to UNL, where he worked Nygren said. their Walnut Cove home and enjoying the under professors Norman Geske, Jean Nygren eventually blew glass as a senior 35 acres of wildlife sanctuary they own. Richards and Richard Hegelberger, among project, but it was the last he would work But Nygren said there’s still a chance others. He also studied with Tom Sheffield, with glass for a while. he’ll return to working if inspiration were whom Nygren considers his mentor. After graduating in 1965 and receiving to strike. “I think the whole art department was his M.F.A. from the Cranbrook Academy “People ask me if I’m retired,” he said, such an incubator of students at this time,” of Art in 1967, Nygren found a job teaching “and I say, ‘Yeah, but never say never.’”

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By Katelyn Kerkhove

d Forde can’t decide what artists of the E13th century would think of today’s technology. But Forde, chairman of the Department of Art and Art History, knows that at least a few would appreciate it. Even in the time before advanced photography, Renaissance artists were using cameras to copy their images. Now, hundreds of years later, artists can create their work digitally on computers, and Forde thinks maybe some 13th century artists would have liked this option. “Artists are eccentric, and they respond emotionally to a lot of things, so there will always be artists who are resistant to technological applications,” Forde said. “But if you go all the way back to the Renaissance, artists were using cameras before they even had real cameras to mechanically reproduce their images. This Photo by Candace Frank is still controversial. However, it’s not a big M.F.A. student Mary Gaetz works on editing software in the Mary Riepma Ross Media Arts deal in the professional art world anymore Center computer lab. at all.” As technology advances, it has become educated choice.” sphere,” Bartels said. “What used to increasingly evident that the University According to Oliva, the digital arts begin be hard physical things, like a guitar, a of Nebraska–Lincoln’s Department of Art with visual media. Musicians, though not horn, a paint canvas or a camera—those and Art History must keep up with the working with visuals directly, must put have all become digital. Because of that new trends. music with visual pieces, and graphic common digital base, there’s been a lot Just as movies require musical scores design students must learn to create their of cross-fertilization of different kinds of and films require graphic designers for work on computers. collaborations in the creative realm.” movie titles, the Hixson-Lied College of But the definition of digital arts With this fluid definition, Forde said Fine and Performing Arts feels required to is somewhat elusive, Forde said. In that the College believes that digital keep up with ever-changing technology— general, the College defines digital art media is “the next big frontier that all the if not for the betterment of the College as it relates to the use of visuals such as disciplines at the university need” and “all and its programs, then for the future of its graphics, animation, motion graphics and the colleges are having to include in their graduates. simulations, he said. He also includes the research and their publicity.” In an effort to prepare students for their use of text and graphics or the applications He said he could not recall any college or professional careers, the College has begun that could be used in different media forms program that did not have an established a collaboration process to incorporate like Web pages, animation, commercial Web site to display its work and its research digital arts into its curriculum. animation, research animation or or to just promote its cause. “Technology isn’t going away; it’s simulations for certain projects or topics. “It seems to me that this touches on moving forward,” Hixson-Lied Endowed Associate Professor Ron Bartels, who everything at the university,” Forde said. Dean Giacomo Oliva said. “Whether or teaches graphic design, defined the digital “That means not just the academic part not that’s good or bad doesn’t matter, arts to incorporate music as well. of the university, but it has to do with because we are responsible for giving “Over the last 15 years there’s been a the administrative part and the student our students the opportunity to make an synthesis of equipment into the digital programs that the university administers.”

54 University of Nebraska-Lincoln TECHNOLOGY With this grander perspective on the can study at their dorms. And the quality already been started. need for technology university-wide, Oliva of digital imagery is better than what you According to the proposal, there said that the development of the digital arts get in printed books. It’s going to be much is already an established curricular is based more on collaboration between more convenient for students to study and framework for tenure-line faculty in film the different types of communications to master their coursework.” and new media, in graphic design and in than on the technology itself. If more of While departments are individually music composition. Also, 50 percent of an effort were placed on providing a fluid incorporating technology into their visual literacy coursework already is being climate between the different art forms, curricula, Oliva still stresses the need for produced on the computer. the technology piece would shortly follow, collaboration among them. Whether this All of the projects so far have been he said. happens inside or outside the College, put in place for one main purpose: to That goal is part of the Hixson-Lied mixing and mingling among the different enrich the educational experience of the College of Fine and Performing Arts’ university programs is crucial, he said. students. Oliva said he hopes advancing current proposal for the advancement Forde described the situation candidly, the technological part of the College will of the digital arts: “the realization of our saying that for any sort of digital arts attract more students to the university digital media offerings in ways that bring program to begin, the College had to and to the College more specifically. film, video, animation, design, music show how the university as a whole would Looking into the future, Forde said he composition and Web-based applications benefit. would like to see digital arts become a together.” normal, major part of the curriculum. Graphic design is the fastest growing He said the College has the ability to arts program with almost 50 percent of ‘What used to remain current in the state of the art with arts majors—150 students—choosing it. the external industries, and he hopes the In this major students have no choice but be hard physical university will take a leadership role in to use technology because graphic design the effort so that graduates will be more is done almost solely on the computer. things, like a competitive and more successful in their Bartels has begun to implement projects endeavors. into his curriculum that have graphic guitar, a horn, a As American culture continues to design students working with students in develop, technology will be at the forefront. various majors, especially film. With it, Bartels said, there will be less Bartels’ students have designed film paint canvas or definition between the spectrums of arts titles and promotional programs and and almost every profession. There’s no posters for student films and the student a camera—those doubt that keeping up with the progress film festival. Since most directors are not is imperative to the development of the graphic designers, it was up to the graphic have all become College. design students to create the look of the According to Oliva, the College is film, Bartels said. digital.’ responsible for preparing its students for “(The students) loved it,” Bartels said. “Whenever there is something like TV or Ron Bartels the “real world” in which all the different film or something that moves, whether Associate Professor forms of art will come together. you are 2 years old or 20, you are attracted In a time when the line between music to that flickering light. When you can “By collaboration we mean we have and computer is fading, musicians must do exotic and interesting things with to work together with other programs have the educational background to typography and images, it’s very evocative and departments inside and outside our compose music in a digitized format. to the students.” college,” Forde said. “We already have Artists must appreciate the development Even Forde’s passion for art history has some successful experiences with other of computerized forms, and graphic begun to digitize. colleges—the visual literacy program designers must understand their non- While professors had always used slides with the journalism college—but any computerized artistic counterparts. to project images on the wall for students, kind of initiative like this is going to affect Oliva and Forde know that technology the art history program has recently other programs and colleges across the isn’t going to go away, and it is up to received a grant that will help put all the university. We need to form partnerships them and the university to make sure it is images in a digital archive, accessible to because it’s going to take extra resources, accessible to students. professors and students. and the university administration pri- “I just see it as something we are naturally “It’s a sucker punch,” Forde said. “Now oritizes resources that can be shared going to do,” Forde said. “And, really, I all kids know how to use a computer at the among programs and colleges.” think every generation is going to expect university, and it’s easier for them if they But this isn’t to say the process hasn’t it when they come to the university.”

Hixson-Lied College of Fine and Performing Arts 55 NEW FACULTY College welcomes five new faculty members Department of Art and Art History Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts Individuality vs. Conformity in Selected Suzanne Spencer is a Senior Lecturer, in September 1998. Film Music of the 1950s, considers the who will teach general art survey courses, During the past 20 years, Ma has musico-dramatic implications of the courses in modern and postmodern art designed a great number of productions scores for High Noon (1951), The Day and architecture in the U.S., China, Hong Kong and Taiwan. the Earth Stood Still (1951), and On the and seminars in His most recent set designs include No.1 Waterfront (1954) alongside sociopolitical American art and Restaurant in China for Spring-Time undercurrents of the 1950s. Bushard has architecture. This Theatre; Family and A Midsummer presented his research at a SAM national fall, she will teach a Night’s Dream for Chung Ying Theatre; meeting, as well as regional meetings of special topics course An Absolute Turkey for the Hong Kong the AMS, CMS, film and jazz symposia, titled “Modernism/ Repertory Theatre; Forever Teresa Teng and at various lectures throughout the Postmodernism: for the TNT Production Ltd. (in Taiwan); Midwest. Architecture and and Falling in Love with Her for Spring- A native of Sioux Falls, S.D., Bushard Design in the 20th Time Theatre. has taught previously at the University Century.” He has also illustrated several children’s of Kansas and the University of Missouri, Suzanne Spencer S p e n c e r books for publishers in the U.S., the U.K., Kansas City. This fall he will be teaching received her Ph.D. Canada, Hong Kong and Taiwan. Music for Film, History of Jazz from 1900 from Emory University and her B.A. to Bop and Introduction to Undergraduate with honors from Loyola Marymount School of Music Studies in Music. University. She has taught before in the Anthony J. Bushard is Assistant Department of Art and Art History and Professor of Music History. Bushard Christopher Marks is Assistant for the College of Architecture. She was received a B.A. in music (piano) from St. Professor of Organ. From 1999 to 2006, the assistant humanities editor for the John’s University in Collegeville, Minn., as he taught organ and served as University University of Nebraska Press from 2002 well as a Masters and Organist at Syracuse University. An active to 2004. Spencer is a member of the Ph.D. in musicology proponent of new College Art Association and the Society of from the Univer- music, Marks has Architectural Historians. sity of Kansas. premiered a number He is a member of commissioned Johnny Carson School of Theatre and of the American organ works. His Film M u s i c o l o g i c a l diverse stylistic Wenhai Ma joins the faculty as Associate Society, College interests also steer Professor of Scene Design. Ma received his Music Society, So- him toward a variety Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Theatre ciety for American of other repertoire, Design from the Music, Pi Kappa Anthony J. Bushard especially that Central Academy Lambda and Phi of the German of Drama in Beijing Kappa Phi honor societies, and a two- Baroque period. Christopher Marks in 1982. Later, he time recipient of the Milton Steinhardt Equally comfort- was granted a full Scholarship in musicology at the able with solo and collaborative playing, scholarship to University of Kansas. Also while at KU, he he performs frequently with ensembles Carnegie Mellon was a harpsichordist for the KU Collegium such as the Boston Brass. University for his Musicum and the Spencer Consort. He holds degrees from University of graduate studies. Bushard’s research interests are in Richmond (B.M. piano), University of With a Master of Contemporary American music with a Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (M.M. Fine Arts degree Wehai Ma special focus on jazz, blues, and film music. piano and M.M. organ), and the Eastman in both scene and His masters research dealt with the jazz School of Music (D.M.A. organ), where costume design from CMU, he returned and blues club scene in Kansas City during he studied with Michael Farris. His to the Central Academy of Drama to teach the 1930s. He has published sections of performances have garnered him top prizes scenic design from 1984 to 1987. He then that research in the New Grove Dictionary in competitions, including the Arthur taught in the Drama Program at Duke of Jazz, Second Edition. His dissertation, Poister Competition, the San Marino University from 1987 to 1998. He moved titled Fear and Loathing in Hollywood: Competition, the Fort Wayne Competition, to Hong Kong and started teaching at the Representations of Fear, Paranoia, and and the Mader Competition.

56 University of Nebraska-Lincoln NEWS His recent recording on the historic Walter Holtkamp organ at Syracuse University represents his varied musical interests, featuring music spanning four In Memoriam centuries that is rarely performed and recorded. The disc is titled Discoveries Thomas L. Fritz, Professor Emeritus of Nebraska– and is available on the Raven label. of Piano, died Feb. 4. Fritz began at Lincoln with a UNL in 1959. He became Associate Bachelor of Music Alan Mattingly is Professor in 1964 and full Professor in Education degree Assistant Professor 1970. He retired in 1992. Fritz received and a Master of of Horn, where his his D.M.A. from the University of Music in voice. duties include the Southern California, Los Angeles; his After graduating, private instruction M.M. from Northwestern University she moved to in Evanston, Ill.; and his B.M. from the New York City. of the horn studio, Ann Blomquist Poll conducting the horn Peabody Conservatory in Baltimore. She joined the New choir, and teaching Fritz performed extensively in solo and York Public Library’s Music Division, music theory and ensemble recitals and as a soloist with which allowed her to continue her aural skills classes. orchestras. vocal studies for the next five years. His other teaching Alan Mattingly For the next 35 years, she focused on a a s s i g n m e n t s Velma Lentz, who helped establish career in the field of financial services’ have included orchestration, wind and the Lentz Center for Asian Culture with computer systems. She contributed percussion pedagogy, music appreciation, her husband Donald Lentz, died Feb. 7. to the design and implementation of and serving as the graduate coordinator. Donald and Velma Lentz established the computer systems for the American Mattingly received his Bachelor of Music Lentz Center along with an endowment and New York Stock Exchanges degree from the University of Alabama and fund with the 1983 donation of their and NASDAQ. She also served as his Master of Music and Doctor of Music Asian Art collection to the University. consultant and employee in banking, degrees from Florida State University. The Lentz Center for Asian Culture creating and implementing computer While attending the University of opened in Morrill Hall on September systems for the Retail Banking Division Alabama, Mattingly played third horn 9, 1986, and moved to the Hewit Place and Private Wealth Management with the Tuscaloosa Symphony Orchestra. in 2000. Velma Lentz served as the first Division at Banker’s Trust. Later at While at Florida State University, he was director of the Lentz Center. Deutsche Bank, she played a key role principal horn with the Albany (Ga.) in maintaining their international back Symphony Orchestra and second horn Ann Blomquist Poll, who was a office computer operations. Blomquist in the Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra. member of the Hixson-Lied Advisory Poll continued her music study and He took first prize at the state and Board, died on May 2. performed regularly in solo recital and regional rounds of the MTNA Collegiate She graduated from the University with choral music. Artist Competition and had a second place finish in the University Division of the American Horn Competition. His other orchestral engagements Next Geske Lecture Nov. 13 have included the Owensboro (Ky.) Symphony Orchestra and the Paducah The next Geske Lecture will be presented Monday, Nov. 13 at 7 p.m. in the Sheldon (Ky.) Symphony Orchestra. Mattingly Memorial Art Gallery auditorium. William Wallace, the Barbara Murphy Bryant has performed throughout the United Distinguished Professor of Art History at Washington University in St. Louis will be the States, Canada, England, and Russia with lecturer. The event is free and open to the public. A reception will follow the lecture in major performances at conventions of Sheldon’s Great Hall. the International Horn Society, and the Wallace received his Ph.D. in art history from Columbia University in New York in 1983 International Trumpet Guild. In addition and is currently Professor and Chair of the Department of Art History and Archaeology at to his previous teaching duties at Western Washington University. He teaches Renaissance art and architecture (1300-1700) and is an Carolina University, Mattingly was the internationally recognized authority on Michelangelo and his contemporaries. principal hornist with the Spartanburg The Norman and Jane Geske Lectureship in the History of the Arts was established in (S.C.) Philharmonic Orchestra, the 1995 through the generosity of Norman and Jane Geske and features noted scholars in the Hendersonville Symphony, and associate history of visual arts, music, theatre, dance, film or architecture. The lectures are intended to principal/third horn with the Asheville advance the understanding and appreciation of the arts with creative writing and thinking (N.C.) Symphony Orchestra. that reflect the importance of historical perspective of the arts.

Hixson-Lied College of Fine and Performing Arts 57 GUEST COLUMN Toward a culture of public engagement in the arts: The role of higher education

By David E. Myers as well as for volunteers. The Eastman School recently implemented a professional development website for orchestral musicians, demonstrating that shared goals between Can you offer me any advice on what to higher education and the professional world tell my dad? He’s giving me a hard time can reap important practical benefits for both about my major. He keeps asking how this established and aspiring artists. degree is going to prepare me to earn a living. In my view, the importance of public –A frustrated vocal performance major engagement as a central tenet of these expanding opportunities cannot be overstated. Higher education must resist any he persistent issue of career viability, often tendency to permit the prescient initiatives of Texpressed as it is in the above scenario, the last decade to revert to seminars on “how has not been lost on arts programs in higher to get ahead in the arts,” or worse, “how to education. In the last decade, a growing survive in an arts career.” Among musicians, number of institutions have implemented data indicating that 12 percent or less of the career awareness initiatives for students as a adult population attend live classical music, complement to discipline-based curricula. The jazz, and opera events, and that participation most forward thinking of these models place rates have been static for 20 years, ought to be real-world career demands and opportunities cause for concern. On the other hand, the fact in a larger conceptual context that includes the role of the arts and that classes based on personal engagement with the arts have yielded artists in society. Broader than jobs training, these new models seek increased participatory rates over that same period ought to be cause to empower students with enriched perspectives, leadership capacity, for possibility-thinking (NEA, 2004). self-confidence and initiative, and the ability to adapt within a dynamic As artists, we can legitimately be exercised over the fact that in- culture. school arts programs reach indefensibly small percentages of student The Arts Leadership Program (ALP) at the Eastman School of Music populations; yet this reality should energize us to understand how is one example. According to the school’s website, “The ALP recognizes schools can connect with the independent drive for arts learning that success as a professional musician requires more than superb that large numbers of youth exhibit outside of school. We need to technique and artistry: Success also requires entrepreneurial savvy, contemplate why adults seeking arts knowledge and experience are strong communication skills, fluency with emerging technologies, often intimidated during their initial efforts; but we should also be commitment to audience education, and public advocacy for music and encouraged by research showing that expressive outlets and creativity the arts. . . .the future health and growth of our musical culture relies constitute important dimensions of meaning-making throughout on the energy and imagination of the next generation of musicians the life course. The point of these observations is not to suggest that and artists.” In addition to seminars, internships, and interchange aspiring artists should be confronted with discouraging information with practicing professionals, Eastman instituted Music for All, which too early in their development. Rather, it is to argue for instilling requires chamber ensembles to present educational programs in the beliefs and attitudes about how passionate practice of the arts in our community. Now, a decade after the ALP initiative, there is field-wide communities leads toward the transcendent values we all espouse for momentum around linking career development more closely with the public good. professional arts preparation. Two RAND reports (2001; 2004) note that the quest to expand arts Happily, the conversations are not one-sided. Professional participation has recently relied on supply-side marketing strategies, associations, philanthropic foundations, and arts organizations essentially promoting the idea that a broader array of arts products will are considering similar topics; and they are dialoguing with higher draw larger audiences. Though community engagement has been part education about the need for a seamless continuum from undergraduate of such efforts, the implicit policy perspective has been more about the and graduate preparation through lifelong career development. potential impact for arts organizations and artists than about building The Pittsburgh Symphony, for example, has engaged musicians in a a public demand through public benefit. The RAND authors make variety of community activities and provided support to help them two important points: 1) that the intrinsic values of the arts, rather be effective. In the late 1990s, the American Symphony Orchestra than instrumental benefits such as economic growth and improved League founded the Orchestra Leadership Academy (OLA) to provide academic test scores, should lie at the heart of individual engagement growth opportunities for career-entry and experienced professionals, and any resulting personal and social benefits; and 2) that sustained,

58 University of Nebraska-Lincoln GUEST COLUMN high-quality personal engagement with artists and the arts is a and commitment to community engagement as a part of career potent avenue for broadening, deepening, and diversifying audiences, visioning; and they plan to ensure the availability of participatory arts and for instilling desires that transform people from occasional to opportunities in their communities frequent arts participants. Institutional change, whether in higher education, public schools, A rather pointed example of a troubling perspective may help or community arts organizations, is a challenging task that requires highlight the critical need for public engagement training. A book models from which principles can be derived, disseminated, replicated, entitled How to Make Money Performing in Schools (Heflick, 1996) and adapted. Recently, a young composer posted an internet message offers musicians, actors, and dancers a number of practical suggestions asking why student composers have not been introduced to working for presenting effective school programs. However, a statement on the in schools and communities as part of their training. She had been back cover indicates that “schools spend hundreds of thousands of investigating composers-in-schools programs dating to the 1960s and dollars every year presenting performing-arts assemblies. You have all could not understand the absence of this topic in degree curricula. the ingredients you need to get your share of this money.” A citation The simple answer is that emotional investment in the inertia of attributed to the Booklist of the American Library Association avers existing systems, no matter how ineffective, inhibits significant and that “this should be a real boon to artists attempting to break into an productive change. The more complex answer is that the prevailing expanding, lucrative market.” culture of composer education has not embraced, or perhaps even By way of contrast, it would be intriguing to research the acknowledged, community engagement as an integral and legitimate dispositions of artists who have participated in the CONNECT component of career success. project at London’s Guildhall School of Music and Drama. Founded To effect systemic change that integrates community engagement over 20 years ago by Peter Renshaw, CONNECT engages Guildhall in the curricula of higher education requires that we confront and students with East London’s large immigrant population. The project articulate dimensions of complementary knowledge that underlie the emphasizes four areas of activity: youth music/creative partnerships; preparation of compleat artists for the twenty-first century. Not only arts and community development for healthcare and disability do aspiring creators, performers, and producers need to think in new centers; new landscapes in music, art, and performance; and trans- ways about their work, but arts educators must consider the educational cultural collaboration and research. Among other goals, Renshaw value of participatory experiences that involve the community with sought to train a new kind of service-oriented artist, one with a sense practicing artists, both in and beyond schools. Active leadership from of accountability for integrating high levels of artistic creativity and higher education will help move the world of the arts toward a rich performance into community life. and generative duality between career fulfillment for artists and a fully Sean Gregory, the current head of professional development at engaged public. Guildhall, believes contemporary music schools should position themselves as “cultural catalysts, encouraging learning environments that offer the widest possible access to participation in the arts without References compromising reputations and aspirations for excellence” (2005, p. 19). Gregory, S. (2005). Creativity and conservatories: the agenda and the Gregory sees CONNECT-style training as “central to the development issues. In G. Odam and N. Brannon (eds.), The reflective conservatoire (pp. of an all-round excellent musician, fit for the purposes of the twenty- 19-24). Hants, England: Ashgate. first century as a performer, composer, leader, and teacher.” (p. 20) Heflick, D. (1996). How to make money performing in schools: The The Center for Educational Partnerships in Music (CEPM) at definitive guide to developing, marketing, and presenting school assembly Georgia State University has been integrating community engagement programs. Orient, WA: Silcox Productions. into its programs since 1999. CEPM’s Sound Learning partnership McCarthy, K.F., and Jinnett, K. (2001). A new framework for building with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and seven elementary schools participation in the arts. Santa Monica, CA: RAND. fosters sustained cultures for music learning that are built on the McCarthy, K.F., Ondaatje, E. H., Zakaras, L., & Brooks, A. (2004). Gifts collaborative efforts of teachers, community musicians, and university of the muse: Reframing the debate about the benefits of the arts. Santa students. University music majors are inducted into Sound Learning Monica, CA: RAND Corporation. through seminars and guided internships that focus on research- National Endowment for the Arts (2004). 2002 Survey of public based principles of high-quality music education. Examples of lessons participation in the arts.Washington, D.C.: Author. learned to date include the following: 1. Collaborative community engagement work among composition, David E. Myers is Professor of Music Education, Associate performance, and music education majors can encourage curricular Director of the School of Music, and Founding Director of the change that bridges the traditional divisions among sub-disciplines in Center for Educational Partnerships in Music (CEPM) at Georgia the field of music State University, where he has worked since 1987. He has published, 2. Community engagement is consistent with both the artistic and presented, and consulted widely in the areas of lifelong learning and the humanistic dispositions of music majors collaborative arts education programs. As founding director of CEPM, 3. University students who have participated in community Dr. Myers developed and oversees Sound Learning, an internationally engagement believe that it enhances their own creative development recognized, groundbreaking music education collaboration with the because it requires more conscious thought about communicating Atlanta Symphony and seven elementary schools. Dr. Myers holds both artistically and verbally with a variety of audiences degrees from Lebanon Valley College, the Eastman School of Music, 4. University students exhibit attitudes of leadership, collaboration, and The University of Michigan.

Hixson-Lied College of Fine and Performing Arts 59 Photo courtesy of Arts Are Basic

Arts Are Basic, an aesthetic education program in the Hixson-Lied College of Fine and Performing Arts, has been taking music, dance, theater and visual arts to Cherry County (Neb.) rural schools since 1994. In 2005, as part of a visual art unit of study, students and teachers from 15 of the Cherry County schools created “Bitty Bulls” that went on display during the Valentine Bull Bash in February. Cherry County boasts that there are more cows than people in Nebraska’s largest county. During the Bull Bash, Valentine’s Main Street is closed to vehicular and pedestrian traffic to accommodate several live bulls in pens. Valeri Luepke (M.F.A. 2004) created the Bitty Bulls, which were about the size of a large dog. Cherry County students and teachers researched famous artists, such as Van Gogh, Warhol and Monet, and then chose one artist they wanted to replicate on the bull sculpture. The Bitty Bulls were displayed alongside the real bulls during the Bull Bash.

HIXSON-LIED COLLEGE OF FINE AND PERFORMING ARTS 102 Nelle Cochrane Woods Art Building Office of the Dean P.O. Box 880144 Lincoln, NE 68588-0144