University of Northern Iowa UNI ScholarWorks Rhythms: Music at the University of Northern Iowa Magazines Fall 2004 Rhythms: Music at the University of Northern Iowa, v23, Fall 2004 University of Northern Iowa. School of Music. Let us know how access to this document benefits ouy Copyright ©2004 School of Music, University of Northern Iowa; Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.uni.edu/musicnews Part of the Higher Education Commons, and the Music Commons Recommended Citation University of Northern Iowa. School of Music., "Rhythms: Music at the University of Northern Iowa, v23, Fall 2004" (2004). Rhythms: Music at the University of Northern Iowa. 12. https://scholarworks.uni.edu/musicnews/12 This Newsletter is brought to you for free and open access by the Magazines at UNI ScholarWorks. It has been accepted for inclusion in Rhythms: Music at the University of Northern Iowa by an authorized administrator of UNI ScholarWorks. For more information, please contact [email protected]. percussion, voice, theory/ composition, conducting, and keyboards. They have challenged each group to raise reetings from the School of through r ecordings, broadcasts, live the most toward the goal. Currently, G Music. I am pleased to be performances, exchanges and tours. the brass players are winning, writing to you this year with Our research articles are published fo llowed closely by the vocalists. news about our faculty and students. and presented internationally. Our The woodwinds and the keyboards However, it is also a ve1y difficult students and faculty continue to be players are beginning to climb. The time to inform you of the passing of extremely productive and demonstrate conducting majors, percussionists, Robert Byrnes this spring. As most of an ongoing commitment to excell ence. string players and theorists/ composers you know, Bob served as the School As I meet alumni who are able are not off the starting line yet, but of Music administrative assistant, to return to visit UNI, I am amazed I'm confident that will change shortly. director of the UNI Varsity Men's Glee at the many astonishing stories and Please see the article on pages 2-3 for Club, and university carillonneur. vivid memories of the past that are so additional information and the current He also served as editor of this connected to those being experienced totals. publication since its inception. Bob by today's students. Whether it was Some recently released and crafted Music at Northern Iowa into an during the e ras of SCI, ISTC, or UNI, exciting news occurred this spring. important publication - allowing us our musicians hold a steady a nd The Iowa Legislature approved the to stay in touch with our many alumni consistent bond of the e ffect music sale of $7.8 million in bonds for and friends like you. Through the has had on their lives. You will enjoy the Russell Hall renovation! It is newsletter he effectively demonstrated reading some of the current stories anticipated that the sale of these the ongoing progress, as well as about our students, alumni, faculty bonds will allow the project to begin growth and success of our program. and friends in this issue. in 2006. Bob's pursuit of performance The ongoing support from our Many donors have contributed to excellence, dedication to teaching, alumni and friends has been crucial our student scholarship endowments never-ending wit, untiring tenacity, to our students' many successes and this year. With tuition costs rising outstanding organizational skills, ongoing development. I am pleased to over 50 percent during the last and strong work ethic will be sorely report that the Russell Hall Renovation four years, this ongoing support is missed in the School of Music. A project, part of the Students First absolutely essential for students to tribute article to Bob Byrnes is located Capital Campaign, has made g reat attend UNI. All of your generosity on pages 4-6 of this publication. progress this year. The School of is much appreciated in helping U NI This greeting is a wonderful Music Advisory Board has lead the students with their educational goals. opportunity for me to be able to way with a grassroots campaign t o While too numerous to mention all write and update you on the many raise money for the project. Gayle of our donors here, it is important activities and successes of our students Johns Rose CB.A. '77), a member to note that every dollar raised has and faculty. The recitals, concerts, of the Board, has established a helped keep our dream of renovating publications and presentations w ere $100,000 Alumni Challenge Grant. Russell Hall alive and helped absolutely stunning this year. From the She is matching all contributions up provide important funding for our rooms of Russell Hall to the venues to $99, and doubling her match for student scholarship and visiting artist located in the Gallagher-Bluedorn all contributions more than $500, up programs. For all of those involved in Performing Arts Center, exciting to the grant total goal of $100,000. these worthwhile causes and to many music continues to be performed. As part of this alumni challenge, of you who have been contacted In fact, music is heard throughout the board has initiated a contest by Diane Curtis, our devoted Iowa and around the world today between woodwinds, strings, brass, continued on page 6 Quest for Russell Hall Renovation n recent newsletters you have Iprobably read about the important needs and updates involved in the renovation of Russell Hall. After 42 years of constant use, the building is in great need of repairs and some expansion. The $100 million "Students First" Campaign has allowed the university to focus on this important project. Ex citing Changes Ahead f or Russell Hall The time is now for restructuring spaces, adding classrooms and offices, refreshing the worn fa<;:ade , correcting the sound bleed between studios Architect's rendering of completed and classrooms, remodeling interiors, renovation and adding rehearsal and recording spaces. With 350 music majors and more than 40 faculty members being final phase. With Jess than $500,000 active, as well as students from all yet to privately raise, the quest for across campus enrolling in music the renovation is close at hand. This courses, the building is bursting at the is a unique opportunity to refurbish seams. Russell Hall to a state of the art facility Faculty members are looking worthy of its outstanding faculty and fo1ward to the increase in rehearsal students. Due to the commitment spaces for chamber music and shown by the community and student ensembles. The enhanced former students, the university and spaces will also assist in recruiting the Board of Regents have moved and retaining outstanding students this renovation to their priority list Russell Hall and staff. The highly acclaimed jazz of building projects. Gayle Johns bands and combos will thrive in their Rose CB.A. '77) has offered a unique new rehearsal and recording spaces. matching funds challenge grant to Students will enjoy studying and ensure our grass roots campaign is The Competition taking breaks from their busy schedule successful (see page one for details). With the challenge just beginning, in the new student lounge, which will To add a little excitement, the early results of actual gifts and pledges enclose the exterior Delafield mosaic Advisory Board has initiated a contest are showing: between woodwinds, strings, brass, mural and incorporate natural light Brass $10,337.50 via skylights. Visitors will enjoy the percussion, voice, theory/ composition, larger reception area and remodeled conducting and keyboard areas to Voice $10,085.00 see which group can raise the most auditorium. Woodwinds $4,780.00 The University recently received toward the challenge. You can track outstanding news with the $7.8 the progress of this challenge online Keyboards: $4,012.50 at www.uni.edu/ music. million-dollar approval for bonding by Strings: 0 the Governor and Iowa Legislature. Percussion: With this funding, combined with 0 the $1,510,216 million already raised Conducting: 0 through the generous donations of / Comp. friends and alumni, the Russell Hall Theo1y 0 renovation campaign has reached its ontinues School of Music Fast Statistics 1960 2004 "The renovation of Russell Hall, which is overdue, will be very music students 85 350 helpful for recruitment efforts because prospective students will faculty/ staff 21 50 see that the University is committed to providing the best facilities outreach programs 0 3 available to music students. We will .finally have buildings that serving 0 350 complement the high level of School ofMusic faculty and the festivals 0 12 excellent instruction they provide. " serving 0 3000 UNI student enroll ment 3.616 13,441 Alan Schmitz, Ph.D., Professor of Theory-Composition non-music majors Associate Director of Undergraduate Programs attending classes/ lessons NA 1000 Your contribution Please direct contributions or requests for additional information to Diane Curtis, director of development for the College of Humanities and Fine Arts, 319-273-7114, [email protected]. Your gift may also be made online at www.uni.edu/ music or by mailing your donation to: The University of Northern Iowa Foundation (Russell Hall Renovation) 1221 West 23rd Street Cedar Falls, IA 50614-0239 Russell Hall Fast Facts original proposed studio/ offices 40 45 classrooms 6 3 "Tbe Russell Hall renovation project will create exciting new rehearsal spaces 1 2 possibilities for jazz students at UNI. UNI jazz bands will lecture halls 2 2 benefit signfficantly from having a high quality rehearsal computer Jab 1 1 space. Tbe new recording facilities will give us much greater elevators 1 2 flexibility in the creation of the annual CD project.