Small Campus – BIG Premiere Cottey College to Host the American Premiere of the African Opera Afiwa by Steve Reed That song was part of Ballanta’s opera ment for disobedience would be that the Afiwa. Prior to her arrival at Cottey, unwanted girl would be thrown into the Beckley had studied briefly with Mr. river. Immediately thereafter a female t is, in the words of the late Ed Logi Wright who had been an associate child was born by the most favored wife, Sullivan, “A really big show.” of Ballanta. Beckley had also sung the and, true to his threat, he caused the child Cottey College will host the Ameri- leading role in Afiwa in the 1997 produc- to be thrown into the river. The baby was Ican premiere of Nicholas Ballanta’s tion in Freetown. picked up by another woman who nursed opera Afiwa on April 16 and 17 in the it and took care of it until it was grown. Auditorium of the Haidee and Allen Wild Dr. Kiel researched Ballanta and became One day when the child was passing Center for the Arts. The curtain will rise more intrigued with the man who was through the farm of the King she was at 8 p.m. on both evenings. both a recorder of African musical tradi- instructed to drive away goats and birds tions, and a composer in his own right. who were destroying his corn. She re- fused, stating that, if she had been dead, she would not be alive to drive away goats and birds. The King was vexed at this and called his Counselors to witness her punishment for disobedience. They, however, after having heard the story of the child, decided against the King and had him punished for his crime commit- ted years previously. The lead role for Cottey’s production will be sung by Joseryl Beckley, which nicely brings this story full circle. In addition to Joseryl Beckley ‘00 being a native Sierra Leonean and Cottey graduate, she is also a graduate of the Ja- Tickets for the American premiere of cobs School of Music at Indiana Univer- Afiwa are $8 for adults and $6 for those sity, Bloomington. She is a professional under age 18 or over age 62. Although singer and also serves as acting principal tickets are not yet available for distribu- for the Ballanta Academy of Music in tion, they may be reserved by calling the Freetown, Sierra Leone. Cottey Ticket Office at 417-667-8181, ext. 2186, or by e-mailing Kris Korb, co- Dr. Dyke Kiel, professor of music Other roles will be performed by Cottey ordinator of campus activities, at kkorb@ faculty, staff, and students. Professor cottey.edu. The words “American premiere” don’t Through his work, Dr. Kiel has preserved Theresa Spencer, professor of music, quite cover it, although they will have much of Ballanta’s music. He was en- will sing the role of Ayele, Afiwa’s foster For more information on the opera and to do. The opera was first performed trusted with many of Ballanta’s original mother. the performance at Cottey, visit www. in Ghana in 1936 and again in Free- manuscripts, and has become one of the cottey.edu/home/afiwa/. For more in- town, Sierra Leone, in 1937. It was also leading scholars on Ballanta. Because Cottey artists are also involved in the formation on Nicholas Ballanta, see the produced in Sierra Leone once more in of his research and work in preserving production. Cottey professor of art, Dr. Wikipedia page created by Mrs. Becky 1997. When Afiwa is on stage at Cottey, Ballanta’s work and legacy, he was given Bruce Holman, designed the backdrop Kiel, director of the library. That Web it will be the first time it has been seen permission to produce this opera at Cot- (image in box below), and Cottey art stu- address is http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ off of the continent of Africa. How it got tey College. dents spent a weekend creating the scene Nicholas_G.J._Ballanta. to Cottey is a story in itself. and other set pieces for the performance. The story of Afiwa regards a King of As previously reported in the Summer the Anlo who had seven wives of whom 2008 issue of the Viewpoint, this musi- one was the most favored. Unfortunately cal odyssey began with Cottey student this one had only female children; and Afiwa Premiere Joseryl Beckley, Class of 2000. She was the King, desirous of having her bring When: Friday and Saturday, April 16-17, 2010, 8 p.m. rehearsing one day, and Dr. Dyke Kiel, forth a male child, killed a large goat Where: Auditorium, Haidee and Allen Wild Center for the Arts professor of music, was captivated by and called all his wives to eat thereof, at something he had never before heard. Dr. the same time giving them an injunction Tickets: $8 for adults, $6 youth and seniors Kiel stopped Beckley and asked, “What that none of them should thereafter give Reservations: 417-667-8181, ext. 2186, or was that song you were singing?” birth to any female child. The punish- [email protected] Faculty/Staff Notes In Memoriam, Reba Cunningham r. Rusalyn Andrews, Rank and Tenure committee, chair of the professor of theatre and Writing Across the Curriculum Commit- Reba Evans Cunningham speech, attended the National tee and held memberships on numerous began her dance with the angels DCommunication Association’s annual committees, including the Presidential on December 12, 2009. She was conference in Chicago, November 12-15. Search Committee and Faculty Sen- born on July 20, 1921, in Blue ate. Dr. Perkins also made contributions Eye, Missouri, daughter of Rev. Ganga Fernando received her Ph.D. beyond Cottey, most notably as one of Willie Adron Evans and Floy in chemistry on December 19, 2009, at the founders of Sigma Kappa Delta, the Baughman Evans. The family Southern Illinois University Carbondale. National English Honor Society. He lived in Shawnee, Oklahoma; served as their executive director for a Berryville, Arkansas; and Picher, Gary Johnson, adjunct assistant pro- number of years, generously contributing Oklahoma. She married James fessor of music, recently attended the his time and energy to assure the success Edward Cunningham, Jr., in 1943 Missouri Music Educators Conference of this organization while also enhanc- and was widowed in 1961. She is as a recruiting representative of Cottey ing Cottey’s national recognition and a graduate of Ouachita University College. The conference took place from reputation. Cottey is grateful for his years in Arkadelphia, Arkansas, and January 27-30 and was attended by 2500 of dedicated service as a teacher, advisor, received her master’s degree in music educators. Performing during and mentor to students and colleagues guidance counseling from Kansas the conference were 25 high school and alike and wishes him well in his retire- State University. She began her middle school groups, totaling approxi- ment years. teaching career in Pueblo, Colo- mately 1500 students. The conference rado, and later joined the faculty attracted an attendance of approximately Dr. Kathryn Pivak, assistant profes- at Cottey College as director of 5000 teachers, parents, performing stu- sor of English, presented her paper “An counseling where she worked for dents, and exhibitors. Anomaly of Law: The Transatlantic 24 years mentoring and hosting Family and Divorce in the Early Twenti- students from many countries Congratulations to Sylvia Martin, part- eth Century” at the Midwest Conference Reba Cunningham around the world. She is also a time library assistant, on completing the on British Studies, held in Pittsburgh, professor emerita of psychology Master of Business Administration/Pub- Pennsylvania, from October 9-11, 2009. at Cottey College. While her Christian faith strengthened and directed her, the pride lic Administration degree. She also attended other sessions on Brit- and joy of her life was her son, James Edward Cunningham III, of Little Rock, Ar- ish literature. kansas. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and her brother, Billy Sherry Pennington, director of financial Joe Evans at age 7. She is survived by her son, her sister Rena Evans Gennings, three aid, attended the Federal Student Aid Carrie Reeves resigned her position nieces and seven grandnieces and grandnephews. Conference in Nashville, December 1-4. as coordinator of alumnae relations to accept a position with Weight Watchers. The funeral service was held Thursday, December 17, at Fellowship Bible Church Dr. Don Perkins, professor of English, Her last day at Cottey was December 10, with private burial in Graceland Cemetery, Pine Bluff, Arkansas. plans to retire at the conclusion of this 2009. current academic year. Dr. Perkins joined In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Reba Cunningham the faculty at Cottey in 1993 and has Dr. Derek Rivard, associate professor Scholarship at Cottey College, 1000 W. Austin, Nevada, MO 64772, or donations made many noteworthy contributions to of history, will be on a medical leave of may be made online at www.cottey.edu. the College since that time. In 2004 he absence during the spring 2010 semester. Dr. John Mack has agreed to teach West- When I first went to Cottey College, I had little to no confidence in myself or academ- ern Civilization since 1500 and Renais- ic ability. There was a wonderful woman over academic affairs, Dr. Cunningham. Dr. sance and Reformation Europe as an Cunningham had faith in me, which gave me faith in myself. My grade point went up, adjunct assistant professor of history. Dr. because I had the confidence to actually think I could study and etainr what I studied.