COAL Newsletter - Spring 2010

Expressions NewHorizons Arts & Letters

publication thefriends alumni and friends of The of College & Letters A publication for Athe alumni for and of The College Arts of & Arts Letters Missouri State University • Spring 2010 • Volume 4 • Issue 2 Fall 2006 • Volume 1 • Issue 1

Sundance-winning film Winter’s Bone, set in the Ozarks, features talent from Missouri State

by Phillip George, graduate assistant

WWW.CINEMATICAL.COM

Students and alumni from the College of Arts and Letters made significant contributions to the independent film Winter’s Bone, which has received multiple accolades.

The film, directed by Debra Granik, received the Grand Jury Prize in the Dramatic category for Best Independent Film at the 2010 Sundance Film Festival, which was held in January in Park City, Utah. Granik and co-writer Anne Rosellini also won Sundance’s Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award for the film’s screenplay.

Winter’s Bone has also been honored at the Berlin International Film Festival. Roadhouse Pictures picked up the distribution rights for Winter’s Bone, and it is scheduled for limited release June 11.

Winter’s Bone is adapted from the novel of the same name by Daniel Woodrell, an author from West Plains. The story is set in the Ozarks, and filming for the movie version took place in several communities near Branson.

The film centers on 17-year-old Ree Dolly, played

by Jennifer Lawrence, and her struggles to keep her household intact in the wake of her father’s arrest on drug charges. After her father jumps bail, Ree sets out

Lauren Sweetser, a Missouri State student, plays Gail in the independent film Winter’s Bone.

to find him before the family loses its home — but she must overcome complicit silence from friends, family and neighbors who take care of their own.

Arts and Letters students were part of the cast of Winter’s Bone. Lauren Sweetser, a senior in Theatre/ Acting, plays Gail, Ree’s best friend. Sweetser has been involved in several Theatre and Dance productions, including the lead role in the fall 2009 production of Miss Julie. Sweetser says Gail is a support system for Ree. “Gail’s loyalty is a dominating characteristic, both to her family and Ree,” Sweetser says. “She is always there no matter what may happen and has maternal instincts not often seen in a girl of her age.

She has seen a lot and had to grow up really fast.”

Through her role in the film, Sweetser has received membership in the Screen Actors Guild, the primary union for actors in film, and has made many contacts in the industry through visiting Sundance and attending other promotional events.

Despite these advantages, Sweetser is still determined to work hard. “People often ask me, ‘How is this going to change your life or affect your career?’ My answer is always that it has already changed my life in so many different ways, and I have no expectations for what it may or may not do for me career-wise,” Sweetser says. “This is an extremely tough industry and you can’t really have high expectations for anything or you will be let down. You really have to be realistic when you’re gearing up for this industry.”

“Even though I’ve been extremely lucky to have gotten to break into the industry by way of Winter’s Bone, there is still a long road ahead,” Sweetser says about her future. “Whether Winter’s Bone does or does not affect my career, I will still be faced with many, many challenges in climbing the ladder. I’ve continued on page 5

From the Dean

COLLEGE OF ARTS AND LETTERS OFFICE STAFF Main Telephone: 417-836-5247 Main Fax: 417-836-6940 Main Office: Craig Hall, Suite 106 Email: CollegeofArtsandLetters@missouristate.edu

Roger Stoner Associate Dean Email: RogerStoner@missouristate.edu Pat O’Neill Executive Assistant Telephone: 417-836-4366 Email: PatriciaOneill@missouristate.edu Darin Wallace Budget Officer Telephone: 417-836-8992 Email: DWallace@missouristate.edu Marie Murphree Director of Development Office: Meyer Alumni Center, Room 303 Telephone: 417-836-6740 Email: MarieMurphree@missouristate.edu Barb Jones Director of Special Events Telephone: 417-836-6605 Email: BarbaraJones@missouristate.edu Angela Barker Instructional Technology Support Specialist Telephone: 417-836-5361 Email: AngelaBarker@missouristate.edu Lynda Johnson Director, Student Exhibition Center Student Exhibition Center 838 E. Walnut St. Springfield, MO 65897 Telephone: 417-836-6996 Fax: 417-836-8735 Email: LyndaJohnson@missouristate.edu Julie Bloodworth Director, Missouri Fine Arts Academy Office: Craig Hall, Room 394 Telephone: 417-836-6607 Email: JulieBloodworth@missouristate.edu Leatha Ault Coordinator, Missouri Fine Arts Academy Office: Craig Hall, Room 394 Telephone: 417-836-3187 Email: LeathaAult@missouristate.edu Brooks Travis Distributed User Support Specialist Office: Craig Hall, Room 216 Telephone: 417-836-8847 Email: BrooksTravis@missouristate.edu

PHOTOGRAPHIC SERVICES

Carey Adams Dean Email: CareyAdams@missouristate.edu

GETTING OUT OF TOWN Every now and then, everyone needs to get out of town. Sometimes you just need a brief change of scenery; other times you need to go away for a while before you can come back with a fresh Carey Adams perspective. Whether a Dean weekend getaway or a decades-long absence, getting out of town can be a good thing.

This issue of Expressions highlights a number of students and faculty who have been hitting the road recently. The roads lead many places. Park City, Utah. Qingdao in the People’s Republic of China.

New York. New Orleans. Los Angeles. Sarajevo.

College of Arts and Letters folks sure do get around.

One reason to take a road trip is because you have been invited somewhere. Our students’ excellent work often affords them opportunities to venture away from Springfield to share their accomplishments. Trips by our Concert Chorale, Symphony Orchestra and Jazz Band to Denver, Atlanta and Tan-Tar-A, respectively, were at the invitation of prestigious music educators’ groups.

Students in Kurt Heinlein’s original play, Evangeline Drowning, had the opportunity to perform in several venues in the Gulf Coast region.

It also is important that we give students opportunities to perform away from Springfield to show them – and others – that they can compete with the best talent anywhere. At performance showcases in New York and Los Angeles, national debate tournaments, international art competitions, and even the Sundance Film Festival, our students consistently prove that no matter where you want to go in your career, you need go no further than Springfield, Missouri to obtain the quality education that will prepare you to get there.

Students are not the only ones getting out of town. The work of our faculty is recognized around the world, demonstrating that their influence extends well beyond our campus. For example, in this issue you will read about music professors John Prescott and Michael Casey’s work in China, and about the art of design professor Cedomir Kostovic

being displayed in the new U.S. Embassy building in Sarajevo. Arts and Letters students at Missouri State receive a world class education right here in the Ozarks.

Our cover story highlights May 2010 theatre graduate Lauren Sweetser, co-star of film Winter’s Bone, as well as several other students and alumni who were involved in that project. The film won the top dramatic film prize at this year’s Sundance Film Festival and has been playing to rave reviews at other national festivals prior to its theatrical release in June. Shot entirely on location in the Ozarks, the film is representative of a growing interest in Missouri and the Ozarks as a production location.

Sometimes our getting out of town encourages others to come back home with us for a visit.

As the local paper reminds us daily, “’tis a privilege to live in the Ozarks.” We are proud to contribute to the quality of life here and to prepare students for every opportunity, from southwest Missouri to eastern China. If you have been out of town for a while, I hope you will consider a trip back “home” to campus sometime soon. And if you can’t make it all the way back to Springfield, I invite you to look for one of the many alumni events held around the country that may be close to you. A complete list of alumni events can be found online at www.missouristate.edu/alumni, including regular “3rd Thursdays” events in Kansas City and St. Louis and annual visits to a number of major metropolitan areas nationwide.

Summer is almost here. I hope you have a getaway or two planned. It’s good to get out town once in a while. n

Phillip George Graduate Assistant Telephone: 417-836-5247 Email: George573@live.missouristate.edu Steve Eudaly Student Photographer/Videographer

For monthly reflections on the work of the College of Arts and Letters, visit the Dean’s Blog at coal.missouristate.edu Missouri State University adheres to a strict nondiscrimination policy and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, veteran status, or on any basis (including, but not limited to, political affiliation and sexual orientation) not related to the applicable educational requirements for students in any program or activity offered or sponsored by the University.

Printed on recycled paper. CAL 261 10

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Langston Hughes Project

COLLEGE OF ARTS AND LETTERS ACADEMIC DEPARTMENTS

by Phillip George, graduate assistant

STEVE EUDALY

Dr. Ronald McCurdy performs one of his original compositions during the multimedia performance of the Langston Hughes Project.

The Langston Hughes Project visited Missouri State University on April 12 to perform the famous African-American poet’s jazz poem suite “Ask Your Mama: 12 Moods for Jazz.” The group, a multimedia arts group from the University of Southern California, regularly travels to perform the suite, a twelve-part epic poem written and scored by Langston Hughes but left unfinished by his death in 1967. According to Dr. Ronald McCurdy, professor of music at the University of Southern California and director of the Langston

Hughes Project, “Ask Your Mama” is drawn from a diverse range of musical styles.

Three workshops were held in advance of the evening performance. These included “The Role of Art in a Social Movement,” “The Creative Process: How to Launch an Idea,” and “Navigating a Career in Music.” McCurdy participated in both the workshops and performance. He describes “Ask Your Mama” as “Hughes’s homage in verse and music to the struggle for artistic and social freedom at home and abroad at the beginning of the 1960s.”

“The Langston Hughes Project was an engaging intellectual and musical experience for our faculty, students, staff and community, and the companion workshops were rewarding and insightful,” Associate Dean Roger Stoner says. “As the musical director, McCurdy incorporated the perfect balance of music and videography with Langston Hughes’ words.

His performance as a trumpeter and moderator was inspiring; demonstrating emotional conviction, nuance and true professionalism. The videography was artistic and the timing and pacing enhanced a most compelling event.” n

Your support can help students travel the world

STEVE EUDALY

by Marie Murphree, director of development If there is one thing I know about myself, it’s that I did not get my wanderlust from my father’s side of the family.

My dad was perfectly content to settle down in his hometown, and he didn’t travel much. In Marie Murphree fact, besides his stint in the Navy in San Diego and a trip to Ireland late in his life, I don’t think he went much farther than work and home. Granted, home was right across the bay from New York City — a place where you can experience pretty much anything you desire.

As for me, success meant leaving my hometown and striking out to explore the world around me. I still have many places on my travel list, but I have found that being rooted in one location provides me with a great starting point for where I want

to go. This is the case with many of our faculty, students and alumni. As you read this newsletter, you will be amazed at the many places we touch as we are successful beyond the campus of Missouri State while also representing what is best about our University.

Obviously, we would like to provide our students and faculty with every opportunity to broaden their horizons and pursue their research through travel to other regions and countries. The kicker is that for students and faculty alike, costs for this kind of travel can be prohibitive. A gift to one of the College of Arts and Letters’ travel funds will help defray these costs. There are several ways of giving that can be found online at www. missouristatefoundation.org/waysofgiving.asp/.

I do wish more travel money had been available when I was a student. Maybe my list of places to visit would now be a little shorter. n

Art and Design Office: Ellis Hall, Room 308 Telephone: 417-836-5110 Web: art.missouristate.edu Wade Thompson, head Email: WadeThompson@missouristate.edu Communication Office: Craig Hall, Room 375 Telephone: 417-836-4423 Web: communication.missouristate.edu Kelly Wood, head Email: KellyWood@missouristate.edu English Office: Siceluff Hall, Room 215 Telephone: 417-836-5107 Web: english.missouristate.edu W.D. Blackmon, head Email: WDBlackmon@missouristate.edu Media, Journalism and Film Office: Craig Hall, Room 376 Telephone: 417-836-5218 Web: mjf.missouristate.edu Mark Biggs, acting head Email: MarkBiggs@missouristate.edu Modern and Classical Languages Office: Siceluff Hall, Room 223 Telephone: 417-836-5122 Web: www.missouristate.edu/mcl Madeleine Hooper, head Email: MKernen@missouristate.edu Music Office: Ellis Hall, Room 206 Telephone: 417-836-5648 Web: www.missouristate.edu/music Dianne Strickland, acting head Email: DianneStrickland@missouristate.edu Theatre and Dance Office: Craig Hall, Room 355 Telephone: 417-836-4400 Web: theatreanddance.missouristate.edu Bob Willenbrink, head Email: RWillenbrink@missouristate.edu

Welcome Julie Combs, who begins duties as head of the Department of Music on July 1. Combs comes from Oklahoma State University where she served as music department head and a professor since 2005. Prior to her academic career, Combs was the fourth woman to be a member of the United States Army Band in Washington, D.C., where she was principal oboe with the U.S. Army Chamber Orchestra. coal.missouristate.edu

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Scene designer brings abundant experience to role as professor Robert Little, associate professor in the theatre and dance department, has a wealth of professional experience to draw from when teaching scene design at Missouri State.

Little worked for Feld Entertainment, one of the largest live entertainment providers in the world, for 10 years. While there, he designed sets for Disney on Ice shows, circuses including Barnum & Bailey and Ringling Bros. and other live shows in New York and Las Vegas. Little also worked as an assistant design consultant on the soap opera Guiding Light.

He grew up in New Jersey and studied at Brandeis University under Howard Bay, a famous set designer he refers to as “Mr. Broadway.” Bay was involved with the Federal Theatre Project in the 1930s and designed the sets for the original production of The Music Man. Little says that though Bay’s teaching was demanding, Bay helped him develop a critical eye for judging the effectiveness of set pieces. The experiences Bay related were entertaining and informative, Little says: “He had a wealth of stories.”

Little was involved with several Disney on Ice shows, the most recent of which played in New Jersey last year. Each production involved roughly 40 skaters, backdrops and set pieces.

The set pieces for ice vary in size and complexity, ranging from small pieces that the skaters can

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Robert Little has worked on set design for a number of professional shows, including Disney on Ice (left).

Below: Little’s designs from the opera Carmen (Act 4, lower left; Act 2, bottom).

push to larger pieces with their own motors that can be driven around the ice. The sets were designed so that they could be easily be transported to different ice arenas for touring performances. Some productions reinterpret a particular Disney film — two that Little worked on were Beauty and the Beast and Toy Story — while others incorporate characters from several films. The most recent production Little worked on, Let’s Celebrate, featured a wide range of characters, including Mickey and Minnie

Mouse, Jack Skellington of The Nightmare Before Christmas and Princess Tiana from Disney’s recent The Princess and the Frog.

Little says working with ice has both advantages and disadvantages. A plus: The ice is “literally a blank canvas;” it’s 100 feet of space that offers great potential for artistic expression.

But the dampness of the ice can constrain a design. “Everything gets wet,” he says. Ice set designers must choose materials that will resist water wear; costume designers have to worry about this as well, since prolonged water exposure would ruin cotton and other materials that skaters might wear on stage.

Little says the primary difference between working in New York and Las Vegas and working on sets at the University is one of scale, but says that many of the fundamentals of set design stay the same. Little says there may also be monetary and creative constraints when working with a producer or established brand. He previously had vast resources to experiment with new designs, which will help him teach students to be creative: “I got to try a lot of things.” n

Winter’s Bone

ALL FILM PHOTOS FROM WWW.CINEMATICAL.COM

continued from page 1

never been allergic to a little hard work, so whatever happens, I know I’ll be fine.”

In addition to Sweetser, four other members of the local Creative Actors Workshop — Charlotte Lucas, Brandon Gray, Casey MacLaren and Cody Brown — have parts in the film.

Several crew members also have University connections. Nathan Shelton, a Theatre graduate, worked on special effects, including prosthetics.

Sid MacGregor, who produced the documentary One + One: A Human Network was also a crew member for the film. Shawn Nash, a Theatre and Dance alum, coordinated stunts.

Winter’s Bone made its Springfield premiere at the University on May 14. A special screening for the student body and general public was held commencement evening at the Plaster Student Union Theater. The event included a short interview with the director and performances from two local musical groups, Marideth Sisco’s

Above: MSU student Lauren Sweetser plays Gail, a young mother.

Far left: Director Debra Granik Left: Winter’s Bone, a story about a teen girl trying to help her family in desperate times, was filmed in areas around Branson.

band and the White River Music Company, both of which contributed music to the film.

“The impact of the film has been great, particularly in terms of the financial implications for the Branson area,” Mark Biggs, head of the Department of Media, Journalism and Film, says. “A total economic impact of more than half a million dollars resulted from the making of the film last year.” Biggs predicts that Winter’s Bone will generate additional tourism in the Ozarks

and that its influence will likely be felt beyond the area. “Artistically, it shows that a great script and good acting and directing can make up for the lack of a huge budget,” he says, noting that the total budget for the film was around $750,000.

“A good story, told well, can still find an audience and win both critical praise and financial reward. It also proves again that the University produces great actors and actresses.” n

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Music department building strong relationships with peers in China Missouri State University’s China program has allowed students and faculty members from Springfield to participate in exchange programs with campuses in China, including Qingdao University.

Located in the Shandong province in eastern China near the Yellow Sea, Qingdao is home to 2.7 million people in its city and 7.3 million in its subprovince. Qingdao University is the secondoldest national university, established in 1901, and its student population is 95,000. Several music department faculty members and students have visited Qingdao University to learn more about Chinese traditional instruments and to participate in Qingdao’s music program. This program consists

of both a Western division, in which Qingdao students learn Western instruments and musical styles, and a Folk division, in which students learn traditional Chinese instruments.

Dr. John Prescott and Michael Casey, music professors, have both traveled to Qingdao and regard their experiences as highly positive.

Students in the music department have also seen changes thanks to the cultural exchange. In MUS 130, the department’s multicultural music course, students spend a unit learning how to play the hulusi, a traditional Chinese instrument.

Derived from the Chinese words for “gourd” and “silk,” a hulusi is a free-reed wind instrument consisting of three bamboo pipes and a gourd wind

chest. Students have also expressed desire to learn more about traditional Chinese instruments; many composition students have incorporated traditional Chinese instruments into their work, and some music students have even traveled to Qingdao for additional study.

Prescott’s connection to Qingdao started when he and his wife traveled to China to adopt their daughter. This blossomed into a regular partnership. In addition to traveling to Qingdao and working with faculty there, Prescott has helped bring several Qingdao faculty members to the University to perform. Qingdao professors have performed three concerts at the University since 2007. Professors, Sun Li and Meng Lei, have performed in all three concerts; a third professor, Zhang Ruirui, participated with professors Sun and Meng in a Traditional Music of China Concert in November 2009. For these concerts, Sun Li played the guzheng, a 21-string harp; Meng Lei played the dizi, a woodwind instrument made from bamboo; and Zhang Ruirui played the erhu, a twostring fiddle. All three also performed at Brewer Science Corporation in Rolla, a corporation that has assisted in financing the exchange program, and joined Prescott for a concert for children at Delaware Elementary School in Springfield.

Casey visited Qingdao for a month in 2009 to serve as guest conductor for their Western orchestra and prepare them for two end-of-term concerts.

Under his direction, the orchestra performed a solo concert and also participated in the New Year’s concert on Dec. 29. This is Qingdao’s special endof-term concert that features both Western and Folk orchestras as well as pianists, vocalists and numerous other performances.

Casey is not sure of future plans to return to China, but he says he would like to go back.

“I felt very welcome,” Casey said. “What I enjoyed most was the humanity of the Chinese people. They are very social and very kind.” n

Above: Professor Meng Lei directs students playing the hulusi.

Left: Professor Sun Li teaches MSU student Lacey Lee the guzheng.

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College of Arts and Letters

Above: Michael Casey conducts Qingdao’s Western orchestra as a guest last year.

Left: Professor Sun Li plays the guzheng for school children at Delaware Elementary in Springfield.

coal.missouristate.edu

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A Faculty-written drama with environmental message performed on campus, away

VOYELLES

uses productions to shine a light on environmental issues. In 2008 he published the book WEST EAST ST. Green Theatre: Promoting FELICIANA FELICIANA HELENA Ecological Preservation of Humanity and Nature.

WASHINGTON LANDRY 55 It focuses on theatre as a way to draw attention to POINTE problems. It also examines EAST LIVINGSTON TANGIPAHOA past successes and failures BATON COUPEE Matt Tassell of green-theatre efforts in ROUGE WEST order to provide advice BATON 12 ST. TAMMANY for people who want to stage successful greenROUGE theatre productions. A press release about Green 12 Theatre and Evangeline Drowning states that the book “demonstrates the unique power theatrical IBERVILLE performance holds in stimulating the imagination, engaging innate processes of human identification 55 ASCENSION ETTE ST. MARTIN with the natural world, altering personal mores, ST. JOHN and ultimately, in positively altering our socioST. JAMES THE BAPTIST ORLEANS behaviors.” In it, Heinlein quotes 10 environmental Zelda Fichlander, former artistic director of Futures Grant and support from the College Evangeline Drowning, a social-drama by Arena Stage (a major regional theatre company in Theatre and Dance faculty member Dr. Kurt ASSUMPTION of Arts and Letters. Assistance during the first Washington, D.C.), who said, “I would love to IBERIA Gerard Heinlein, premiered in February at year of grant development was provided by Dr. do green plays, but where are they?” This quote Coger Theatre on the Missouri State campus. Inno Onweume, former associate dean of the ST. BERNARD ST. CHARLES precedes a call to action for theatre companies ST. MARTIN Evangeline Drowning is the story of youth College of Natural and Applied Sciences. Heinlein to stage more green-theatre productions in order culture in the Louisiana wetlands. Its characters spent more than a year conducting research in to get these productions to a point where they JEFFERSON consist of teenagers must confront the loss ST.who MARY Louisiana to compose the play, which consists of are commercially viable and can more effectively LAFOURCHE of identity and community as rising tides and readings in which the teenagers share their stories address social issues. manmade factors consume wetland at an alarming accompanied by music and video. The play’s Matt Tassell, a student who performed in rate. According to the play’s literature, wetland action is driven by Hurricane Katrina; video of the Evangeline Drowning, says his participation opened disintegration consumes the equivalent of one hurricane is included, and the play’s first two acts his mind. football field every 15 minutes. chronicle the characters’ thoughts before and after TERREBONNE “I had always been conscious of the Heinlein, who wrote and directed Evangeline Katrina. environmental issues, though I admit I didn’t Drowning, developed it through a Missouri State Heinlein is an advocate of green theatre, which understand them all,” Tassell says. “Unlike my

nkie

Kentwood

New Roads

Amite City

Baker

Opelousas

Hammond

Baton Rouge

Lafayette

Gonzales

New Iberia

Baldwin

Slidell

Kenner

New Orleans

Estelle

Morgan City Houma

Galliano

Port Sulphur

Buras Triumph

PLAQUEMINES

Top: Opening scene from Evangeline Drowning, Act I, pre hurricane Left: End of Act I, pre-hurricane, of Evangeline Drowning Above: Some of the Evangeline cast gather for lunch on Bourbon Street.

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character, I’m not a scientifically-minded person.

I understood that there are problems that need to be fixed, but I coudn’t have a true debate on these issues because I couldn’t explain them.”

Tassell’s character, Thoreau, was raised in a scientifically-aware family; his parents are a hurricane researcher and a third-grade science teacher. Tassell says Thoreau contributes many scientific and political arguments to the discourse and is the only character who was not born in the bayou area, although he has come to love the area and the people in it. Like many of the characters in

the play, Thoreau is angry at the government after Katrina for what he sees as its failure to respond.

Through researching and preparing for the role, Tassell was inspired to do more research of his own on the issues framing the play.

“I still can’t claim that I’m an expert on global warming, or even on wetland disintegration, but I still understand much more,” Tassell says.

The cast and crew put on four performances of the play for local audiences in late February before taking it on the road and performing at several Louisiana venues. On March 7, the cast and crew

performed at the Bayou Playhouse in Lockport on March 8, they performed at the Southern Repertory Theatre in New Orleans; and on March 9, they performed at the Swine Palace at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge.

Tassell says there was a “certain safety” in performing the play on campus, and felt nervous about performing in Louisiana.

“Even if the University audiences didn’t like the play, I figured that they would at least learn something. But performing in Louisiana really scared me,” Tassell says. “We weren’t telling them anything they didn’t know, so the play has to work on a more emotional level.”

Tassell says despite his apprehension, the Louisiana performances were a success.

“The people I met in Louisiana were some of the nicest, most gracious, and most fun people I have ever come across,” he says.

“I completely fell in love with their culture – the music, the food, the beautiful landscapes. I was honored to be given this opportunity.” n Above: Evangeline Drowning, Act III, post hurricane.

Left: Cast of Evangeline Drowning enjoy time in the French Quarter

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Dr. James Parsons, professor of music history, has published an article that explores the story of a music text by two men, one of whom was later placed on the Hollywood blacklist during the Cold War amid charges of communist activity.

Parsons says the circumstances behind his latest article were “very lucky.” He based the article on files discovered in the offices of Oxford University Press in New York by a Louisiana State University professor, David Culbert. Culbert’s willingness to share the information with Parsons allowed him to conduct his research.

The result was an article called “The exile’s intellectual mission: Adorno and Eisler’s Composing for the Films.” It was published in the Winter 2009 issue of the quarterly journal Telos.

Composing for the Films was a book started

by German composer Hanns Eisler. It became a collaboration between Eisler and philosopher and musicologist Theodor Adorno. Parsons is the first to use this information in a substantive way.

Parsons’ article discusses the tortured history of Composing for the Films. In 1947, when the book was first published, Eisler was called before the House Un-American Activities Committee to answer accusations of communist activity.

Eisler left the United States in 1948 and settled in East Germany, after which Adorno withdrew his support for the book. Because of the split, only Eisler’s name appears on the first edition.

The release of an edition by Adorno in 1969, several years after Eisler’s death, prompted debate over each author’s role in the book. While each author’s exact contribution may never be known, Culbert’s discovery of memos and letters documenting the creation of Composing for the Films definitively connects Adorno to the book.

Parsons’ article examines the development of Composing for the Films in terms of exile, a concept which was familiar to both of the text’s authors. In addition to Eisler’s 1948 exile from the United States, both Adorno and Eisler had been forced to emigrate from Germany to California after the rise of Hitler’s Nazi government.

In Hollywood, Eisler had composed scores for films and wrote criticism of film music, which he and Adorno referred to as a “contemporary culture industry.” This idea was based on the extent to which scores were based on other successful scores as well as the extent to which a film composer’s job was segmented, with many different composers working on music for one scene or mood.

This is not the first time Parsons has contributed to music scholarship. His personal interest in the field lies in “the intersection of

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ANGELA BARKER

Music professor Parsons publishes article about Cold War-era book

music and song,” and he studies the “lied,” or German art song, which is a literary poem set to music. Parsons has edited and contributed two articles to The Cambridge Companion to the Lied, a volume consisting of several articles from music scholars about the lied.

Parsons also teaches several music history courses at the University. He says music history is important because it is a study of human constants, a study of permanence that offers contrast to the fast-paced world.

“Music is a form of human expression,” Parsons says. “In learning about any mode of such expression, we learn more about what it means to be human.” n

Dr. James Parsons with an original 1947 edition of Composing for the Films, a joint publication between German composer Hanns Eisler and philosopher and musicologist Theodor Adorno. Parsons has published an article that discusses the history of the book after Einsler was accused of communist activity and Adorno withdrew his support for the initial edition.

Art by professor to be displayed at U.S. Embassy in his native Bosnia Work by Art and Design Professor Cedomir Kostovic, a native of Bosnia, will be on display in the new U.S. Embassy building in Sarajevo when it opens later this year.

The State Department purchased the works “Freedom” and “The Equality of People” through the Art in Embassies program, an initiative to showcase the art of American citizens. Kostovic’s work was selected through a search conducted by JAN Gallery in La Jolla, Calif.

“This is really a big honor,” Kostovic says.

“Now, when I’m almost 20 years away from my homeland, I feel that part of me is now physically there.”

Kostovic received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in graphic design from the Sarajevo Academy of Fine Arts. He came to the United States in 1990 when his wife Iwona (also an artist) received a graduate scholarship to study painting and printmaking at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Va. He became an artistin-residence at the school. While they were there, war broke out in Bosnia. They decided to stay in the United States; he took the job at Missouri State in 1992.

He has participated in poster competitions worldwide and has more than 100 national and international awards. One of his works

was recently included in “Sparking Change,” the 2010 Peace Calendar of the War Resisters League, along with a piece from one of his students, Frank Norton. He was also included in “The Letters of Bulgaria: Alphabet of Europe,” an international traveling exhibit which was displayed at Missouri State’s Student Exhibition Center from August to September 2009.

Kostovic never lacks inspiration for his work.

“I have an intense need to visually comment on things around me that affect me personally, and share my impressions with my audience.”

Along with his personal accomplishments, Kostovic takes pride in the accomplishments of his students. He goes to great lengths to encourage them to better themselves and their work and participate in exhibitions and competitions. In many of his courses, all students submit their work to a competition.

That means entire Missouri State classes are submitting work for review. Kostovic says this approach illustrates to students the positive aspects of competitions, including winning recognition early in their careers and measuring their abilities against their peers.

Kostovic also brings local community organizations in need of graphic-design projects into his classrooms. Students are then assigned work that will have a real-world impact.

“Through our teaching, we are preparing students for a very competitive profession,” Kostovic says, “and the best way to assess the

Kostovic’s work has also been displayed in other global cities. He was one of about 40 international designers invited to create a poster for the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin wall. His poster illustrates that while political change can come overnight, building a democratic society can be a slow process that takes one step at a time. Depending on your point of view, the poster shows a democracy either in progress or in decline. effectiveness of our teaching is to give them the opportunity to compete among their peers, at the national and often at the international level.”

The 2009 publication Design School Confidential, written by Steven Heller and Lita Talarico, included the University’s program among 53 of the world’s best design programs.

The publication featured an assignment description and examples of student work.

Kostovic cites “teachers’ dedication and passion” as one of the primary reasons for the program’s success, noting that the guidance of faculty members “is important in forming responsible creative personalities.”

Kostovic also applauds the department’s efforts to invite artists to campus, saying students can be inspired by these successful role models.

“Their success becomes my success,” Kostovic says of his students. “It is important to say that this is also the success of all my colleagues in our department.” n “The Equality of People,” a poster by Cedomir Kostovic, is one of two works by him that will be displayed in the U.S. Embassy in Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina. coal.missouristate.edu

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WWW.KYLEDEANMASSEY.COM

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Two groups from Debate Team travel to national tournaments; one reaches Sweet 16

The Missouri Fine Arts Academy will have its 15th birthday this summer.

The Academy, a three-week-long residential summer program for exceptional, artistic Missouri high school students who have completed their sophomore or junior year, will be held this year from June 6-26 on the Missouri State campus. More than 150 high school students from all over the state will be on hand.

This year, for the first time ever, all students who successfully complete the Academy will receive college credit through Missouri State. The college course for which they receive credit is an interdisciplinary seminar that shows the interrelated nature of the fine arts. The course echoes the 2010 MFAA theme of “Making Connections.”

Also for the first time this summer, the Academy is largely tuition-based. The state legislature appropriated a small amount of money to MFAA 2010, which was used to provide scholarships to qualified students who demonstrated financial need. The remainder of funds for the Academy has come from a variety of sources: students’ families, schools and school districts, civic and social groups, Academy alumni and other private, organizational and corporate donors.

Members of the MFAA community from years past will participate in this summer’s Academy in a variety of roles.

Some alums are returning as resident assistants; former resident assistants have become faculty members; former faculty members will facilitate workshops; and alumni will participate in alumni workshops. As in the past, several Missouri State faculty members will teach at MFAA. One highlight of this year’s Academy will be a guest appearance by Missouri State University alum and professional actor Kyle Dean Massey, who is currently starring on Broadway in the Pulitzer-prize winning hit musical Next to Normal. n

The Missouri State Debate Team traveled in late March to the University of CaliforniaBerkeley campus for the National Debate Tournament and the Cross Examination Debate Association National Tournament.

The team had two groups that qualified for the NDT this year. Senior Mike Kearney and junior Jordan Foley received a first-round at-large bid (awarded to the top 16 individual teams in the nation), while sophomores Katie Frederick and Jace Gilmore qualified through second-

College of Arts and Letters

STEVE EUDALY

Fine Arts Academy celebrates 15 years

Above: Debaters Mike Kearney and Graduate Assistant Doowon Chung discuss topic research.

Right: (front row) Wes Rumbaugh, Mike Kearney, Jordan Foley; (back row) Jace Gilmore, Heather Walters, Eric Morris, Katie Frederick, Doowon Chung, Martin Osborn

round voting. This was the third time in the entire history of the debate team that the squad secured a first-round bid.

At the NDT, Kearney and Foley compiled a record of seven wins and one loss (21-3 ballot count) through preliminary rounds, including wins over other first-round teams from Harvard University and the University of Georgia. They cleared in the third-seed position, reaching the Sweet 16. Their elimination-round seed position was the highest in Missouri State history.

At CEDA Nationals, Foley and Kearney were also 7-1, clearing in the sixth-seed position. They won three elimination rounds before losing in the quarterfinals (Elite 8) to the eventual champions from Oklahoma. This was the third time that Foley and Kearney reached the quarterfinals of a major national tournament this year; they had comparable performances at Wake Forest in November and the UC-Berkeley swing tournament in January. At CEDA, Kearney was 10th (of more than 400 debaters) in speaker points, and Foley was 17th.

Three of the four students who qualified at national debates will return next season. The squad typically features around 20 debaters with varying levels of experience. n

Massena Malone

Ogdensburg Canton

Potsdam

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Plattsburgh

Talent showcase in New York City introduces Missouri State seniors to theater professionals FRANKLIN

Keeseville

ST. LAWRENCE

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87 ForJEFFERSON the third year in a row, students graduAlturas ESSEX ating with a bachelor’s degree in musical t Shasta Watertown theatre traveled to New N York E WCity to Y presO R K muir ent a talent showcase.

LEWIS HAMILTON This year the event was held at New World urney WARREN Stages, an off-Broadway complex in the city’s Pulaski HERKIMER SHASTA WASHINGTON LASSEN OSWEGO Theatre District.

The 30-minute performance ng ONEIDA Fulton Glens Falls wasSusanville attended by invited members of the industry Hudson Rome directors and production SARATOGA (talent agents, casting Falls FULTON Utica 90 Oneida companies), as well as alumni and friends. Saratoga Springs Fairmount Syracuse Amsterdam “Senior are the industry standard P L U M Ashowcases S MONTGOMERY uburn Canajoharie for introducing a graduating class to the theatre ONONDAGA Schenectady CA SCHENECTADY Chico community,”MADISON RENSSELAER Michael Casey, Missouri State BUTTE CAYUGA Troy OTSEGO CORTLAND S I E R R A musical theatreCHENANGO coordinator, said. “They88are also Albany Cortland Oroville SCHOHARIE becoming an Truckee important recruiting tool. ProspecALBANY Oneonta NEVADA RS U T TTOMPKINS tive students often have the showcase on their list Coxsackie 81 ER COLUMBIA BA P L A Cabout ER topics to ask when a City Y U of Sidneythey visit with me 87 GREENE 80 UNG South Lake Tahoe Missouri State musical theatre seniors TIOGA about the musical theatre program at MSU.” BROOME Elmira DELAWARE EL DORADO O The showcase was directed by Casey. Heather and alumni discuss life in New York City Binghamton A L P I as N E musical director Kingston while DUTCHESS meeting at Ripley-Grier Studios in Chittenden-Luellen served Sacramento ULSTER 80 Manhattan. and choreography was done by Darryl Clark. It SACRAMENTO AMADOR Poughkeepsie on campus, with final rehearsals Fairfieldwas developed Arnold SULLIVAN the fall. “I got a lot of good ideas about neighOLANO CALAVERAS held in professional studios in New York City.

TUOLUMNE Newburgh borhoods 84 (where I can) look for apartments.”

Sonora Stockton This year, as an added bonus, the seniors ONTRA Middletown MONO SAN PUTNAM COSTA Plans are already being discussed for the were at their final rehearsal by eight Missouri ORANGE 87 J O A Q Umet IN Mammoth akland WESTCHESTER 2011 showcase, including companion trips for Modesto ALAMEDA State graduates who held a panel discussionLakes STANISLAUS other musical theatre students and supporters Fremontabout living ROCKLAND MARIPOSA in New York City.

Suffern Bishop of the theatre and dance department and Tent Atwater Santa Clara “It was really great to be able to talk with Yonkers MADERA Theatre. n MERCED San Jose alumni about non-theatre-related topics and to Farmingville BRONX A NASSAU NEW Loscity Banos SANTA CLARA get a feel for life in Madera general,” says Chelsea YORK New York SUFFOLK FRESNO QUEENS Anglemyer, Hollister who plans to move to New York in KINGS MODOC

Fresno

ey

Salinas

Gonzales

SAN BENITO

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Selma

2010 season set Tent Theatre fans are buzzing about the 2010 season’s hilarious honey of a lineup: First, performance anxiety and laughs run high as six angstridden adolescents vie for immortality in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (June 9-12 and 14-19).

Next, backstage antics lead to onstage chaos in the sidesplitting playwithin-a-play Noises Off (June 24-26, June 28July 2).

Finally, high rollers meet holy rollers and love takes all in the classic musical comedy Guys and Dolls (July 7-10, 12-18).

Bring your family and friends, and enjoy a rollicking good time at Missouri State University’s 48th annual summer Tent Theatre! n

INYO

Visalia TULARE

King City

Tulare

CALIFORNIA

Acting students meet industry leaders in L.A.

MONTEREY

Avenal

KINGS

Delano SAN LUISgraduating class of the bachelor’s State alumni who currently reside in L.A. Student The 2010 Ridgecrest OBISPO in fine arts acting program performedBakersfield the performers had the opportunity to attend a 15 San Luis inaugural L.A. Industry Showcase at the Obispo workshop with successful alumnus Sean McEKERN Hudson Theatre on April 12, in Los Angeles, wen.

McEwen performed extensively in film and Mojave Arroyo Grande Calif. television — including a stint as a Swell-recognized AN BERNARDINO Boron Santa Needles The showcase, whichMaria is planned to be held television host — before moving to feature-film Barstow Lancaster 40 after 15 An alumni reception S A Nbridges TA annually, is aimedLompoc at building writing and directing.

V Efor N T UMissouri RA BARBARA Palmdale State students to the professional acting market in the showcase performance allowed current graduVictorville Simi LOS ANGELES L.A. It wasSanta attendedBarbara by numerous casting profesates to mingle with several generations of alumni Valley Burbank sionals, including representatives from some of currently enjoying San success in the acting industry.

Bernardino SAN MIGUEL the city’s top talent and management agencies, ISLAND development of the showcase has taken Los“The Angeles SANTA CRUZ and individuals from major television networks ISLAND several years of curricular planning andSprings eight Palm Anaheim SANTA ROSA ISLAND ORANGE Indio including ABC, CBS and NBC. The response months of rehearsal and structural event planLong Beach Blythe 10 Santa Ana actingRBFA I V E R S IcoordinaDE from industry was unprecedented with regard to ning,” says Kurt Heinlein, Students graduating with a degree in Costa Mesa the quality and number of personnel that SANTA chose to tor. “Though the work and preparation put into CATALINA acting traveled to LA. to participate in a SAN NICOLAS ISLAND SAN DIEGO ISLAND 15 was substantial, I still don’t attend, their corresponding response to the talent 5 creating the showcase IMPERIAL showcase and meet successful alumni.

Escondido viewed onstage, and the opportunities that have Oceanside think we could have imagined that it would since been extended to Missouri State students as step in establishing our program as one that is not receive this type of response. With the support of San Diego El Centro a result of their performances at the event.SAN CLEMENTE just a recognizable leader in the state, but also in University administration and the talents of our ISLAND

The showcase was well-attended by Missouri

8

Vista faculty and students, itChula has become another vital

the region and on both coasts.” n

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Despite blizzard, Jazz Band brings heat to music educators convention The Missouri State Jazz Band, under the direction of Jerry Hoover, was selected to appear at this year’s annual Missouri Music Educators Association State Convention.

Although university music ensembles are only allowed to submit recordings for consideration every four years, the rotation of the “different” Missouri State bands has almost guaranteed selection of one of our groups annually.

Last year the MSU Symphonic Band, directed by Jerry Hoover, appeared at the convention; the previous year, the MSU Wind Ensemble, under Dr. Belva Prather’s direction, was selected.

The Jazz Band took the stage on the evening of Jan. 29 at the Tan-Tar-A Resort in Osage Beach, while a winter blizzard raged outside.

Thirty minutes later the standing-room-only crowd, made up of music educators, leapt to its feet with an enthusiastic response to the students’ polished performance.

As always these students represented the University with poise, pride and professionalism. n

Concert Chorale gets standing ovation after Denver performance

The Missouri State Concert Chorale, under the direction of Guy B. Webb, was selected through audition to sing at the Southwestern Division Convention of the American Choral Directors Association on Feb. 26 in Denver.

The 52-voice ensemble, which performed in the Hyatt Regency Ballroom in downtown Denver, received a standing ovation from the large crowd SEDG W I C Kof LOGAN choral directors from seven states: WELD Sterling PHILLIPS Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, ns Holyoke Texas, Colorado, New Mexico 76 Greeley and Arkansas. Other colleges on MORGAN the three-day program included nt Colorado State University, the Concert Chorale singers Brush Yuma Fort Lupton 25 Wray Sam University of New Mexico, Chris Newsom, Josh Chism, Kyle Houston State University and BROOMFIELD Major and Kayley Olson perform Brighton ter Texas State University.

YUMA MagnificatAGloria D A M S by Alberto Grau.

WASHINGTON Missouri State received many a Denver 70 DENVER comments about the quality of Aurora A R A P A H O E d SON its program, which featured works by modern and classical composers Southglenn including James MacMillan, William Byrd, George Frideric Handel, Castle Rock Alfred Schnittke and Pawel Lukaszewski.

Burlington ELBERT The Chorale followed its Denver 70trip with several other events, DOUGLAS KIT CARSON including a March 20 performance of Carmina Burana with the Springfield Symphony Orchestra. On May 2, the Chorale joined other LER choirs in the Music Department to sing Elijah at the President’s Concert, EL PASO the Juanita K. Hammons Arts. On L I N C O L N Hall for the CPerforming Cimarron at Hills HEYENNE Springs performed May 15, the Chorale left for Austria on a 12-day concert tour. n Security-Widefield

Canon14CityCollege of Arts and Letters

Orchestra hits right notes, sets example at convention

The Missouri State University Symphony Orchestra performed in February at the national convention of the College Orchestra Directors Association, held in the Atlanta area.

TOWNS CATOOSA RABUN DADE FANNIN The orchestra was one of only WHITFIELD UNION Chatsworth three university chosen Dalton orchestras for this prestigious MURRAY event held HABERSHAM GILMER WALKER WHITE 75 LUMPKIN at CHATTOOGA Kennesaw State University in Dahlonega Cornelia Calhoun GORDON STEPHENSof previous Kennesaw, Ga. They were selected after submitting recordings PICKENS DAWSON HART 85 performances for consideration. GainesvilleHALL BANKS CHEROKEE FRANKLIN Hartwell FORSYTH CODARome is an association of collegeand university-level conductors from Commerce aroundFLOYD the country. The group meets on the national JACKSON level every other year and BARTOW ELBERT MADISON Roswell meets regionally in the off years. This was a year for a national convention.

BARROW CLARKE Marietta POLK The Missouri State performance at Kennesaw State was held in the GWINNETTE Athens PAULDING COBB beautiful new Bailey Performance Hall, a state-of-the-art facility that hosts OCONEE WILKES OGLETHORPE HARALSON Decatur Atlanta WALTON LINCOLN Bremen university and community events. DE KALB DOUGLAS GREENE Dr. 20 Robert Quebbeman, conductor of the Missouri State Orchestra, led Forest Park COLUM ROCKDALE TALIAFERRO MORGAN FULTON CLAYTON Mar 20 the group in the opening concert of HENRY the convention, featuring a program of Carrollton Covington NEWTON CARROLL Au FAYETTE music by American MCDUFFIE McDonough HANCOCK Newnan composers.

HEARD The opening selection Holiday”Eatonton from the Aaron CoplandWARREN COWETAwas “Buckaroo BUTTS Griffin JASPER SPALDING PUTNAM Wr ballet Rodeo. This was followed by “Symphony No. 3 (Palo Duro Canyon)” GLASCOCK LAMAR 75 for the Seattle Symphony.

Milledgeville

by Samuel Jones, the composer-in-residence PIKE JEFFERSON La Grange The group concluded with a nod to the Atlanta JONES area by BALDWIN performing MERIWETHER MONROE TROUP WASHINGTON “Peachtree Street”

by Jennifer Higdon, a piece thatMacon was originally composed UPSON BIBB for and premiered by the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra.

WILKINSON TWIGGS HARRIS EMA CRAWFORD Following the performance, the orchestra helped advanced conducting JOHNSON TALBOT Sw students get someMUSCOGEE practice by serving a workshop orchestra. The FortasValley Dublin PEACH TAYLOR conducting students were coached by professionalHOUSTON conducting teachers. 16 Columbus BLECKLEY Cochran TREUTLEN The MSU orchestra was given a standing ovation by those in LAURENS MACON CHATAHOOCHEE MARION MONTattendance, including the orchestra conductors, students and other guests. n GOMERY DODGE Vid SCHLEY

PULASKI

DOOLY STEWART

Americus WEBSTER

SUMTER

WHEELER

Cordele WILCOX

McRae TELFAIR

TOOM

ROGER STONER

ROGER STONER

spent the morning and afternoon visiting 15 Kansas City-area high schools and making contact with more than 50 teachers and counselors. Their contact included oneon-one meetings with students and visits to classrooms. The Jazz Symposium also performed at four schools.

The day after the reception, several departments held auditions and evaluations of student work. Representatives of those departments were joined by Nina Walzer, the Kansas City admissions representative for Missouri State. Forty-two students auditioned for the theatre and dance department; according to Willenbrink, this was nearly five times the number who auditioned in the Kansas City area last year. The art and design department also set up a display with student artwork and evaluated portfolios from area high school students. Each department had Unionville NODAWAY Memphis Tarkio and representatives MERCER WORTH displays on-hand.

SCHUYLER HARRISON PUTNAM SCOTLAND Willenbrink says that Talent on Tour ATCHISON CL Maryville Albany “opened new doors of opportunity for the ADAIR Kirksville Bethany HOLT academic programs SULLIVAN GENTRY at GRUNDY L KNOX Missouri State University” ANDREW andSavannah he looks forward to35 LINN participatingDEinKALB future DAVIESS MACON SHELBY Chillicothe St. Joseph events.

Macon Shelbin “Personally, I am CLINTON Marceline LIVINGSTON BUCHANAN very proud of all the CALDWELL Administrators, faculty and students students, faculty and spent time with Kansas City-areaRANDOLPH alumni and MONROE CHARITON Excelsior PLATTE CARROLL staff who helped stage supporters.

Platte City Springs Moberly CLAY event,” such a successful AUDRAIN RAY SALINE Willenbrink says. “We Mexico HOWARD Marshall will do it again!” n ROGER STONER

Kansas City-area high school students, community members and University alumni were treated to several performances by Missouri State student groups and presentations by faculty and administrators as part of the Talent on Tour showcase.

Talent on Tour, held March 5 and 6 at the Westin Crown Center, gave high school students a chance to see what the College of Arts and Letters can offer them.

COAL departments and faculty make numerous visits to alumni and prospective students each year, but Talent on Tour was one of the first visits in which the College participated as a whole.

The Friday-night event consisted of an alumni reception and works by current students.

COAL Dean Carey Adams, Associate Dean Roger Stoner and department heads from each of COAL’s seven departments were also on hand to speak to the crowd and answer questions.

FOX 4 news anchor Susan Hiland, a Missouri State alumna, was the master of ceremonies for the event.

Several student groups performed, including the In-School Players, a theatre troupe that performs at elementary schools; Syncopation, a production by musical theatre students; the Jazz Symposium, a group of jazz players; and D. Helton and Jake Helton, who read poetry.

Several student films by media, journalism and film majors were also shown. Overall, 27 faculty members and 27 students participated.

“Talent on Tour was a marvelous event,” says Dr. Bob Willenbrink, the head of the Department of Theatre and Dance and the coordinator of the event. “Those who came to the reception and performance on Friday night were delighted, and the students gave an outstanding performance.”

The Friday-night reception capped a busy day for COAL faculty, staff, and students. They

ROGER STONER

Talent from all areas of COAL on display at showcase in Kansas City

Kansas City

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Expressions NewHorizons A publication for the alumni and friends of The College of Arts & Letters Fall 2006 • Volume 1 • Issue 1

Missouri State University College of Arts and Letters 901 S. National Ave. Springfield, MO 65897

On The Horizon June 6-26 – Missouri Fine Arts Academy mfaa.missouristate.edu June 9-12, 14-19 – 8:15 p.m. – The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee Tent Theatre, Craig Hall Patio www.tenttheatre.com June 20 – 6 p.m. – Carillon Concert featuring Sue Bergren June 24-26, 28-July 2 – 8:15 p.m.

– Noises Off Tent Theatre, Craig Hall Patio www.tenttheatre.com July 7-10, 12-18 – 8:15 p.m. – Guys and Dolls Tent Theatre, Craig Hall Patio www.tenttheatre.com

Sept. 10-16 – Ozarks Celebration Festival Sept. 19 – 6 p.m. – Carillon Concert featuring George Gregory Sept. 20-24 – COM Week Plaster Student Union Sept. 23-24, 27 – Oct. 1, 4-5 – 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 26 and Oct. 3 – 2:30 p.m.

The Laramie Project Balcony Theatre

Sept. 24 – COM Alumni Student Luncheon Plaster Student Union

Oct. 28 – 7:30 p.m. – Jazz Bands Juanita K. Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts

Sept. 30 – 7:30 p.m. – Symphony Orchestra Juanita K. Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts

Nov. 2 – 7:30 p.m. – Symphony Orchestra Juanita K. Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts

Oct. 5 – 7:30 p.m. – Wind Ensemble/Wind Symphony Juanita K. Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts

Nov. 4-6 – 7:30 p.m.

Nov. 6 and 7 – 2:30 p.m.

Wiley & The Hairy Man Carrington Auditorium

Oct. 18 – 7:30 p.m. – Community Band Juanita K. Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts

Nov. 11 – 7:30 p.m. – Wind Ensemble/Wind Symphony Juanita K. Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts

Dec. 1-4 – 7 p.m. – Elizabethan Christmas Dinners Plaster Student Union Ballroom Dec. 3-4 – 7:30 p.m.

Dec. 5 – 2:30 p.m.

Jan. 5 for MO Thespian Festival Irving Berlin’s White Christmas Juanita K. Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts

September 10-16 Ozarks Celebration Festival

July 18 – 6 p.m. – Carillon Concert featuring Jeremy Chesman July 25-31 – String Fling Camps Ellis Hall, Juanita K. Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts www.missouristate.edu/music/ stringfling.htm

Nov. 16 – 7:30 p.m. – Jazz Bands Juanita K. Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts

Concert Under the Stars – Sept. 10 Featuring The Hillbenders, The Chapmans and Dan Tyminski.

STEVE EUDALY

Aug. 15 – 6 p.m. – Carillon Concert featuring Malgosia Fiebig of The Netherlands Aug. 22 – 7 p.m. – Concert on the Green Plaster Sports Complex

The Ozarks Celebration Festival is a look at the region’s culture. Missouri State launched the festival in 1998 to foster a sense of place for both Ozarks natives and visitors. ocf.missouristate.edu

Missouri State University provides reasonable accommodation upon request.

Visit coal.missouristate.edu for the latest news and events.

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College of Arts and Letters