1 & 16

Page 16

The Renaissance

The Fun Page

October 2014

Across: 2. Runs Café Monday in Caddo 6. Has been working at LSMSA for nearly two decades 8. Your favorite volleyball coach 10. Has a degree in Health and Exercise Science and is from south Louisiana

Down:

1. A ginger who travels with gnomes and takes pictures with them wherever she goes 3. Taught English in Kuwait after graduating with a Masters of Higher and Postsecondary Education from Arizona State University 4. Caddo SLA that is a huge Kentucky Wildcats fan 5. Originally from central New York and has previously spent time working at the residential halls of Central College of Iowa and Julliard of NYC 7. Plays guitar and is a well-known campus pancake maker 9. GSA club sponsor and is originally from Connecticut 11. Spends free time knitting and preparing for future marathons This month’s puzzle topic is “SLAs of LSMSA.” By Alyssa Martin

Last Month’s Crossword Key:

Ideas for submissions?

Feel free to e-mail us at: newspaper@student.lsmsa.edu View this edition and more online! http://issuu.com/lsmsarenaissance

Renaissance The LSMSA

Dr. Kenneth Olson composes piece for the Natchitoches Tri-Centennial Concert Nathalie Trow-McDonald Staff Writer

Donna Lee, a 1988 graduate of the Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts (LSMSA), sang the world premiere of an original composition composed by LSMSA faculty member, Dr. Kenneth Olson, at the Natchitoches Tri-Centennial Concert.

The concert was held by the Natchitoches Tri-Centennial Commission and took place in the Magale Recital Hall on the Northwestern State University Campus at 6:00pm on September 28, 2014.

The piece, “City of Lights” for voice and orchestra, consisted of two parts. It began with a complete orchestral piece that was very powerful. The composition began with low notes and loud rumbles that were to signify the darkness; the piece, then, gradually lifted to signify the light of Natchitoches, also known as the City of Lights. Ultimately, City of Lights was the most impressive orchestration on the lineup.

The piece, in itself, was majestic, but it slowly died away to introduce the breath-taking voice of Donna Lee in the second part titled “Cities.” Lee, an amazing and talented soprano, hit notes that only a singer of the most professional caliber could manage. She really made the words of the sonnet,

which were written by former Poet Laureate of Louisiana and professor at Northwestern State University, Julie Kane, come to life. Her voice revealed the level of passion and love she has for Natchitoches.

Olson has been a part of the foreign language and arts departments at LSMSA since 1991. He studied composition, theory, and conducting at the University of Arts in Berlin, Germany until 1986, and completed his doctoral studies in composition and theory at Texas Tech University in 1991.

He is also the composer of the Louisiana School Alma Mater.

Olson encompasses the fact that he has been a resident of Natchitoches for over two decades.

“I felt honored to be selected to compose a piece for the Tri-centennial Concert,” said Olson.

Upon graduating, Donna Lee attended Loyola University, New Orleans, the University of Colorado, Boulder, and the Berlin Conservatory.

She maintains a private voice studio in Berlin for people of all ages. She was born in Natchitoches and attended LSMSA, so she was very enthusiastic to be able to help celebrate the town’s tri-centennial and traveled all the way from Berlin to do so.

The NatchitochesNorthwestern Symphony

October 2014 Volume XXXII, Issue 2 Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts 715 University Pkwy.

Natchitoches, LA 71457

Praecellemus

In This Issue: This year’s Eaglestock was a rainy success Pictures and more!

Page 3

Fire! Fire!

Fire!

Have you heard about Dr. Delery’s book?

Page 4

Dr. Kenneth Olson, Julie Kane, Mrs. Syll-Young Olson, and Donna Lee at the Natchitoches Tri-Centennial Concert.

Courtesy of Dr. Kenneth Olson

spent a lot of time to make Olson’s vision a reality.

“It was a realization of my ideal in music, exactly how I envisioned it to be,” said Olson.

Olson said that everyone involved was totally committed and that made it a delightful experience for him.

“I think that Julie Kane is a genius writer and Donna Lee is a brilliant singer…. I hope for more collaborations with them in the future,” said Olson.

He was also asked about his experience as a whole.

“It was the greatest artistic experience of my life,” said Olson.

LSMSA teacher works with national politician

Don’t you wish you could be as cool as Dr. Wood?

Page 5

Improvasaurous, anything but extinct

No, we are not talking about dinosaurs.

Page 10

LSMSA introduces five new clubs Donna Lee and the Natchitoches Northwestern Symphony rehearsing for the Natchitoches Tri-Centennial Concert.

Courtesy of Dr. Kenneth Olson

Read about what new clubs ICC let in so far this year!

Page 11