Chancellor’s Concert: A Centennial Serenade Meagan L. Williams Editor-in-chief Southern University celebrated its “Centennial Chancellor’s Concert” on Tuesday evening in the Smith Brown Memorial Student Union Cotillion Ballroom. Family, friends, alumni, and the SUBR community were all invited to partake in an evening of bliss as The Symphonic Band and The Wind Ensemble prepared to take stage at for 7p.m. Lawrence Jackson Director of Bands at Southern University for 8 and a half years said, “This is the second year of the ‘Chancellor’s Concert’.” We’ve done a number of spring concerts, but we changed the name because we wanted to have a more elegant bite to the ‘Spring Concert’ and wanted to give honor to the highest ranking administrator on the Baton Rouge campus, Dr. Llorens.” ChancellorJamesLlorenslooked forward to the evening’s events. “Last night was one of those events that we [Chancellor and 1st Lady] really look forward to because it gives us a chance to showcase the tremendous talent that we have here at Southern University; not only as music majors but other
majors as well,” Chancellor Llorens. Sara Martin led with an introduction to the evening’s program, “A Serenade to Spring” as she summed up the spring semester and all of its alkaloids. Lawrence Jackson, Director of Bands and The Wind Ensemble said, “We are not interested in students who can only play high or loud, we want quality musicians. The students in these bands play strategically sound and difficult selections in the spring semester that are carried over to the marching season.” The Symphonic Band wasted no time giving an upbeat performance four songs through. Nathan Haymer, Associate Director of Bands and Director of The Symphonic Band said, “The selections were picked for the symphonic band based on excitement. I wanted to pick things that anybody could get into. Southern has had a lot struggles in the past, but it’s always good to say that we survived this and are ready for the next chapter. Haymer then spoke on the importance of the concert. “The concert featured The Wind Ensemble and The Symphonic Band that tied into the centennial
Meagan L. Williams/DIGEST
celebration with Southern University at Baton Rouge. To me the most important aspect of the concert was to show the public that the band program here is more than just the ‘Human Jukebox’,” Haymer said. Next up was the Wind Ensemble under the direction of Lawrence Jackson. He took over the night with a plethora of selections ranging from the sounds of “Total Praise” by Richard Smallwood to “Elsa’s Procession to the Cathedral.” Vance Mitchell, a senior engineering major from Atlanta, GA
and member of The Wind Ensemble gave a brief introduction to “Elsa’s Procession to the Cathedral.” Mitchell later spoke on the performance. “Our centennial concert was like many others accept that we performed a certain selection “Elsa’s Procession to the Cathedral”, which is a peaceful song, but when it builds up to its climax. It shows the audience what we are capable of. The song also gives reverence to those who have passed away, which is why we honored Dr. Greggs during the concert.” “It’s one hundred years on
the bluff and this a very special mild stone in the great legacy and history of the university.” Elsa’s Procession to the Cathedrale by Richard Wagner was dedicated to Dr. Greggs because some say that it was his favorite to conduct. “This is a song that Dr. Greggs loved to conduct and admired.” A unique characteristic about members of the marching band is that they are given the opportunity to show off their versatility in the symphonic band and wind ensemble.”
Centennial Celebration raises more than $250,000 for student scholarships Ariana Triggs Staff Writer Southern University held its Centennial Gala at L’Auberge Casino Thursday night, celebrating 100 years on the Bluff. The 2014 Centennial Gala was a one-time event during the centennial celebrations to raise money for student scholarships. Glenda Llorens, wife of Chancellor James Llorens and Southern alumni Russell Honore, a retired U.S. Army General and Southern alumnus both served as Mistress and Master of Ceremony and Reverend Darrell Fielder recited the grace. As the dinner service began, Chancellor James Llorens announced that the Southern University has managed to raise more than $250,000 for student scholarships. Chancellor Llorens also acknowledged notable guests in attendance such as MayorPresident Kip Holden and other elected officials, along with the sponsors of the Centennial Gala. “We sold out all of our tables, in terms with sponsorships and individual sales. We had individuals calling today [Thursday] asking can they get tickets, but unfortunately we couldn’t. It’s good to see the alumni coming in from around the country and it’s good to see the support of the community.” Sponsorship was available in four categories: Gold, Bronze, Blue and Table sponsors. The Gold sponsors, which included Chancellor Llorens and his wife Glenda Llorens; Mr. and Mrs. Calvin Braxton of Natchitoches Ford; Aramark Foods; Southern University Alumni Federation; and Bishop Joseph Walker, III, were the highest level sponsors. Also included with the Gold sponsors was the NCAA sixth Fan Sweet Sixteen Scholarship in which $10,000 was won on behalf of the Athletic Department and its supporters. The Bronze sponsors consisted of Reverend Isaiah Webster and the Greater New Guide
Ariana Triggs/DIGEST Chancellor James Llorens, acknowledges the audience members and sponsors during the Centennial Gala Thursday April 17 at the L’Auberge Casino and Hotel.
Baptist Church, Dr. Dolores R. Spikes, President Emerita, Southern University Parents and Teachers Credit Union, and the Louisiana Lottery Corporation. During the night, student musicians led by Harry Anderson performed throughout dinner service and afterwards, Regina Belle performed for guests. One of the highlights of the night was an unscheduled speech from Edwin Edwards, former Governor of Louisiana and Democratic candidate for U.S. Congress this coming November. During his speech, he mentioned that there was a lot of conversation in regards to closing Southern University by some black political leaders. Thinking it would be better to let the students go to LSU, the political leaders
went to him with the proposal because of dissatisfaction about the way it was growing. Also, the same idea was brought to him about the Southern University Law Center, because of the students’ performance on their entrance exams and bar exams. Edwards said he shut the idea down, saying the solution wouldn’t be to close it, but to make it better and they did. “I didn’t know it at the time, but three of my grandchildren graduated from the Southern University Law School and I’m proud of that,” said Edwards. Edwards went on to make the point that he’s disgusted with the cuts that the current administration has made to the higher education budget.
He pointed out that it isn’t fair to those pursuing a higher education because tuition rises as a result of the cuts, making it harder for students to pay for school. Mayor-President Kip Holden said that this event is one that celebrates the foundation and building blocks that made Southern University the great institution that it is. “I would encourage people to look at Southern. Southern has made a difference in the quality of life of so many people. Don’t forget your roots, and wherever you can give a hand to even help a child. It may not be a whole lot, in small scholarships, for some companies, mass scholarships; whatever you can do to keep that name ringing in the ears of people and letting them know that this is a university that you must respect. Sacrifices have been made, but there’s a lot more to go and some of the people you see today that’s at the university can even make a difference in their lives in the future, “said Holden. Shanna Warner, a Southern alumni and dentist at Just Kids said, “I love Southern. It gave me my start, my foundation. I wouldn’t be where I am today without going through those doors and crossing that stage so it’s important that I can give back to the next group so they can give back,” said Warner. Jonas Vanderbilt, Gala Committee CoChair along with Beverly, D. Wade, Ph.D., said, “It was strenuous. It took us a good amount of time but we just wanted to make sure we had all of our T’s crossed and I’s dotted. We had a good committee. We had a couple of hang-ups but we worked thro ugh them and I th ink it came out very beautiful,” finished Vanderbilt.
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