The Blue & Gray Press

Page 1

THE

BLUE &GRAY

PRESS

November 7, 2019

VOLUME 93 | ISSUE 10

1922 Student political groups organize voter turnout events for the November 5 election

THE UNIVERSITY OF MARY WASHINGTON STUDENT NEWSPAPER

Katia savelyeva Staff Writer

On Tuesday, Nov. 5, a narrowly Republican-controlled Virginia legislature was overturned by the Democrats in both houses. This marks the first time since 1994 that the legislature has been under Democratic control. In the Senate seats local to Fredericksburg, Richard Stuart, the 28th District’s Republican incumbent, defeated Democrat Qasim Rashid, collecting 58 percent of the vote. Republican incumbent Bryce Reeves also kept his seat, defeating Amy Laufer with 52 percent of the vote. As for the House of Delegates, Republican Mark Cole of District 88 collected 55 percent of the vote, defeating challenger Jessica Foster. However, Democrat Joshua Cole defeated Republican Paul Milde, collecting 52 percent of the vote for District 28. The two were competing for the seat of incumbent Republican Robert Thomas, who lost the Republican primary to Milde earlier this year. The Virginia legislative race was closely watched this year due to the fact that whichever party won control

of the legislature would then control redistricting following the 2020 census. The Democrats now have the ability to redraw districts that have been criticized for being heavily gerrymandered in favor of Republicans. “The big question is: will Virginia Democrats continue to back independent redistricting now that they have obtained the power to do to Republicans what Republicans have done to them?” said UMW political science professor Stephen Farnsworth. In addition to redistricting, a Democratically-controlled legislature will create a different policy conversation in the upcoming General Assembly session. However, Farnsworth stressed the importance of not overstating the radicalism of the upcoming legislature. “Many Democrats remain moderate in their politics,” said Farnsworth. “Tuesday’s results will not make Virginia an East Coast version of California.” All the same, many new policy possibilities have opened up as a result of the flip. Farnsworth mentioned gun control issues, raising the minimum wage and passing •Election | 7

SERVING THE COMMUNITY SINCE

Students from political groups on campus paint the Spirit Rock to advertise for rides to the polls. Jey Lewis / The Blue & Gray Press

Philharmonic Orchestra welcomes violinist Itzhak Perlman Alicen Hackney Viewpoints Editor

players and wanted this to also build the quality and pride for our group,” Banners on the gate to the Anderson said Bartram. “You can’t step onstage Center parking lot, advertise the UMW with Itzhak Perlman unless you are Philharmonic concerts most of the year, thoroughly prepared. It would be akin featuring the faces of famous musicians, to the UMW basketball team inviting actors and singers that students might in LeBron James. You have to prepare not expect to see on campus. The likes yourselves as a team to perform with of Kristin Chenoweth, Renee Fleming him near his level.” and Tony Bennett, as well as other “The concert with Paul Anka was a celebrities, have performed on the UMW memory that I will never forget,” said Philharmonic violinist Michael Gilchrist, stage. Violinist Itzhak Perlman was the a senior communication and digital most recent famous musician to visit studies major. Anka performed with the UMW on Oct. 26. Philharmonic in October 2018. In 2004, music professor and director “Paul Anka was good friends with Frank Sinatra and wrote arguably his most iconic song ‘My Way,’ so being able to tell people that I performed with the man who wrote ‘My Way’ and who also had his own amazing songs such as ‘Put Your Head On My Shoulder,’ ‘Diana,’ and ‘Puppy Love,’ is an amazing thing to be able to say,” added Gilchrist. “I truly believe that our most recent concert with Itzhak Perlman will always hold a place in my heart,” said Ivy Sanders, a sophomore music Students involved with the Philharmonic Orchestra have the opportunity to perform with world-renowned artists. major and contrabassist. “He Kevin Bartram / UMW Philharmonic Orchestra played the violin solo theme

IN THIS

ISSUE

of the UMW Philharmonic Orchestra, Kevin Bartram, began the Philharmonic celebrity series program at UMW in order to bring richer experiences to musicians both on campus and in the community, and to build the prestige of the university. With the backing of then UMW president William Anderson, Bartram set out to find musicians, singers, and actors who could fit the criterion for the performances he had planned. “We didn’t just want to bring in guest artists to perform solo recitals, we wanted them to be onstage with our

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LIFE | 4

VIEWPOINTS | 3

from the score to Schindler's List. In that moment on stage, everything connected with me. Getting to witness such a great man - who has battled against polio and risen above all odds - perform music from a movie that portrays significant history to his own Jewish heritage made me cry whilst performing alongside him during our concert.” To ensure the success of the Philharmonic program, the responsibility to create a welcoming and successful environment falls on every single member of the group. Over the years, due to the flourishing reputation of the Philharmonic program, Bartram has been able to invite celebrities to campus that he could only have dreamed of working with. “We brought in Tony Bennett and he had such a great time here [in 2016]. The year after Tony Bennett I began to look for another artist like Tony, an iconic singer, so I approached Paul Anka’s agent,” said Bartram. “I found this out later from Paul Anka himself, he had called Tony Bennett and said, ‘I got an offer from this group I’ve never heard of in Fredericksburg, Virginia. What can you tell me?’ and Tony told him, ‘Paul, you’re gonna have a great time.’” In order to support their program, the UMW •Philharmonic | 7

Washington Nationals Nationals clinch game 7, become 2019 World Series Champions. SPORTS | 8


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