Celebrating 100 Years
THEVisrA The Student Voice Since 1903
UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL OKLAHOMA
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2003
Chopin Society features noted vocalists, bands by Sherrod Wall Staff Writer
Photo by Heather Harkins
Lindsie Van Winkle, music theatre junior, sings as Eric Grigg accompanies her on the piano under the direction of Arthur Marks during a Chopin Society Master Class Sept. 6.
The Chopin Society of Mid America began the 18th season of the Central Oklahoma Concert Series Sept. 7 in Mitchell Hall with tenor Arthur Marks. Marks said when he sings he tries to pull the audience into the world that is within the music. "I try to get them to imagine what I am imagining," Marks said. "Since I'm singing in different languages at times, it's hard for everyone to understand what is being said in the music." He said he tries to get his audience to relate to the story. "I try to get them to see through my physical interpretation of the music, as well as what I'm doing vocally," he said. Marks said his voice is "pleasant to the ear, versatile, flexible, a gift, a gift that I am blessed to have." His interests other than singing include psychology and a social working career. "[My] musical Career comes first because that's where my heart is," he said. Marks received his undergraduate degrees from Bethel
College in North Newton, Kan. He has also taught voice at Hesston College and Wichita State University. Marks made his professional debut in 1992 with the Kansas City Symphony. Since then, he has been performing with the Baltimore Symphony, the Vivaldi Traveling Virtuoso Chamber Orchestra and the Des Moines Symphony Orchestra. He has performed on theatre stages all across the U.S. Some artists that inspire Marks to put his all into his performances are Alfredo Kraus, Billie Holiday and Julie Andrews. The concert series is far from over, and other performances will soon be coming to UCO. The American Brass Quintet will play Oct. 12. In 2004, pianist Eric Himy will perform Jan. 18, and John Atkins and Richard Fracker will sing March 7. Katerina Makarova, along with Oleksiy Koltakov, will play piano May 2 to complete the series. For more information on these performers and the concert series, visit www.chopinsociety.com .
Strunk clears funk from Broncho Lake by Rick Russick Staff Writer The "funky foam," as university horticulturist Gene Strunk called it, in Broncho Lake is being treated and will eventually disappear. Strunk is responsible for UCO's ground maintenance and Broncho Lake upkeep, which was not meant to support life, he said. "However, since many fish do live in the lake, we have to worry about them and make sure they are not harmed in any way," he said. Strunk said the "funk" floating on the lake is actually a combination of fatty acids left from the fish and filamentous algae, also commonly known as "pond scum." The deep green of the water is a result of the algae, he said. To offset the algae, Strunk said he uses a blue dye to block the sunlight. The dye will stop photosynthesis and allow the algae's growth to slow down. "We were using a chemical to kill the algae, but we had to quit using it because thought we might he harming the fish," he said. To combat the problem, Strunk sprays what he calls "foam buster."
"Basically, 'foam buster' is a group of chemicals used in spas and hot tubs. It is relatively harmless and, for now, this treatment seems to work well," Strunk said. "The fish are used to surviving in worse conditions than Broncho Lake," Director of Architectural and Engineering Services David G. Stapleton said. He said the fish in the lake are not edible in part because of the chemicals that have been placed into the lake. "Strunk has to tread a fine line between saving the fish and saving the pond," Stapleton said. Stapleton said the main problem with the lake is the way it was constructed. He said the lake's make—up is primarily a vinyl lining on dirt. The lake is a storm drain system where all the sludge and sediment collects at the bottom. "The lake is really nothing more than a swimming pool that hasn't had a filtration system in it," Stapleton said. He said in the lake's construction, a drain, like any swimming pool, should have been included. He said since there is not'one, the water needs to be circulated throughout the 20foot-deep lake. "Currently we have
fountains and a waterfall circulating water from 10 feet below the surface," Stapleton said. "However,
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it will take at least a year or
more before we will be able to tell whether the pumps will really improving the situation." Stapleton said the university is looking for other ways to improve Broncho Lake, but they cannot flush water out of the lake until the City of Edmond approves it. Steve Kreidler, vice president for Administration and Finance, said the lake's construction cost about $80,000 but did not cost the university anything. The money for the lake was raised primarily through corporate sponsors and private funds, Kreidler said. "We could not have done what we did [With the lake] without the support of our sponsors," he said. Because of budget constraints this year, it was not possible to include lake construction in the university's budget, Kreidler said. He said, as soon as temperatures drop, more landscaping projects are planned for the future. "We want to plant•more trees, but they would just die," Kreidler said. "It's just too hot."
Photo by Justin Avers
Gene Strunk, university horticulturist, sprays the lake Sept. 10 to rid it of foam. The foam, also being combatted by blue dye, is produced by fish oils and algae.