Author: Emma Donmoyer

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Arts Campus News

Percussion Ensemble Concert Thursday

On Thursday, April 26 at 7:30 p.m. in the CFA Recital Hall, the Houghton College Percussion Ensemble will perform its spring concert.

Percussion Ensemble brings a variety of unique and energetic music to Houghton’s campus, pushing the limits of the conventional understanding of “percussion.” In the past, the Ensemble has performed everything from works for mallet percussion and drums to pieces that utilize flower pots, squeaky toys, and balloons as instruments.

a percussionist strikes a drum with their mallets
The Percussion Ensemble will perform at 7:30 p.m. in the CFA Recital Hall next Thursday.

Houghton’s instructor of percussion, Dustin Woodard, remarked that the vast scope of percussion repertoire is one of the things he loves about working with the Percussion Ensemble. “As percussionists we can play literally hundreds of instruments and the repertoire is just as diverse. I am never bored working with a percussion ensemble because there is always something new to learn about,” Woodard said.

That excitement, however, also makes it incredibly challenging. “That being said,” Woodard continued, “it is also a great challenge because there are so many instruments, styles, pieces, and composers that I need to know about. I don’t get to focus on one or two instruments and really perfect them, I have to balance between playing an enormous variety of styles.”

The program for the upcoming concert reflects the great diversity of the percussion world. In just one hour, the concert will journey from jazz to a marimba concerto to a contemporary piece written for six triangles, and more.

In addition to a great variety of music, the Percussion Ensemble n features a diverse set of players. The ensemble is made up of not only percussionists, but also students who come from backgrounds in brass, woodwinds, strings, and piano.  Graduate student Nathaniel Libby ‘18, a member of Percussion Ensemble, commented, “Percussion Ensemble is not only an ensemble that makes great music, but seeks to expand and grow the standard percussion literature. Chamber percussion ensemble is a newcomer to the larger musical world and many of the works are completely new and highly inventive. Also, it’s simply a blast!” Playing in Percussion Ensemble gives every student an opportunity to have fun and to expand their musicality.

The wide variety of people who participate in percussion ensemble speaks to the wide appeal of percussion music. Woodard said, “percussion is very relatable to everyone. It is an easy concept to understand for the most part; everyone knows that you take a stick then hit a drum and noise comes out. What most people don’t understand is how wide and complex our art is. I love seeing the audience’s reactions to all of our music. Most people don’t realize what we can do and it is a joy to see the get excited.”

The ensemble has pieces for those that enjoy swinging to jazz, exploring classical music literature, or even delving into the avant-garde. All are welcome to come out to the Percussion Ensemble concert to support their fellow students and enjoy creative, exciting music.

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Campus News

This Weekend: Gillette Gala

This year’s Gillette Gala is taking place tomorrow, March 17, at Anastassia’s in Portageville. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and dinner will be served at 6:00 p.m. Everyone is welcome to come enjoy a night full of food, friends, and dancing.

The Gillette Gala, formally known as Gillette Banquet, began several decades ago as a formal dinner, before dancing was allowed at Houghton. As dancing became more acceptable, it was also incorporated into the event. The Gillette Gala takes place at a new location every year and provides Houghton students an opportunity to enjoy an evening off campus. This year’s Gala will feature a fully catered meal, dancing, music, a photo booth, and a cookie bar. This year’s theme will be “Black and White Party.”

a large group of students dancing
Students enjoy the music and dancing at last year’s Gillette Gala, a popular annual event. This year’s Gala will be hosted at Anastassia’s in Portageville on Saturday, March 17.

Rebecca Firstbrook ‘18, the assistant resident director of Gillette said of the event, “Gillette Gala has been a long tradition and a lot of fun for many, many years. It’s a time to enjoy a night off campus, to be served a fancy dinner, and to make great memories with friends.” 

In addition to a simple opportunity to spend time with friends, the event gives students a chance to get off campus. “It is a time in a new space,” Firstbrook commented, “and hopefully an evening where students can leave their stress behind for a few hours and just have fun. The RAs put in a lot of time and hard work to make it a special event.”

In preparation for the gala, students attended a beginner ballroom lesson hosted by Houghton Ballroom and Swing.  Adam Barna ‘19, a regular instructor for beginner lessons, explained that the lesson will cover “East Coast Swing and American Cha-cha because they are fun, peppy dances that are relatively easy to learn.  And fun to dance.”

Barna went on to explain the benefits of learning the styles before a school dance, saying, “It’s nice to know how to do more formal dances because it’s easier at times to do something I know and I’m comfortable with.  When I’m with my friends who also know how to ballroom dance, it makes it more exciting and fun for all of us.”

At the event, students learned the basic step of both dances as well as several specialized moves. Barna emphasized how formal dances can bring together strangers and friends alike. “Anyone’s welcome to dance,” he commented. “It’s fun and a good way to relieve stress from the day to day in Houghton. It also gives you a great chance to meet new people doing something fun.”

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Campus Stories In Focus

Admissions Bridges The Gap

The first encounter many prospective students have with Houghton comes through the Admissions Office, whose employees are essential to the Houghton community. The office helps enlarge Houghton’s campus by bridging the gap between prospective students and the faculty, staff, and current students. “We do our best to give prospective students the best glimpse of Houghton and all that this community can do to equip them to lead and labor as scholar servants in a changing world,” said Rebekah Smith, the Assistant Director of Admissions. Our hope is to add other students who will be difference-makers and will add…to this already beautiful community.”

a photo of Duncan at a computer
Working as a telecounselor at the Admissions Office, Duncan Shalda ‘19 speaks with prospective students about his Houghton experience. The work of the Admissions Office is essential to the Houghton community.

The Admissions Office hosts three main departments: Operations, Recruitment, and Visit and Events. The operations department is responsible for marketing, communications, data, and admissions materials. The Recruitment Department cares for individual prospective students, acting as a bridge to other places and people on campus. Admission counselors, who operate under this department, play a large role in admissions and recruitment. They are responsible for a certain territory or student type, and are tasked with assisting each student within that area through the admission-to-enrollment process. They care for the needs of a prospective student from the time they inquire about admission until the time they step onto campus as a Houghton student for orientation. The position requires strong communication skills, excellent work ethic, and attention to detail. The Visit and Events Department organizes all incoming visits and the hosted by the Admissions Office, both on and off campus.

A wide variety of people work in the admissions office, and they fill a vast array of roles. According to Smith, the variety and quick pace of the work draw people to working in the Admissions Office. “Every day is different. Each day has a new set of surprises and challenges. The work keeps up on our toes! I think the constant change and movement of the seasons is what attracts people to this line of work,” she said. “This is not always an office job and there is plenty of room for new ideas, new challenges, and new ways to grow.”

Although the Admissions Office plays an essential role in bringing new students to Houghton, the office also greatly enjoys working with community to bring new people in. Smith said, “We don’t want to be remembered by the students coming to Houghton as the reason they came. We want Houghton to be the reason they came! Staff, faculty, and fellow students who will be walking alongside new students as soon as they come to Houghton through graduation are the most significant, and can be huge difference makers.”

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News

Recitals Showcase Advanced Talents

Each semester, many students in the Greatbatch School of Music perform recitals to showcase the musical talents they have developed and refined during their time at Houghton.

These recitals come after months of planning, preparation, and practice. Student recitals bring a diverse array of  high-quality music to campus, from original percussion pieces and Baroque organ compositions to funky jazz rhythms. In the upcoming weeks, several students will be performing what are sure to be great recitals. Mark your calendars to come support your peers and enjoy free music!

On November 6, at 8:00 p.m., senior Daniel Stevens ’18 and graduate student Ian Riley will be performing a duo percussion recital. The recital will feature works for snare, timpani, and mallet percussion, as well as a percussion ensemble piece. The two performers agree that “Catching Shadows,” a marimba duet that features a percussion ensemble, is their favorite piece. Riley says, “‘Catching Shadows,’ by Ivan Trevino, is easily my favorite piece on the program…it’s a work that intersperses an ethereal chorale theme within a classic rock-inspired groove.” Ian is a second-year percussion performance grad student and Daniel is a senior who will be completing a Bachelor of Music with Elective Studies.  

Piano performance major Naomi Tripp ’19 will be performing her junior recital on November 13 at 6:30 p.m. Her recital will feature a variety of piano literature, including a Joplin rag, J.S. Bach’s fifth French dance suite, and works by Beethoven and Chopin. Naomi’s favorite piece on the program is the Bach dance suite, which showcases the technical skills pianists must work hard to refine and master.

Derek Chase ‘19, a saxophone performance major, will be presenting his junior saxophone recital on November 20 at 6:30 p.m. Derek will be performing a diverse repertoire from various time periods, including contemporary saxophone literature by Ryo Noda and Robert Muczynski, a Bach transcription, and a concerto by Henri Tomasi. The Tomasi concerto is one of Derek’s favorite pieces on the program. Derek is looking forward to his recital, saying, “Overall, this recital gets me excited for future performances as well as my senior recital next year when I’ll be able to incorporate some fun electronic pieces that I love.”  

Eric Bernardin, a second-year graduate student pursuing a degree in music composition, will be presenting a recital featuring his own original music on December 4 at 6:30 p.m. Eric’s recital will feature several short forms that he scored, as well as a clip from Schindler’s List paired with original music. The recital will also include several original pieces performed by Greatbatch School of Music students. Eric’s favorite piece on the program is a collaborative song, which will showcase the vocal talents of Daniel Bussey ’20 and Michaella Aliperti ’19.

A number of other student recitals are on the Greatbatch School of Music calendar for the fall semester. Senior Hannah Hijleh ’18 will be performing her senior violin performance recital on November 8 at 6:30 p.m. The program will feature works by Tchaikovsky, Ravel, and Beethoven. On November 15 at 6:30 p.m., graduate student Linlin Huang will be performing a graduate piano recital. Senior Marc LeGrand ‘18 will bring classical guitar stylings to campus on December 6 at 8:00p p.m.

Every student recital takes place in the Recital Hall in the Center for the Arts. Most are followed by receptions full of food, friends, and laughter. Chase encourages Houghton students to come to the showcases of months of hard practice, saying, “If music can’t sway you, maybe cinnamon rolls can!”

Categories
Campus News

Classic Comedies Hit Stage

On October 26, 27, and 28, Houghton Lyric Theatre will be presenting The Old Maid and the Thief and The Telephone. These two one-act comedic operas are directed by Prof. Amanda Cox and will be performed by Kingsley Kolek ‘18, Lauren Grifoni ‘19, Daniel Bussey ‘20, Alessia Paolini ‘20, Ellenore Tarr ‘18, Aniela Perez ‘18, Sissi Lu ‘18, and Joshua Ellis ‘21, with piano by Elizabeth Liddick.

The two one-act comedic operas were composed in the early twentieth century by Gian Carlo Menotti. Originally written to be broadcasted over radio, the two shows are designed to be appreciated by the common person who could not afford to go to the theatre. The results are gripping, dramatic, and hilarious shows that are fueled by modern music.

The Old Maid and the Thief tells the story of an old maid, Miss Todd, and her housemaid, Laetitia. When a good-looking man named Bob wanders into town, the two convince him to stay with them. Miss Pinkerton, the town gossip, has heard rumors of an escaped convict in the area and warns Miss Todd that she may be harboring him. Meanwhile, Laetitia falls in love with Bob, but convinces Miss Todd that he is in love with her so that she will continue to allow him to stay with them. Eventually, Bob and Latitia run away together, but not before the true thief is revealed.

In The Telephone, Ben comes to visit Lucy at her apartment, hoping to ask for her hand in marriage before he leaves on a trip. Ben’s attempts to propose to Lucy, however, are interrupted by incessant phone calls. As Ben tries to pull Lucy’s attention away from her telephone long enough to pop the question to her, he becomes more and frustrated. This opera is full of suspense and hilarious moments that build up to a delightfully ironic conclusion.

The Old Maid and the Thief and The Telephone provide a unique opportunity for some of Houghton’s music majors. Lauren Grifoni said, “Being a part of this production is such a delight. Under the direction of Professor Cox, our cast has grown both as actors and as singers. The music has been very challenging but everyone has worked so hard to learn it and bring it to performance level.”

I’m a Lyric Theatre newbie, and I’ve appreciated working with Professor Cox and my talented castmates. They’ve been a huge source of encouragement for me as I’ve stepped into something out of my comfort zone, and I love witnessing their enthusiasm and positivity. I’m excited to portray a pretty nasty character in The Old Maid and the Thief. Mrs. Todd isn’t exactly likable, but she certainly has a lot of passion. It’s just hidden behind her knitting.

Tickets are only $5 for Houghton students and the shows will be at 7:30pm in the Center for the Arts next Thursday, Friday, and Saturday!

Categories
Opinions

Critiquing Self-Love

In a society full of pressures and stress, many people struggle with unhappiness and negative feelings about themselves. The self-love movement has swept across our culture in an effort to counteract the internal hardships so many people face. An article written for Psychology Today defines self-love as “a state of appreciation for oneself that grows from actions that support our physical, psychological and spiritual growth.” Countless articles and books offer advice on how to live your best life by loving yourself. The self-love movement has not been restricted to the secular world—many Christians have embraced it as well. But how should we respond to these ideas as people of faith? I believe that rather than embracing self-love, we should be wary of its potential dangers and never consider it separately from the Gospel.

On the surface, it is difficult to find fault with the self-love movement. What could be wrong about feeling good in your own skin, thinking encouraging thoughts, or setting aside time to focus on your health? There is nothing inherently wrong with these things, but they become dangerous when we consider them separately from the truths of the Gospel. All too often Christians have embraced the concepts of self-love without filtering them through Scripture. If we examine the tenets of self-love, it becomes clear that this movement undermines the Gospel.

One of the underlying tenets of self-love is that every person is worthy of love. No one has to earn love—we all merit it simply because we are people. According to Scripture, however, we are not worthy of love. Romans 3:23 says, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God…” One of the beauties of the Gospel is that God loved us when we were lost in sin and provided a way of salvation even though we had done nothing to merit it. Self-love encourages us to always think positively of yourself and repeat mantras like “I am enough.” But the Gospel tells us that we are decidedly not enough. We are entirely undeserving of God’s grace and can do nothing to save ourselves. Ephesians 2:8-9 says, “For it is by grace you have been saved through faith and this not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, not of works, that any man should boast.” If we believe that we merit God’s favor and are enough on our own, we lose our reliance on God’s grace for our salvation.

Another major tenant of self-love is accepting who you are, being happy in your own skin. As Christians, however, we are not called to contentment with our present selves. Instead, we are called to sanctification. We are not called to simply love ourselves and to accept our weaknesses and struggles. No, we are called to be always striving towards holiness. 2 Peter 1:3-4 says: “His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.” God demands our best and calls us to put to death the things that inhibit us from living Godly lives.

In all of this, however, I am not saying that we should hate ourselves. As human beings, each of us has been created in the image of God. It is important to recognize the value and beauty of human life. I also recognize the complexities of our feelings about ourselves, and how negative ones can fuel mental illness. But I believe that self-love is only a bandage. It is misleading to attempt to heal depression, low self-esteem, or anxiety by simply accepting ourselves. Eventually, we will always come to the end of ourselves, and if we are relying on self-love alone we will be left in despair. We cannot stop at ourselves. Instead we must find our worth in Christ. When self-deprecating thoughts creep into our lives, let us not look at our own accomplishments or repeat encouraging phrases for comfort. Instead, let us remember the work of God in our life. Alone we are broken and flawed, but in Christ we are spotless and redeemed.

Emma is a junior majoring in music education.