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Show glqnnff -A T nnlr Af A rtFntf rf ninmont 2D Dance Music Dance has a language all its own. No one knows for sure when the art form was started, but it seems that dance has always been a part of man's life. Weber State is fortunate enough to have two outstanding performing dance groups: Orchcsis and the LDS Institute Folkdanccrs. Each centers on completely different forms of dance. .7 Orchcsis, the on-campus dance group, is under the direction of Michclc Rusinko. Orchcsis is a modern dance company. Modern dance has more freedom of choreography but is more technical in movement than other forms of dance. Each danct has its own theme or mood portraying some aspect of life. One such dance the group performed this year was titled "Qualities." Choreographed by Rusinko, it was based upon the book tilled The Book of Qualities by J. Ruth Gcndlcr. "Qualities" incorporated sign language as well as other dance forms. "It was extremely well received," said Dr. T. Leonard Rowley. "It was original and so well performed," he said. Rowley is the manager of the performing art scries. Rowley said Orchcsis incorporates at least one original performance into each concert they do. "When you watch Orchcsis, you will always see something that you've never seen before and you won't see again," he said. This was the last season for Orchcsis to be under the direction of Rusinko. She will be instructing at a private college in Minnesota next year. "It's been rewarding to watch my students understand and craft their talents through their insight and discipline," said Rusinko. Orchcsis consists of 30 members who have had to pass strict auditions. Generally, a good modern dancer is strong in ballet and jazz. The Institute Folkdanccrs perform a variety of dances from different cultures and countries. Under the direction of Bob and Evelyn Clark, the Folkdanccrs perform dances from Poland, Russia, Israel, Germany, Mexico, the Philippines and America. The group consists of 16 couples. All arc WSC students or alumni. They perform an average of twice a week at various civic, church and social functions. They also perform in two large productions each year with the Latter Day Saint Student Association (LDSSA) Choralairs at Christmas and in the spring. The Folkdanccrs were forced to put forth an extra effort this year when their instructor, Bob Clark had a heart attack in January. The group was then rapidly preparing for a tour with the Institute Chorale in Idaho. "We had four new dances to learn and we just did it all ourselves," said Kent Vance, president of the group. "It was a real growing experience," he said. "Overall this is the best concert year we have ever had." Jodi Budge is a student member of both Orchcsis and the Institute Folkdanccrs. Budge said she likes modern dance because it isalways changing. She said Orchcsis will seldom do a dance more than once. On the other hand, she sai J she likes the tradition of folk dancing. Alan Stevenson Big things came in small packages this year in the music department at Weber State College. Usually only big universities try projects as encompassing as an opera, said Dr. Leonard T. Rowley, manager of the WSC Performing Arts series. But this February Weber State College brought its forces together to produce the opera Hansel and Gretel. "The opera was very well received," said Rowley. "This is quite an accomplishment for a department of this size." Dr. Paul Joines, WSC director of music education, agreed with Rowley at the impressiveness of the opera. He said the entire season seemed to be filled with large successes. "This has been the best season I've seen in the 10 years I've been here," said Joines. He said he would have a difficult time in deciding which of the performances and concerts were the best of all the WSC music groups. These groups include the Sound System, Jazz Ensemble, the Symphony Orchestra, Symphonic Band, Chamber Orchestra, Weber State Singers and Concert Choir. "The community and the state really had some excellent opportunities to see what was happening at Weber State this year," Joines said, "and they were impressed." Joines said some of the memorable moments for him this year were the performances of the WSC . Symphony Orchestra and Chamber Orchestra in the recent spring concert, and the Concert Choir at the Utah Music Educator's Convention in Saint George. He said the orchestra concert was the best he remembers at WSC and that the choir literally floored the rest of the state at the convention. The Performing Arts Faculty Showcase started off in October with the Evelyn Harris vocal recital and culminated with the Faculty Quartet on May 2nd. "This was a great success," said Rowley. "It was exciting to see the activity's success at an institution where it had never been done before." Joines said he was especially satisfied with the performance of percussionist Don Keipp. One of the pieces Keipp performed was a contemporary selection about the diminishing world. In this rendition, he arranged for a scries of candles to go out until, at the end, the entire stage was dark. Utah audiences arc not known for accepting contemporary music, he said, but the audience was extremely excited about Kcipp's performance. Other music faculty members performing in the Faculty Showcase were Michael Palumbo on viola, Dan Harrison on piano and Joines on cello. On another note, Dr. Thomas Root has expended a tremendous amount of energy in co-chairing the production committee with Ric Hamblin for the annual Crystal Crest program. The theme "Ils's What They Call Magic" lends itself to a 1930's nightclub setting. He has used his organizational talents in pulling together several musical and dance groups to produce a well-orchestrated program to enhance the awards evening. Root has also written several compositions that have been published and played nationwide. His latest "Rainbow Bridge Suite" was just premiered. Recently, the music department recognized the most outstanding students for the year. Rebecca Dobson was named outstanding academician, and Anne Reid was singled out as the outstanding graduating senior. Wclson Trcmura received the distinguished service award in music. Those receiving awards as outstanding members of performing groups included Bruce Goudclock, Concert Choir; Amy Muir, Symphony Orchestra; Anne Reid, Symphonic Band; Shawn Satterlhwaite, Sound System; Robert Clifford, Jazz Ensemble; Brent Rhodes, Weber State Singers. D JaNae Barlow Music TRENds MiiL A " " 7 1 :' V' ri - $ J Uj J v ' This year we have seen the resurgence of hard rock and heavy metal. Groups like Megadclh, White Lion, and Whitcsnake all burst on to the scene. Whitcsnake, for example, has been around for years and finally broke through this year. The harder hitting music has also shown that it can be played heavily on the air waves (for example: Poison and Dcf Lcppard).Thcre was also a resurgence of older groups. The ones that come to mind are Aerosmith and KISS. Both have had successful albums and very lucrative tours. Modern music ( otherwise known as New Wave) has made leaps and bounds in today's society. Here in the Ogdcn area we have at least one station that caters to these need. Our own KWCR is playing a lot of the latest music. It's about time this music has come out of the closet. U2, OMD, and INXS are now common on all radio stations. Teenie-boppcrs have been very noticeable also. Tiffany and Debbie Gibson lead the way. They play for a younger audience with money to spend on their records. It's something to divert your time. Now rap has once again gone downhill. The problem is it's not getting the attention it once did. Where have RUN-DMC and the Beastie Boys gone? who knows. But then there is always good work done by groups like Whodini and others. Finally there are those who live in the past. That's not too bad. It's a convenient place. You will still go into some restrooms and see "Zeppelin Rules" or "Sabbath Kicks ." But whatever kind of music you listen to, it's made for you to enjoy. Learn to tolerate the likes of others. O Fete Tesch |