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Show 8 The Signpost - Wednesday, May 17, 1989 Utah gives female unique chance as conductor By Debra George Asst. Arts & Entertainment Editor "Utah is supposed to be so terrible for women, yet I'm only one of seven women in the U.S. with a university conducting job. I thank Utah for that," said University of Utah Orchestra Conductor Dr. Madeline F. Schatz " as she spoke to a group of music students last Thursday in the Browning Center. Dr. Schatz prefaced her remarks about women conductors by saying, "It angers me that I have to talk about this subject, but it also excites me to be able to talk about it. It shouldn't be any different for a woman or man to be conducting, but it is." Pure numbers alone prove her point. While 68 of people studying for music degrees in colleges and universities are women, only 20-30 of those in music professions are women. What happened to the other 38 of women in between the universities and the professional musical organizations? Dr. Schatz points out that while some women may just quit voluntarily to raise families, we need to realize that women are only barely coming out of the age of discrimination in music. Twenty years ago, only 2 of orchestral members were women. Today, women fill 34 of the musicians' seats. Yet in the area of conducting, women are still having a hard time convincing both the public and the music guilds to give them a chance. There are only 12 women conductors in the U.S.; seven at universities and 5 conducting professional orchestras. And there is still not a woman concert master or conductor in any major orchestra in the U.S. "Why is it that women are not doing it? It just hasn't been done that way; it's unconventional. We're still not used to seeing women conduct," said Dr. Schatz. But interestingly enough, "It's the women that keep us from hiring women directors," she said. Dr. Schatz explained that in any professional orchestra, ticket sales only amount to 10 of the budget total while grants and corporate donations account for another 30 percent. So each individual orchestra still has to come up with 60 of their budget through fundraising efforts of volunteer groups. And who usually heads up these fundraising music guilds? Women. So what's the problem? The problem, as Dr. Schatz sees it, is that most women don't mind raising money for good-looking and charismatic male conductors. But of the 12 women conductors in the U.S., not many are very attractive. So, put a homely-looking women on the podium and the women's organization doesn't want to donate their time anymore. Your skill as a conductor is in the end run not as important as your sex. (see CONDUCTOR on page 9) Q, OU21 Music provided by PRODUCTION AUDIO II m: PRIZES GIVEN FOR... BEST MALE TAN BEST FEMALE TAN BEST FARMER'STAN BEST NON-TAN BEST GROUP TAN (3-member minimum) to the KWCR kciric?8Swance FRIDA Y, MAY 26TH 8 P.M. TO 1 2 :30 P.M. U.B. BALLROOM ONLY $3PERSON Centennial Singers to perform The Weber State Centennial Singers spring concert is scheduled May 19 and 20 at 8 p.m. in the Allred Theatre of the Val. A. Browning Center for the Performing Arts. "This group of highly select voices is in constant demand by the college and community for programs and entertainment throughout the year," said Evelyn Harris, director of the group. They were asked by the college centennial committee to call themselves the Weber State Centennial Singers because they are active outstanding representatives for the school. They have already performed 48 times this year and have 15 more performances scheduled before the end of the spring quarter. There are 20 singers in the group. Kevin Mathie is the accompanist and Kristen Olscn serves as assistant accompanist. "Their versatile repertoire varies from the more serious selections to contemporary music of our time. Choreography adds interest and excitement to their performances," Harris said. (see SINGERS on page 9) Concert not only for mothers Brett Hart Staff Reporter The Department of Preforming Arts celebrated Mother's Day Sunday, with a special evening concert offered free to the public. Weber State's Concert and Women's choirs, in conjunction with the Symphonic Band and Brass Ensemble, presented a wide variety of musical numbers in honor of mom. The 12-member Women's Choir, directed by Joseph Graves, presented six numbers. The most moving of which, entitled "Why Has Love Passed Her By," describes a beautiful, caring person who has simply seemed to pass by. In spite of being few in numbers, the women's presentation and direction was excellent. The group itself is highly talented featuring a number of skilled accompanists. The Weber State Concert Choir presented five numbers which ranged from "Bailero," a Basque folk song from Northern Spain, to a selection of American folk songs including "Colorado Trail," featuring the men. The Concert Choir is made up of approximately 80 students. It was impressive not only in its power and ability, but in the range of sensitivity and feeling the choir was able to portray, this is not easily achieved by such a large group. The Choir will represent Weber this summer as they tour the British Isles. Sunday night's concert also featured a traditional barbershop quartet which "praised" mom by singing their rendition of a favorite number called "Mother." The song begins, "'M' is for the many things she gave me. 'O ' is for the, "other" things she gave me. 'T' is for the...(pause)...the things she gave me, and so on." The hilarious quartet brought raves from the audience. The concert then featured the WSC Brass Ensemble and Symphonic Band conducted by Thomas Root. The Ensemble presented the fanfare from "La Peri." The band then presented two other numbers including a beautiful arrangement of "Prelude and Gloscoso" that was arranged by Root. The evening's finale combined the choirs and band for 'Toward the Unknown Region," a Walt Whitman poem set to music by English composer R. Vaughn Williams. Kissing (cont'd from page 7) that you kissed someone, tell the person you kissed, not all your friends. If you kiss someone and don't enjoy it, don' t lose hope. Try it a couple more times to see if your opinion changes. It it doesn't, try making conversation instead. Don't over do it It gets pretty repulsive to watch a couple who are constantly kissing-it makes you wonder if they ever talk to each other. Don't expect the world. Just because you kiss someone, doesn't mean that you are going out ring shopping tomorrow. Kissing is important, but not THAT important. The most important thing about kissing is to enjoy it If you follow these tips and use some creativity, kissing should be no problem. Just have fun. WANT TO HAVE FUN FAIL QUARTER? Join Weber State's Marching Band or Colorguard (Flag Team) You Don't Have To Be A Music Student To Participate! Information Call: Dr. Thomas R Root 626-6443 Dr. Donald Keipp 626-7073 OR CONTACT THE DEPARTMENT OF PERFORMING ARTS AT: 626-6437 |