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Show FOCUS: CONVOCATI THE UNIVERSITY JOURNAL• SOUTHERN UTAH UMVERSITY WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 1995 Singer, opera director Dennis fackson to speak at tomorrow's Con vocation lecture fackson will also direct SUU's production of 'La Boheme' which opens tomorrow night Dennis Jackson By JIM ROBINSON CAMPUS EDITOR Dennis Jackson, gue t dir ctor of the Southern Utah University presentation of the opera "La Boheme" and an experienced performer and music ducator, will speak tomorrow as part of the university's Conv cation lecture series. "La Boh m "will open that night in the SUU Auditorium, which is also the site of Jackson's 11 a.m. Convocation Jecture. The Convocation presentation is free, and students and members of the community are invited and encouraged to attend. "Sp ciaJ insights into opera, into the work necessary to present grand opera, and into 'La Boheme' itself will be offered by Dr. Jackson," Lana Johnson, SUU director of lectures/special projects, aid. "Thi Convocation is particularly timeJy because it comes just before the first of four performances of a popular opera here on the SUU campus," Johnson added. While Jack on will not be performing in the SUU opera production, he has ung in many opera presentation , orchestral concerts and voice recitals in everal states. A baritone, be ha also appeared as a soloist with nurnerou symphony orchestras in major performance . His list of solo recitals include presentations in I California, Arizona, Texas, Nebraska, Colorado, South Dakota, West Virginia, Wyoming, Kentucky, Michigan, Tennessee, as well as in other countries including London, England. "Dr. Jackson is certainly no stranger to guest directing, to musical theater administration, nor to music education," Johnson explains. 'Spedal. insights into opera, into, the .work 11-ecessary to · present ~IUJd,oper~ .and into :ta lloheate itself will b~ off_er~B by Dr.1~cksomj said Lana li6bnso!J, $Ul1 aiiector of lectttres ~pecial and . pro1ects. : :, "He has extensive and highly recognized experience in each of those areas. Currently, he is director of the Lyric Theatre Program, which presents five productions each year at the University of Colorado. He has been chairman of the music department at two univer ities, Nebraska Wesleyan University and Union College in Kentucky." Since 1971, Jackson has been on the mu ic faculty at the University of Colorado where he has held positions such as professor of voice and voice £acuity chairman. Prior to that he had teaching experience at Nebraska Wesleyan University, Union College, University of Michigan, and Wichita State University. While at the University of Colorado, he has initiated several new programs, including a voice theater major and master's degrees in opera conducting and in opera accompanying and coaching. "This is a speaker who has an exceptional breadth and depth of both education and practical experience in vocal music presentation," Johnson said. "His ob ervations come from a unique perspective," she added. Jackson earned a bachelor's degree in political science from Texas Wesleyan College. His master's degree in voice performance came from Wichita State, and his doctorate in voice performance was awarded by the University of Michigan. SUU's production of La Boheme, directed by Jackson, opens tonight at 7:30 p.m. in the Auditori um . Additional performance will be held on Friday, Saturday and Monday, also at 7:30 p.rn. Tickets are now availabJe at the Auditorium Box Office; ad.mis ion i $8. |