UNews - Gerald Rogers

��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge musicians mentor middle school band in rare virtual partnership

trevor.kenney — Tue, 10 Nov 2020 16:37:38 +0000

What is an ensemble musician to do when they can no longer do what they love most? The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Wind Orchestra and Gilbert Paterson Middle School band program turned to each other when faced with a common predicament, and it has resulted in a rare virtual partnership.

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Wind Orchestra and Gilbert Paterson Middle School band program turned to each other when faced with a common predicament.

When COVID restrictions meant the U of L’s Wind Orchestra would no longer be able to practice together in-person, director Dr. Chee Meng Low reached out to colleague Karly Lewis (BMus ’97), band director at Gilbert Paterson Middle School.

“When COVID hit, my whole band program was thrown online and there’s no platform where we can do ensemble training online,” explains Lewis. “With no fault to our district, there was this anxiety to collect all the instruments back for fear that they would never be returned. I said, I will not do that.

“I started receiving emails from parents grateful to the school that the kids were able to keep playing because of their mental wellness. They were able to turn to something that allowed them to escape, because when you play an instrument, you’re allowed to escape to wherever you want to go.”

Lewis and Low knew both their ensembles needed an outlet to practice. This fall, university-level musicians enrolled in the Wind Orchestra ensemble began partnering, virtually, with grade 7 and 8 band students for weekly rehearsals over Zoom. By pairing beginners with university-level musicians, the students and the advanced players, who are challenged to think in a different way, are advancing their skills.

“That one-on-one time at this stage of a musician’s development is so valuable,” says Gerald Rogers (BMus ’20), a recent graduate and member of the Wind Orchestra. “In the long run, it’s only going to help them because they’re getting focused sessions with other musicians, and it’s a good experience for the university students because learning to teach is completely different than learning to play music.”

Bandmate Claire McMahon agrees.

“I have to really think about the fundamentals of the instrument again, so my technique has been improving a lot just from having to think about how to teach technique” she says. “The kids struggle with the same stuff I still struggle with, so it has been forcing me to practice those things so I can demonstrate in the lessons.”

Each Wednesday evening, 47 middle school students join the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Wind Orchestra online and break out into 23 rooms where Low and Lewis can move between to see how the lessons are progressing.

Rogers and McMahon, ironically, both started their ensemble careers in the Gilbert Paterson band program, under the direction of Lewis. They identify with her current students and recall the high expectations she has for her classes.

“I remember there was an expectation, and if you knew what was good for you, you were going to meet it,” says Rogers with a laugh. “It taught me the benefit of working hard at something. Having gone through her program, it gives me a good idea of how much I can ask of her students.”

McMahon is thrilled to be part of this mentorship program, recalling the influence senior students had on her decision to attend the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ when they visited her high school and worked directly with her and her classmates.

“The Wind Orchestra has always done a lot of events in the community, high school outreach, recruitment activities – and it works,” says McMahon. “I definitely felt more comfortable going into the program because I knew these three clinicians I’d been working with were going to be upperclassmen.”

Lewis is a self-proclaimed ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge lifer – starting with the Conservatory of Music as a child, then attending the U of L to study music and, today, continuing to partner with faculty and students in her role as band director.

“I started taking horn lessons with Tom Staples (former Wind Orchestra director and Department of Music professor emeritus) when I was 12, and then continued on until I was 22,” says Lewis. “I also attended Gilbert Paterson, where Susie Staples, Tom’s wife, was my band teacher. So, the web that has been woven for me musically in Lethbridge has been pretty incredible.”

Lewis has been teaching band for 20 years, 14 of those at Gilbert Paterson. She is known in the music community for the strong young players who come out of her program. She is grateful to Low and the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Wind Orchestra for their willingness to mentor her students.

“Hopefully we will be able to partner again in the future.”

Both ensembles can’t wait to get back to practicing in person, and in the meantime, this rare virtual partnership is benefiting the skills, and well-being, of everyone involved.

High school students meet the challenge of university coursework

caroline.zentner — Mon, 09 May 2016 20:56:12 +0000

The high school students in Deborah Jarvie’s Systems and Supply Chain Management class are well on their way to being ready for university-level coursework, thanks to the dual credit initiative (DCI) between Lethbridge Collegiate Institute and the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge.

The class was the second DCI course; Liberal Education 1000, offered in the fall semester, was the first. The DCI is currently a pilot program being funded by Alberta Education. The students don’t pay tuition fees but have full access to U of L facilities and resources. The program allows high school students to earn high school and university credits at the same time.

High school students taking Systems and Supply Chain Management posed for a photo with their instructor, Deb Jarvie, wearing a red scarf, following their recent final presentations.

Jarvie has been teaching at the post-secondary level for about 20 years so she wasn’t sure what to expect when she began teaching Grade 11 and 12 students.

“They were such a lovely group of students. They were really eager to participate in everything we did. They dived into their project work like nobody’s business,” she says.

The class incorporated everything from inventory and procurement of materials to facility management and customers and suppliers. Supply chain management looks at all aspects of management, from the raw materials in the ground to the final consumer and, eventually, to recycling.

One of the main objectives of the course was to give students an understanding of the technical aspects of supply chain management and have them apply that understanding to the world around them. They saw theory at work when they took a field trip to Haul-All Equipment Systems, the corporate sponsor for the class. The students toured the manufacturing plant and saw the steps involved in the manufacturing process.

Gerald Rogers, a Grade 12 student, says the trip to Haul-All was a high spot of the course because he could see the principles he learned in the classroom put into action.

“Another highlight of the course for me was learning about the processes involved in creating a product. For tech businesses, a mineral that goes into a computer can start in Africa and end up in the phone in your pocket,” he says.

Like students in any university course, what they took away from the course depended on their interests going in. Megh Patel, a Grade 11 student, took the course because of his interest in business and he knew he would learn a lot in the process.

“I learned just how complex businesses can get when they’re growing and how companies have to work and change their supply chain in order to find success,” says Patel.

“I want to go into politics and I felt like this course would help me. A lot of politicians today don’t really know how business works,” says Anthony Castillo. “This course helped me learn how everything’s not separate; it’s all interconnected.”

Jarvie says the course gave students the opportunity to explore what learning is like at the post-secondary level, where students have to be more self-directed and independent in pursuing coursework.

“There wasn’t a teacher pushing me the whole time. It was more myself — I have to finish this project; I need to meet up with my group. I think it’s a good lesson to get ready for university, to get mentally prepared for the challenge, but I’m really excited for it,” says Paul Dumont, a Grade 11 student.

“High school courses are all so structured and the curriculum is straightforward — this is what you’re going to learn. But in this class, she gives you the textbook, she gives you the discussions in class but then you go through it yourself and you talk about it with your group and you apply it to other things. It makes so much more sense; you can apply it everywhere. It was cool,” says Allie Edwards.

The students recently gave their final presentations in a U of L lecture theatre. The topics included retailing, Coca-Cola’s distribution system, starting a student-focused laptop company, and outsourcing and its effects on manufacturing. In the audience was Don Lacey, a trustee with Lethbridge School District No. 51.

“The dual credit initiative is something that should expand,” says Lacey, adding he expects it will be funded on a more permanent basis in the future, thus allowing post-secondary institutions to develop courses and plan several years ahead.

“Overall, I think it’s a fantastic program. I’m really happy that the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ decided to go down this road,” says Jarvie. “I’m thrilled I was able to be a part of it. It was an honour to work with this group of students.”

Edwards says she wouldn’t hesitate to recommend the course to other high school students.

“Definitely take it. It was a really good opportunity; it was lots of hard work but I enjoyed it,” she says.

Events - March/April

trevor.kenney — Mon, 21 Mar 2011 17:41:16 +0000

Lectures

Mar. 15 | Brain Awareness Week
Dr. Bruce McNaughton presents, How Memory Works and Why it Sometimes Doesn't
7 p.m., Yates Memorial Centre

Mar. 16 | Pizza, Pop and Presentation
How to deal with annoying people (& make sure you're not one)
Noon, TH143

Mar. 16 | Art Now: DodoLab
Noon, ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Recital Hall (W570)

Mar. 16 | Department of Philosophy Speakers' Series | Kent Peacock presents, Energy Entanglement and Causality in Quantum Mechanics
4 p.m., B650

Mar. 16 | Climate Change National Speaker Series | Thomas F. Pedersen presents, Climate Change and the Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions: Blending Science, Social Science, Politics and Opportunity
7 p.m., PE261

Mar. 18 | Art Now: Chris Cran
Noon, ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Recital Hall (W570)

Mar. 21 | ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Scholars Talk
Judith Kulig presents, Rural Health: Expanding our Horizons through a Community-Based Research Program
1 p.m., Andy's Place (AH100)

Mar. 21 | Architecture & Design Now: Peter Fleming | 6 p.m., C610

Mar. 23 | Pizza, Pop and Presentation
Mindfulness, strategies to help with stress, anxiety, trauma and focus
Noon, TH143

Mar. 23 | WestGrid Seminar Series
Raymond Spiteri discusses stiffness analysis of cardiac cell models
1 p.m., CRDC, L1126

Mar. 24 | ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Scholars Talk
Dr. Heidi MacDonald presents, Coming of Age During the Great Depression in Canada
1 p.m., Andy's Place (AH100)

Mar. 25 | Art Now: Jessica Bradley
Noon, ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Recital Hall (W570)

Mar. 28 | Art Now: Jim Ellis
Noon, ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Recital Hall (W570)

Mar. 28 | Architecture & Design Now: Jim Ellis | 6 p.m., C610

Mar. 30 | Pizza, Pop and Presentation
Stressed?! Strategies to handle stress | Noon, TH241

Mar. 31 | ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Scholars Talk
Marc Roussel presents, Randomness in Biochemical Reactions
1 p.m., Andy's Place (AH100)

Apr. 4 | Art Now: Ken Allan
Noon, ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Recital Hall (W570)

Apr. 6 | WestGrid Seminar Series
Masao Fujinaga discusses using MATLAB on WestGrid equipment
1 p.m., CRDC, L1126

Apr. 7 | Pizza, Pop and Presentation
Study Skills | 1:15 p.m., L1170A

Miscellaneous

Mar. 11 to Apr. 15 | ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Art Gallery Exhibition | Annual Curated Student Exhibit | Main Gallery

Mar. 16 | Farewell Reception: Bill Hudgins | Retirement reception for longtime staffer Bill Hudgins
2:30 p.m., Andy's Place (AH100)

Mar. 16 | Documentary Film screening
The Union: The Business Behind Getting High | 7 p.m., the Zoo

Mar. 18 | Public Health Ethics Videoconference | Moral Residue, Moral Distress, and the Hope of Moral Dialogue: Navigating Competing Demands in Public Health Practice
Noon, B716

Mar. 19 | CCBN Open House
Tour the Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience | 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Mar. 22 | Sun Life Financial Leadership Program | Employer information session
5:30 p.m., Andy's Place (AH100)

Mar. 25, Apr. 4, Apr. 11 | Volunteer Tax Program | Students get their taxes filed for free
9 a.m., Markin Hall, M2044

Performances

Mar. 17 | Faculty Artists & Friends Series | La Virtuosissima Cantatrice: Sings by Italian Baroque Women
8 p.m., ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Recital Hall (W570)

Mar. 22 | Music at Noon: Dr. Thomas Staples (horn), Glen Montgomery
12:15 p.m., ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Recital Hall (W570)

Mar. 22-26 | Richard III by William Shakespeare | The eternal classic fraught with treachery, seduction and murder as Richard III attempts to claim the throne of England
8 p.m. nightly, ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Theatre

Mar. 26 | Rhythm-a-ning: Adventures in Rhythm | U of L Jazz Ensemble performs selections from jazz performers/composers including Thelonius Monk, Stan Kenton and Count Basie
8 p.m., Southminster United Church

Mar. 28 | Shadowcatcher
Lethbridge Symphony with the U of L Faculty Brass Quintet: Trudi Mason (trumpet); Keith Griffioen (trumpet); Dr. Thomas Staples (horn); Gerald Rogers (trombone); Nick Sullivan (bass trombone) | 8 p.m., Southminster United Church

Mar. 29 | Music at Noon: Sandra Stringer (mezzo-soprano) & Glen Montgomery (piano) | 12:15 p.m., ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Recital Hall (W570)

Mar. 31 | Plays and Prose Competition Winners – Evening Celebration
U of L students read their winning entries from the Striking Prose and PlayRight Prize competitions
7 p.m., David Spinks Theatre

Apr. 1-2 | Global Drums
Enjoy Steel Drums, African Drums, Taiko Ensemble, Brazilian and Samba Ensemble
8 p.m. nightly, ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Theatre

Apr. 5 | Joining Forces: Vox Musica and LCI Singers | The groups perform individually, then join forces for John Rutter's Mass for the Children | 8 p.m., Southminster United Church

Apr. 8 | U of L Wind Orchestra
Wind Up
8 p.m. Southminster United Church

Apr. 9 | Western Wind
U of L Singers and Women's Chorus capture the spirit of Renaissance choral masters Jon Taverner and Christopher Tye in a program of wind-inspired music | 8 p.m., Southminster United Church

Apr. 12 | Music at Noon: Studio Showcase | 12:15 p.m., ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Recital Hall (W570)

For a look at the March issue of the Legend in a flipbook format, follow this link.

Performing Arts events

trevor.kenney — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 19:30:19 +0000

THEATRE & MUSIC

November 22
Ode to Joy
(Beethoven's Symphony #9)
8 p.m., Southminster United Church
Lethbridge Symphony and Vox Musica with soloists Janet Youngdahl, soprano; Sandra Stringer, mezzo-soprano; Blaine Hendsbee, tenor; and George Evelyn, bass-baritone. Tickets: 403-329-7328.

November 23-27
Spring Awakening by Frank Wedekind (English Translation by Jonathan Franzen)
8 p.m., ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Theatre
Written in 1891 and not performed uncensored for decades, this "children's tragedy" is as much a statement about sexual morality and bourgeois hypocrisy today as it was a century ago. A group of teens experience a sexual awakening, becoming curious about their bodies, each other, masturbation and more. Teachers and parents fight to protect them, with both hilarious and disastrous results. Mature content.

November 26
U of L Wind Orchestra Concert
8 p.m., Southminster United Church

November 30
Magnum Mysterium (Great Mystery)
8 p.m., Southminster United Church | Vox Musica and the U of L Women's Chorus.

December 1
Birth of the Cool
8 p.m., ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Theatre | The U of L Jazz Ensemble performs music from the famous album Birth of the Cool and other well-known Miles Davis songs, including All Blue and So What.

December 3
Classical Percussion Concert
8 p.m., ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Theatre | The
U of L Percussion Ensemble performs compelling modern and classical repertoire with a touch of Christmas.

December 4 & 5
Magnificat & Messiah
8 p.m., Dec. 4 | 3 p.m., Dec. 5, Southminster United Church | The LSO with the U of L Singers perform Bach's Magnificat and the Christmas part of Handel's Messiah. Tickets: 403-329-7328. LSO Master Series

January 22
Big Band Cabaret
8 p.m., U of L Ballrooms (Students' Union Building) | Enjoy a silent auction, door prizes, and dancing to the music of the Lethbridge Big Band.

January 20-22
TheatreXtra
8 p.m., David Spinks Theatre; Matinee: 2 p.m., Jan. 22

January 22
Classical Winds
8 p.m., ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Recital Hall
Features Thomas Staples, horn; Margaret Mezei, clarinet; and Deanna Oye, piano; with friends. Faculty Artists & Friends Series

January 23
Classical Winds
2 p.m., Medicine Hat Esplanade Studio Theatre | The concert is followed by a
U of L alumni reception. Faculty Artists & Friends Series

January 27
Schubertiade
7:30 p.m., Lethbridge Public Library Theatre | A celebration of Franz Schubert's music presented by music faculty and students. Free admission.

January 28
Original Brass
8 p.m., Southminster United Church
U of L Faculty Brass Quintet: Trudi Mason, trumpet; Keith Griffioen, trumpet; Thomas Staples, horn; Gerald Rogers, trombone; Nick Sullivan, bass trombone. Tickets:
403-329-7328. LSO Chamber Series

January 29
Abbondànza
6 p.m., CoCo Pazzo Italian Café
The 10th annual memorable evening of gourmet food, fine art and fun, to raise funds for Fine Arts student scholarships. Tickets limited, book early: 403-329-2227.

February 7
Happy 50th Birthday LSO!
8 p.m., Southminster United Church
The Lethbridge Symphony, with the Musaeus String Quartet, performs works by Leonard Bernstein, Tchaikovsky and
U of L Professor Emeritus John-Paul Christopher Jackson. | Tickets: 403-329-7328. LSO Master Series

February 11 & 12
An Evening of Chamber Opera
8 p.m., ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Recital Hall
Giancarlo Menotti's comic radio opera The Old Maid and the Thief headlines this Opera Workshop performance, which also includes Samuel Barber's A Hand of Bridge and the delightful 18th century comedy La Cantarina by Franz Joseph Haydn.

February 15-19
The Seagull by Anton Chekhov
8 p.m., David Spinks Theatre
Konstantin loves his mother but is jealous of her fame and depressed about his lack of success as a playwright. He despises the celebrated young writer who lives with her and seems to have captured the attention of the girl he adores. Passions abound and idealism is challenged by triviality in this absorbing drama from the master of comic realism.

ART

November 20
Button Making with Trap/door
What's the most creative thing you can fit onto a 1" round button? Here's a great way to test your eye for things on a smaller scale. Buttons are $1 each, or 5 for $3. All the proceeds go to Trap/door Artist Run Centre.

January 15
Prairie Ink Drawings
In celebration of A Little History on the Prairies, you can make your own prairie ink – just like they did waaaaaay back when. Use your ink to draw a prairie landscape that may or may not contain a little house!

February 5
Printmaking
An annual favourite, all materials are provided and it's easy to do, not to mention lots of fun.

EXHIBITIONS

U of L Main Gallery

November 5 to January 7
Promising Objects

January 14 to February 25
A Little History on the Prairies

HELEN CHRISTOU GALLERY

October 29 to January 14
Lethbridge National Park
(art + people = x series)

January 21 to April 8
Projects by Museum Studies Interns

For more information about any of these events, visit:
www.ulethbridge.ca/finearts/events

For a look at the full issue of SAM in a flipbook format, follow this link.

Brass quintet takes to stage

trevor.kenney — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 22:08:35 +0000

An evening of lighthearted entertainment with the U of L Brass Quintet is in store for audiences attending the American in Paris concert, Saturday, Apr. 17 at 8 p.m. in the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Recital Hall.

This is the final concert of the season for the Faculty Artists and Friends series.

"The music featured is either French composed-American inspired, or American composed-French inspired," says Nick Sullivan, trombonist and music faculty. "The Brass Quintet is playing a transcription of Gershwin's American in Paris, with other offerings including selections from Porgy and Bess and Debussy's Gollywog's Cakewalk."

The U of L Brass Quintet is a relatively new ensemble to the Department of Music.

"We started the ensemble two years ago," says Sullivan. "We all love brass music, and with the support and talent of players at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ and in the community, it seemed a perfect opportunity to come together and play some great brass chamber music."

Comprised of members Nick Sullivan, Dr. Thomas Staples, Trudi Mason, Gerald Rogers and Keith Griffioen, the U of L Brass Quintet was featured with the Lethbridge Symphony Orchestra and with the Music at Noon concert series on campus.

In addition to the Brass Quintet, other friends are taking to the stage to continue the evening's French/American inspired program.

"Dr. Sandra Stringer and Elinor Lawson perform excerpts from the Aaron Copland's Emily Dickinson Songs and Peter Visentin is performing the Ravel Violin Sonata, the middle movement of which is inspired by Blues," says Dr. Brian Black, concert co-ordinator.

Tickets for this event are available from the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Box Office (403-329-2616), open Monday to Friday from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. Tickets are priced at $15 regular and $10 for students and seniors.

Sensuality kicks off Faculty Artist and Friends Series

trevor.kenney — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 20:24:25 +0000

The heat in the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Recital Hall will go up several degrees with the Faculty Artist and Friends first concert of the season, Tango~Waltz~Tango, on Oct. 3 at 8 p.m. Sizzling melodies, hot rhythms and rich instrumentation will get audience hearts pounding and toes tapping.

"There's been a revival of these dances in popular culture recently," Dr. Deanna Oye, Faculty Artist and Friends Series coordinator and music faculty, says. "The spirit of these two dances compliment each other nicely – both are elegant, but tell different stories. The waltz is amorous, while the tango is boldly passionate."

"The etudes of Astor Piazzolla are performed by a jazz ensemble featuring tenor saxophonist, Dr. David Renter," Oye adds.

The finale of Le Cumparsita, a tango of the 1900s, will also dazzle audiences. As well, a unique arrangement of the Liebeslieder Waltzes by Brahms for piano duo and vocal quartet is on the program.

This year's Faculty Artist and Friends Series highlights the talents and musicianship of U of L music faculty and their guests.

Dale Ketcheson inspires audiences with his classical guitar pieces on Nov. 7.

On Jan. 30, 2010 a celebration of great composers will present a program of music from masters Schumann and Chopin, on the occasion of their 200th birthdays.

The final concert in the series, An American in Paris, features the U of L Faculty Brass Quintet, consisting of Trudi Mason (trumpet), Keith Griffioen (trumpet), Dr. Thomas Staples (horn), Gerald Rogers (trombone) and Nick Sullivan (bass trombone). The concert, on April 17, 2010, includes a mélange of French-inspired music and American blues.

Season tickets for the series are available at a 25 per cent discount – simply put, buy three get one free. Individual tickets are $15 for regular admission and $10 student/senior. The season ticket price is four performances for $45 regular and $30 student/senior.

Season tickets are available through Oct. 3 from the Box Office (404-329-2616).

UNews - Gerald Rogers

��Ѹ�����Դ���߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge musicians mentor middle school band in rare virtual partnership

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High school students meet the challenge of university coursework

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Brass quintet takes to stage

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Sensuality kicks off Faculty Artist and Friends Series

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��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge musicians mentor middle school band in rare virtual partnership