UNews - ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Hall Atrium

Pianos as you've never heard, or seen, before

trevor.kenney — Tue, 17 Sep 2013 17:03:42 +0000

Hear two pianists, with very different backgrounds and styles, coming together on two grand pianos integrated with electronics and computers - a chance to see each pianist shine and to see the synergy of live collaboration.

Aaron Collier will perform a set of piano improvisations utilizing live sampling, looping and layering techniques with a computer. Jesse Plessis will play a handful of modern works, some with computer, by electronic-music pioneer Karlheinz Stockhausen, one of Canada's greatest composers, Ann Southam, the young American, Nico Muhly, and one robot-inspired work by Radiohead. The duo appear in Two Pianos + Computers, Saturday, Sept. 21 at 8 p.m. in the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Hall Atrium.

Two Pianos + Computers promises to be one of the more unique musical offerings to hit the stage this year.

The duo will wrap up this unique evening with what they describe as a “turbo-rad collaborative piece”.

Aaron Collier

Aaron Collier may be known as one of Atlantic Canada’s most consistently innovative keyboardists, but the Prince Edward Island native is most recently calling Lethbridge home. Collier studied the piano privately in Prince Edward Island until his graduating year of high school before embarking on 14 years of national and international touring and recording with various rock, pop and jazz artists.

In 2001, Collier became the keyboardist for international touring and recording artists The Jimmy Swift Band. In the following decade the group released four studio albums and two live recordings. In 2006, Collier along with JSB frontman Craig Mercer created the “looping madness duo” Scientists of Sound, a theatrical and high-energy electro project which continues to create intense live shows for eager audiences worldwide.

In 2008, Collier released his first full-length album of electronic music, Love, and in September 2010 he released the improvised piano+computer recording Neo.

Collier is an award-winning sound designer in theatre and recent credits include the world-premiere of Daniel MacIvor’s I Animal at the Supernova and Summerworks festivals in Halifax and Toronto, as well as Jay Whitehead and Daniel Judes’ UNSEX’d in Lethbridge, Dublin, and Halifax. He is presently creating a new show called The Myth of Canada under his alter-ego Chandelier, and is workshopping the work as one of CASA’s inaugural resident artists in November.

www.aaroncollier.ca

Jesse Plessis

Pianist and composer Jesse Plessis recently obtained a Master of Music degree (Performance and Literature) from Brandon ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ where he studied piano with Megumi Masaki and composition with Patrick Carrabre. His Bachelor of Music degree is from the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge where he studied piano with Deanna Oye and composition with Dr. Arlan Schultz and Dr. Rolf Boon.

Plessis has been awarded prizes both in piano and composition. His own works have been broadcast on CBC, and he has performed as a guest artist with several ensembles including the Musaeus String Quartet, the Land’s End Chamber Ensemble, and the International Piano Ensemble. He was recently one of 12 pianists admitted to the London Masterclasses, a program held each July at the Royal College of Music.

He has had the opportunity to give the Canadian premieres of works by Marcel Bergmann, Kaija Saariaho, John Corigliano, Nico Muhly, and Kjartan Olafsson. Recent performances include those with New West Theatre, at the Casalmaggiore Festival in Italy, the Dark Music Days Festival in Iceland and at the Banff Centre.

Plessis is also one half of the Hansen-Plessis Piano Duo (alongside Bente Hansen, ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge) which explores the possibilities of popular music in the concert hall alongside the classical repertoire.

A sometime conductor, Plessis has directed performances with the Brandon ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ New Music Ensemble (BUNME), the Brandon ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Orchestra and several musical theatre productions.

Tickets to Two Pianos + Computers are available by calling the Box Office at 403-329-2616 or online at www.uleth.ca/tickets.

Teacher Job Fair connects students to employers

trevor.kenney — Tue, 22 Jan 2013 17:12:34 +0000

Even in a challenging economy, people still have to learn - and the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Faculty of Education is well known for supplying high-quality teachers to the profession who work locally, regionally, nationally and internationally.

Since 2003, the Faculty's well-deserved reputation for excellence has brought more than 30 school boards or educational organizations to its annual Teacher Job Fair.

This year, the Teacher Job Fair takes place on Wednesday, Jan. 23, beginning at 9:30 a.m. in the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Hall Atrium.

The Teacher Job Fair allows students opportunity to establish one-on-one contact with representatives from prospective school boards from as far as the United Kingdom.

"We provide a service to current students and recent graduates that allows them to interact with future employers," says Nicole Spence, Teacher Job Fair co-ordinator. "Many students will be ready to teach within the next few months and the job fair can present opportunities for employment. Some employers will even decide to personally interview or make group presentations to upcoming grads at this job fair."

Spence adds that the fair is not just for impending graduates but for all teachers beginning to chart their career path.

"We encourage third- and fourth-year students to attend the job fair at some point during the day to talk or interview with the delegates. It's a great experience for both employers and students to collect information about potential opportunities with each school board or agency."

The Faculty of Education offers some of the most extensive practical teaching experience in Canada – with 27 weeks of practical work placement, students often receive double the amount of time in front of a classroom as other programs, and find they turn their experiences with the many teacher partners who mentor U of L students into long-term work relationships.

Information outlet has the right answer

trevor.kenney — Mon, 21 Jan 2013 20:24:17 +0000

You no doubt have noticed the friendly faces greeting you at the Campus Information Services outlet located directly across from Tim Hortons in the 1st Choice Savings Centre for Sport and Wellness. This operation, which just recently opened, is yet another initiative from the Recruitment and Retention Project.

To develop the initial operation, Ryan Hall has been seconded as the operational manager in a strategic partnership with Sport & Recreation Services. Campus Information Services (CIS) team members are also members of the U-Crew, a group of students trained by Recruitment and Student Life in way-finding, general service information and conducting campus tours.

"This pool of trained students is an enormous benefit in pulling together a knowledgeable team," says Hall.

Operational manager Ryan Hall chats with a student at the Campus Information Services outlet.

Although the majority of inquiries CIS receives have been related to way finding, team members are also equipped to provide Faculty information, general assistance and ID Card information, as well as distribution and pick-up services for departments.

Way finding includes the physical location of spaces on campus, as well as the location of service information on the web; e.g., the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Calendar. Slightly more than half of the inquiries to date are from students, with the other inquiries coming from faculty, staff and the local community.

Other duties for CIS team members include assisting several student service units across campus in developing programs and databases and monitoring the Services for Students web page to ensure all web links are active.

"This is a win-win situation, because it allows our students the opportunity to gain more information about our student services from across campus, then turn around and share that information more broadly," says Hall. "It also gives these units increased and more sustainable service levels and provides much more information to our clients."

When major campus events such as convocation, Horns Athletics, New Student Orientation and the campus open house take place, the CIS outlet space is shared.

Campus Information Services will also co-ordinate the services within the Collaborative Learning Centre located in the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Hall Atrium, along with a support team of service professionals such as Library Peer-Assisted Technology Support Students (PATTS), and the I.T. Solutions Centre staff.

While the operation has only been open a few months, Hall and his team have already accumulated a great deal of information for distribution, and made connections across campus. They are now entering the next phase of implementation by co-ordinating their services for the downtown Penny Building and the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ's Calgary and Edmonton campuses. As well, the creation of a web site is in the planning stages, bringing the information to an online format. The end goal is to provide one central location for the collection and distribution of general ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ information, as well as a meeting place for campus tours.

Campus Information Services operates from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday to Friday with reduced hours heading into the holiday period. All inquiries are logged, in order to monitor traffic to adjust the hours of operation to meet client demand. The Campus Information Services team invites everyone to let it know how to better assist in the collection and distribution of information to make the U of L a more welcoming and service-friendly university.

This story first appeared in the January 2013 edition of the Legend. To view the entire issue in a flipbook format, follow this link.

Care parcels help students

trevor.kenney — Tue, 04 Dec 2012 15:54:16 +0000

Volunteers from the community, U of L and church groups in southern Alberta were on campus on Wednesday, Dec. 5 beginning at 2:30 p.m. in the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Hall Atrium to distribute approximately 300 Campus Care parcels to students.

The whole process took less than four minutes.

Now into its 11th year, the activity sees donated non-perishable food and other 'low-fuss' items, treats and cards of encouragement placed in a reusable bag and handed out to students just as exams and end-of-term assignments begin and, for some students, their money and food supplies start to run low.

This year, more than $8,000 worth of food was donated. Volunteers from 11 churches in Lethbridge and Southern Alberta have participated as donors, helped sort and assemble packages or help out on distribution day.

More than 2,300lb (1,052kg) of food was distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.

This year, 317 parcels were available.

Ecumenical Campus Ministry, led for the past decade by Chaplain Erin Phillips – who holds joint appointments at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge and Lethbridge College – organizes the Campus Care Parcel project and many other efforts to engage students, including a dinner at Lethbridge College traditionally attended by more than 450 people, which this year was managed by volunteers from two Lethbridge church groups.

Campus Care Parcels By The Numbers:

317 – number of parcels available (bags donated by the U of L Bookstore/West-side Save-on Foods store)

$8,000 -- value of donated food products

2,302 / 1,052 – weight in pounds and kilograms of the items being distributed

9 -- number of minutes it usually takes to distribute the parcels

4 -- number of minutes it took this year

11 – number of churches involved

45 -- volunteers who helped fill parcels

18 -- number of years Ecumenical Campus Ministry has been active in Lethbridge

11 -- years of Leadership by Chaplain Erin Phillips

Culture Vulture visits the 1960s

trevor.kenney — Fri, 11 May 2012 20:52:02 +0000

Feel 'far out' making psychedelic lava lamps on Saturday, May 12 at Culture Vulture Saturday!

From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Hall Atrium, Culture Vultures can enjoy creating groovy lava lamps using pre-cut templates and tissue paper, exploring the U of L Art Gallery and Helen Christou Gallery exhibitions and talking to staff about the current exhibition, The 1960s.

"Lava lamps were an iconic fixture in the 1960s and 1970s," says Rosalind Jeffrey, Culture Vulture program co-ordinator. "It's going to be fun for participants to either take a pre-made paper lamp template or create their own, add tissue paper, and then light up their creation."

Refreshments are provided and as always, it's free!

Study Centre a pilot for other projects

trevor.kenney — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 18:02:07 +0000

Universities and experiments go hand-in-hand. Rats and mazes, however, likely come to mind well before furnishings and interior design.

The experiment in question is part of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge's Recruitment and Retention Integrated Planning (RRIP) project, designed to not only attract new students to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ but also provide existing students every support possible to help them graduate. In the case of a new 24-Hour Study Centre, the goal is to find the proper combination of furnishings and technology to meet the learning and study needs of today's students.

The original concept of the centre called for major renovations or the creation of an entirely new space, says Brenda Mathenia, a member of the Learning Commons Space Subject Matter Team (SMT). Upon further review, however, the group has put forward a smaller, pilot project that uses an existing space. The idea is that it will provide the best means to find out what students want and need in a 24-Hour Study Centre.

Using an evidence-based design, the SMT has moved new, more flexible furnishings into the former study area adjacent to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Hall Atrium, and will now observe how the space is being utilized and what might be missing.

"It's hard to ask students 'what do you want' when they have no concept of what's available," says Mathenia, associate ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ librarian. "We all know you can't please everybody all the time, but that's all part of the learning process – looking at what we didn't get quite right."

The atrium study area previously offered only long study tables for group work and a number of old-fashioned carrels for more private studying. The SMT looked at what a number of other universities were offering for study areas and found today's students demand a greater variety of options. She says there's a desire to retain some "alone space" but they also want to provide options where classmates can pull up alongside one another and collaborate.

"Students learn in a totally different way today than from when I was an undergrad," says Mathenia. "It seems students need a combination of quiet, noisy, group, individual, social and casual spaces for their entire educational experience."

While a different location for the 24-Hour Study Centre was contemplated, they decided it was best to revamp the existing area in the atrium.

"There's not really another space readily available and centrally located. It's a known space, there's heavy traffic and to be quite frank, it was in dire need of updating anyways," says Mathenia.

The changes began the last day of exams in December. The carrels were removed and a bar-height counter was installed to better accommodate students popping in and out to use the computers between classes. Also added were tables arranged in pods to accommodate multiple students huddled around one computer.

The space also has flat, sturdy tables that can easily be moved around, and at one end is a SMART Board interactive whiteboard on a cart that allows students the ability to work on a variety of projects. The space also boasts a flat-screen LCD display where students could connect a laptop and share their work with others.

There are soft-seating areas with low, comfortable chairs and coffee tables with whiteboards on top for jotting down notes, as well as large, rolling whiteboards, which can be used to create a buffer or a working wall to gather around.

"As we saw in the library, there's a lot of formal group work happening with students, as well as informal gatherings. There's a real social aspect to learning," says Mathenia.
There are plans to introduce an assistance desk in the 24-Hour Study Centre, with a proctor of sorts offering assistance with technology or referrals to other campus services. Mathenia says the introduction of Peer Assisted Technology and Support Students (PATSS) in the library this past spring has been a great success and they could be utilized to work the assistance desk on a rotational basis. She says the concept of students helping students has been well received.

"They understand the concept of customer service," says Mathenia. "They may not have the answer to every question but they should be able to help them find someone who does."

The newly reworked 24-Hour Study Centre space opened Jan. 10. As studying picks up throughout the term, the SMT will actively observe how students are utilizing the space.

The information they gather from the project will then be used to further modify the atrium space and assist with the development of future study centres in other areas of the campus.

Students lining up for job fair

trevor.kenney — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 22:10:39 +0000

Since 2003, the Faculty of Education's well-deserved reputation for quality and ability to shape teachers of excellence has drawn more than 30 school boards or educational organizations to its annual Teacher Job Fair.

This year, the Teacher Job Fair takes place on Wednesday, Jan. 18 in the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Hall Atrium.

"The job fair is an excellent opportunity to help our students gain contacts for employment," says Nicole Spence, Teacher Job Fair co-ordinator. "The fair is a service we offer to both current students and recent graduates so they can interact with employers."

Job fair delegates are primarily Alberta school board representatives but there is also a strong international presence, while a number of private schools also attend.

"The delegates are generally part of the administrative team and human resources core from each school board/agency," says Spence. "There are representatives from our local schools, as well global interest in our students from Australia, the United Kingdom and beyond.

"Our students will be ready to start their careers and step into the classroom within the next few months and the job fair can present viable opportunities for employment. Some prospective employers take this opportunity to interview or make group presentations."

The Faculty of Education encourages third and fourth-year students to attend the job fair at some point during the day to talk with the delegates. It's a great experience for both employers and students to collect information about potential opportunities with each school board or agency.

The Faculty of Education offers some of the most extensive practical teaching experience in Canada – with 27 weeks of practical work placement, students often receive double the amount of time in front of a classroom as other programs. These experiences with the U of L's many teacher partners often result in long-term work relationships.

This story first appeared in the January edition of the Legend. For a look at the Legend in a flipbook format, follow this link.

Student Services Fair a first for campus

trevor.kenney — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 22:34:38 +0000

By CHANTELLE FROC, Student Writer

By November, most students have settled into campus life, finished their midterms, and some may even be already counting down the days until Christmas. However, despite the fact that classes have been in session for two months, many students still do not know the full extent of the services and groups available to them.

For this reason, the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge is excited to announce the first-ever On-Campus Student Services Fair, taking place Wednesday, Nov. 9 in the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Hall Atrium.

"The goal of the fair is to raise awareness regarding all the services that are here for students to support them as they make their way through the process of earning their degree," says Eric Hawthorne, co-ordinator of Student Life Programs for Recruitment and Student Life. "The On-Campus Student Services Fair aims to assist students in being successful."

So, what exactly will be available at the fair?

Students will be able to learn about Academic Advising and how to plan out their academic path; Counselling Services will be present to answer questions about stress-management, study skills and the many workshops offered by the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ; and several other important groups and departments that provide support to students will be represented.

The event is intended for all U of L students, not just those in their first year.

"This will be new for returning students as well," says Hawthorne. "We want returning students to know that we care just as much about how they are doing. Just because a student has been at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge for a year or two does not mean that they know the answer to everything.

"We hope that all students will come out and ask the questions that they have been looking to have answered, regardless of their year of study."

The On-Campus Student Services Fair runs from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Suporting Our Students launches campaign

trevor.kenney — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 17:17:29 +0000

Have you made a donation to Supporting Our Students yet?

If you have, thank you for your gift. If you have not, now is the time. Volunteers will be set up around campus all week to promote the campaign and encourage new gifts. Stop by one of the following locations to learn more about how you can put students first:

10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. | Monday, October 24| ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Hall Atrium
10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. | Tuesday, October 25 | Markin Hall Atrium
10 a.m. to 1 p.m. | Wednesday, October 26 | 1st Choice Savings Centre (at the Life Balance Fair)
10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. | Thursday, Oct. 27 | In front of the bookstore
9:15 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. | Friday, Oct. 28 | Anderson Hall

All 2011 donors and anyone interested in making a gift are invited to a coffee reception on Friday, October 28 in the foyer of Anderson Hall. There will be two brief programs: one at 9:30 a.m. and one at 10:30 a.m. Anyone who makes a donation this week will be entered in a prize draw. All 2011 donors will be eligible for a separate prize draw.

Make your gift today to be entered in the draw.

Talent field finalized for Mar. 26 performance

trevor.kenney — Mon, 21 Mar 2011 16:43:49 +0000

The student organizers of the Lethbridge Has Talent Kids Help Phone fundraiser have chosen the final lineup of performers for their event, which takes place Saturday, Mar. 26 at the 1st Choice Savings Centre gymnasium.

The performers represent a varied selection of talented people from across southern Alberta. More than 90 people auditioned for 20 available spots in early March. The finalists are vying for cash prizes of $500 for first place, $250 for second place and $100 for third place.

A project of the 2011 Integrated Management Experience class at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge, Lethbridge Has Talent aims to showcase the best of local talent for a good cause – Kids Help Phone.

In alphabetical order (based on last name, group name, or last name of first person in group), the performers are:

FeiFei Du -- Play Classical Guitar
Angelica Doucette -- Play Guitar and sing
Olivia Earl -- Sing
Tyrel Hawke -- Play Piano & Sing
Rio Ingrao -- Violin Solo
Elisha Landayan – Sing
Shalisa Liesch -- Play Guitar & Sing
Kassidy Marchuk -- Sing
Jill MacDougall -- Sing
Jared Megee -- Classical Cello
Yumeka Ogita -- Play Classical Piano
Jordan Ostrom -- Play Guitar and Sing
Amy Qian -- Play Classical Piano
Shocked Standards – Rock Band
Tristan Skretting -- Play Guitar and Sing Original Song
Mariya Soetaert -- Play Guitar and Sing Original Song
Rudy Stoesz, Ryan Parks, Alan Iwaasa, Max Chambers Dumont -- Quartet Singing
Kiana Unger -- Dancer
Haley Van Rijn -- Dancer
Kurt Young & Jamie Medicine Crane -- Traditional Native Dancing & Singing

Doors open at 5:30 p.m. for Saturday's final performance, and the program begins at 6 p.m. Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for students/seniors/children over 6. A Family Pass (three or more) is priced at $20. Tickets are available all week in the Markin Hall Atrium, ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Hall Atrium and also at the door on the day of the show.

More than $5,000 in Silent Auction items are also available for bidding. Kids Help Phone is Canada's only bilingual, 24-hour, toll-free, confidential and anonymous phone and online counselling, referral and information service for children and youth.

In a typical year, more than 10,000 trained volunteers across the country help kids in need from almost 3,000 communities more than two million times.

Judges for the event include Brent Books, a morning radio host on Country 95.5 FM; Allison Hawkins, a musician, singer and news reporter at Global TV Lethbridge; Dory Rossiter, a CTV Lethbridge weather and community activity reporter. Quinn Ohler, a reporter and news anchor for Global TV Lethbridge, will serve as the event's host.

UNews - ��Ѹ�����Դ���߿�Ƭ Hall Atrium

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