Band rehearsals have moved back inside, just in time for colder fall weather

Camille Lenning | Entertainment Editor

Those who frequented campus the first two weeks of fall term may have heard the sound of music flowing from outside Smith Hall. This is where Western’s instrumental ensembles practiced to comply with COVID-19 safety guidelines. However, bands like the jazz orchestra have recently found themselves back inside for practice sessions, since they received specialized equipment that greatly limits the spread of respiratory droplets while playing.

“This includes custom masks designed to be worn while playing a wind instrument, as well as bell covers that reduce the spread of aerosols while playing an instrument,” said jazz orchestra director Dr. Keith Karns. “This PPE is part of the COVID mitigation plan adopted by virtually all music programs in public schools, colleges, and universities in the Pacific Northwest.”

These COVID safety protocols have also allowed the ensembles to schedule performances again, something they were unable to do last year.

“One of them is going to be a side-by-side concert with … McKay High School. So we’ll just be over there, showing the high schoolers what we can do … and they can play with us and they get on the stage with us,” said sophomore general music major Jacob McDonald, who plays trumpet for the jazz orchestra.

Ensembles are no longer required to practice outside Smith Hall.

McDonald is also a member of the wind ensemble, who will be joining the jazz orchestra for an end of term concert featuring famous jazz clarinetist Eddie Daniels, scheduled for Dec. 2 at 7:30 p.m.

The two groups are performing a wide variety of music this term; the jazz orchestra lineup includes several pieces by renowned jazz pianist Count Basie, “I Left my Heart in San Francisco” by Tony Bennett and “Strasbourg / St. Denis” by jazz trumpeter Roy Hargrove, and the wind ensemble will perform arrangements such as an homage to silent films and a march composed by John Phillip Sousa.

“I am very, very excited for concerts and to be playing again … (it’s) doing what I like to do, right? And so, yeah, very excited,” said McDonald.

Contact the author at entertainmenteditor@thewesternhowl.com

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Art at Western

Art exhibits open for viewing this October at Western

Camille Lenning | Entertainment Editor

Western’s galleries are open again after an 18 month hiatus, and pieces in galleries such as the Student Gallery in the ITC, the Cannon Gallery of Art and the second floor gallery in Hamersly Library are open for public viewing during normal building hours, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. until Oct. 29.

The Annual Juried Student Art and Design Exhibition returns in its 53rd iteration to the newly remodeled ITC, featuring the talented students who entered in last year’s online exhibit.

Senior nontraditional transfer student Melody Barrett has two collage pieces in the student gallery, “Frida Rides Again” and “Ladies in Waiting.” A dedicated artist, Barrett has also sold a print of her piece “Ladies in Waiting” to the City of Monmouth Arts Committee.

“I believe art is an expression of the artist, what we see and feel, experience and imagine,” Barrett said. “That is why I love using a wide range of mediums including collage, acrylic painting, soft pastels and mixed media, because each one allows my thoughts, feelings and ideas to come through in very different ways.” To see her other work, check out Barrett’s website at www.melodybarrett.com.

Graduate student Genvieve Hardin has two pieces in the gallery, sculptures “D20” and “Be Not Afraid.” Hardin is in the Master of the Arts in Teaching program, and has expressed her excitement for having her work in the ITC gallery.

“My art is a way to connect with others and express myself. It is wonderful to have my art on display; I always wonder what people see and feel when they view my work!” Hardin said.

Senior zoology and art and design double major Tobin Roark has three pieces on display.

“’Liquescent Shift’ was a tribute to my gramma opening up and freeing herself from the grief of her husband passing,” Roark said of their art. “’Burning at the Stake’ was commentary on the demonizing of sexuality and women linking burning witches at the (stake) with pole dancers. And lastly ‘Touch of Menace’ … was commentary on how appearances can be deceiving and corruption and greed.”

Senior art major McKenna Suarez displayed her digital pieces “Photoshop Series” in the exhibit. Her art was the only digital entry.

“These pieces to me mean a lot, as they help to represent or show what Social Anxiety is like to me, and the ‘tricks’ I use to help me talk to people or interact in public,” Suarez said. “Similar to the phrase ‘Just think of them in their underwear!’ when you ask someone for tips on public speaking. I just imagine everyone with a bird head with a cool aesthetic background.”

Senior art major David Tomasiewicz has one piece displayed in the gallery, “MotoDrop #3.” Different from the peers he shares the gallery with, Tomasiewicz’s preferred medium is animation or film.

“I see art as a tool and means to create the animated fantasies that exist in my collective dreamscape,” Tomasiewicz said, “a way to invite people to peer into the landscapes existing within my conscious.”

Also included in the exhibit are students Marilyn Bergsma, with “If Wishes Were Horses Beggars Would Ride” and Mitchel Garson, with “Image of Guitar,” “Insomnia,” “Why,” “Untitled” and “Unfortunate Futures.”

Venturing outside of the student exhibits, Eric Tautkus, an aerosol and graffiti artist, has unveiled his newest art installation, “Derailed Marginally” in the Cannon Gallery of Art in Campbell Hall. This new work is a colorful, immersive piece spanning an impressive 50 feet — split between two walls. Smaller paintings by Tautkus are on display as well. When the exhibit closes on Oct. 29, two-foot square sections of Tautkus’ work will be sold to help fund the student gallery in the ITC.

Additionally, in the second floor gallery of Hamersly Library, local artist Diane Elizabeth Wilson debuted her exhibit titled “On Bended Knee, We Honor Thee,” in reference to the symbolic act of kneeling in protest for civil rights. The exhibit features 60 oil painted portraits of civil rights leaders and activists that have made an impact on society.

Contact the author at entertainmenteditor@thewesternhowl.com

A portion of Eric Tautkus’ graffiti creation, “Derailed Marginally.”
Geneveive Hardin’s sculpture, “Be Not Afraid.”
Marilyn Bergsma’s artistic bowl, “If Wishes Were Horses Beggars Would Ride.”

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Campus voices: Jazz Orchestra

Western’s jazz orchestra members answer, “How does it feel to be practicing inside again?”

Camille Lenning | Entertainment Editor

Noah Adams, senior audio production major, drumset

“I would say it’s very nice … it makes it a lot nicer, a lot more inviting for me to be here for a while if I’m practicing.”

Nathan Richardson, junior jazz studies major, saxophone

“It’s been great. I actually wasn’t here last year; at the school I was at before it was completely online so we didn’t play together at all, so just being able to play in general with other people has been amazing.”

William Murphree, first-year music education major, saxophone

“I think it feels great personally because there are a lot of challenges that come with playing outside … especially when it’s colder, things like intonation, it’s harder to hear other people in the ensemble, it’s harder to blend with people and hear, like, the different intricacies of the pieces that you’re playing, and also it’s just like cold out, so your hands get cold.”

Essence Githens, sophomore music education major, trombone

“It’s a lot better. Playing outside has its benefits, like being louder and like building up your lungs honestly. But playing inside, I think you really just connect more with the music and it’s easier to hear who’s playing, who’s playing what and blending a lot more. So, I enjoy it.”

Sorin Santos, first-year music education major, trombone

“It’s very exciting, it changes the way how, like, the ensemble feels because outside it feels like you’re playing out into nothing, almost. But when you’re inside you can hear everybody better and you feel more a part of an ensemble when you’re playing inside and together.”

Lucas Devon, junior music education major, trumpet

“It feels really nice … I don’t know, like playing outside is fine, but when it gets super cold it’s just like you can really feel it and it just makes everything so miserable, so being inside is super great.”

Contact the author at entertainmenteditor@thewesternhowl.com

The Western Howl

Western’s bands are back indoors

The Western Howl

Art at Western

The Western Howl

Campus voices: Jazz Orchestra

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