SHSU Update for Week of Dec. 6, 1998

• 32nd Annual Piano Concerto Festival
• Gazebo Concert
• Museum Christmas Party
• Fun, Games and Study
• Student Exhibition
  

32nd Annual Piano Concerto Festival

"This event came about 32 years ago as a result of the vision and under the supervision of Dr. John Paul who, until his untimely death in September, was chairman of the keyboard division," said Charlotte Tull, who chairs the keyboard division on an interim basis.

"With this program we honor the memory and continue the tradition of excellence exemplified by Dr. Paul."

On the program are well-loved piano concerto literature of the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries, said Tull. Composers represented are Mozart, Mendlessohn, Grieg, Ravel and Rachmaninoff.

On Monday evening the performers include Donna Ryan, Judith Nelson, Joanna Thompson and Jay Whatley. Tuesday's program will feature Vanessa Jackson, Brook Yancey, Joseph Fuller and Luvanna Brown.

Admission is free to students with identification and Friends of Music pass holders. Tickets at the door are $5. For more information, call 409-294-1360.

Gazebo Concert

From noon to 1:50 p.m., the Chamber Orchestra will perform what Smith calls an "instrumental caroling." Holiday favorites such as "Hark the Herald Angels Sing," "Away in a Manger," "O Come all Ye Faithful," and others, are planned.

"With the gazebo concert we're trying to offer the downtown merchants and visitors a bit of an 'impromptu' concert with favorite music of the season," said Smith. "We are, in a sense, going to them rather than asking them to come to us."

The Chamber Orchestra will also perform concerts this week at two Huntsville elementary schools and the Ella Smither Geriatric Center.

Museum Christmas Party

The day's activities include the Cooperative of Women's Artists Angel Show, from 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m in the atrium of the Walker Education Center.

Also in that building's Exhibit Gallery will be the Institute of Texan Cultures' Festival of Piñatas. Children are invited to try to break a Christmas piñata.

A special Christmas sale is scheduled throughout the day in the Museum Store in the Walker Center. A stocking-stuffer favorite this year is expected to be the new Museum guide book, which has facts and photos about the Houston family and Museum area, and is on sale at the Museum Store for $4.99.

Blacksmithing demonstrations are scheduled from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. at the Blacksmith Shop. There will be candlelight tours of Sam Houston's Woodland and Steamboat Homes and Law Office from 5-7:30 p.m.

"We hope that everyone will come to see the 19th century decorations, to meet our historical characters, and to join them for entertainment in the historic houses and refreshments in the open-hearth kitchen," said Patrick Nolan, Museum director.

For more information on museum activities, call 409-294-3291.

Fun, Games and Study

On Monday (Dec. 7) Residence Life Special Events/Residence Halls Association and ARAMark will sponsor a holiday party for 42 Huntsville area children ranging in ages from three months to 16 years.

Each child will have a sponsor to meet them for dinner at Smith-Kirkley cafeteria and go with them to the student center Pizza Hut area for games and a surprise. Call Kathryn Olson (409-294-4475) or Sally Dawis (409-293-2698) for details.

On Thursday SHSU faculty and administrators will serve breakfast from 10 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. in Cafe Belvin, as students began studying for finals, which begin Friday at run through Wednesday, Dec. 16.

The SHSU fall semester will close with fall commencement at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 19. Holidays for non-faculty employees are Dec. 23 -Jan. 1, 1999.

Student Exhibition

Martin Amorous, who chairs the art department, said that Open Studio Nite is usually well attended, with "plenty to see, do and eat."

Student work will be displayed in classrooms and hallways, and while the show is not held for the purpose of selling artwork, Amorous said that contacts are often made which lead to sales.

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Media Contact: Frank Krystyniak
Dec. 6, 1998
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