SHSU Update for Week of October 1

• Orchestra to Highlight Bach
• Heart Walk Teams Being Formed
• Philosophy Sessions Return
• Accreditation Review Requests Comments
• Mental Health Awareness Day
• Bus Charter Seats Going Fast
• DeMers, Fleming Recital
• 'Our Town' Is On Stage
• Briefs

Orchestra to Highlight Bach

Few of Bach's compositions were published during his lifetime, and he lived and worked in a relatively small area of Germany. Now his music is acclaimed world wide, and the Sam Houston State University Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Carol Smith, will perform it in their first fall concert.

The concert is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Saturday (Oct. 7) in the Beto Criminal Justice Center Killinger Auditorium.

Melissa Scott, graduate assistant in orchestral studies, will conduct the first two pieces, a cantata and "Kom, susser Tod" (Come, sweet death). Of the latter, Rory Guy wrote that it tenderly and movingly communicated "the piety that surrounded Johann Sebastian Bach all his life."

The program's second section will feature pianists Clive Swansbourne, David Fleming, and Hiromi Matsunaga performing "Concerto No. 2 for Three Pianos in C Major." It is believed that it was composed for performances featuring Bach's two oldest sons, Wilhelm Friedemann and Carl Philipp Emanuel.

Next will come "Passacaglia and Fugue in C Minor," organ works said by Leopold Stokowski to be Bach's greatest, and "one of the most divinely inspired contrapuntal works ever conceived."

Andrew Wilson, violin professor, and Veronica Wilson, concertmistress of the SHSU Symphony, will be accompanied by the SHSU Chamber Orchestra in "Concert for Two Violins in D Minor."

The closing piece will be the "Prelude to Act III" of "Lohengrin," a romantic opera composed by Richard Wagner and first performed a month after Bach's death, which occurred on July 28, 1750.

It is said that at the time Bach was considered by his contemporaries as "stuffy and old-fashioned." It is also said that "he lived but to worship God and to write music."

For ticket information, contact the music department at 936.294.1360.

Heart Walk Teams Being Formed

In addition to dusting off the walking shoes, McDowell encourages SHSU employees and students to contact him about becoming a team captain. This should be done before Oct. 11, when packets will be distributed to the team captains.

To volunteer, contact McDowell at 936.295.7188 or 936.294.1855 or Myla Weber, who is the Walker County coordinator for the event, at 936.291.9973.

"The American Heart Walk helps fight heart disease and stroke by raising money to support lifesaving research, programs and education," said McDowell. "It also helps people take the first steps toward a heart-healthy lifestyle by becoming more physically active."

The event celebrates and honors survivors of heart attack, heart surgery and stroke. Survivors are given special red caps to wear at the event to show the prevalence of heart disease and stroke in the community.

This year's event will take place beginning at 8 a.m. Nov. 11 at Bowers Stadium. After registration, the walk begins at 8:30 a.m. Participants can choose a two or four mile course and donations will be based on participation, not miles completed.

Teams are expected to average about 10 walkers. Most are made up of co-workers, families, Sunday school class members, etc.

Philosophy Sessions Return

Topics will include "What Justifies the State," "Do We Have Free Will" and other items suggested by participants.

Meetings are from 2-2:50 p.m. on Wednesdays beginning Oct. 4 in the Lee Drain Building, Room 205.

"At a number of the meetings we will show a half hour video from the acclaimed series 'The Examined Life,'" said Frank Fair, program coordinator. "There will be time after the video for discussion of the issues it raises, and people should bring a soft drink and some munchies if they want some. On other occasions we will discuss topics voted on by members of the group in a philosophy free-for-all."

Fair said that the dialogues are open to anyone interested in the issues, and are not only for philosophy majors or minors or those enrolled in a philosophy class.

Accreditation Review Requests Comments

Federal regulations require that accrediting agencies allow for public comment on the qualifications of institutions or programs under consideration for initial or continuing accreditation.

"Both NCATE and Sam Houston State recognize that graduates, parents, schools and community organizations have valuable perspectives on the quality of the programs that prepare teachers and other school personnel," said Erin Johnson, professor and associate dean in the College of Education and Applied Science.

Written comments should be sent to: Board of Examiners; NCATE; 2010 Massachusetts Ave. NW; Washington, DC 20036-1023. Letters should be received by Dec. 22.

Comments should address substantive matters related to the quality of professional education programs offered at Sam Houston State University, and should specify the respondent's relationship to the SHSU program. Copies of all correspondence received will be sent to SHSU for comment prior to the review. No anonymous or oral testimony will be considered.

Mental Health Awareness Day

On Thursday (Oct. 5) the SHSU Counseling Center is sponsoring a Mental Health Awareness Day. The program will be held in the Ballroom of the Lowman Student Center from 10 a. m. to 3 p. m.

Mental Health Awareness Day is held in conjunction with the National Depression Screening Program.

"The program is an outreach effort to teach students about the prevention and treatment of depression, stress, anxiety, and eating disorders," said Pamela W. McManus, SHSU counseling psychologist.

"It will provide students the opportunity to find out if they may be suffering from symptoms of these conditions. The screening will be free, confidential, and anonymous. Results of the screening will be reviewed with a counselor."

The program also provides information for those concerned about friends and family members. There will be informative videos and free literature available. For more information contact the Counseling Center at 936.294.1720.

Bus Charter Seats Going Fast

From noon until kick-off at 2 p.m., there will be a tailgate party for SHSU Alumni and Bearkat fans at Homer Bryce Stadium on the SFA campus.

Tickets are $30 for members and $35 for non-members. Price includes round trip bus fare, food and drinks at the tailgate party, and reserved seating for the football game.

Theresa Bledsoe, SHSU director of alumni relations, suggests that anyone wanting to participate should call soon because seating on the bus in limited. For more information, call 936.294.1841.

DeMers, Fleming Recital

Their program will consist of Arnold Cooke's "Rondo in B-flat, " Mozart's "Concerto K. V. 417 in E-flat," Franz Strauss' "Fantasia, op. 2," Douglas Hill's "To The Winter Sun," and Jean Daetwyler's "Sonatina for Flute and Alphorn," featuring Kathryn Daniel on flute.

DeMers performs with the Lake Charles Symphony Orchestra and has performed with numerous other orchestras including the Spoleto Festival USA, the Festival of Two Worlds in Spoleto (Italy), Houston Ballet Orchestra, and others throughout the United States and Europe.

Fleming is widely known for his versatility as a musical collaborator and is an active performer, appearing throughout the year as accompanist and chamber musician.

The recital is free.

'Our Town' Is On Stage

Tickets are $10 or $8 for SHSU students and seniors. For information and reservations call the University Theatre Center Box Office at 936.294.1339.

Briefs

SHSU Media Contacts: Frank Krystyniak, Julia May
Oct. 1, 2000
Please send comments, corrections, news tips to Today@Sam.edu