SHSU Update for Week of Jan. 16

• Beethoven Sonatas to Fill Three Concerts
• Promotions Planned for SFA Games
• Faculty Art Exhibit Opens
• National Science Foundation Funds Math Project
• Service Award Nominations Sought
• Career Services Events Announced
• Study Skills Groups Forming
• Briefs

Beethoven Sonatas to Fill Three Concerts

British pianist Clive Swansbourne will be joined by impressive young violinist Samantha George for three distinct programs, Tuesday (Jan. 18), Thursday (Jan. 20) and Sunday (Jan. 23), comprising all 10 of Beethoven's sonatas for piano and violin.

Tuesday's concert will feature the first and tenth sonatas, Thursday's will include the "Spring" sonata, and Sunday's one of Beethoven's most acclaimed pieces, the "Kreutzer" sonata. All three programs are scheduled for 7:30 p.m. in the Recital Hall, 17th and Avenue J.

Recently appointed associate concertmaster of the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, George previously served as assistant concertmaster of the Colorado Symphony Orchestra and core concertmaster of the Hartford Symphony Orchestra.

She has performed at the Grand Teton Music Festival, Norfolk Chamber Music Festival, Heidelberg Castle Festival, and studied chamber music with members of the Emerson, Muir, Fine Arts and Cleveland Quartets.

She received a high school diploma from the Interlochen Arts Academy and bachelor of music, master of music, and performer's certificate degrees from the Eastman School of Music. She holds a doctorate in violin performance and music theory from the University of Connecticut.

As a soloist, she has performed with the Idaho State Civic Symphony, Raleigh Symphony, Sun Valley Summer Symphony, Eastman Philharmonia, United States Coast Guard Band, and Hartford Symphony Orchestra.

Swansbourne joined the music faculty at Sam Houston State in August 1999 as coordinator of piano studies. He studied at the Royal College of Music in London, and later received his doctorate from Yale School of Music, where he studied with Ward Davenny and Claude Frank.

He has toured widely throughout the United States and performed to critical acclaim in most of the big cities. He has also performed frequently in Canada and Europe and has broadcast on National Public Radio's "Performance Today," and for the British Broadcasting Company.

He has performed all 32 of Beethoven's piano sonatas in two separate concert series. In 1999 he inaugurated a series of lecture/demonstrations on piano repertoire, "Classical Piano Matters," designed for radio broadcast and cassette distribution, and also made his first compact disc, featuring music by Scarlatti, Beethoven, Chopin, Brahms and Rachmaninoff.

Admission to each concert is free to SHSU faculty, staff, and students and Friends of Music, and $5 for general admission.

Promotions Planned for SFA Games

The ever-popular Thursday night 25 cent Jumbo Hot Dog Night promotion is scheduled again for the remaining home Thursday games, beginning this week.

Also Thursday at halftime of the men's game one student will have a one-shot opportunity to win tuition for a year from CenturyTel and the Southland Conference by sinking a free throw from half court.

More realistically, fans will have the opportunity to earn cash by dribbling a basketball through a course, picking up money along the way, during halftime of the women's game. And pizza buffet coupons from Mr. Gatti's will be offered during both the men's and women's games in another dribbling event.

Students and employees are admitted free to all SHSU athletic events. Employees may also buy a $30 family pass which allows all immediate family members free admission to all athletic events for an entire year. General admission tickets for basketball events are $4 for adults, and $2 for students, and includes both games.

Faculty Art Exhibit Opens

The range of media includes everything from digital painting to traditional oil painting to sculpture, prints, ceramics, drawing and fabric work.

The exhibit runs through Feb. 4. The opening reception is Thursday (Jan. 20) from 5-7 p.m. in the Gaddis Geeslin Gallery, Building F of the Art Complex, located at 1028 21st Street. Hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. Receptions and exhibits are free.

National Science Foundation Funds Math Project

Klespis is co-principal investigator on a project entitled "Targeting Reform of the Undergraduate Mathematics Preparation of Elementary/Middle School Teachers."

He will help develop technology-based mathematics curriculum materials for pre-service elementary school teachers. Western Michigan University will direct the grant and Sam Houston State University will be a sub-contractor.

Sam Houston State's share of the grant is $35,000, and will allow Klespis to work on developing the materials during one summer session for the next two summers.

Service Award Nominations Sought

University alumni, faculty, staff, administrators, and friends who have made significant contributions to SHSU and/or society, and thus, have brought honor and distinction to the university, are eligible for nomination.

These individuals must exemplify the university's motto: "The Measure of a Life Is Its Service," said Theresa Bledsoe, director of alumni relations.

To obtain a nomination form, call the Office of Alumni Relations at 409-294-1841 or come by the office located in Suite 122, Academic Building II, at the southeast corner of Sam Houston Ave. and 17th Street.

Feb. 18 is the deadline for submitting nominations.

Career Services Events Announced

The first event will be a Summer Camp and Job Fair in the Lowman Student Center Feb. 22 from 1 - 4 p.m. Employers will be primarily seeking summer camp workers, with a few offering students internships.

On March 8 in the Bernard Johnson Coliseum, Career Services will host the Teacher Job Fair from 1- 4 p.m. Education graduates are encouraged to attend.

On March 28 Sam Houston State will participate in the Texas Job Fair on the University of Houston campus. The Houston Area Consortium of Career Centers will supply bus transportation.

On April 19 Career Services will sponsor the Business & Government Career Fair in the Bernard Johnson Coliseum from 1 - 4 p.m. Over 120 employers are expected to attend.

Career Services officials said that many employers at the Business & Government Career Fair extend job offers and others offer internships, situations which often lead to full time employment after graduation.

For more information on these events or other Career Services programs call 409-294-1713.

Study Skills Groups Forming

Students may choose from four groups of 8-10 students each which will meet for six sessions from 1:30 - 2:30 Mondays, 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Tuesdays, 11 a.m. to noon Wednesdays, or 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Thursdays.

Topics to be covered by each group include time management, procrastination, reading textbooks, taking notes, test taking skills, and making use of mentoring relationships.

"The groups have a relaxed and friendly atmosphere and students report a greater motivation and a more positive attitude towards their academic work," said Bernice Strauss, Counseling Center director.

Students may sign up in the Counseling Center, located in the North Annex of the Lee Drain Building, or call 409-294-1720 to sign up or for more information.

Briefs

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SHSU Media Contact: Frank Krystyniak
Jan. 16, 2000
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