Kaskaskia College Friends of the Fine Arts FOCUS Newsletter

Kaskaskia College Friends of the Fine Arts
FOCUS Newsletter
New Season of Guest Artists & Speakers Announced
INSIDE….
New Season
Wall of Honor
Meet Prof Jourdan
President’s Message
Around the District
Kaskaskia College and the Friends of the Fine Arts have announced the
lineup for the 2008-2009 Guest Artists & Speakers Series. Kicking off the
new season on September 20 will be John McEuen, a founding member of
the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. John performs a broad spectrum of music including a mix of Americana, with a bit of “the old country” music thrown in for
good measure. His musical impressions, which from over 30 years of worldwide travels are brought to the stage with performing expertise that sets him
apart from others, focus on acoustic guitar, banjo, fiddle and mandolin.
The Golden Dragon Acrobats take over the Jane Knight Auditorium stage on
October 19. Presenting a time honored tradition that began more than twenty
-five centuries ago, The Golden Dragon Acrobats are recognized throughout the U.S. and abroad as the premiere Chinese acrobatic touring company
of today. The sixteen members of the Golden Dragon troupe bring their
award-winning acrobatics, traditional dance, spectacular costumes, ancient
and contemporary music and theatrical techniques to present a show of
breathtaking skill and spellbinding beauty.
On December 14, Kaskaskia College welcomes Christmas
from Dublin starring the Three Irish Tenors. Celebrate the
holidays with a genuine Irish Christmas filled with songs of
the season such as “Little Drummer Boy”, “Silent Night”,
“Saviour’s Day” and “O Holy Night”. Direct from the Emerald
Isle, Christmas from Dublin is full of warmth, charm and music that continues to enchant audiences throughout the world.
The Irish Tenors are complemented by a full ensemble of
musicians for a truly memorable holiday event.
Beat the winter doldrums and enjoy a great night of blues
music as the Siegel-Schwall Blues Band comes to KC on
February 6. A key member of the “Blues Revival of the Late
1960’s”, the Siegel-Schwall Blues Band earned their spurs
backing greats like Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, Little Walter and Willie Dixon. Current band members include: Corky
Siegel, harmonica and piano; Jim Schwall, guitar and mandolin; Sam Lay, drums; and Rollo Radford, bass. The
band’s most recent CD is entitled “Flash Forward”.
Also on February 6, the KC Culinaires will offer a special
Blues, Barbeque & More event. Join the Culinaires as they
offer KC Chef Clarke Griffin’s special recipe BBQ ribs as
well as a Chicago-style Hot Dog Station. Top it off with a
selection of delicious side dishes and desserts and it is indeed a “special” event.
New Season of Guest Artists & Speakers Announced cont...
March will feature a guest speaker from the Smithsonian Institution with a presentation entitled, “Space Exploration:
Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow”. It has been 40 years since man first walked on the moon! Join the celebration as a
Smithsonian speaker looks at the past, present and future of space exploration. How far have we come? What are the
challenges that lie ahead? When will humans colonize the moon and land on Mars? What are the implications of long
term space travel? It’s a fascinating look at the human need for exploration and at the adventures that await us in space.
“Six”, the final act of the 2008-2009 Season, will take the stage on April 25. “Six” are six real life
brothers who will close out the season with their high-energy, a cappella singing. Performing
everything from doo wop, blues, Motown and soft rock, Six (also known as the Knudsen Brothers) showcases amazing vocals and percussion sounds. Based in Branson and with extended
runs in Las Vegas and Atlantic City, Six has shared the stage with Trisha Yearwood, Diana
Ross, the Beach Boys, Olivia Newton John, the Doobie Brothers and many others.
All six 2008-2009 Guest Artists & Speakers Series events are available in a reserved-seat season package at a reduced
price of $84 for members of Friends of the Fine Arts. The February food event may added for an additional $15 per person. Current season ticket holders may renew their existing seats through May 23. New or additional season tickets are
also now on sale. For further information contact the Season of Entertainment ticket and information line at 545-3223,
email to [email protected], or visit the website at www.kaskaskia.edu/soe.
Our Wall of Honor
The names of members of the Kaskaskia College Friends of the Fine Arts are now emblazoned on
this display in the hallway opposite the Jane Knight Auditorium. Shown by the display are KC students Clarinda Harting (left) of Centralia, and Kristen Minor of Odin. To get your name or names on
the wall, “Be a Friend!” Dues are $35 for individual memberships and $50 for family memberships.
For more information about joining the Kaskaskia College Friends of the Fine Arts, please contact
Kellie Henegar, Dean of Arts and Sciences at phone (618) 545-3026 and “Welcome to the Wall.”
Meet Professor Cliff Jourdan
Cliff Jourdan is Assistant Professor of Music and Director of Bands at Kaskaskia College. Prior to his
appointment at Kaskaskia College in 2002, Jourdan taught instrumental music at Vandalia High School in
Vandalia, Illinois where his marching, concert and jazz bands consistently won competitions and received
superior ratings at organization contests. Before that, he taught at Sandoval Jr./ Sr. High School in Sandoval,
Illinois where he was in charge of the band, chorus, and general classroom music programs. His success in
the public schools led him into the college teaching ranks where he has won the Kaskaskia College Student
Congress Outstanding Professor Award in the 2004-2005 academic year.
Before becoming director of bands at KC, Jourdan was Conductor of the Centralia Philharmonic Orchestra
for 6 years. His performance background and experience is very eclectic, having been a member of the
Centralia Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra (tuba), several jazz/dance bands (bass, trombone, guitar, vocal),
various brass quintets (tuba), and progressive rock groups (bass, guitar, keyboards and vocals). While an
undergraduate, he was principal tuba for the Southern Illinois University Wind Ensemble, the top performing wind ensemble on
campus.
Jourdan holds a bachelor’s degree in music education from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, and a Master’s degree in
music education from VanderCook College of Music in Chicago. He studied conducting with Dr. Charles Menghini of VanderCook,
Edward Benyas and Michael Hanes of Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. He also holds an electronics degree from
Kaskaskia College.
Jourdan’s responsibilities at Kaskaskia College include teaching music major courses, general education courses, conducting the
Kaskaskia College concert, jazz, and pep-bands along with directing the student jazz ensembles. He was also the co-organizer for the
first Merry TUBA Christmas in the Centralia area in 2006. In addition, he regularly works as an adjudicator for regional solo/
ensemble contest, organization contests, and as a parade judge. He also works as a clinician for local Jr. and Sr. High schools and is
frequently a guest conductor at regional festivals.
Be A Friend
To join the Friends of Fine Arts at Kaskaskia College, send a check made payable to
Kaskaskia College for the appropriate membership:
Send to: Dean of Arts and Sciences
Kaskaskia College, 27210 College Road, Centralia, IL 62801
Individual Membership
$35.00
Family Membership
$50.00
College Club Membership $75.00
Corporate Membership $100.00
KaskaskiaFrom
Message
College
President
Friends
Underwood
of the Fine Arts Board
Our Visual and Performing Arts at Kaskaskia College continue to reach new heights with increased enrollments and
expanded offerings. KC Music concerts, drama productions, and Art exhibits, are all well attended with a record
attendance at the performances. Our Speech and Journalism programs have large enrollments with wonderful success.
All of these expanded high quality programs are made possible because of a dedicated and superb faculty and staff. We
are honored to have an excellent Dean of Arts and Sciences, Kellie Henegar, leading our instructional programs along
with an exceptional faculty. Additionally, the growth of our “Season of Entertainment” is a tremendous success bringing
to the campus a variety of performances for the enjoyment and education of our students, faculty, staff, patrons, and
communities served by the KC district. We appreciate the work of Mike Loomis and Travis Henson for coordinating
and directing the KC Season of Entertainment.
We are extremely grateful to the KC Friends of the Fine Arts (KCFFA) for leading the way in the growth and success of
our Visual and Performing Arts at KC. This organization is flourishing with new members being added daily. Many
thanks to the following KCFFA officers who are actively engaged in pursuing the expansion of the Arts at KC:
Sherm Doolen, President; Mike Loomis, Vice President; Louis Fogleman, Secretary; Shirley Martin, Treasurer; and
Members at Large, Dr. Dee Boswell, Dennis Hesker, Barbara McKellar and Ev Stover.
As we approach the completion of another great and successful academic year, I want to express our appreciation to all
of our patrons, KCFFA members and officers, KC Board of Trustees, and our faculty and staff for supporting the Visual
and Performing Arts at Kaskaskia College. We are truly looking forward to another successful and exciting academic
year in 2008-09.
Friends of the Fine Arts
Kaskaskia College
27210 College Road
Centralia, IL 62801
Phone: 618-545-3000
Be A Friend
Support the Kaskaskia College
Friends of the Fine Arts
Upcoming Events
A Combined Instrumental and Choral Concert will be held Thursday, May 8, 2008 at 7:30 p.m. in the Jane
Knight Auditorium, Kaskaskia College, Centralia, IL, under the direction of Prof. Cliff Jourdan, Director of
Bands and Prof. Mike Register, Director of Choirs.
On Tuesday, May 13, 2008, the KC Concert Band will also be performing at the Vandalia High School
Gymnasium at 7:30 p.m., with performances also by the Vandalia Jr High and Vandalia High School bands.
These performances are free to the public and all are welcome to attend.
Around the District
Centralia-The Cultural Society will host “Lights and Lens Photography Exhibit,” Friday-Sunday,
May 2-4, 2008 from 1-4pm. On Friday-Sunday, May 9-11, 2008, the Centralia High School Art Exhibit will be on display. On June 20-21, 27-29, 2008, the Little Theater Players, Actors in Action
will perform, “Man of La Mancha” theater in the round, featuring the Orchestra and Chorale
groups at the Cultural Society.
The Centralia Cultural Society is located at 1250 E Rexford in Centralia. For more information,
please call (618) 532-2951.
A special thank you to Steve Jerden, Instructional Design and Distance Learning Specialist at Kaskaskia
College, for designing, formatting and editing the KCFFA FOCUS Newsletter. The Friends appreciate all
of your effort in helping to make the newsletter possible.