(Ashland, Ore.) – The Music program of the Oregon Center for the Arts at Southern Oregon University presents the SOU Chamber Choir and SOU Concert Choir, under the direction of Dr. Paul French and Dr. Martin Majkut of the Rogue Valley Symphony, performing “Songs of Passion” on Sunday, March 15 at 3:00 p.m. in the SOU Music Recital Hall.

“This will be a lovely concert, full of lyrical melodies, passionate poetry, and lush romantic harmonies,” said French. The concert program of the SOU Chamber Choir includes “You are the New Day” by John David and arranged by Peter Knight. According to French, the arrangement of “You are the New Day” was made popular by the internationally-known singing group, the Kings Singers.

“Lasciate mi Morire” by Claudio Monteverdi is a passionate song of unrequited love sung by Ariana when abandoned by Theseus. Based on the poetry of Ovid, it is the only extant music from an opera by Monteverdi and is one of the most famous pieces of music of the early Baroque period.

French describes “Dieu! Qu’il la Fait bon Regarder!” by Claude Debussy as “one of Debussy’s only choral works, similar in style to ‘Afternoon of a Faun’ in his use of lush, luxuriant harmonies. Roughly translated the text says ‘Oh my God is she beautiful!’ This is one of the most popular pieces of choral music in French.”

“Love at the Lips,” by local composer Jodi French, is based on the poetry of Robert Frost. The SOU Chamber Choir portion of the concert will conclude with “Even When He is Silent,” a 2011 composition by Kim André Arnesen, and “Three by Langston; New Moon, Luck and Joy” by Ricky Ian Gordon.

The SOU Concert Choir will perform a broad range of music including works by Franz Schubert, American composer Erik Whitacre, Bela Bartok and Renaissance love songs.

Tickets are $10, $5 senior and free to full-time students. The Performing Arts Box Office is located in the Music Recital Hall lobby. Box office hours are noon to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and two hours prior to each performance. Tickets can be purchased with a credit card over the phone by calling 541-552-6348 or online at sou.edu/performingarts. Contact the box office for discounts offered to SOU alumni, Osher Lifelong Learning Institute participants and SNAP/Oregon Trail cardholders.

About Southern Oregon University

Southern Oregon University provides outstanding student experiences, valued degrees, and successful graduates. SOU is known for excellence in faculty, intellectual creativity and rigor, quality and innovation in connected learning programs, and the educational benefits of its unique geographic location. SOU was the first university in Oregon—and one of the first in the nation—to offset 100 percent of its energy use with clean, renewable power, and it is the first university in the nation to balance 100 percent of its water consumption. Visit sou.edu.

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(Ashland, Ore.) — Dr. Precious Yamaguchi, Assistant Professor of Communication and Emerging Media and Digital Arts in Southern Oregon University’s Department of Communication, has recently seen her first book, “Experiences of Japanese American Women During and After World War II: Living in Internment Camps and Rebuilding Life Afterwards,” published by Lexington Books.

Though focused on telling the story of internment and its aftermath through the experiences of Japanese American women, Yamaguchi stresses that the book is about much more than only that. “This is about American history,” she said. “It’s about all families—all over the world —and the importance of sharing and collecting our stories. Every family throughout its generations has faced and overcome challenges in different ways.”

The book chronicles the experiences of Japanese American women during World War II including the period prior to internment, time spent in the camps, and attempts at rebuilding life afterward. “This was a truly unique experience. What these families went through and its aftermath is significant in American history, to know that our country made the decision to intern and imprison its own citizens based upon their ethnicity, and it’s important to make sure these stories are told so events such as the internment camps don’t happen again in the future,” Yamaguchi said. “Because Japanese culture so greatly values modesty and this generation is aging, it’s imperative that their stories be heard now.”

Though Yamaguchi is a communication instructor, the book overlaps a number of fields in academia, including communication, ethnic studies, history, human rights, psychology, cultural studies, political science, and more.

“Experiences of Japanese American Women During and After World War II: Living in Internment Campus and Rebuilding Life Afterwards” is available at https://rowman.com/ISBN/9780739192436

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About Precious Yamaguchi

Dr. Precious Yamaguchi teaches courses in the Communication Department and the Emerging Media and Digital Arts program. She graduated with her doctorate in Communication Studies from Bowling Green State University with research emphases in critical studies, international communication, intercultural communication, and digital media. Her academic research is interdisciplinary, focusing broadly on issues of culture, identity, generation, social media, technology, and international textile markets.

About Southern Oregon University

Southern Oregon University provides outstanding student experiences, valued degrees, and successful graduates. SOU is known for excellence in faculty, intellectual creativity and rigor, quality and innovation in connected learning programs, and the educational benefits of its unique geographic location. SOU was the first university in Oregon—and one of the first in the nation—to offset 100 percent of its energy use with clean, renewable power, and it is the first university in the nation to balance 100% of its water consumption. Visit sou.edu.

KDRV – SOU Hosts Annual Valentine’s Day Dance (video included in link): http://www.kdrv.com/sou-hosts-annual-valentines-day-dance/

KTVL – Dancing, Chocolate, Love at SOU (video in link): http://www.ktvl.com/shared/news/top-stories/stories/ktvl_dancing-chocolate-love-at-sou-15402.shtml

Daily Tidings – Letter to the Editor: “Why Build It?” (Letter opposed to biomass proposal): http://www.dailytidings.com/article/20150214/OPINION/150219903/0/SEARCH

JPR – Jefferson Exchange: More Student, Less Teacher: Competency-Based Learning: http://ijpr.org/post/more-student-less-teacher-competency-based-learning

Daily Tidings – SOU Hires First Men’s Soccer, Women’s Wrestling Coaches: http://www.dailytidings.com/article/20150216/SPORTS/150219858/0/SEARCH

Mail Tribune – Afengus, Champion to Coach Soccer, Women’s Wrestling: http://www.mailtribune.com/article/20150216/Sports/150219710

Daily Tidings – Our View: Pooling Resources (editorial regarding swimming pool options): http://www.dailytidings.com/article/20150217/OPINION/150219877/0/SEARCH

Mail Tribune – SOU Presents “The Glass Menagerie”: http://www.mailtribune.com/article/20150216/ENTERTAINMENT/150219914/0/SEARCH

The Siskiyou – SOU’s Center for Sustainability Thrives from Large Donation: http://siskiyou.sou.edu/2015/02/16/sous-center-for-sustainability-thrives-from-large-donation/

KOBI – History Hiding in Plain Sight: Ashland Column’s Significance Revealed: http://kobi5.com/news/local-news/item/history-hiding-in-plain-sight-ashland-column-s-significance-revealed.html?category_id=3#.VOSwOC4YFdc

Mail Tribune – Letters to the Editor: Pool Dilemma: http://www.mailtribune.com/article/20150218/NEWS/150219684/0/SEARCH

Oregonian/Oregon Live – Afengus, Champion to Lead Men’s Soccer, Women’s Wrestling Programs: http://blog.oregonlive.com/cascadeconference/2015/02/afengus_champion_to_lead_mens.htmlDaily Tidings – SOU Presents “The Glass Menagerie”: http://www.dailytidings.com/article/20150219/ENTERTAINMENT/150219870/0/SEARCH

Daily Tidings – Community Blog: SOU Creative Writing Faculty Present Their Work: http://blogs.esouthernoregon.com/ashland-poetry/2015/02/18/sou-creative-writing-faculty-present-their-work/

Daily Tidings – Editor’s Notes: Want to Make Your Own Newspaper? (Feature on upcoming OLLI class): http://www.dailytidings.com/article/20150218/NEWS/150219814/0/SEARCH

Mail Tribune – SOU Presents “She Stoops to Conquer”: http://www.mailtribune.com/article/20150218/ENTERTAINMENT/150219640/0/SEARCH

Huffington Post – 5 Public Apology Experts Critique A-Rod’s Handwritten Note (featuring Dr. Battistella): http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/02/19/alex-rodriguez-apology-critique_n_6713208.html

KDRV – SOU to Hold Sexual Assault Symposium: http://www.kdrv.com/osu-to-hold-sexual-assuault-symposium/

(Ashland, Ore.) —Scholarship funds raised during the Southern Oregon University Foundation’s “Count Me In” campaign in October have been awarded, with 35 students receiving $2,000 each. The scholarship will again be awarded in the fall, with at least 50 students receiving $2,000 scholarships at that time as well.

The Supporting Opportunities for Undergrads—or SOU—Scholarship is awarded to students based on financial need with preference given to those who are first in their families to attend college. Of the 35 recipients, nearly 70 percent fall into that category.

“The SOU scholarship helps to offset the costs associated with attending college and earning an undergraduate degree,” said SOU Foundation Executive Director Eric Baird. “The fact that it is awarded primarily to first-generation college students helps to make higher education more accessible to Oregonians who otherwise may not have that opportunity.”

The “Count Me In Campaign” garnered contributions from more than 400 individuals during a 100 hour period in mid-October.

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About Southern Oregon University

Southern Oregon University provides outstanding student experiences, valued degrees, and successful graduates. SOU is known for excellence in faculty, intellectual creativity and rigor, quality and innovation in connected learning programs, and the educational benefits of its unique geographic location. SOU was the first university in Oregon—and one of the first in the nation—to offset 100 percent of its energy use with clean, renewable power, and it is the first university in the nation to balance 100% of its water consumption. Visit sou.edu.

(Ashland, Ore.) —For more than two decades, students in Southern Oregon University’s Master in Education program seeking a special education endorsement have put on a Valentine’s Day dance for adults with special needs in the Rogue Valley, and that tradition is set to continue this weekend.

“This is a really big deal for the attendees,” according to Heather Richard, student coordinator of this year’s event. “And it’s a great opportunity for those of us in the program to connect with the community and see what the lives of the individuals we’ll be working with will be like once they progress past school age.”

The event is sponsored by the University, the Inter Club Council at SOU, and community partners. “We wouldn’t be able to put this on without a lot of support from the community,” Richard said.

Master in Education students who earn a special education endorsement will spend their careers working with special needs students from kindergarten to adulthood, and part of the curriculum includes organizing events such as the Valentine’s Day dance in order to integrate students with the community, according to Professor April Harrison. “We really want our students to become part of the community in a larger scope,” she said. “It’s integral to the learning process that our students have outcomes in mind for the students with special needs they will be working with.”

In addition to the dance, students in the special education endorsement cohort also work closely with the Special Olympics and Down Syndrome Association to plan events. “These students are out in the community. It’s an important aspect of the curriculum,” Harrison said. According to Harrison, all of the students in the cohort participate in event planning.

This year’s dance will take place from 7-9 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 14, in the Diversions Nightclub inside SOU’s Stevenson Student Union. It is free and open to anyone with special needs over the age of 21. For more information, contact April Harrison at 541-552-7019.

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About Southern Oregon University

Southern Oregon University provides outstanding student experiences, valued degrees, and successful graduates. SOU is known for excellence in faculty, intellectual creativity and rigor, quality and innovation in connected learning programs, and the educational benefits of its unique geographic location. SOU was the first university in Oregon—and one of the first in the nation—to offset 100 percent of its energy use with clean, renewable power, and it is the first university in the nation to balance 100% of its water consumption. Visit sou.edu.

(Ashland, Ore.) – The Music program of the Oregon Center for the Arts at Southern Oregon University presents the SOU Graduate Percussion Group performing Michael Gordon’s minimalist masterpiece “Timber” on Tuesday, March 3 at 7:30 p.m. in the SOU Music Recital Hall. Admission is free.

Dr. Terry Longshore, director of percussion studies at SOU describes “Timber” as a “meditation on sound and rhythm, bringing the physicality, endurance and technique of percussion performance to a new level.” Since its composition in 2009, Gordon’s minimalist masterpiece has been heralded as a masterwork of polyrhythmic juxtaposition, and a celebration of the essence of percussion.

“Each player is called upon to perform polyrhythms ranging from a simple 3:2 to an extremely challenging 6:5 or 7:4.,” said Longshore. “Simple in its conception, it is exceedingly difficult to perform for each percussionist. Combining multiple percussionists together adds another layer of virtuosity. The swirling textures created by the overlapping crescendos and decrescendos create an atmosphere that must be experienced to be believed.” The hour-long piece is performed without a break, at once meditative and captivating.

The SOU Graduate Percussion Group is composed of Jordan Curcuruto, Joseph Howe, Jeffrey Kolega, Colin Malloy and Tyler Willoughby, who are working toward their Master of Music in Performance degree.

Longshore is a percussionist whose genre-crossing work involves multi-media artists, live music for dance and theatre, and experimental musical notation. In addition to directing and performing with the SOU Percussion Ensembles, he performs with flute and percussion duo Caballito Negro and flamenco ensemble Dúo Flamenco. Longshore has performed at the Bang on a Can Festival in New York City, the Los Angeles Philharmonic Green Umbrella Series, the Cabrillo Music Festival, the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, the Festival of New American Music, the Britt Festivals, the Cycle of Percussion at the National Center of the Arts in Mexico City, and has been featured six times at the Percussive Arts Society International Convention (PASIC). He is a Yamaha Performing Artist and an artist endorser for Zildjian Cymbals, Vic Firth Sticks and Mallets, and Remo Drumheads. He earned his doctoral degree in Contemporary Music Performance from the University of California, San Diego.

About Southern Oregon University

Southern Oregon University provides outstanding student experiences, valued degrees, and successful graduates. SOU is known for excellence in faculty, intellectual creativity and rigor, quality and innovation in connected learning programs, and the educational benefits of its unique geographic location. SOU was the first university in Oregon—and one of the first in the nation—to offset 100 percent of its energy use with clean, renewable power, and it is the first university in the nation to balance 100 percent of its water consumption. Visit sou.edu.

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(Ashland, Ore.) – The Music program of the Oregon Center for the Arts at Southern Oregon University presents the SOU Wind Ensemble performing “All American” on Thursday, March 5 at 7:30 pm in the SOU Music Recital Hall. The program explores the rich tradition of American music from the late 20^th century and its influence on contemporary American composers.

Dr. Mark Jacobs, adjunct Music faculty at SOU, composed “321GO,” which will have its world premiere at this concert. The composition features the percussion section of the SOU Wind Ensemble. Bradley White on trumpet and Lorin Groshong on English horn, both graduate students in the Master of Music Performance program, will play Aaron Copeland’s “Quiet City.”  Other works in the concert include “Acrostic Song” from Final Alice by Pulitzer Prize winning composer, David Del Tredici, “Candide Overture,” by nine-time Grammy winning composer Leonard Bernstein, “Blue Shades” by Frank Ticheli and “Walls of Zion” by Greg Danner.

“I had this signature work  ̶ ‘321GO’  ̶  commissioned especially for the students of the SOU Wind Ensemble,” said director Dr. Cynthia Hutton.. “I am so grateful for these student musicians and their constant attitude of curiosity and voracious appetite for new music. We call it ‘fresh ink,’ and it’s just a joy to watch them learn.” The SOU Wind Ensemble has approximately 45 members and is open to talented student musicians from all campus disciplines. It is dedicated to the study of a diverse repertoire from masterworks to new compositions for wind and percussion.

Hutton is Associate Professor of Music at Southern Oregon University. She teaches classes in conducting, music theory, aural skills, brass methods and instrumental music education. In addition to her role at SOU, Dr. Hutton is the Music Director of the Youth Symphony of Southern Oregon and has served as Conductor of Youth Symphony and Youth Orchestra since 1995. She has served on the boards of the Oregon Music Educators Association and College Band Directors National Association, Northwest Division. As a horn artist, Dr. Hutton is a member of the Rogue Valley Symphony and the RVSO Brass Quintet.

Tickets are $10, $5 senior and free to full-time students. The Performing Arts Box Office is located in the Music Recital Hall lobby. Box office hours are noon to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and two hours prior to each performance. Tickets can be purchased with a credit card over the phone by calling 541-552-6348 or online at sou.edu/performingarts. Contact the box office for discounts offered to SOU alumni, Osher Lifelong Learning Institute participants and SNAP/Oregon Trail cardholders.

About Southern Oregon University

Southern Oregon University provides outstanding student experiences, valued degrees, and successful graduates. SOU is known for excellence in faculty, intellectual creativity and rigor, quality and innovation in connected learning programs, and the educational benefits of its unique geographic location. SOU was the first university in Oregon—and one of the first in the nation—to offset 100 percent of its energy use with clean, renewable power, and it is the first university in the nation to balance 100 percent of its water consumption. Visit sou.edu.

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(Ashland, Ore.) – The Music program of the Oregon Center for the Arts at Southern Oregon University presents the jazz and café music that made Paris famous in “American in Paris,” performed by Dan Kocurek and Christine Eggert, on Friday, February 20 at 7:30 pm in the SOU Music Recital Hall.

Kocurek and Eggert are both classically trained professional musicians. This performance was inspired by their desire to infuse the experience of musical performance with a compelling story, allowing each listener to watch a movie in their own mind as the music unfolds. The narrative element engages the audience on multiple levels, making the music more accessible.

In “American in Paris,” Kocurek is the narrator and the American and Eggert represents the beautiful Parisian. As the story unfolds, the duo performs wonderful music by Debussy, Gershwin, Stravinsky and Piazzolla, as well as some risqué cabaret songs and music made famous by singer Edith Piaf. Their repertoire is from the great legends who visited and worked in Paris during the 1920s, as well as charming  ̶  and disarming  ̶  music that made it big on the radio and on stage.

“My favorite part of performing ‘American in Paris’ is the reactions we get from the audience,” said Kocurek. “After every performance, audience members tell me how it made them feel. So many people have told me that it made them recall their last trip to France, or that it transported them straight to Paris.”

Kocurek leads the trumpet studio in the SOU Music program, the Southern Oregon Jazz Ensemble and SOU Raider Band. Eggert teaches courses at SOU in the piano and theory programs. As Les Deux, they have been called a “musical powerhouse” whose programs have been hailed as being “musically provocative, presented with charm and a deliciously human touch.”

Kocurek is former lead trumpet for the world-renowned Dallas Brass and he’s performed with Jens Lindemann, Mark Gould, Ryan Anthony, Marty Hackleman, Alain Trudel, Nancy DiNovo and Bobby Shew. He has also performed as a soloist with the University of British Columbia Symphony Orchestra, Wind Ensemble and Chamber Strings, the Vancouver Bach Choir, the Pro Nova Ensemble and the Vancouver Metropolitan Orchestra, among many others.

Eggert debuted on CBC radio as a piano soloist at age 16 and has performed across Canada and in the United States, Austria and Ireland. She has appeared in Vancouver, B.C., with the Out For Lunch series at the Vancouver Art Gallery, the Silk Purse Series, the Ryerson Summer Concert Series, The Bluthner Piano Series and the Dodson Room Concerts. Her training has included collaborative piano studies at the prestigious Franz Schubert Institut in Baden bei Wien, Austria, under the world’s foremost lieder specialists including Rudolf Jansen, Elly Ameling, and Julius Drake.

Tickets are $10, $5 senior and free to full-time students. The Performing Arts Box Office is located in the Music Recital Hall lobby. Box office hours are noon to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and two hours prior to each performance. Tickets can be purchased with a credit card over the phone by calling 541-552-6348 or online at sou.edu/performingarts. Contact the box office for discounts offered to SOU alumni, Osher Lifelong Learning Institute participants and SNAP/Oregon Trail cardholders.

About Southern Oregon University

Southern Oregon University provides outstanding student experiences, valued degrees, and successful graduates. SOU is known for excellence in faculty, intellectual creativity and rigor, quality and innovation in connected learning programs, and the educational benefits of its unique geographic location. SOU was the first university in Oregon—and one of the first in the nation—to offset 100 percent of its energy use with clean, renewable power, and it is the first university in the nation to balance 100 percent of its water consumption. Visit sou.edu.

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