Press Releases

Category: Press Releases

Steve March Tormé, Wisconsin Homegrown Quintet Headline Lawrence University’s Annual Jazz Celebration Weekend

Steve March Tormé, son of legendary jazz singer Mel Tormé, and the Wisconsin Homegrown Jazz Quintet, five accomplished musicians all with state roots, headline the 29th edition of Lawrence University’s annual Jazz Celebration Weekend.

Steve-March-Torme_web-blog.jpgMarch Tormé opens the weekend Friday, Nov. 6 at 7:30 p.m. in the Lawrence Memorial Chapel, 510 E. College Ave., Appleton. The Wisconsin Homegrown Jazz Quintet closes the weekend Saturday, Nov. 7 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets for both concerts, ranging from $15 to $22 are available through the Lawrence Box Office, 920-832-6749.

“Wisconsin has produced a list of jazz luminaries, including such legends as bandleader Woody Herman of Milwaukee and renowned big band era trumpeter Bunny Berigan from Hilbert,” said Fred Sturm, director of jazz studies and improvisational music at Lawrence. “Some great musicians from Wisconsin are now major national and international jazz artists and our Jazz Weekend provides the perfect opportunity to bring a few of them back home.”

Backed by the 10-piece Lawrence Faculty Jazz Band, March Tormé’s opening concert, “Tormé Sings Tormé,” is a musical and visual tribute to his father as well as a commemoration of the 10th anniversary of his father’s 1999 death. The concert, which was part of a 32-city American tour in 2007, includes video footage and photos from March Tormé’s show business life.

Born in New York City, the son of the multi-talented Mel Tormé and the former model, Candy Tockstein, Steve’s parents’ divorced when he was young and his mother remarried the actor/comedian Hal March, who was the host of NBC-TV’s “The $64,000 Question.”

March Tormé spent nearly 30 years living in southern California, honing his craft as a performer, working as an actor and appearing on a number of variety television shows, including three years as the featured vocalist on ABC-TV’s “$100,000 Name That Tune.” His circle of friends included many other second-generation show biz kids, including Liza Minnelli, Dean Martin Jr. and Carrie Fisher.

With a singing career covering more than three decades, March Tormé’s repertoire spans the gamut from classic standards to his own original music that carries the influences of artists ranging from the Beatles and Todd Rundgren to Joni Mitchell and Steely Dan.

His first album, “Lucky,” released in the late 1970s, earned critical acclaim while is latest CD, “Inside/Out,” was released earlier this year. The disc features 12 of his own original works that showcase his talents as vocalist, keyboardist, guitarist and composer.

Lawrence’s superb vocal jazz group, the Hybrid Ensemble, will open the March Tormé concert and perform one of his original compositions with him. The concert also will include a performance of one of his father’s most famous compositions, “The Christmas Song,” with a new arrangement scored by Lawrence faculty member Lee Tomboulian.

“While the show is a tribute to Mel Tormé, Steve is not trying to copy his legendary father,” said Sturm. “Steve’s got a sound, style and approach that’s uniquely his. There are wonderful moments where you’ll hear his father’s influence, but Steve’s got a distinctive voice that’s all his.”

Four years ago, March Tormé moved from California to Wisconsin, where is wife is originally from, and now makes his home in Appleton.

His concert is presented in collaboration with the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center and media partner 91.1 FM The Avenue.

Saturday’s concert features the ensemble debut of the Wisconsin Homegrown Jazz Quintet, featuring saxophonist Joel Frahm of Racine, drummer Zach Harmon of Winneconne, Eau Claire native Geoffrey Keezer on piano, trumpeter Brian Lynch, who grew up in Milwaukee and Appleton-born bassist Ike Sturm.

While they will be playing together for the first time as an ensemble, each member of the quintet has established himself individually, performing with many of the jazz world’s biggest stars. In addition to performing together, each quintet member also will be showcased as a solo artist with the Lawrence University Jazz Ensemble.

Brian-Lynch_web-blog.jpgLynch, considered one of the premier jazz artists working today, has been a member of the Horace Silver Quintet, Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers and the Phil Woods Quintet and has enjoyed a 20-year association with Latin jazz star Eddie Palmieri.

Geoff-Keezer_web-blog.jpgKeezer, who began touring with Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers as an 18-year old, has been the featured pianist with Diana Krall, Joshua Redman, Chick Corea and Christian McBride, among others.

Joel-Frahm_web-blog.jpgFrahm, who recently was recognized in Downbeat magazine’s Critics Poll as a “Rising Star” in the tenor saxophone category, has appeared with Jane Monheit and Kurt Rosenwinkel and recorded the 2004 CD “Don’t Explain” with Brad Mehldau.

Zach-Harmon_web-blog.jpgHarmon and Sturm will be on familiar turf as both have strong Lawrence connections. Harmon, who grew up in Winneconne and now lives in Los Angeles, is the son of Wisconsin musical icon John Harmon, the first director of Lawrence’s jazz studies program. He has toured Vietnam and India with Herbie Hancock and Wayne Shorter and recorded with Grammy-winning trumpeter Terence Blanchard.

Ike-Sturm_web-blog.jpgSturm, the Appleton-born son of current Lawrence jazz director Fred Sturm, is the jazz music director at St. Peter’s Church — the “Jazz Church” — in Manhattan and has collaborated with Bobby McFerrin, Maria Schneider and Kenny Wheeler. His new CD, “Jazz Mass,” is scheduled for release in mid-November.

“Though several members have crossed musical paths before this, the quintet will play together for the first time as a unit just 48 hours before their Saturday performance,” said Sturm. “Assembling this group was like picking my own Wisconsin all-star team. And having Ike and Zach on stage will complete beautiful circles for John Harmon and me.”

In addition the two evening concerts, more than 1,000 middle and high school and collegiate instrumental and vocal students representing 49 school ensembles will participate in a series of clinics on Saturday, Nov. 7 conducted by seven Wisconsin jazz educators. All of Saturday’s daytime events, including ensemble performances held throughout the Music-Drama Center, Shattuck Hall, and the Memorial Chapel, are free and open to the public.

A complete Jazz Celebration Weekend schedule of events can be found here.

Africa-based Missionary Featured in Lawrence University Social Justice Series Presentation

Peter Brokopp, a missionary in Burkina Faso, presents “[Encounter: West Africa] Dry Tears. Malnutrition. AIDs.” in the second installment of Lawrence University’s 2009-10 Social Justice Series Thursday, Nov. 5 at 6:30 p.m. in the Warch Campus Center cinema. The event is free and open to the public.

The presentation will examine the reality of poverty and the life-and-death importance of clean water in the land-locked sub-Saharan country to grow crops, curb malnutrition and prevent fatal diseases through water-borne illnesses. Brokopp’s work focuses on developing people rather than programs through both formal education and community health education, including proper water care and AIDS education.

Brokoff grew up in Gabon, Africa, where his parents were missionaries. He worked in the United States as a youth pastor for six years before moving to Burkina Faso in 1998 to work with youth development. Assisted by volunteers who come for 10-day stays, Brokopp’s efforts center on establishing wells and building youth centers and schools.

The Social Justice Lecture Series is sponsored by the Lawrence University Volunteer and Community Center and brings guest speakers to campus to discuss contemporary social justice issues such as Wisconsin’s school funding crisis and asylum for battered women of the world.

Energy Expert Discusses Economic Downside of New Wisconsin Nuclear Reactors

A nuclear energy expert discusses the economic challenges of new nuclear reactors and their negative effect on Wisconsin jobs in an address at Lawrence University. The event is free and open to the public.

Peter-Bradford_web.jpg

Peter Bradford, vice-chair of the board of the Union of Concerned Scientists and a member of the Policy Advisory Committee of the China Sustainable Energy Program, presents “Can Wisconsin Afford New Nuclear Reactors?” Thursday, Nov. 5 at 12 noon in the Warch Campus Center Kraemer Room.

An advisor on utility regulation, restructuring, nuclear power and energy policy in the United States and abroad, Bradford will examine some of the myths supporting nuclear energy, explain why nuclear energy is more expensive than alternative ways of combating climate change and discuss why the same concerns that regulated previous nuclear energy use are still applicable today.

Bradford served as a member of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission from 1977-82, during which time the Three Mile Island accident occurred, resulting in major revisions of the NRC’s regulatory and enforcement processes. He has taught classes on energy policy and environmental protection at Yale University and nuclear power and public policy at Vermont Law School.

A former chair of the New York and Maine public utility commissions, Bradford is the author of the book “Fragile Structures: A Story of Oil Refineries, National Security and the Coast of Maine.”

His appearance is sponsored by Greenfire, the campus environmental student organization.

Lawrence Counseling Director Discusses Suicide Prevention Grant on WHBY Radio

Kathleen Fuchs, Lawrence University’s director of counseling services, will be a guest this morning (10/30) on WHBY radio 1150 AM, to discuss a recent $300,000 grant the college received from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to implement a comprehensive approach to preventing suicide. The Lawrence University Campus Suicide Prevention Project is an initiative designed to lower suicide risk factors and enhance protective factors, including life skills and social networking, among Lawrence students. Fuchs will discuss the project with host Jeff Jirschele beginning at 10:10 a.m.

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Two Lawrence University Pianists Earn First-Place Honors in State Music Competition

Two Lawrence University students earned first-place honors at the Wisconsin Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) Piano Competition held Saturday, Oct. 24 at Maranatha Baptist Bible College in Watertown.

Michael Smith, a senior piano-performance major from Davis, Calif., won the Young Artists division (19-26 years of age), while Jonathan Gmeinder, a freshman from Hartland, won the Senior Performance division (16-18 years of age). Both are students in the piano studio of Professor of Music Catherine Kautsky.

With their winning performances, Smith and Gmeinder both advance to the MTNA’s five-state East Central Division regional competition January 15-17 at University of Wisconsin Stevens Point. Winners of the regional competitions advance to the WTNA’s national competition in Albuquerque, N.M., next March.

Smith performed works by Bach, Rachmaninoff, Schulhoff and Schumann, while Gmeinder played works by Bach, Beethoven and Chopin. This is the second state music competition title for Smith, who shared first-place honors in the 2008 state Neale Silva competition sponsored by Wisconsin Public Radio.

Lawrence sophomore Marshall Cuffe also participated in the MTNA state competition, earning honorable mention recognition.

Smith became the 10th Lawrence piano student in the past 12 years to win the Wisconsin MTNA competition’s Young Artist division.

New Lawrence University Wriston Art Center Exhibition Opens Oct. 30

Milwaukee artist Michael Davidson delivers the opening lecture Friday, Oct. 30 at 6 p.m. for the latest exhibition at Lawrence University’s Wriston Art Center galleries. A reception with the artist follows the address. The exhibition runs through Nov. 25.

Davidson-image_web.jpgDavidson’s exhibit, “Michael Davidson: Territories,” features abstract sketches and paintings that challenge viewers to become engaged with the physical process of painting. Using both gestural strokes and wide swaths of color, Davidson evokes both atmospheric landscapes and the dance-like movements of an artist obsessively engaged in the act of painting. Davidson’s exhibit will be shown in the Kohler gallery.

Virginia-based photographer Paul Thulin presents “Recent Work,” an exhibit featuring various darkroom and digital processes. Shown in the Hoffmaster gallery, “Recent Work” presents surreal landscapes and haunted dreams that play between reality and hallucination. Thulin is the director of graduate studies in the department of photography and film at Virginia Commonwealth University. He has won numerous awards and honors for his work, including a 2000-2001 Fellowship from the Virginia Commission for the Arts.

“Exhibitionism,” featuring works from the Wriston’s own permanent collection, will be on display in the Leech gallery. The exhibit presents art in a variety of unconventional ways, provoking thoughts about how the usual ways of hanging work in art museums can both clarify and complicate the meaning and historical context of the art.

Wriston Art Center hours are Tuesday-Friday from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Saturday-Sunday from noon – 4 p.m. The gallery is closed on Mondays. For more information, call 920-832-6621.

Lawrence University Brings Modern Touch to Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet”

The Shakespeare classic “Romeo and Juliet” receives a modern makeover — the New Jersey shore in 1980 — in Lawrence University’s production of the timeless love story.

The play will be performed at 8 p.m. Thursday (10/29), Friday (10/30) and Sunday (11/1) with a 3 p.m. matinee on Saturday (10/31) in Lawrence’s Cloak Theatre in the Music-Drama Center, 420 E. College Ave., Appleton. Tickets, at $10 for adults and $5 for senior citizens and students, are available at the Lawrence Box Office, 920-832-6749.

Transporting the young, star-crossed lovers to 1980, the 80-minute production exchanges balconies for wrought-iron fire escapes, rapiers for golf clubs and crow bars and classical music for Top 40 hits, including Bruce Springsteen, Neil Young, Elvis Costello and more.

Originally created for school audiences and performed by the Milwaukee Shakespeare Company in 2002, this version is the combined work of Timothy X. Troy, Lawrence professor of theatre arts John Maclay, a 1994 Lawrence graduate.

“The idea for the production design began many years ago in discussions between myself and (technical director) Dave Owens about our mutual love of Springsteen music and the working class culture of that time and place. Eventually, we decided that the idea was just crazy enough to work,” explained Troy, who will direct the play. “We looked at photos of the Jersey Shore and used them as a visual landscape for the play, including weathered lifeguard stands, graffiti, neon signs and over-grown pylons on the water’s edge.”

The production’s sound design by Troy evokes the popular music of the time that matches the major themes of the play.

“At the party scene where Romeo and Juliet meet, they’re dancing to Earth, Wind & Fire,” said Troy.

A set designed by Troy and Owens and costumes designed by Emily Rohm-Gilmore, a 2001 Lawrence graduate, adds to the modern effect created by the 1980 setting of the Elizabethan play.

The production features seniors Conner Lewis and Caroline Mandler in the title roles as Romeo and Juliet, respectively. Mercutio is played by junior Samuel Flood, Tybalt by junior Andi Rudd and Lord Capulet by junior Kyle Brauer.

In addition to the four performances for the community, the cast will offer three matinees specifically for students from Appleton East, North and West high schools, The Academy charter school and Marian College.

Rwandan Orphanage Director Opens Lawrence University Social Justice Lecture Series

Floriane Robins-Brown, executive director and CEO of a Rwandan orphanage project opens Lawrence University 2009-10 Social Justice Series Tuesday, Oct. 27 at 5 p.m. in the Warch Campus Center Hurvis Room with the presentation “Nibakure Children’s Village – Hope for Orphans in Rwanda.” The event is free and open to the public.

Floriane-Robins-Brown2_web.jpgA Rwandan native who moved to the United States in 1988, Robins-Brown began organizing a team of people for the NCV project in 2004. Now a registered non-profit organization both in Rwanda and the United States, the NVC received 23 acres of land from the Rwandan government and has begun construction on a village of family-style homes to house 150 children.

During the 1990s, Rwanda experienced severe ethnic violence between the Hutus majority and the Tutsi minority. In a span of 100 days in the spring of 1994, an estimated 800,000 Rwandans were killed — approximately 10% of the population — leaving thousands of children orphaned.

The NCV has joined the Rwandan government, non-governmental organizations and several individuals in the process of rebuilding and providing support for orphans.

The Social Justice Lecture Series is sponsored by the Lawrence University Volunteer and Community Center and brings guest speakers to campus to discuss contemporary social justice issues such as Wisconsin’s school funding crisis and asylum for battered women of the world.

Work of Photographer Anne Brigman Examined in Lawrence University Visiting Arts Series Address

Madison art critic James Rhem discusses the life and work of early 20th-century painter-turned photographer Anne Brigman in the opening address of Lawrence University’s 2009-10 Visiting Artist Series.

JamesRhem2_web.jpgRhem presents “Anne Brigman: Freedom, Art & Womanhood” Monday, Oct. 26 at 4:30 p.m. in the Wriston Art Center auditorium. The event is free and open to the public.

Trained as a painter, Brigman embarked on a photography career at the age of 32. Among her favorite subjects were “slim, hearty, unaffected women of early maturity,” whom she often photographed in the nude in the natural settings of the Sierra Nevada mountains of Northern California.

In a time when women were frequently repressed and photography was largely still considered a documentary form, Brigman tried to create art that showed what she felt women needed most — an absence of fear. After taking a photograph, she often manipulated the film by using paints and etching tools.

Brigman was one of two original California members of the Photo-Secession, an art photography group founded by Alfred Stieglitz to promote photography as a fine art and later was named a Fellow of the group.

Rhem, an independent scholar and critic, frequently lectures on and writes about photography. He is the author of four books, including “Ralph Eugene Meatyard: The Family Album of Lucybelle Crater and Other Figurative Photographs,” a book featuring the artwork of the 20th century American photographer famous for his photographs of people wearing masks. His current research focuses on the work of Brigman.

Rhem’s appearance is sponsored by the Lawrence University Department of Art and Art History and the Photography Club.

Lawrence University Author Receives Best Fiction Award

David McGlynn, assistant professor of English at Lawrence University, was one of five authors recognized Oct. 21 by the Utah Center for the Book during ceremonies at the Salt Lake City Library.

David_McGlynn_Weblog.jpgMcGlynn was awarded the best fiction title for his 2008 book “The End of the Straight and Narrow,” a collection of nine short stories that examines the inner lives, passions and desires of the zealous and the ways religious faith is both the compass for navigating daily life and the force that makes ordinary life impossible.

In addition to fiction, authors were honored in the categories of nonfiction, poetry, children’s literature and young-adult novel as part of the 10th annual Utah Humanities Council Book Festival. The awards recognize excellence in writing that carries a Utah setting or theme. Winners are announced each fall for books published the previous year.

At its June 2009 commencement ceremonies, Lawrence honored McGlynn with its Award for Excellence in Creative Activity, which recognizes outstanding creative work. A member of the Lawrence faculty since 2006, McGlynn earned his Ph.D. in English literature and creative writing from the University of Utah.