Candles and Carols is a 57-year tradition that the School of Music, Theatre and Dance (SMTD) puts on each December. “It started when a group of people would gather in Park Place Church and sing carols together,” Dr. Jeffrey Wright, the dean of the SMTD said. “Gradually, we began to add components from the department.” According to Wright, it is an opportunity for the community to gather at the beginning of the holiday season and enjoy fellowship. “Through the show, we are reminded of … [Read more...]
Sidewalk Prophets return to the nest
Just 20 years ago in Smith Hall, student Ben McDonald interrupted student Dave Frey’s “Mario” game to begin a journey neither of them could have predicted. When McDonald asked Frey to join a band he was starting, Frey put down his controller and the two began writing songs. They started writing in the Valley or their dorm rooms and recorded in their rooms with microphones hanging from the ceiling. “God just kept opening doors, kicking them down for me,” Frey explained. “It kind of all … [Read more...]
Andersonian 2021-11-17
Fall Into Dance
Claire Mountcastle speaks with dancers Hannah Frick and Leah Pitman about the upcoming student-choreographed performance, Fall Into Dance. … [Read more...]
SOMTD to present “The Music of Georgia Stitt”
On Friday, Oct. 1, the School of Music, Theatre and Dance will present a concert of composer and lyricist Georgia Stitt’s music. “She’s an incredible artist and activist,” director David Coolidge said. “It’s a great opportunity for our students not only to work with a great level of material, but to receive direct feedback from Georgia.” For the past month, the department has been working every day to perfect the show. “Once we got into rehearsal, it has been pretty … [Read more...]
Upcoming Encore to include a Homecoming twist
Every year, student talent is showcased and celebrated in Encore performances presented by the Avanti Boosters. Students have the opportunity to audition and perform for their peers in Reardon Auditorium with a full band. This year, the 30th Anniversary of Encore, will be extra special. Past Encore concerts have included themes like “Soundtrack” and “British Takeover.” The first Encore of this year will be “Anything Goes” but with a twist: a limited number of alumni will have the opportunity … [Read more...]
Gerald Potts
Gillian Lintz catches up with junior Gerald Potts about the unique circumstances that make music such an important part of his life. This audio interview was produced for the Spring 2021 Advanced Newswriting and Reporting course. … [Read more...]
Brady Day
Thomas Piotrowski sits down with junior Brady Day to discuss the creation of his new musical, "Reign." This audio interview was produced for the Spring 2021 Advanced Newswriting and Reporting course. … [Read more...]
SOMTD position filled by a familiar face
The end of the unique school year parallels the retirement of two significant figures in the School of Music, Theatre and Dance (SOMTD): Dr. Richard Sowers and Dr. Fritz Robertson. Sowers, professor of music and director of AU Chorale, and Robertson, professor of music, voice area coordinator and director of Boze Lyric Theatre, retired at the end of this semester. Both worked diligently to ensure a smooth transition for everyone in the School of Music, Theatre and Dance. However, the … [Read more...]
Avanti Boosters and CAB to hold joint Encore-Bond event
Usually held four times a year by the men’s social club Avanti Boosters, Encore has become a staple of the student experience at AU. However, the options for hosting such a large event on campus have been limited since the beginning of the pandemic. This reality has also affected popular CAB events, such as Bond. Before the semester ends, Boosters and CAB hope to give students a taste of post-pandemic normalcy—for the first time since February of 2020, both Encore and Bond will be held in … [Read more...]