Hidden Champions

At a Glance



Who: LBCCs Chamber Choir, Re-Choired Element
What: State Champions
When: 2009
Where: South Santiam Hall (SSH)
Contact Information: Instructor James Reddan, 541-917-4550
Entrance Requirements: By audition only, as vacancies occur
Other choirs: Women's, Men's, Concert--open to all



South Santiam Hall is hiding a treasure.

While the work of individuals with a variety of artistic talents is clearly displayed in several parts of the building, tucked away out of the view of the campus in general, another group of artists perfects its craft.

If you were to continue walking through SSH between 11 a.m. and 12:20 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays-- after enjoying the glass-enclosed displays-- you would soon discover LBCCs hidden treasure, a treasure guarded by James Reddan.

If you opened the doors to Room 213, the harmonies of the 20 voices of LBCCs chamber choir, Re-Choired Element, winner of the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) Gold Award would flow over the campus. In fact, if you walk past those doors around that time most days of the week, you will hear music from the 75-voice Concert Choir, 15-voice Men's Choir or 15-voice Women's Choir.

After representing LBCC in Heritage Music Festivals on the West Coast last year, with the Concert and Men's Choirs, Re-Choired Element won the Oregon Small Ensemble Festival to become the top community college choir in the state and the only one to receive a superior rating.

The Road to Victory

LBCC's choir is probably the most active of all of Oregon's community college music programs. In fact, Reddan says, "LBCC is fortunate to have one of the state's thriving choir, music, theater and dance programs. Most were cut back or totally deleted due to economic budgetary constraints. We are fortunate that LB's program is thriving and growing."

Each year choir festivals are held all across the country. Last year, LBCC chose to perform at the Heritage Music Festivals held in Seattle and San Francisco.

According to Reddan, "At the festival, competing choirs are evaluated by all they have done over the course of the year--not just their performances during the festival. Each choir must attend and perform at an on-stage clinic adjudicated by one of appointed adjudicators. Depending on that rating, the choir is invited to the Festival of Gold."

The choir also receives a CD of the performance and a plaque displaying their final rating as Gold, Silver, Bronze or Festival.

Both four-year and two-year colleges compete together for the title. While there are 17 community college programs in the state, only three competed this past year," Reddan says.

Because the festivals are sanctioned Oregon ACDA events, the participating ensembles are eligible for the Oregon ACDA Gold Award Recognition and can choose a location for the upcoming year.

The Festival of Gold location choices for this year were Chicago, Los Angeles and New York City. Reddan says he chose NYC for the LBCC choir program because of the city's thriving arts culture.

About the Director

Prior to teaching at LBCC, Reddan taught in high school and middle school programs in Las Vegas, Nev. When he joined the LBCC music program, Reddan's plans were to get the choirs growing, to not just increase in size but to grow musically--to have good, high--quality musical experiences. He has toured and directed domestically and internationally and says he is looking forward to the possibility of taking the Re-Choired Element on an international tour, at some point. (The choir went on its first performing tour all over the West Coast last year.)

Re-Choired Element This Year

According to a recent LBCC newsletter the 2010 Oregon ACDA Small Ensemble Festival will take place on Saturday, April 24th, 2010 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Russell Tripp Performance Center.

Flying Today

At a Glance

Who: US Airways
What: Commercial Airline
Where: United States
Phone reservations: 800-428-4322 and

Online reservations: www.usairways.com

Having an emergency that requires making flight reservations on short notice is one of the worst things that can happen to a student on a fixed budget--especially on holiday or major playoff or bowl game weekends. The going price for a flight that normally would cost $300 or less can be as much as $1500 on those days.

I had that experience last week, and it was not a good experience until I Googled "cheap flights to Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW)" and came across a website that featured US Airways.

Suddenly, there were flights between $516 and $586. Since it said there was only one ticket left at that price, I quickly made the economical choice .

Then the nerves set in.

What was the last plane to crash and what was the name of the airline that landed in the Hudson River? Was US Airways a "good" airline?

I was about to find out.

As instructed, I arrived at the airport two hours early, and made my way through the security checkpoint--twice. That's what happens when you buy beverages on the wrong side of the checkpoint.

Food goes through security checks, beverages do not. And no, you can't stand there in the line and drink it; you have to go through the line again or throw it away.

They said it very nicely.

When I finally arrived at the gate, I realized again that something had changed since the days I thought I wanted to be a stewardess--all flight attendants and ground hostesses are no longer perky 18 to 21-year-old females, with height at least 5-foot-6 and weight less than 120 pounds.

Actually, according to a 2009 Newsweek article on the aging of flight attendants, the days of selection by age and physical characteristics (young, slim, and attractive) are gone.

There was something rather comforting about people caring for your need having smile lines around their mouths and crinkles around their eyes.

But what was up with all of the "fees"? One would think that at $1500 for a seat, luggage could travel for free, and the passenger could have a blanket, a pillow, and a meal or at least a snack.

Well, that was yesterday, and I found myself longing for yesterday.

Today there's the checked bag fee, the curbside-helper fee, the earphone fee, the beverage fee, the snack fee, the meal fee, and a pillow and blanket fee on some flights (although they call some of those "fees" prices rather than fees).

Before Aug. 26, 2009, one carry-on piece of luggage was $15 to $20. After that date prices went up to $20 to $25. In January there was another price increase. (International flights do allow more free luggage than domestic flights.)

There is also a small savings when tickets are purchased online and baggage fees are paid online.

Inflight Cafe offers chef-prepared meals and snacks, if you want to pay the price. Interestingly, the price for most of the food and comfort items in the in-flight catalog was around $7.

Although the airlines hate to admit it, all of these fees are having an affect on the numbers of people who fly. The Travel Insider says it is the number two cause of passenger decline. "All of the nasty fees discourage people." Their research indicates "It is now possible to pay more to an airline to transport your luggage than you pay to travel yourself.

Most of us passengers/customers think it outrageous that it is cheaper to fly a 240-pound passenger, complete with amenities and frequent flier miles, than it is to place 120 pounds of luggage in the hold."

So, here's a piece of advice. If you are taking a short trip, pack a smaller bag to carry on, pay the curbside helper (that's just a nice thing to do), and pack your favorite snack and beverage in the piece of carry-on luggage that will go under the seat in front of you. Because flights are generally chilly, take your own small blanket and take a small pillow if it is a long flight.

Suddenly, I was brought back to the reality of my flight. Forget the price of anything and whether or not I had good service. The pilot's voice was saying there would be turbulence as we entered the airspace near Phoenix. Oh boy. I was already looking out of the cabin windows for birds, praying that the Canada geese were somewhere far from the airport.

Was US Airways the airline that ended in the Hudson River?

I should have Googled that.

Note: US Airways logo from their website (http://content.usairways.com/en-US/Resources/images/layout/hp_header_logo.gif)

What I've Learned from Stephen King--So Far

At a Glance


Who: Me
What: Commenting on Stephen Kings book "On Writing--A Memoir of the Craft"



One thing is certain. Stephen King's book on writing teaches you "stuff." And, you learn very quickly that some of the "stuff" is not what you are wanting to read or to learn, necessarily. That's my conclusion, anyway.

Why?

Although I have not always lived a God-centered life, I have never liked to hear language that I was taught was "vile", "filthy", "gutter language" or just plain old "profanity," and it is hard to read with a filter.

Therefore, reading and trying to actually learn from Stephen King has been difficult.

Yet, there are gems about the craft of writing scattered in the mire.

(I am not certain that Shrunk and White would consider King's words that I would have omitted as "needless words" that should be omitted, though.)

Still, that is the first point about the writing craft that King drives home: Rule 17. It is still important to do that. It is so easy to just "write"--get it on paper--and that is usually with all of the words one would say when talking.

That is not necessary to do when writing. In other words, tighten it up.

Continuing through the pages, I quickly concluded, if this guy is considered a great writer, then there is hope for me. The writing craft is there and needs to be honed. So, I am on the right track.

I like the way he re-emphasized the way ideas come for stories, recognizing ideas that come to mind, and the nugget "Loose pages plus paperclip equal correct way to submit copy." As I said, gems in the mire.

He confirmed something that I believe to be true: part of writing is having someone believe that you can--just believe in you.

I also am still learning that everything doesn't get written in a day. As he said in writing about "Carrie", some stories have to sit and simmer a bit.

However, the most important thing I have learned from King at this moment is found on page 69. I say it is the most important thing because of its impact on my life.

Several years ago I began a book.

I had the opportunity to present the initial pages and concept to a publisher's agent who was seeking a book on the the subject I was writing about. She was in tears as she read. "I want this book to be the ONE book we publish on this subject," she said as she fumbled through her purse for a Kleenex.

Well, it got hard. Hard because it was emotionally hard. And that is exactly when King says that "stopping a piece of work just because it is hard...is a bad idea."

So, maybe I will continue reading King's book and pull my unfinished book off of the shelf.

Who knows, there may be more valuable gems in the mire I need to mine. I am quite positive there are.

Six Degrees

At a Glance

Who: Me
What: Reflecting on relationships with a hurting world



Six people are supposed
to separate me from
you and your pain--
where are they?

I am too close. I
am hurting. The
pain is too much.

You scream and
the sound comes through
my mouth.

You cry and
the tears make
muddy streams down
my face.

Your hunger fills
my stomach with
a lion's roar.

Your blood drips down my body
making crimson puddles on
my carpeted floor.

Your labored breathing
comes as gasps through parched lips
on my face.

I wrap my arms
around myself
do you feel comforted?

Trying to get through the pain

At a Glance

Who: Me
What: Thinking about the devastation of Haiti


"Breaking News"
continues to flash across the bottom of my TV screen.
I want to see and yet I don't, but I have to
I can't ignore it, act like I am not touched.

I reach across the empty space filling the miles between us
Arms aching--reaching but not touching the babies, the children
No medicine to ease the pain
No water, no food. Just life in the sun, the rain—
and despair.

Hold on, help is coming...I breathe the words
even as I watch life slipping away
on my TV screen.
He can't. They can't
hold on, much longer. Yet
they must. I will it. I command it.

Another life slips away. Another gets the news
it's too late. No chance. Mama? Daddy?
Gone. Horror too great to bear even
across all of these miles.

I hear my soul
Screaming with the grief of hundreds,
the thousands, the millions who are broken
lost, hurting.

The sun will come out tomorrow but
who wants to look at what it sees?

Galleries open for Winter Term

At a Glance

What: Galleries open for winter term.
Who: Featuring the work of Kurt Norlin, Jim Adams, Robin Cushman, Bill and Jane Siebler
When: Exhibits open Jan. 4. Norlin’s exhibit closes Jan. 29 and Adams’s and Cushman’s closes Feb. 26. Siebler exhibit closes March 19.
Where: North Santiam (Adams and Cushman)and South Santiam Hall (Kurt Norlin) Siebler Glass (Library and South Santiam Hall)
Gallery Hours: Weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
More information: Phone: 541-917-4638.

What do students do when they are waiting for classes in North Santiam Hall or South Santiam Hall? Visit the galleries!

At least that is what some do.

Diedra Peters says, "Actually, I like looking at exhibits. They're more entertaining than looking at white walls!"

Alyssa Johnson, who says she looks at the exhibits almost every day, quickly points to Robin Cushman’s painting entitled “Caravanserai” and says, “My favorite one is that one!”

"Actually, I look quite often," says Jeremy Cornforth. "I take the time to stop and look one or two times a week when I'm walking around the building."

While some shows generate more interest than others, the galleries are one way students and the community gain exposure to culture. That is one goal of the department. Everyone cannot travel the world, the region, or even the city to find the work that is displayed. By bringing a variety of shows on campus, culture is brought to the campus community.

This term, the works of photographers Kurt Norlin and Robin Bachtler Cushman, artist Jim Adams, and Bill and Jane Siebler's glass collection are featured.

Adams' and Cushman's exhibit, "Twist", and the Siebler's "A Passion for Glass" display are located in the North Santiam Hall gallery. A portion of the glass collection is also located in the library.

Norlin's display, “Desert Dance”, is located in the South Santiam gallery.

The Art Selection Process and Purpose--
The art department’s selection team has a specific interest in showing high-quality art created by artists in the Pacific Northwest each term. However, it is not just there "to collect dust," or break up the monotony of bare walls.

Gary Westford and Rich Bergeman (gallery coordinator and former LBCC instructor) are part of the team that selects the artists and the works that will be displayed each year. Westford says, “The team is specifically interested in showing high-quality work featuring Pacific Northwest artists that we can share with students and the community in general.”

Westford, Fine Arts instructor, says, “All of us are extremely busy with life—classes, kids, the economy—and I can see where it is easy to not take time to look at works of art. We are over-stimulated in our culture...we need to take time.”

Bergeman says, “Everybody who passes [the exhibits] and even takes a casual glance might have a nice break in their day. It only takes a little bit of art to plant a seed for the future. It enriches our outlook on life.”

Librarian Brian Miyagashima is very supportive of using library display areas for exhibits and commented, “It’s good to integrate art into the environment of this campus."

The Artists and Their Displays--
If you like rather abstract, kind of "weird" types of art, Jim Adams gives you several opportunities to try to figure out where his mind was or what he was thinking as he was creating.

Adams, a California native, has taught at Oregon State University and LBCC.

In a recent LBCC news release he said, "My artwork is a kind of spontaneous expression of some sort of inner tale that wants to be told. I am not telling specific stories so much as presenting a state of mind. My goal is to create imagery that will be intriguing to the viewer in its complexity, humor, and technical excellence.”

And that's one good reason to view his work. You can actually spend a lot of time trying to discover the state of mind Adams was in at the time or the state of mind he wants you to land in as you study his work. The imagery is definitely complex and humorous.

His figures remind me of dolls made from cotton-filled nylon stockings. They are whimsical, fanciful, and yet, if you look long enough, you can see some of life's realities portrayed. One instructor saw his family life.

If it is your cup of tea, you will find it intriguing.

Kurt Norlin, an Oregon native and former LBCC instructor stated, “Photographing the land is kind of a dance between the photographer, the camera, the land, the light and the weather.” He is also a former LBCC instructor.

His work takes you into the great expanses of the high desert. It is almost as though you were there to see it yourself--to feel the wind blowing your hair. Your eyes search for the distant horizon.

On Thursday, Jan. 21, Norlin will present a gallery talk at a reception from 7:30-9 p.m. in the SSH Gallery, "where he will discuss his own work as well as the tradition of panoramic landscape photography in the American West," according to LBCC's news release. Students and the community are invited.

Cushman, another Oregonian, is a commercial and fine art photographer who reportedly says that she is "interested in the ways in which nature is repackaged and re-presented and how humans interact with such artificially constructed nature.”

Her work shows the incredible possibilities you can create in your own space, if you have the imagination. If you don't she shows you what others have done with theirs. Like other students, I wanted to make changes to my own yard space.

Bill and Jane Siebler, retired educators and current Corvallis residents, have been collecting glasswork since the late 70s. Their collection includes the works of artists from the Northwest and from around the world. There are several pieces made by Bill, who has now become a skilled marble maker.

Marbles are supposed to be "cats' eyes" and such things. These artists create flowers and the put them inside a glass ball and call that a marble.

Who could play a game with such a fantastic item?

The glass pieces range from vases, to plates, to creatures and paperweights--each with amazing form and colors. They really make you want to take a trip to the nearest glass factory to watch or even try your hand at making a piece.

Those opportunities are available not far away in Eugene (studios and a glass school) and Newport (studios, galleries and classes).

“Desert Dance” will be on display through Jan. 29 in SSH. “Twist” can be viewed through Feb. 26 and will occupy both floors of NSH. "A Passion for Glass" can be seen until March 19.