2011-12 Featured Cultural Events

2011 Faith, Reason and World Affairs Symposium
"The Role of the Artist in Society: Inspiration, Issues, Impact"
September 13-14, 2011
Free and open to the public

The 2011 symposium will address a three-prong debate: on the themes of inspiration, issues and impact. What inspires today's artists and their audiences? Do you approach art primarily from a formalist perspective toward the object of expression, or do you approach it with a desire for achieving a particular message or supporting a social commitment? Should artists step outside their artistic work, using their recognition as an artist for a platform from which to address social issues? What rights or responsibilities are involved in such actions? What impact does art actually have on community from a societal and economic perspective? Does the presence or absence of artistic expression and appreciation signal anything about the health and welfare of a community?

Featured speakers who will address these issues include author Colum McCann, artist and curator Jennifer Heath, cultural critic and author Lawrence Rothfield, and film critic and author Dan Flory. In addition participants will have an opportunity to hear from local and regional artists and arts organizations on a variety of topics presented in concurrent sessions during the symposium.

The symposium is free and open to the public. For a full schedule, additional information on speakers and a list of concurrent sessions please visit www.cord.edu/symposium.

This activity is funded by the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage fund as appropriated by the Minnesota State Legislature with money from the vote of the people of Minnesota on November 4, 2008.


Art Exhibit: "(Dis)covering the Veil: Visible and Invisible Spaces"
Jennifer Heath, Exhibit Curator
Sunday, Aug. 28-Sunday, Sept. 25, 2011
Public Reception 4-6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 13
Gallery Talk by exhibit curator Jennifer Heath at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 13
Free and open to the public

"(Dis)covering the Veil: Visible and Invisible Spaces," curated by Jennifer Heather, features the works of 26 artists, each of whom considers the veil's many manifestations and interpretations, and investigates veils and veiling in their broadest contexts. This exhibition intends to engage received wisdom about the veil - including current stereotypes about Islamic practices - and to reflect on the great ubiquity, importance and profundity of the veil throughout human history and imagination.

The exhibit is a satellite of the national traveling exhibition "The Veil: Visible and Invisible Spaces: and is a visual companion to Jennifer Heath's edited volume "The Veil: Women Writers on its History, Lore and Politics," University of California Press, 2008.

This exhibit occurs in conjunction with the annual Faith, Reason and World Affairs Symposium.


The Music of Libby Larsen
7:00 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 27, 2011
Centrum, Knutson Campus Center
Free and open to the public

Libby Larsen is one of America's most performed living composers. She has created a catalog of more than 400 works spanning virtually every genre from intimate vocal and chamber music to massive orchestral works and more than 12 operas. Grammy-Award winning and widely recorded, including more than 50 CDs of her work, she is highly sought after for commissions and premieres by major artists, ensembles and orchestras around the world, and has established a permanent place for her works in the concert repertory. Join prolific Minnesota composer Libby Larsen for a discussion and a performance of a selection of her works by Concordia music faculty. This concludes a two-day residency sponsored by the department of music. A public reception will follow the performance.

Residency Schedule:

Monday, September 26, 2011
10:30 - 11:40 a.m. - Guest Lecturer at Inquiry Seminar: Creativity, Dr. Nathaniel Dickey, professor
7:00 p.m. - Student Lecture and Q/A - Christiansen Recital Hall
7:45 p.m. - Reception in Hvidsten Lobby

Tuesday, September 27, 2011
9:50 - 10:20 a.m. - Message at Chapel - Knutson Campus Center Centrum
2:30 - 3:40 p.m. - Guest Lecturer, MUS 308: The String Quartet, Dr. Daniel Breedon, professor


Rekkenze Brass
7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 13, 2012
Memorial Auditorium
Tickets: Reserved - $15, General Admission - $12 and Students under 18 - $6

Rekkenze Brass has earned a reputation as one of Europe's leading brass chamber music ensembles. The quintet has performed for varied audiences ranging from preschoolers to heads of state. The group has toured more than 20 countries around the world and have produced 11 recordings over their 30-plus years as an ensemble. Rekkenze, based in Germany, includes Concordia trumpet professor Peter Knudsvig who spends summers and the Christmas holiday season performing with the group. Several members of Concordia's music faculty will also join the ensemble for a portion of the performance.

Residency Schedule

Thursday, Jan. 12th
9:50-10:20 a.m. Chapel Service, Knutson Center 

Friday, Jan 13th
9:20-10:15 a.m. Individual Instrument Master Classes, Hvidsten Hall of Music

    Trumpet - Band Rehearsal Room, Benjamin Sebald, Peter Knudsvig
    French Horn - Hanson Orchestra Rehearsal Room, Debra Luttrell
    Trombone - Buxton Choral Rehearsal Hall, René Jampen
    Tuba - Christiansen Recital Hall, Rainer Streit

11:00 AM - 12:30 pm Rekkenze Brass Lecture and Interactive Discussion, Christiansen Recital Hall, Hvidsten Hall of Music

    11:00-11:45AM - How to Survive & Thrive in an Ensemble
    11:45-12:30PM - Germany and America: A Cultural Comparison


Faculty Showcase
7:00 p.m. Tuesday, Mar. 6, 2012
Centrum, Knutson Campus Center
Tickets: General Admission - $12 and Students under 18 - $6

Discover why Concordia's music faculty perform so frequently around the region and the country. This showcase performance will feature several members of highly talented instrumental music faculty performing a diverse program of chamber music in many unique ensemble configurations. Experience these master teachers and gifted performing making great music together. A public reception will follow the performance.

For more information or to reserve tickets, contact the Cultural Events office.


If you have special needs, please let us know. In an effort to make our programs and activities accessible to all interested people, we ask that those individuals requiring accommodations for special needs please contact the Cultural Events Office at 218.299.4366 two weeks prior to the event.
* Hearing assistant systems to amplify stage dialogue or music can be made available if reservations are made in advance.
* Wheelchair accessible seating is available. Please indicate the number of wheelchair seats needed at the time of ticket order so that we may properly seat you in the facility.
* Braille or large print programs are available. A minimum of 14 days advance notice is required.
* American Sign Language interpreters may be provided for appropriate performances. A minimum of 14 days advance notice is required.
* Telecommunication Device for the Deaf (TTD/TTY) service is available by calling 218.291.1120.


Announcing the 2012 Symposium

2012 Faith, Reason and World Affairs Symposium
"Beyond Genocide: Learning to Help and Hope"
September 11-12, 2012
Free and open to the public

  "Beyond Genocide: Learning to Help and Hope" focuses on our connections in a global community. Genocide is not something that only happens in Africa. It is not something that only happened in the distant past. We are all involved, today, as voters, consumers, scholars, humanitarians, and citizens of the world. Together we will find the hope that lies beyond genocide by learning about recovery efforts and post-genocidal activities. Together we will become aware in order to grapple with the difficult questions. People from all disciplines will contribute to a campus-wide conversation that seeks to address, if not fully understand, issues related to genocide.

Whatever your background or discipline, you will learn to help and hope in ways that apply to your studies at Concordia and your life in general. Experience all aspects of the Faith, Reason, and World Affairs Symposium and you will find some history of genocide combined with concrete information about how to get involved in recovery and prevention efforts. You will find the faces and voices directly affected by genocide, with time and space for you to reflect on your thoughts and feelings in terms of faith (the role of spirituality and religion), reason (academics, critical thinking, problem solving), and world affairs (how all of us are affected by genocide). See the faces. Hear the stories. Learn to help and hope.

Featured speakers who will address these issues include Rose Mapendo, genocide survivor and founder of Mapendo New Horizons; Mark Hannis, president of Genocide Intervention Network/Save Darfur Coalition; David Feinberg, professor and director of "Voice to Vision" project, University of Minnesota; Greg Gordon, professor and director of the University of North Dakota Center for Human Rights and Genocide Studies. In addition participants will have an opportunity to hear from local and regional speakers on topics that will connect to what happens on all levels of faith, reason and world affairs after a genocide has occurred.

The symposium is free and open to the public. For a tentative schedule and additional information on speakers please visit www.cord.edu/symposium.


 

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