| April 2005 Headlines | |
The combined concert of the Concordia choirs and orchestra, the annual spring Oratorio, presents "Requiem" by English composer John Rutter on Sunday, April 24 at 4 p.m. in Memorial Auditorium. The oratorio is free and open to the public. "Rutter's "Requiem" displays a simplicity and sobriety of grace and suppleness," says Dr. René Clausen, conductor of the Concordia Choir who directs the Oratorio. "There is harmony and melody carried throughout many of the movements that will challenge and bring out the best of our choirs and orchestra." Born in 1945, Rutter has concentrated on composing vocal music for choirs, and has become probably the most popular and widely performed composer of his generation. Rutter's particular gift is for skilled craftsmanship and memorable phrasing, and he is at his most introspective in the "Requiem." "His music typically breathes a gentle and melodious spirit, and it can also be joyful, rhythmic and fleet," says Clausen. "Rutter is at his best in these large-scale sacred choral works and anthems, but lately he has also produced a large outpouring of Christmas music." Rutter's funeral mass was first performed in 1990, which makes it a modern take on a centuries old song form. A requiem is first sung as a mass on the day of burial and/or on succeeding anniversaries of a person's death. During the 20th century, requiems became known for their remarkable range and variety. Even when combined with orchestra, most requiems are set within the bounds of liturgical worship with a number of a cappella pieces specifically composed for choir. Minnesota students attending Concordia and other private colleges in the state will find fewer state financial aid dollars available next school year if the legislature continues on its present course. As the education budget bill now stands, the Minnesota State Grant program will allocate 10 percent of the $1.14 billion budgeted for education aid to families with students enrolled in private colleges, while the remaining 90 percent goes to state schools to subsidize tuition. Those numbers aren't likely to change the following year either, because Gov. Tim Pawlenty's budget  proposal does not provide for any additional funds for the State Grant program.About 42 percent of Concordia students from Minnesota currently receive financial assistance from the State Grant program. Concordia President Dr. Pamela Jolicoeur says students and parents can influence the legislature to add more funds to the financial aid pool available to Minnesota residents. "Your voice needs to be heard. Legislators listen to their constituents," says Jolicoeur who spoke to students prior to Gov. Pawlenty's visit to the campus on March 18. The governor offered no specifics about increasing financial aid to families except to say that the legislature and his office are studying ideas. Jolicoeur, however, pressed students and parents to take action in order to prevent further erosion of the State Grant program, and to add more funds to the financial aid pool. "Input from students is so important because you are the consumers, the beneficiaries of the State Grant program. Your voice needs to be heard that these funds are necessary in order to provide access to a college education of your choosing," says Jolicoeur The State Grant program provides financial aid directly to students based solely on need. In the coming year, a family with annual income of $50,000 will receive $375 less aid than they currently receive. "These dollars are very important for Minnesota students," says Jolicoeur. Statistics show that the amount of State Grant dollars available directly to families has been eroding over the past decade, while the amount of funding to state schools has grown. Also, trends show more families of average means are sending children to private schools while the number of children from high-income families is increasing at schools like the University of Minnesota. Voice your concerns about financial aid - let your voice be heard through the Minnesota Private College Action Network! Expressing your concern about State Grant dollars is relatively easy. Just follow these directions: Visit http://mpcc.e-actionmax.com. Click on Sign Up at the bottom of the page. Fill in the information to become part of the Action Network. Click on Act Now for identification of current alerts. Click on Contact Your Legislators about Financial Aid. Your message will be sent electronically to Gov. Pawlenty, your state senator and state representative through the Network. Gifts from individuals to Concordia now have greater impact. Members of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans will see their gifts grow larger after enhancements to the GivingPlus program. Thrivent will contribute one dollar for every two dollars donated by members to Lutheran organizations like Concordia College, up to $300 for each gift per year. This means that the member giving range increases to $600 - Thrivent will supplement $300 for a $600 or more donation. Members can make multiple gifts to the same organization and Thrivent will supplement the gifts up to $300 in a single year. The GivingPlus program allows Thrivent members to make an even greater impact to the organizations they support. The changes also simplify the giving process and will encourage more members to make use of this generous, one-of-a-kind program. No minimum gift is required, and all gift monies will be counted toward the Thrivent maximum supplement of $300. "This new giving enhancement will help alumni and friends of the college participate in the Campaign for Concordia," says Linda Brown, vice president for Development. "The campaign addresses many critical needs at Concordia, including financial aid for students, faculty development and a new Campus Center. We're happy that Thrivent is actively helping donors support the college through this opportunity to add extra value to their gifts."  A Concordia cast of nearly 40 students and a few children will bring to life the pages of John Steinbeck's classic, The Grapes of Wrath, in April.Adapted by Frank Galati, the play is based on Steinbeck's novel about a poor family in Oklahoma that loses its farm. The family flees to California, hoping to find work and a better life. On their journey they encounter prejudice and exploitation. The story reminds audiences of the goodness and strength that reside in the heart and mind of the "common man." Director Helen Cermak says Grapes of Wrath stirs audiences with stories of compassion, the hurts of discrimination and the challenges faced by refugees. "In today's society we have so many people that are displaced and have become refugees. They have lost everything they have," says Cermak. "Sometimes those people are removed from us, but this drama enables them to be with us, and allows the audience to respond." Performances will be held at 8 p.m. Thursday, April 7, through Saturday, April 9, and at 2:30 p.m., Sunday, April 10 at the Frances Frazier Comstock Theatre, Concordia. For tickets or more information contact the theater box office at 299-3314. Lorie Line and her Pop Chamber Orchestra will perform in Memorial Auditorium on Friday, April 22 as the Founder's Day concert and in celebration of the inauguration of President Pamela Jolicoeur. Tickets are $10 and $15. Buy them online. In April, the popular Cobbers After Hours is back! Join fellow Cobbers at Axel's Bonfire in St. Paul to reconnect with alumni and for career networking, Thursday, April 7, 6-8 p.m. RSVP... Family Weekend 2005, "Families Together, Memories Forever," Sept. 16-18. Homecoming 2005, "Sweeter with Time," Sept. 30-Oct. 2. Watch the Alumni page for more information in the coming weeks. You know the difference Concordia made in your life - now it's time to share it with others. We're looking for a wide variety of Concordia-related stories for publication, to show more people (like prospective students and parents) where alumni are now! In 150 words or less, describe how your education and experience at Concordia shaped your professional and/or personal life. Please submit your story to mystory@cord.edu. Through May, all submissions will be entered in monthly drawings for Concordia merchandise from the bookstore. If your story is selected it will be used in print and/or for Web site material and we'll contact you for a photo. Just think how your story could help! |
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