Hammond, LA
April 27, 2021
S O U T H E A S T E R N L O U I S IA NA U N I V E R S I T Y
CMS summer programs return for 2021 BROOKE BELL Staff Reporter
Southeastern’s Community Music School summer programs will be returning in June with two popular courses. Following a hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the faculty at the Community Music School is preparing their summer program for students interested in music. “Summer is a great time for students who are wanting to take music lessons but don’t know if they will like it or if they will have the time,” CMS Director Jivka Duke said. The summer program will mainly feature the Chamber Music Workshop and the Middle School Band Camp for local students. The Chamber Music Workshop allows students to work on their sight-reading skills and techniques on stringed instruments. It is available to all students with at least two years of experience with their preferred instrument. The workshop is scheduled for June 7-11 from 9 a.m. to noon with a final concert on June 11 at 11:30 a.m. The Middle School Band Camp will offer lessons in jazz ensembles, chamber groups and more, along with two private lessons to all participants. The camp will conclude with a performance by the students on June 18 at 5:30 p.m. It is available to students from fifth to ninth grade and will last from June 1418. In addition to limiting the number of participants to 15 students per class, the CMS also plans to enforce further safety policies. Aside from social distancing, all students and counselors participating will have daily temperature checks. Similarly, students’ instruments will have bell covers to prevent the spread of any germs during their performances. The safety regulations will make it possible for students to fully immerse in the program. Duke said, “For the students who come to Band Camp or workshops, it is a great time to get immersed in their music studies and bring their skills to the next level by working along with their like-minded peers. Learning in a group is always a lot of fun.” Many accomplished musicians also view the summer as a crucial time to improve a musician’s skills. Alexandra Jaeger, a decorated sophomore music major, said she feels strongly about working with an instructor during the summer. “I guess it’s harder to have motivation just because you don’t have somebody over your shoulder. Practicing can be a little bit more of a struggle when you don’t have deadlines to meet,” Jaeger said. Although planning programs generally require intensive preparation, the CMS faculty encountered even more challenges in the midst of the pandemic. Duke said, “It takes a full year to prepare for Band Camp. It was much preparation even before COVID-19, but now it is even more challenging. We love doing it, however, because the experience for the students is invaluable and it is worth every minute spent preparing.” During Homecoming Week 2020, the Community Music School celebrated it 25th anniversary with a concert. CMS students performed as soloists and groups a for The Chamber Music see CMS, pg 2. three “Classics in Blue Jeans” showcase. Brynn Lundy/The Lion’s Roar Workshop registration fee is
Columbia Theatre to pause productions during summer
Charles Ross, a comedian and Star Wars fan, held the One-Man Star Wars Triology on Nov. 7 in 2019. The Columbia plans to hold a variety of performances and events in the fall. File Photo/The Lion’s Roar HANNAH JUNEAU
The Columbia Theatre has put on numerous shows and events for and by the university throughout the fall and spring semesters. Over the summer, the Columbia Theatre uses this time to wind In downtown Hammond lies a popular building where locals down and prepare for the fall productions. can sit, have a good laugh, smile and maybe even cry: the Artistic Director Jim Winter shared details about the theatre’s Columbia Theatre for the Performing Arts. plans for the summer. Staff Reporter
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“It’s a dark time because normally we have some dance shows. We have local community groups that rent the space out, particularly in May and June,” Winter said. However, the summer is not the end-all, be-all. In fact, Winter explained that the Columbia is partnering up with theatre company Robin Hood Productions. He said, “We’re putting together an evening of short, one-act plays in July in our conference center, and that is something that’s kind of co-produced by the Columbia Theatre and Robinhood Productions.This will be kind of an unusual summer, but we are going to offer something in July.” Winter explained that the Columbia Theatre does not plan on having any summer camps this season, but said he hopes for more educational activities. “I hope that under my leadership here we will have more educational things happening in the summer like summer theatre camps, but right now, we don’t,” he said. The theatre is also known to be quite versatile. Winter said that the Columbia Theatre will offer a variety of productivity. He said, “Before I came here, I would say it’s a little bit of everything, and it will probably stay that way. We have dance shows and live concerts -- both classical music and popular music. We have plays, musicals and operas. It’s kind of the whole spectrum. I am more of a theatre producer and director, so I think with me here, you’ll see more theatrical offerings. Maybe not quite as many concerts, but there will be some.” In comparison to previous seasons, COVID-19 has not really affected the theatre because the summer is used for cleaning and preparing, according to Winter. He said that the theatre functions similarly to the school in that everything begins to boom again around mid-August when the university opens and more people are around the area. Surprisingly enough, COVID-19 has also not managed to greatly affect the theatre much in terms of sales, either. Winter said that “The Wizard of Oz” as well as the “Murder on the Marquee” dinner production did extremely well even with the virus at large. All upcoming events and productions will become available on columbiatheatre.org. Stay Connected With Us! Like and follow @lionsroarnews.
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