The Show Must Go On!
Re-Imagining the Arts in a Pandemic
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As members of Virginia Wesleyan’s Fine and Performing Arts Department thought about what performances in the spring might look during the COVID-19 pandemic, their sincere hope was that conditions would have improved enough that they could have an audience.
They designed a series of platforms that could be set up in front of the Goode Fine and Performing Arts Center, thus allowing for audience members to drive in to the parking lot, tune their radios to a specific channel, and hear performances by the Theatre Department, Choirs, and Jazz Ensemble while staying isolated from one another.
Unfortunately, conditions didn’t improve enough, and the arts department decided it was time to re-imagine their spring performances. The idea for a Spring Arts Weekend was born, showing again that the Arts at Virginia Wesleyan are resilient, determined to find a way to keep creating, and to keep sharing their creations.
Each group planned out a rigorous recording schedule, requiring them to focus on one or two numbers at a time, and allowing enough time for each performance to be recorded and edited in time for the final presentation. The rehearsals still followed COVID regulations for the performing arts, which created many obstacles.
Rachel DeMay, Stage Manager and Assistant Director for the Theatre Production, said, “Rehearsals are a lot more structured; the need to leave the theatre for it to air out really cuts into rehearsal time.”
The Theatre Department has planned a Musical Revue, which includes several group numbers and solo numbers from a variety of musicals, such as Rent, Les Miserables, and Hamilton.
"It was very important that this production be as close to live theatre as possible," said Sally Shedd, Professor of Theatre and Director of the Musical Revue. “Every number is sung live by the performers on stage.”
Camerata, the University’s largest ensemble, decided early on to present a recorded version of their concert.
“While we could have performed outside, we felt like the content of our pieces were too important to get lost in an outdoor performance,” says choir member Joey Mueller.
The theme for this semester’s concert is “Would You Harbor Me?” and focuses on music that speaks about and was written by members of marginalized groups in the United States. The idea came about this past summer, according to Bryson Mortensen, Director of Choral Activities at Virginia Wesleyan University.
“After looking at how much our existing library of music was biased toward white male composers, I decided to spend at least one year purchasing music by composers in marginalized communities.”
On April 23, members of each group will get the opportunity to gather in the Brock Theatre for a watch party, while their video is broadcast live over the VWU Digital Broadcasting Network. While not quite the same as opening night, it has a similar energy.
“We all get to relax and enjoy the outcome of months of hard work,” says Rachel DeMay.
“It reminds us that nothing, not even a pandemic, can stop the arts at Virginia Wesleyan,” says Dr. Mortensen.
Tune in to the VWU Digital Broadcasting Network starting on April 23 for performances by the Wesleyan Jazz Ensemble, Orchestra, Camerata, Bravura, Vox Vera, and Theatre Department. All videos will be available for on-demand viewing after their premiere.
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Spring Arts Weekend: April 23-24 |
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The Fine and Performing Arts Department at Virginia Wesleyan University presents a weekend of the arts, including performances and presentations by the music, theatre, and art departments as well as presentations of student senior capstone projects. Most events will have a live premiere and be available for on demand streaming through the weekend.
Available All Weekend
Visual Art Virtual Gallery
Friday, April 23
Instrumental Concert - 1:00 p.m.
Join the Virginia Wesleyan Jazz Ensemble and Orchestra, directed by Jason Squinobal and Kelby Schnepel, for a variety of great music and performances, including music by Hailstork and Respighi and songs like Afroblue. Live premiere at 1:00 p.m. on the VWU Digital Broadcasting Network, available for on-demand streaming afterwards.
Virginia Wesleyan Choirs: "Would you Harbor Me" - 2:00 p.m.
The Virginia Wesleyan Camerata, directed by Bryson Mortensen, presents a collection of choral works by and about individuals who are members of marginalized communities, including the LGBTQ+ community, people of color. The concert will also include performances by Virginia Wesleyan Bravura from the Justice Choir Songbook, conducted by student conductors. Live premiere at 2:00 p.m. on the VWU Digital Broadcasting Network, available for on-demand streaming afterwards.
JukeVox: Road Trip - 3:00 p.m.
Hop in the back seat while Virginia Wesleyan Vox Vera takes you on a drive around Hampton Roads while they sing some of their road trip favorite tunes, including "Lovely Day," "Stand By Me," and more. Live premiere at 3:00 p.m. on the VWU Digital Broadcasting Network, available for on-demand streaming afterwards.
Theatre: Musical Revue - 4:00 p.m.
Virginia Wesleyan Theatre presents a Musical Theatre Revue, directed by Sally Shedd. VWU students perform show-stopping songs from musicals such as Les Miserables, Rent, Six, Wicked, and Hamilton. Live premiere at 4:00 p.m. on the VWU Digital Broadcasting Network, available for on-demand streaming afterwards.
Theatre: Jennifer Vega '21, Senior Capstone, "Sick of You" - 7:00 p.m.
When a young couple finds themselves in quarantine together, they have to learn how to communicate with each other or they're in for a very awkward two weeks. A short play written and directed by Jennifer Vega. Showing at 7:00 p.m. on the VWU Digital Broadcasting Network, available for on-demand streaming afterwards.
Saturday, April 24
Thomas Reinhold '21, Senior Recital - 2:00 p.m.
Thomas Reinhold presents a reprise of his senior recital as part of his Bachelor of Musical Arts Degree. Thomas will be accompanied by George Stone and is a member of Billye Brown Youmans' Studio. Originally recorded on April 17, 2021. Showing at 2:00 p.m. on the VWU Digital Broadcasting Network, available for on-demand streaming afterwards.
Serena Smith '21, Senior Recital - 4:00 p.m.
Serena Smith presents her senior recital live as part of her Bachelor of Musical Arts Degree. Serena will be accompanied by George Stone and is a member of Billye Brown Youmans' Studio. Join via Zoom.
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Beverly Hall Boasts New Digital Media Lab |
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Updates to Susan T. Beverly Hall are coming to a close. The improvements include the Hixon Music Studios - equipping each of the six studios with a Steinway-designed Boston piano; the Parsons Ensemble Room - with new sound and rehearsal equipment; the Hofheimer Theatre - with new curtains, theatrical lighting, and sound equipment; and the Cabell Foundation Visual Art Studios - with improved lighting and a new photography studio, as well as space for seniors to prepare their capstone projects.
The final improvement is the Digital Media Lab, found in the Visual Art Wing of Beverly Hall.
The new Digital Media Lab is equipped with 16 tpo-of-the-line computers with advanced processors, video cards, and audio cards enabling each computer to run the advanced software required for Digital Music, Digital Art, and Photography classes. Each computer is also equipped with a 44 Key MIDI controller for use in Music Theory and Digital Music classes. The lab has a 77-inch, 4K television in the front of the room as well as high-end Behringer speakers to allow students to present their work directly from their own computers. In addition, the lab includes a room in the back that serves as both a recording booth and a virtual reality studio.
“Our biggest goal in designing this lab was to make it as versatile as possible” says Travis Malone, Professor of Theatre and faculty liaison for the renovation of Beverly Hall. “We wanted to make sure it would be a lab that could advance as many aspects of the arts programs on campus as possible.”
With the photography studio right across the hallway, the Digital Media Lab will support Digital Art and Photography students, while also serving to support the Digital Music and Technical Theatre programs on campus.
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Wesleyan Sacred Music Institute |
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Sacred Music Summer Conference Goes Virtual
Finding the Next Normal
July 27-31, 2021
As many choirs and churches are preparing to return to in-person rehearsals and performances over the next year, leaders of the Summer Sacred Music Conference decided it would be more important than ever to have a conference in 2021, even though the format might need to change.
Considering the advancement of technology allowing for virtual meetings and conferences, it made the most sense to make the conference as widely available as possible and present it as a virtual conference. Registrants will be able to tune in via zoom for live sessions and interaction each day on topics such as Conducting, Vocal Technique, and Re-imagining the Worship Service. Sessions will be presented by great clinicians like Victor C. Johnson, composer and arranger of over 350 choral works as well as Minister of Worship and Arts at Shiloh Baptist Church in Plano, Texas; Kevin Fenton, Professor of Choral Conducting and Ensembles at Florida State University, and Janet James Pastor at Gayton Kirk Presbyterian Church in Henrico, Virginia.
In addition to live events each day, the conference will offer several sessions that will be available asynchronously. These will include sessions on new repertoire for a variety of choirs, thinking about rebuilding vocal technique after a year of rest, and singing and movement. These sessions, as well as recorded versions of the live sessions, will be available to all attendees for three months after the conference’s conclusion.
The Conference is a great opportunity to refresh each person’s love of sacred music and help them to be prepared with new and exciting ideas when the time comes to return to in-person rehearsals and singing.
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