Elementary Music Camp Coming to Schreiner
April 11, 2005

by Dr. Charlotte Key Marrow
Assistant Professor of Music

The University will be having a music camp on campus Mondays through Thursdays June 6-16, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.  It is for children who are at present in grades 4 and 5. (We hope to be able to expand the age range after this first year.)  Please let your friends know about the camp.  No previous music training is required.  We will have choral and instrumental ensembles, some class piano for beginners, swimming and other recreation.  Campers may make arrangements for individual lessons with camp teachers for an additional fee.  The cost is $155.00, which includes lunches in our cafeteria.  Teachers are KISD music teachers Pat Lee, Susan Love, and Karen McKinney.  I will be doing some teaching, also, in addition to “directoring.”  Application forms will soon be available online and will be distributed throughout Texas schools. A $55.00 nonrefundable deposit is to accompany the application form, and the balance of $100. is to be paid the first day of camp.

Please wish us luck—and give any useful suggestions which may occur to you!  Contact Dr. Charlotte Marrow for more information @ cmarrow@schreiner.edu or (830)792-7251.


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Student Art Workshops On Menu At Schreiner
April 11, 2005

by Bill Drake
Writer, University Relations

On Saturday April 23 Schreiner University will host a day of workshops offering area high school students a taste of the diverse courses available for Schreiner majors in Art. Students will be able to select from a menu of workshops representing all aspects of the SU art program, from script development to Adobe Photoshop special effects, from video camera operation and scene staging to color theory and drawing. Workshops begin at 9:30 a.m.and continue throughout the day. The cost of attending up to three workshops is $20 for students and includes lunch; teachers may attend any of the workshops at no charge. Students and teachers are invited to get more information and to register online at
http://www.schreiner.edu/academics/arts_workshops1.html

In addition to these workshops, Schreiner University is offering competitive
scholarships to senior high school students participating in a portfolio
review conducted by the Art faculty of Schreiner University. To compete for
these scholarships, students should register with Professor David Smith by
phone (830)792-7398 or by email at dcsmith@schreiner.edu. and bring their portfolio and sketchbooks with them to the workshops. The portfolio review will be conducted at the end of the day, and each student participating will be assigned an individual time. Portfolios will be reviewed by the art department scholarship committee who will also interview each student to determine their strengths and interests, and to answer any questions.

Texas Heritage Music Foundation Open House This Week
March 29, 2005

By Tim Wilton, Director of Development
Texas Heritage Music Foundation

The Texas Heritage Music Foundation will be hosting its open house at their new office on Schreiner University campus on April 7 from 5 – 7 p.m., and the public is invited to attend. Coinciding with Schreiner University's annual alumni Recall weekend, the open house will feature entertainment by Schreiner guitar students John Butcher, Jason Van Slyke and others, as well as the Schreiner University Pep Band.

Since its founding in 1987, the Texas Heritage Music Foundation (THMF) has been committed to the belief that singing songs and telling stories do make a difference in the world. It is not an entertainment-based organization, but rather one that promotes heritage, history, education and family values to the central and south Texas community, especially youths and teens at risk, through various THMF-produced events and outreach programs each year. THMF also awards annual scholarships to students pursuing a course of study in some aspect of music through its Wayne Kennemer Scholarship Fund.

Schreiner University English Professor Dr. Kathleen Hudson founded the non-profit Texas Heritage Music Foundation in 1987 to address the principal belief that music and storytelling can bring together a culturally and ethnically diverse community. THMF began producing free community programs such as the annual Jimmie Rodgers Jubilee and monthly Coffeehouse concerts at Schreiner University. Thanks to donations from the private sector and from local charitable foundations, these programs have grown every year.

In 1993, the Wayne Kennemer Scholarship Fund was established to provide college tuition to students pursuing a course of study in some aspect of music. In 1997, the Jimmie Rodgers Jubilee was renamed Texas Heritage Living History Day. In 2000, THMF began offering subsidized transportation grants to area schools who could not afford the travel expenses to attend the LHD event. By 2001, the Texas Heritage Living History Day event had grown into a three day event, and THMF began an educational outreach program, The In School Performers Program, by placing LHD performers in schools throughout central and south Texas. In 2004, the name of the event was finally changed to Texas Heritage Living History Weekend, to better reflect its growth.

THMF's Summer Arts Program for At Risk Youth was implemented in 2004 to provide Kerr County youth at risk with opportunities to develop creativity, learn the tools of communication and create multiple solutions to problems. Thirty two youths participated in classes involving literature and composition, dance, art and music, and successfully completed the first year program.

In August 2004, Schreiner University donated to THMF the use of the Nellie Holdsworth house as its office. Built and dedicated to Mrs. Holdsworth in 1937, the house was the former offices of the Texas State Arts and Crafts Association and is located near the Robbins-Lewis Pavilion, site of the annual community education event produced by THMF, Texas Heritage Living History Weekend.

Before settling into its permanent offices in 2004, the THMF had relied on the generous support of the Kerrville-area business community for office space. In June 1992, the foundation received a grant from the Turner Foundation to open an office and museum at the Inn of the Hills. In 1994, River Hills Mall provided office space to THMF, while Southern Investments donated office space in 1995. From 1996 to early 2004, 5K Laser Products donated office space and utilities to THMF.

A new focus for THMF in 2005 will be the local music scene. THMF is encouraging Hill Country musicians to join the organization and to have their listing on the foundations website. Dr. Hudson foresees THMF as a viable source of information about local music, performers, and music education. Other ongoing projects are the Texas oral history project, a collection of over 500 interviews on tape with musicians, songwriters, performers and club owners; a planned photography exhibit on Texas music; a video documentary collection of all foundation events; six Texas Music Series Coffeehouse programs at Schreiner University each year; a November trip to the San Miguel de Allende Jazz Festival.

Also coinciding with recall weekend will be the last of the Spring '05 Texas Music Coffeehouses, to be held on April 8 th at the Cailloux Student Activities Center. The Coffeehouse will begin with an open mike at 7:30 p.m. featuring special guests, and then local favorites, The Josh Murley Trio, will take the stage. Admission is free. Also, Dr. Hudson is considering a Texas Music Coffeehouse Series for the summer at Schreiner University.

The Texas Heritage Music Foundation is staffed by volunteers from the community and from Schreiner University and is always welcoming additional volunteers for its various community events. Currently, THMF is looking for a part-time office assistant with excellent computer skills.

Contact Kathleen Hudson at 792-1945 for more information.

The Texas Heritage Music Foundation, a 501(c)3 non-profit foundation, was established in July, 1987, to preserve and perpetuate the traditions in Texas music, to examine the background of Texas music, to trace influences and patterns in Texas music, to document the role Texas music has played in society, and to provide free educational programming to the Texas community. The foundation website is www.texasheritagemusic.org.

'Shack-A-Thon' to Raise Money and Awareness for Habitat for Humanity, April 1 - 2
March 30, 2005

by Meg Huddleston
Faculty Advisor, Non Traditional Students Association

It's that time again — build and spend the night in your own cardboard “shack” to raise money and awareness for Habitat for Humanity!

When: April 1st and 2nd, Friday and Saturday, noon to noon

Where: On the Quad, Schreiner University

Details: What you can use (Each team must provide their own building materials!):

Cardboard        Duct Tape      Plastic Wrap     Aluminum Foil       1 Tarp (for floor or ceiling only)

Building takes place from noon to 8 pm on Friday. At least 3 people from each team must spend the night in the “shack.” Judging will be at 8 am Saturday morning – prizes will be awarded. Materials will be recycled.

Come for the fun, the music (provided by our very own “Phil ‘n' the Blanks”!), games and activities (including the “Kiss My ***” fundraiser for the victims of the crisis in the Darfur Region), & more!

<Click Here to download Shack-A-Thon Form>

Sponsored by the Non-Traditional Students Association and Campus Ministries.

Questions? Contact Mrs. Huddleston at 792-7380 or email @ MBHuddleston@schreiner.edu.

Students Hone Leadership Skills at Schreiner University Conference
March 24, 2005


by Bill Drake
Writer, University Relations

Fourteen Schreiner University students, mostly juniors, participated in an intensive two day leadership conference on Schreiner campus the weekend of February 25-26. Participants were selected from among outstanding campus leaders by members of the faculty and honors program. They heard lectures and engaged in workshops and exercises designed to enhance their personal and professional competencies as effective leaders.

Conference speakers and facilitators included keynote speaker Frank Maresh, Chairman of Harte-Hanks Inc. and a member of Schreiner's Board of Trustees; Liz Murray, volunteer coordinator for Peterson Hospice and developer of numerous innovative Hospice programs; Professor David Teneyuca from the Schreiner School of Professional Studies and an expert on leadership styles and behaviors; and Dr. Ron Hatchett, Director of Schreiner's Center for Global Studies and a leading scholar in the fields of foreign policy, European Studies, and Middle Eastern Affairs.

click here to see photos >

Throughout the program participants were challenged to examine the roles and responsibilities of leaders in organizations, during crises, and in public service. The 12 women and 2 men participating were taken through a wide range of scenarios involving problem solving and applied learning, and bonded as a team during a vigorous session on the new Schreiner Low Ropes course. Coordinator of the 2005 Leadership Conference, Mary MacWithey of Schreiner's Logan Library, noted that "The students had an opportunity to learn a great deal that will enhance their ability to function effectively as leaders in a variety of situations. In addition, they met some inspiring speakers, participated in interesting activities, and generally had a great time."

Controversial professor to speak at Schreiner
March 21, 2005

by Bill Drake
Writer, University Relations


What would you think of a college professor who observed of his students "[They] are appallingly ignorant, irrational, anti-intellectual, and ... many of the kids . . . are only a notch above retardation. Some are below that." Is this professor hurtful and condemning? Ignorant himself? Brutally honest? You be the judge. On Wednesday, March 23 at 7 p.m. in the CCAC Ballroom on Schreiner University campus, the Center for Innovative Learning and the "Speak Truth to Power" lecture series welcomes Dr. Larry Sechrest, professor of economics at Sul Ross State University, author of the controversial November 2004 Texas Monthly article "A Strange Little Town in Texas." In a follow-up to the original article, Texas Monthly recently observed: "Last winter Sul Ross State professor Larry Sechrest publicly blasted his students and neighbors in Alpine as 'just plain stupid.' The town's reaction since then hasn't exactly changed his mind." Professor Sechrest, who still teaches at Sul Ross, will discuss academic freedom, First Amendment rights, death threats, censorship, and what he's learned about his 'strange little town" since first publishing his observations.

Schreiner professor to revive Wild West legend
March 21, 2005


by Bill Drake
Writer, University Relations


Dr. Kathleen Hudson of Schreiner University will offer a humorous and candid perspective on Texas music speaking in the persona of the legendary Belle Starr for an upcoming Chautauqua Lecture Series presentation on Schreiner campus. The event will begin at 7 p.m. on March 21 in the Cailloux Campus Activity Center, and the public is invited. There is no charge for the event, and there is free parking and ample seating, with full handicap accessibility.Richard P. Arnott, writing in Wild West magazine, describes Belle Starr as "The archetypal "Bandit Queen" - a lovely lady who ruled outlaw gangs with her guns, her will and her personal favors. This amoral, amorous adventuress associated with the James boys and the Youngers. She was alleged to have borne Cole Younger's illegitimate child. Her marriage to bandit Jim Reed was said to have been performed on horseback, not by a man of the cloth, but by another member of the gang. She has been credited with stealing from the rich and giving to the poor, cleaning out crooked poker games with her six-shooters, and galloping down city streets with pistols blazing."Dr. Hudson is widely known and respected as an author, historian, teacher, and chronicler of the Texas music scene, and has been instrumental in helping to make Kerrville and Kerr County an internationally recognized center for this widely enjoyed genre. For more information contact Dr. Hudson at 830-792-7409 or khudson@schreiner.edu.

World-class Athlete to speak at SU March 30 at 7 pm
March 19, 2005


by Bill Drake
Writer, University Relations

Motivational speaker and much decorated Olympian Josh Davis of San Antonio will be featured in the upcoming 2005 Labatt Speaker Series lecture at Schreiner University.

Davis ' presentation, entitled “Developing the gold medalist within”, will begin at 7 p.m. on March 30 in Cailloux Campus Activity Center ballroom. This event is open to the public. At the Atlanta Olympic Games in 1996 Davis made history by becoming the only man in any sport from any nation to win 3 gold medals in a single year. Davis returned to the Olympics in Sidney in 2000 where he was elected Captain of the USA Men's swim Team and broke the American record three times in his event, the 200 meter free-style.

At these games Davis also added two silver medals to his career total of 5 Olympic medals. For more information on this event please call 830-792-7456.

Acclaimed poet Shin Yu Pai will be visiting the Schreiner University campus for the 15 th Annual Texas Writers Conference on April 12.

Ms. Shin will conduct an open workshop from 1:15 – 2:30 p.m. in the Cailloux Student Center. That evening, the conference will host an open mic event at 7 p.m., with Shin Yu Pai as the featured writer at 7:30 p.m.Shin Yu Pai is a Taiwanese-American poet and photographer. She has published poetry, photography and translations in nationally distributed literary and on-line journals. She has been awarded grants from the Puffin Foundation for her work with visual text, and residencies from the Ragdale Foundation and the MacDowell Colony. She holds an MFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago with additional studies in translation, poetics and contemplative Buddhist studies from the Naropa Institute. The Texas Writers Conference, which started in 1990, has featured such writers as Robert Flynn, Susan Bright, Naomi Nye and Sandra Cisneros and such Texas songwriters as James McMurtry and Tish Hinojosa.

This year's event is one day only. “Each year this conference has been a great experience, both for the students organizing the event and for the participants,” said Dr. Kathleen Hudson, Schreiner University English Professor. “Students and guests get to interact and share ideas with published writers, poets and songwriters and hear them read their work. I'm very happy with the caliber of guest writers we have been able to offer our students and the community throughout the conferences.” The conference is organized by Kathleen Hudson, a group of student volunteers and the creative writing class at Schreiner University. It is sponsored by Sodexo Food Service, The Muse magazine, and the Center for Innovative Learning/Schreiner University. The workshop and reading are free and open to the public; no registration is required. For more information, call Kathleen Hudson's office at 830.792.7409, or Jeanne Slobod at 830.896.1159. Or you may e-mail Kathleen Hudson at khudson@schreiner.edu.Click for more info >

Students Travel (and Study) on the East Coast During Spring Break
March 20, 2005

Faculty Dr. Mike Looney and Sara Crouch took a group of Schreiner students to New York City, Washington D.C. and other notable east coast destinations during the campus Spring Break holiday March 13-18.

The group gained invaluable "real world" experience as well as credit for IDST 3260 – Aesthetics, an Interdisciplinary Studies course. Their trip included a Broadway show, the Metropolitan Museum of Art and Radio City Music Hall in NYC, and other attractions.This trip marks the 3nd time this Spring 2005 semester that a group of Schreiner students and faculty has travelled to the east coast.

Faculty David Smith participated in a highly publicized Christo Art Installation in Central Park (NYC) in February. Click here for more info.

In January the SU Choir sang in Carnegie Hall. Click here to read the travel journal of Choir student Liz B., who sang at Carnegie Hall with the SU Choir in January.

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Bring a Guest to 'Inside Schreiner' on March 8th
March 5, 2005

by Mignonne Frantzen
Associate Director for Annual Giving

We've got a great new program that we are offering which is a free one-hour program and tour for people to see our work first hand.  We'd love to have you come as our guest to this program called Inside Schreiner.  It's not a fundraiser and all that we will ask is for your advice and feedback on how we are spreading our message about the programs and services at Schreiner University. 

Our next Inside Schreiner is March 8, 2005 from 9-10am at the Elaine Griffin Welcome Center on campus.

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FREE Hendrix/Maines Concert on March 2, 2005
February 18, 2005

by Bob Gray
Texas Heritage Music Foundation

Texas musicians Lloyd Maines and Terri Hendrix are headlining the FREE Coffee House series in the Kathleen Cailloux Student Center on Schreiner University campus at 8 PM Wednesday, March 2nd . And yes, you are invited, whether you're a student or not.

The evening starts with an open mic from 7 to 8, featuring tributes to Best Buddies Month and Women's History Month. The Coffee House series, now a part of the University's Center for Innovative Learning, is sponsored by the Student Activities Center, Dr. Tobin Tilley, O.D., the Best Buddies program, and the Texas Heritage Music Foundation.

Terri Hendrix is famously talented as songwriter, vocalist and player of guitar, harmonica, mandolin, and papoose. Each of her four CDs, Wilory Farm (1998), Places In Between (2000), The Ring (2002), and most recent, The Art of Removing Wallpaper , has increased her fan base by shining the light of her mind on the memories and motivations we all harbor. Most recent national songwriting award was her Grammy winning instrumental, Li'l Jack Slade .

Lloyd Maines, a true Texas legend, started playing with Joe Ely in 1973. Named Producer of the Year two recent years in a row in Austin , look at the credits on the CDs you own. Chances are excellent that his name is on it as producer, or songwriter, or player – or all three. Lloyd produced Terri's most recent release, provided harmony vocals, and played the guitar, mandolin, dobro, steel guitar, papoose and banjo.

If you are a Texas music fan, you can't get more Texas than this. Born and raised in San Antonio, Terri now resides in San Marcos and runs her own label and promotion company. Lloyd is from Lubbock, now based in Austin . His influence weaves throughout the Texas music scene for the past thirty-five years. You aren't going to get a better seat – a FREE seat at that – for Texas music, than this intimate venue on the Schreiner campus in Kerrville . For more information, visit the music foundation's website at www.texasheritagemusic.org . For a night to remember, be in the Kathleen Cailloux student activities center at 7 pm, Wednesday, the 2nd day of March.

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Schreiner Professor Key Player in Newest Christo Art Installation
Feb 10, 2005

Professor David Smith of Schreiner University's art department is currently in New York assisting world-renowned artist Christo in setting up his latest environmental art installation entitled 'Gates', which opened February 12th.

pictured> David Smith (3rd from right) pictured with part of installation crew. Note: Both Christo and his wife Jeanne Claude are pictured. Christo is the gentleman with the gray hair, and his wife is next to him with the red hair.

'Gates' is a series of 16 foot tall fabric and metal structures running throughout Central Park, and volunteers from all over the world are on hand for the construction, including ex-governor Ann Richards.Christo and his wife Jeanne Claude have wrapped a series of world landmarks in multicolored fabric over the past thirty years, including Berlin's Reichstag, Paris' Pont Neuf, and Miami's 'Surrounded Islands'.

pictured< Former Texas governor Ann Richards and Schreiner Art faculty David Smith.

Originally criticized heavily by established art critics and offended citizens in many of the countries where he has worked, Christo has never allowed such attacks to deter the implementation of his vision.

"He totally finances his own projects,' says Professor Smith," which means that he's answerable only to himself, and of course the zoning bureaucrats in venues where he installs his work."Smith is well-known on campus as an innovative teacher, and with the assistance of Kathleen Walker, director of instructional technology at Schreiner, he has set up live links for his students to follow the development of this world-class art project step-by-step.

See the TODAY show's coverage of Christo's "The Gates," in Central Park by clicking here!.  

Click here for the latest San Antonio Express News Story

David's 'Sunday in the Park' images show the visual impact of the crowds intertwined with the saffron gates. To view David's images in the slide show for the full impact, click here.

Anyone who would like to view the project online and read Professor Smith's daily journal are invited to click here.

Schreiner ‘Low-Ropes” Course Offers Community Challenge
February 9, 2005

by Bill Drake
Writer, University Relations

The first ‘Low Ropes Course' in Kerrville has just been opened to the public by Schreiner University. Located on Schreiner's Kerrville campus, the low ropes course is designed as a challenging three-hour teambuilding experience for groups from local businesses and organizations. The course involves participants both mentally and physically, and helps to develop a teamwork mentality as well as honing leadership skills. Other benefits of the low-ropes course include improved self-confidence, increased motivation, and a sense of unity – and of course it's just plain fun!

Common misconceptions about ropes courses are that participation requires perfect balance and eye-hand coordination as well as muscular strength. None of these individual attributes provide any advantage on the low-ropes course elements, where success requires teamwork among people with all levels of physical skill rather than outstanding individual performances. The Schreiner ropes course offers ten mentally and physically challenging ropes elements as well as numerous games and initiatives that complement the teambuilding process.



The SU low-ropes course can be used by groups as small as 10 or as large as 50. The full low-ropes course requires about three hours, but adjustments can be made according to a group's needs and time constraints.

The minimum group size is 10 people at $10 per person; additional team members also cost $10 each. Schreiner offers reduced prices for area schools, non-profit organizations and church groups. For more information call Micah Wrase at 830-792-7476 or e-mail him at mkwrase@schreiner.edu.

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Presbyterian Moderator Visits Schreiner Campus
February 7, 2005

by Reverend Frank L. Seaman
Director of Church Relations

The current Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA), Mr. Rick Ufford-Chase, visited the Schreiner campus on February 4.  During his visit he had lunch with Presbyterian students, spoke to the faculty, visited with the staffs of Admissions and Student Services, and attended a reception for faculty.  Elected Moderator of the 216 th General Assembly, Rick Ufford-Chase has been working on the U.S./Mexico border for more than 15 years.  He is the co-founder and co-director of Border Links, a binational organization that provides experiential education on issues such as trade and globalization and the concerns of migrants on the border.  He is also a co-moderator of the Presbyterian Peace Fellowship and a founder of the Samaritans (an organization that provides emergency assistance to migrants along the border of southern Arizona. Moderator Ufford-Chase has a special interest in college students and during his two-year term as Moderator hopes to visit each of the 65 colleges and universities related to the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).

Click here for more information on the Presbyterian Peace Fellowship Click here for more information on Border Links

Schreiner Announces New Microsoft Certification Training
February 3, 2005

by David Teneyuca
Professional Studies Schreiner University's second round of Microsoft Certified Systems
Engineer training will begin on February 12. Schreiner offers both A+
and MCSE certification, and each course costs $750 per 8 week session.
Training classes meet on Saturdays making them ideal for those who are
currently employed and are seeking to upgrade their technical skills for
a current job or those who want to acquire new skills for a career
change.

Students who enroll in at least three of the seven available 8 week
courses will receive a fourth course of their choice FREE! In addition,
Schreiner former students will receive a discounted tuition cost of $600
per course.

For more information click here or call David Teneyuca at 792-7458.


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Let's 'Relay for Life' on Friday, April 15
January 30, 2005

by Jennifer Hudson,
Director of Student Activities

The KERR COUNTY RELAY FOR LIFE to raise money for the American Cancer Society will be at Tivy Antler Stadium on Friday, April 15.

The Survivor's Walk will begin at 6 p.m. with the Luminaria Ceremony around 8:30 p.m.

It is time now to build your TEAMS to walk in the Relay:

* Teams are 10-15 people

* It is best to schedule your walkers instead of having everyone come at once.

* There is a $5 per person entry fee. No charge for Survivors to walk. Children 12 and under do not have to pay unless they want to qualify for a t-shirt. All children must be accompanied by an adult.

* EVERY walker must sign a waiver - included in the Team Captain packet.

* Each team member is asked to raise $100 and if they do, they will qualify for an official Relay for Life t-shirt. Deadline to turn in your money for this is March 15. Of course, we will accept monies up to Relay night - you just need it early if you want a t-shirt.

* Team Captain packets are available at Hill Country State Bank or you can email me and one of the Team Development Committee members will deliver one to you. These will be available at the Kick Off.

* The Kerr County Relay for Life KICK OFF will be Tuesday, February 1st at the Ambulatory Care Center, 5 p.m. IT WOULD BE GREAT to have a representative from each team to come and officially SIGN UP at that time.


NEW THINGS THIS YEAR:


* Get "FLOCKED" by the bright pink Flamingoes. If you find the flock in your front yard at home or at your business, you will be asked to pay $25 to have them removed.
BEST YET - you get to designate where they land next. Watch for more information.

* ANTI-FLOCKING INSURANCE will be available which keeps you from having the flamingoes come to your house or business. More information will be coming out soon.

* KIDS FOR A CURE - children who want to help can raise money by collecting quarters in a film canister (canisters available). Each canister will hold $5 to $7 - an easy and fun way for the kiddos to get involved.

* If you plan to put up a tent or canopy, you can anchor it with jugs filled with water that will be provided by Culligan. No stakes in the ground due to the new astroturf.

Our goal this year - 100 TEAMS and $100,000.
Please plan to participate - we need your help!!


Members of the TEAM DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE include the following:

Sherry Cunningham, Hill Country State Bank
Cheryl Johnson, Time Warner
Officer Paul Gonzalez, Kerrville Police Department
Eric Maloney, EMS
Mike Hunter
Laurie Rees, Tom Daniels Elementary
Jackie Newman, VistaCare Hospice
Coral Adema, Zion Lutheran Church
Sue Steele, Bank of the Hills
Kristen Morton, Schreiner University


Let one of us know if you need a TEAM PACKET that includes all of the forms and supplies you need to put a team together. We will have all of these supplies at the Kick Off if you want to get them there. RELAY FOR LIFE is a fun event and a VERY IMPORTANT ONE!!

Let's Relay!

For more information about Relay For Life, contact Kristen Morton at extension 8180 or KLMorton@schreiner.edu or call Sherry Cunningham of Hill Country State Bank at 896-5000.


Related Website: Kristin Morton in Scene magazine

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SU's Choir Goes to the Big Apple: A Student's Travel Journal
January 23, 2005

Journal and photos by Liz B.,
Student



To some it was just another trip, but to others, it was the experience of a life time. The journey of which I speak is the recent trip to New York City taken by Schreiner University choir students. Students, including myself, left earlier Friday morning January 14th….four o’clock in the morning to be exact. Though it was early, and many students hadn’t slept at all the night before in anticipation of the day’s trip, all the students were wide awake in the crisp and quiet cold morning air. The trip to San Antonio International airport was calm, but not lacking in excitement. Most of the way to the airport students chatted quietly about the things they wanted to do when they arrived in the Big Apple, and what being on an airplane was like for those who had never experienced flight... I was most definitely one of these.

Upon arriving at the airport things went smoothly, though there were some disgruntled comments about having to take off shoes for security. Most, however, conceded that being safe was more important than early morning laziness.

Check-in went faster than expected, and before long we were seated on the airplane that would take us on approximately a 20 minute trip to Houston where we would then chill during a two hour layover before setting out on the last leg of our flight.

Breakfast was high on the list of priorities when we arrived at the airport. Some went shopping in the many stores that littered the halls of the large and rather nice airport. At first it was great to be off the plane, and have room to stretch, but we soon ran out of things to do, and were glad when the first call for boarding sounded calling us to our flight.

The second flight went just as smoothly as the first, and in fact was considerably better due to the fact that we somehow got lucky enough to have tv’s on the plane, and could watch movies on the way. Not long after boarding we arrived at Newark, and soon found ourselves on the bus that would take us to the Grand Hyatt hotel where we’d spend the next several days.

Much to most of our surprise the temperature wasn’t all that different in New York, though this changed the next day. (After that, it was all heavy coats and scarves). The first night most of the students broke off into several smaller groups, so unfortunately I am unable to document the adventures of all the students. I can, however, provide you with some glimpse into the happenings of that night from my own experience.

After getting a map of the city my group and I set out for dinner, and after eating stopped back by the hotel as the girls realized that though our high heeled shoes looked seriously cute….we just weren’t used to wearing them when doing as much walking as we were. Once we had on more walk-friendly shoes the group of us headed for Times Square to experience the lights of New York.

The sensory overload was intense, and almost overwhelming at first. You really have to change pace up there….the casual walk one uses in Texas will get you run over by a cab driver for sure who would probably just honk and keep on driving, and they honk alot.

The noises and sounds of the city came at us from every direction as street performers wailed out tunes on instruments that weren’t always in tune, and loud music played on speakers from the many stores that lined the streets. That, mixed with the strange New York accents that assaulted us from every direction, was an insane, but fun combination.

Times Square was an amazing sight at night. I would recommend that anyone wanting to visit should go then, during the day it loses some of its magic despite the fact that at night it seems like daylight due to all the artificial light. After we’d had our fill of the lights for the night we wandered back to the hotel, shell shocked and amazed at the difference between New York and everything we were familiar with in Texas.

The next morning we got an early start, and went straight to our first rehearsal --a small reminder that we had come to New York with a mission….a mission of music.

We were relieved to find that our director was actually a lot of fun, and had a great personality to go with his immense talent. Many of us had been worried that he was going to be some staunch, humorless English gentlemen who would frown if we got the littlest thing wrong….we couldn't have been further from the truth. He made things interesting, which was a blessing when we’d been sitting there for 4 hours practicing. Rehearsals that run that long can become monotonous, but luckily our Jonathon Willcox was a marvelous and entertaining director.

Once 1 o’clock rolled around we headed to the subway…many of us wondering what our first subway ride would be like. What at first seemed a daunting challenge (and may still be to some) proved to be a fun and often interesting way to travel. Needless to say, subways aren’t the cleanest places around, but you see some of the oddest things. On one ride we were entertained by a man who declared it 'poetry time on the A train.' He then proceeded to spout of some poetry about 'how in the land of the blind the one eyed man is king'….that really stuck with me.

After wondering if we’d get off at the right stop, a large group of us headed to Canal Street looking for food and good bargains (if you want to call it that). Name brand items were high on the list of things to buy…especially among the women.

Once we’d spent enough money for one day we went back to the hotel to rest before going out again for the night. A few people went to shows that night, and others went on Sunday. On the students' playbills were shows such as "Beauty and the Beast", "Mama Mia", "Rent", and even a comedy show entitled the "Marijuanalogues" which was apparently funnier than one might suspect upon first hearing the title.

The next morning we were back to rehearsal, this time getting a chance to practice with the children’s choir who would be performing with us. It was an interesting experience to be able to sing alongside such young voices, and was sometimes trying because of certain maturity factors, but we got through it.

Sunday, too, was filled with shopping and sight seeing. We were only a few blocks from many of the most notable sights. The Chrysler Building and the Empire State Building were both quite close. Other sites such as 'Ground Zero', and the Statue of Liberty were on the far end of town, and many students didn’t chance getting lost on the subway to go see them during the day, though those who did said they were truly sites to behold.

I myself saw Ground Zero at night while on an outing with some school friends, and a friend who attends NYU [New York University]. It [Ground Zero] is now fenced off, and looks nothing like the tragic pictures many people have engrained in their minds due to the life altering events of 911. They are starting to rebuild in the same area, but even now a few buildings still bear the scorch left from the fires on that fateful day.

Before we knew it, Monday had arrived. Luckily we didn’t have rehearsal that morning, so a lot of us slept-in trying to catch up on the sleep we kept skipping the nights before.

By four o’clock we were all dressed and ready to go, and soon found ourselves walking out onto the stage of Carnegie hall….the fruits of our labor finally becoming apparent beyond New York shopping bills.

As we walked out on stage eyes scanned the immense ceiling, and the vast audience, wondering how many of those chairs would be filled. I must say, it was truly an amazing experience to have my first view of Carnegie Hall from the stage. Many professional performers cannot say that, so it is truly an honor, and an experience that will forever be engrained in my memory.

Then we started to sing, and our voices filled the great hall mixing fluidly with the orchestra’s fantastic musicianship. After running through our song we went to dinner, and then came back ready for the big pay off.

Stepping out onto the stage again, we were the picture of professionalism in our dress attire. The audience was actually quite full, but that seemed distant as we began to sing. What was in reality nearly a 30 minute piece of music seemed to fly by, and before we knew it we were gazing out at the house amazed to receive not only enthusiastic applause, but a standing ovation that seemed to last forever. What a reward.

After joining the audience to hear the second choir sing, we left for our victory cruise where dancing and eating were in no short supply. On the boat ride many of us got our first glimpse of the Statue of Liberty as we stood out in the cold to watch her draw near in the dark. I only wish my photos had turned out because it was truly lovely. She was well lit in the darkness, and stood there, a beacon to any who might come across her in the dark. That sight, too, will be forever etched in my memory.

Finally, our last day had come…Tuesday, and even though we were having immeasurable amounts of fun many of us were beginning to miss Texas. You truly don’t realize how nice people here are until they’re not around.

People in New York are much too self absorbed to smile when they pass you on the street, that... or they just don’t because their teeth get cold when they smile (this is the assumption of one choir student).

Almost 4 hours later, and 40 degrees warmer we arrived back in Texas, glad to be home, and ready for summer wear despite the 50 degree weather. When you get used to 10 degrees 50 doesn’t seem that bad. In fact it did snow while we were in New York. Some of us were even lucky enough to visit a Central Park that was blanketed in snow.

Needless to say the trip was fun…a total blast, and a life experience I know I won’t soon forget. We learned to depend on each other while we were up there, and rely on each other like family because we literally had no one but ourselves to count on. We took care of each other, and bonded as a choir family.

It is my belief that this experience will help the choir further in our musical ability as well as in our own lives. We learned a lot about each other, and the kinds of people we are just in those few days were up there. Some people learned that they love small town life, others that they belong in the village with ‘their people’, but no matter what, we learned that when it counts, someone will be there for you.

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