WHERE: ASU’s Leila Barlow Theatre in its Tullibody Fine Arts Building, 845 S. Jackson St; on campus.
NOTE: See the flyer below for more information on the event.
Alabama State University’s Department of Theatre Arts presents its Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) dance program’s Spring concert titled “Iconic Voices” beginning at 7 p.m. on Thursday and continuing through Saturday (March 12-14) at ASU’s Leila Barlow Theatre in its Tullibody Fine Arts Building, 845 S. Jackson St. on campus.
The event features choreography by faculty members James Atkinson, Lindsay Benton, Jerome Stigler, and special guest choreographers Jeremy McQueen and Martial Roumain.
The concert will explore some of the most iconic and prolific voices in arts & letters, including pioneers in dance, music, visual arts, theatre and literature. Choreographic work by Eleo Pomare will be presented posthumously as a tribute to one of the iconic voices in dance. The BFA students have engaged in dialogue, research and choreographic processes that embrace movement that is inspired and influenced by the arts & letters, which helped shape worldwide culture.
“Iconic Voices” is a celebration and will both entertain and inform audiences of the many cultural, educational, and artistic influences that can be embraced and celebrated through dance.
“We are aware that our students need tools, skills and excellent training in order to be successful when they graduate, and we are committed to imparting to them everything we can while they’re here,” said James Atkinson, the University’s BFA program director.
Admission is $6 for students (with proper ID), $12 general public and $10 for groups of 10 or more.
For more information or tickets: 334-229-6929 or email sprovitt@alasu.edu.
News media contact: Kenneth Mullinax, 334-229-4104.
Faulkner University has been a part of Montgomery, Alabama, since 1942 when Dr. Rex Turner, Dr. Leonard Johnson and Joe Greer established Montgomery Bible College on a few acres on Ann Street. Their mission was to create an institution that provided preacher training and education based in God’s Holy Word. Today, the university is home to five colleges: the Alabama Christian College of Arts and Sciences, the Harris College of Business and Executive Education, the V.P. Black College of Biblical Studies, the College of Education, and the Thomas Goode Jones School of Law.
Faulkner University is committed to providing a nurturing and challenging environment that encourages students to thrive not only academically, but also socially and spiritually. As a Christian liberal arts university associated with the churches of Christ, Faulkner’s offerings are continually expanding. Currently our five colleges offer 65 academic degrees ranging from business administration to biblical studies, from biology to e-commerce. Faulkner also offers six post-graduate degrees including a law degree (Juris Doctor). Additional education-enhancement opportunities exist through the Great Books Honors College and the Study Abroad program.
The mission of Faulkner University is to glorify God through education of the whole person, emphasizing integrity of character in a caring, Christian environment where every individual matters every day.
Department of Music
The Department of Music at Faulkner University develops musicians who are thoroughly prepared to enter music careers or to enter graduate-level music studies while also developing a Christian philosophy of the arts. At Faulkner, small classes provide focused attention on your vocal or instrumental talent. One-on-one instruction from professional musicians hones your skills and knowledge while our ensembles provide many performance opportunities. The university offers the Bachelor of Arts degree in Music and the Bachelor of Music Education degree.
Choral Ensembles
The Faulkner University Chorus is the larger of two choral ensembles at the university. Members are selected by audition and commit to a rigorous rehearsal and performance schedule which includes an annual national tour. The group performs sacred, a cappella music written by composers from many nations and representing historical periods from the Renaissance to the present day.
The Faulkner Singers is a select, sixteen-voice ensemble drawn from the larger Faulkner University Chorus. In addition to the repertoire of the University Chorus, the Faulkner Singers prepare and perform music which requires the finesse and vocal agility that only a disciplined chamber ensemble can achieve.
Conductor
Allen Clements is Director of Choral Activities at Faulkner University. Choral ensembles under his leadership have performed such works as the Handel Coronation Anthem No. 4, Haydn’s Missa brevis Sancti Joannis de Deo, the Faure Requiem, Schubert’s Mass in G Major, the Bach motet Jesu, meine Freude, Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, Holst’s Hodie, Orff’s Carmina Burana, and Vaughan Williams’ Dona Nobis Pacem.
Dr. Clements has been invited to serve as a guest conductor and clinician on several occasions. In 2004 he conducted the El Dorado (Arkansas) Chorale in a performance of Handel’s Messiah and, in 2005, he led the All-Region Senior High Mixed Choir at the Arkansas Choral Directors Association Southwest All-Region Choir Clinic/Concert. In 2009, an article by Clements was published in the Music Educators Journal. His reviews of choral compact disc recordings are regularly published in the Choral Journal. Clements holds a B.M.E. from Harding University, two M.M. degrees from the University of Alabama, and a Ph.D. from the Conservatory at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. He and his wife Sara have a daughter (Ella Rose) and a son (Charner).
Contact:
Rebecca Burylo Faulkner University Public Relations/ Social Media manager o: 334-386-7489 https://www.faulkner.edu
– ASU’s President & a Bus-load of Hornets will be in Huntsville to Award SURPRISE College Scholarships @ Assembly –
– ASU’s President’s Tour Visits Jemison High School Monday –
– Highlight Local High School Students Getting Surprise College Scholarships –
WHEN & WHERE FOR MONDAY’S EVENTS
WHEN: Monday (March 2) 1 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
WHERE: Mae Jemison High School, 5000 Pulaski Pike, NW, Huntsville.
Alabama State University’s (ASU) President, Dr. Quinton T. Ross Jr. and a team of faculty, staff, recruitment advisers and students kicks-off its “ASUPresident’s BusTour” in Huntsville on Monday (March 2), visiting students and awarding SURPRISE college scholarships at Jemison High School @ 1 p.m. and hosting a 6 p.m. evening reception for its Huntsville and Decatur alumni and friends.
The news media is welcomed to cover one or all of the University’s events Monday for a great news story on your local high school students being surprised with HEFTY COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS.
The evening’s alumni and friends reception will garner interest from your news consumers due to the large number of ASU alumni in the Huntsville/Decatur news market.
Previous high school scholarship winners with President Ross (L).
MONDAY’S SURPRISE COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS FOR LOCAL HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS
ASU’s President Ross and his President’s Tour team will be on Monday at Mae Jemison High School, 5000 Pulaski Pike, NW, Huntsville @ 1 p.m.to give prospective students a chance to take a closer look at ASU, and to both surprise and award some hefty college scholarships to deserving high school seniors.
Also, at 6 p.m., your reporters are welcomed to join us at Jackson Center, 6001 Moquin Dr., Huntsville for ASU’s reception for alumni and friends that allows your reporters to interview a cross-section of Huntsville-area alumni, as well as President Ross, as we discuss Alabama State University and its President’s Tour kicking-off in the Huntsville area on Monday!
ASU’S STORY – AMERICA’S OLDEST ‘STATE SPONSORED’ HBCU – FOUNDED BY NINE FORMER SLAVES!
President Ross’s Tour hopes to share ASU’s story as America’s oldest ‘state sponsored’ HBCU that was founded in 1867 by nine former slaves. ASU is also the birthplace of the modern Civil Rights Movement. We also focus our eyes to the future as a world-class research university.
The ASU President’s Tour is traveling to several cities in Alabama and Georgia, visiting high schools, and hosting alumni and scholars’ receptions.
We hope your news team will join us Monday!
News media contact: Kenneth Mullinax, 334-229-4104.
WHEN: Opens Feb. 20, and runs through Feb. 22, at 7 p.m. nightly
WHERE: ASU’s Leila Barlow Theatre in Tullibody Fine Arts Building, 845 S. Jackson St.
Alabama State University’s Department of Theatre Arts presents David Lindsay-Abaire’s “Rabbit Hole” from Feb. 20 to Feb. 22 at 7 p.m. nightly at ASU’s Leila Barlow Theatre in the Tullibody Fine Arts Building, 845 S. Jackson St. on campus.
The 2007 Pulitzer Prize-winning drama delves into the complexity of a family navigating deep grief and learning what it means to live a fruitful life when things fall apart. The audience will view how Becca and Howie Corbett’s picture-perfect family life in the suburbs of New York is tested when their 4-year old son’s life is taken in a random, tragic accident by a young driver, Jason. Soon after, Becca’s younger, irresponsible sister, Izzy, announces that she is pregnant: there will now be a new child in the family.
As Becca and Howie grow apart, Becca’s mother, Nat, badgers Becca about her grieving process as Jason continually shows up to ask for forgiveness. The group is on a bumpy road to healing with no road map in sight.
Director and assistant professor of Theatre, Nathan Jacobs, is excited about introducing this play to the ASU community and the extended “CommUniversity.”
“This (the play) is a contemporary work that should be accessible to today’s audiences,” Jacobs said. “We’ve all experienced and wrestled with grief… it’s really about learning to cope with tremendous loss and still move forward in life.”
“Rabbit Hole” is double-casted with an advanced cast of senior theatre majors and an understudy cast of freshmen and sophomores. Retired dean Dr. Tommie Stewart established the tradition to give more students the opportunity to experience the main stage.
Jacobs said casting at least two (2) actors for each role, challenges both the students and the director.
“Our Theatre students are always willing to be challenged with new work, new concepts, as well as the classics,” Jacobs said. “You have to make sure you develop chemistry between all the actors – not just between certain casts. There’s definitely a level of safety in it – just in case a student leaves the cast for example,” observed Jacobs. “But it can also be very tenuous to do this type of directing well.”
The performances are $12 for general admission, $6 for ASU students with valid IDs, and $10 for groups of 10 or more. For tickets, visit Return.com or call 334-229-6929/4551.
News media contact: Kenneth Mullinax, 334-229-4104.
– Media Relations Specialist Hazel Scott contributed to the release.
Three Alabama State University students won third place at the Morgan State Regional Competition, now they will vie for the championship title by going head-to-head with other colleges at the 2020 Honda Campus All-Star Challenge (HCASC) National Championship Tournament on March 28-April 1 in Torrance, California.
Representing ASU at the nationals are quiz bowl team members Elija Stewart, senior math education major; Nailah Thomas, senior English major; and Wyman Kirby, junior political science major. Endia Harris (team captain), a senior political science major, was unable to attend the regional tournament but she will participate at nationals.
“We took third in the regional competition at Morgan State while handicapped with one player missing, but we won’t have that problem at the national tournament,” said Dr. Mark Hill, team coach and associate professor of English.
The ASU team will compete in a fast-paced buzzer question-and-answer game that combines academics, pop culture, African-American history and sports in a format emphasizing quick recall. The team has the opportunity to win the HCASC top prize – a $75,000 institutional grant from Honda.
The four-member team will match their intellect with 48 Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) across the country, including Bowie State University, Cheyney University Of Pennsylvania, Howard University, Lincoln University of Pennsylvania, Morgan State University, the University of Maryland Eastern Shore and the University of the District of Columbia.
The Alabama State University’s 2020 Honda All-Stars team poses for a photo on the campus mall,Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2020. The team will head to California for the national competition in March. Pictured from l-r are Nailah Thomas, Jayden McCall, Wyman Kirby, Endia Harris, Dr. Mark Hill, and Elijah Stewart.
To prepare for the nationals, the ASU team will study two to three times a week with resource materials, books and games, in addition to scrimmaging with other nearby institutions.
Hill noted that the quiz bowl team is always recruiting new members.
“It is more of a club than an exclusive organization,” Hill said. “Historically, only the honors students were aware of its existence, but we take anyone who likes trivia and competition. There is also scholarship money available.”
Honda established the Honda Campus All Star Challenge in 1989 as a way to highlight and recognize the academic talents of HBCU students. More than $9 million in grants from Honda have provided support for books and tuition, scholarships, enhancement of student programs and other investments to improve campus facilities.
“I cannot express my appreciation enough toward American Honda for working with so many HBCUs over the past three decades,” Hill said. “Their generosity has allowed countless students not only academic opportunities, but a community of connections that is as strong as any other organization I’ve seen. I am proud to have worked with the program for the past five years, and I look forward to seeing Honda help future generation of students build careers, lives, and families through its program.”
News media contact: Kenneth Mullinax, 334-229-4104.
MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The students at Faulkner University’s Thomas Goode Jones School of Law organized a private screening last week of the newly released movie Just Mercy featuring Michael B. Jordan, Jamie Foxx, and Brie Larson.
The screening took place at the New Vision Theatres Chantilly 13 on January 30, 2020, where about 200 law school students, faculty, staff, and friends came to the screening including special guests from the Alabama State Bar, the Equal Justice Initiative and other members of the local legal community.
Cliff Coleman, a third-year law student at Faulkner Law and President of the Student Bar Association, helped organize the event along with the Black Law Students Association President and Faulkner Law student, Shevon Thomas II.
The event was first mentioned last year as a great opportunity for law students to join the Equal Justice Initiative and showcase the work they are doing and their legal contributions to the local community, state, and the nation.
“The work that the Equal Justice Initiative does is of critical importance for the State of Alabama and the country as a whole. The story of Bryan Stevenson is compelling for those of us who are training to be lawyers and want to make a difference. What is even better is most of this story takes place in Montgomery,” Coleman said.
“SBA and BLSA want to bring this story to Jones students, faculty, staff, and our friends. We believe that its message can speak to a wide and diverse audience,” he added.
A story of justice and redemption, Just Mercy is a feature adaptation of the true story of Montgomery’s Equal Justice Initiative and its founder, Bryan Stevenson. The film showcases Stevenson as a young lawyer when he founded the Equal Justice Initiative as a nonprofit law office in Montgomery, Alabama, dedicated to defending the poor, the incarcerated, and the wrongly condemned.
The film takes place during the early days of EJI when the organization had a small staff who decided to challenge the nation’s highest death sentencing and execution rates and confront racial injustice.
In the film, Michael B. Jordan portrays Stevenson who defends one of EJI’s first clients, Walter McMillian. McMillian, played by Jamie Foxx, was sentenced to die for the murder of a young white woman that he didn’t commit.
Equal Justice Initiative’s Adam Murphy attended the screening event and spoke to the audience afterward about the movie and encouraged law students to take action.
“Contribute your legal skills and passion to a re-entry or criminal justice reform organization. Identify a gap in legal resources and create a project to fill that gap. Seek out your District Attorney and ask what they are doing about wrongful convictions. Learn more about mental illness and criminal justice and urge your elected officials to develop programs that provide treatment rather than imprisonment,” Murphy said.
Faulkner Law students gather before the start of the screening of Just Mercy.
Just Mercy advertisement.
Cliff Coleman speaks to the crowd before the start of the screening on Just Mercy.
About EJI
Founded in 1989 by Bryan Stevenson, EJI is a private, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides legal representation to people who have been illegally convicted, unfairly sentenced, or abused in state jails and prisons.
EJI works with communities that have been marginalized by poverty and discouraged by unequal treatment. EJI also provides research and recommendations to assist advocates and policymakers in the critically important work of criminal justice reform, by publishing reports, discussion guides, and other educational materials, and conduct educational tours and presentations for thousands of students, teachers, faith leaders, professional associations, community groups, and international visitors every year.
To learn more, visit https://eji.org/.
About Faulkner
Faulkner University is a private, Christian liberal arts university based in Montgomery, Alabama. With a mission to provide an education anchored by not only intellect but also character and service, the Faulkner experience aims to educate the whole person. Serving both traditional and non-traditional students, the university is home to six colleges: the Alabama Christian College of Arts and Sciences, the Harris College of Business and Executive Education, the V.P. Black College of Biblical Studies, the College of Education, Faulkner Law and the new College of Health Sciences. In addition to its main campus in Montgomery, Faulkner operates extension campuses in Birmingham, Huntsville and Mobile and online.
– The Two are Alabama State University Juniors and are Both Montgomery Residents –
The beat goes on at Alabama State University as two of its students of music that specialize in percussion are adding to the University’s repertoire of musical honors by being selected and honored as among the most talented collegiate percussion students in Alabama.
ASU students John McTier and Corlandt Townsend, both juniors and both residents of Montgomery, have been honored to be chosen to participate in the All-Star Collegiate Percussion Ensemble. This group is a veritable ‘who’s-who” of the state’s higher education student percussion talent, which represents the best and the brightest from among the state’s colleges and universities. The ASU duo received their notification of winning this honor on Jan. 29. They were selected by the Percussion Arts Society of Alabama.
ASU SOPHOMORES WILL REPRESENT ASU @ STATEWIDE EVENT
Their instructor of percussion, ASU professor Jessica Williams, said that as a result of their newly acquired accolades, the two will be representing ASU at the Alabama Percussion Arts Society’s Chapter Day on Feb. 29, which will be held at the University of Alabama.
“As a result of their winning, they will perform, be taught and mentored by some of America’s most talented musical educators that come from the nation’s elite schools of music,” Williams said.
One of nationally acclaimed musical teachers that ASU’s percussion professor is referring to is Dr. Michael Burritt, who is a professor of percussion at the famous Eastman School of Music, which is located in Rochester, NY. Burritt will be working with all of the winners and will direct the ensemble of Alabama students in February.
“We have some amazing musical talent studying here at Alabama State University’s Department of Music, and both John and Corlandt are among our best students,” Williams said. “This is yet another example of why ASU is a destination school for students with musical talent.”
News media contact: Kenneth Mullinax, 334-229-4104.
Fred Wesley, a jazz trombonist and ASU alum, whose world renowned musical funk with the likes of James Brown and Ray Charles has captured the attention of jazz enthusiasts from around the world. Now, he is the focus of a filmmaker’s new documentary, “Never Just a Sideman.”
A film crew from Switzerland was on the ASU campus on Jan. 27, to document Welsley’s (aka “Funky Fred,”) journey from ASU music student to one of America’s greatest jazz funk trombonists.
“This documentary is trying to shine the light on sidemen who helped stars become stars,” said Maximilian Speidel, film director, whose company is based in Zuriack, Switzerland.
A sideman refers to a musician that accompanies a major artist who relies on his skills to make his performance successful.
Along with Wesley, other Funkateers included in the documentary are George Clinton, Bootsy Collins, drummer Bernard “Pretty” Purdie and Gary “Mudbone” Cooper.
“This project started out last year in a small studio in Lichtenstein,” Speidel said. ”We actually flew in all the musicians (to the studio).”
Speidel hopes viewers find the documentary informative, as well as entertaining.
“I hope viewers’ takeaway from the documentary the need to be aware that if you want to achieve something, we need the people around us,” Speidel said. “It’s not about yourself, it’s always about the team. So I think it’s really important that people look around and be aware of who is with me and who helped me achieve what I have achieved.”
WESLEY’S BACKGROUND IS A MUSICAL WHO’S-WHO OF FUNK
Wesley was the band director for the legendary king of soul, James Brown; starting in the 1960’s and continuing through the ‘70s. He was one of the architects of funk who recently donated his famous black trombone to ASU. He recorded several songs with James Brown, including “Say It Loud – I’m Black and I’m Proud,” and he co-wrote the hit song, “Hot Pants.” He also recorded with Count Basie, toured with Ike and Tina Turner and performed with Ray Charles, Lionel Hampton, Van Morrison and De La Soul.
WHILE @ ASU
The ASU-schooled musical maestro of funk played in the stage band when he attended the University in 1961. “I think what is so special about Fred is that you could put him in any genre and he would arrange you the best mixer,” Speidel noted.
The documentary is scheduled for released in 2021.
News media contact: Kenneth Mullinax, 334-229-4101.
– Written by Media Relations Specialist Hazel Scott.
– Great Visuals & Fun Local Story of an Exotic Happy Celebration Full of Students/Chinese Nationals Celebrating the Lunar New Year –
WHEN: TODAY (Friday/Jan. 17) , from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
WHERE: ASU’s Hardy Student Center, first floor – past the Book Store, in its Student Cyber Lounge.
Don’t miss out on what will be the most visually appealing and fun story in the River Region that is happening TODAY, which is the Chinese Lunar New Year Festival at Alabama State University, which is sponsored by Troy University’s Confucius Institute and ASU’s International Affairs & Diversity Office.
LOTS OF CULTURAL DISPLAYS, FUN, FOOD & PEOPLE
Over 100 students and Chinese nationals will be in attendance for such fun items as a cultural fair, performances, Chinese food, martial arts and so much more. The event will offer you the FUN & SIZZLE that your news consumers desire — and it allows you to localize a world event celebrated this upcoming week by billions of people.
SEND A REPORTER OR PHOTOG AND I WILL ASSIST
Send a reporter or photog to Alabama State University on Friday between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. and I will be present to assist them get the right interviews, have access to the perfect visuals and even snack on an egg roll, as I make sure that their time at the event is quick and well spent!
This is a wonderful example of a news feature story that will have awesome visuals of one of the world’s most exotic happy celebrations happening right here in the Gump.
BACKGROUND ON CHINESE LUNAR NEW YEAR
The Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival or the Lunar New Year is the grandest festival in China, and is a seven-day long holiday. This celebration is dominated by iconic red lanterns, loud fireworks, massive banquets, parades, and the festival triggers exuberant celebrations across the globe like the one at ASU on Friday.
In 2020, the Chinese New Year festival begins now through Jan. 25, and it honors 2020 as the Year of the Rat according to the Chinese zodiac. Like Christmas in Western countries, the Chinese New Year is a time to be home with family, drinking, cooking, and enjoying a hearty meal together. All streets and lanes are decorated with vibrant red lanterns and colorful lights which marks the Lunar New Year.
News media contact: Kenneth Mullinax, 334-229-4104.
As soon as Sussex announced their decision to step back from being senior members of the royal family, siting a need for financial independence, there were many reactions to the news.
But there were certain questions, no one was asking, namely: How much exactly were the Duke and Duchess of Sussex dependent on the Crown, how much did that affect their autonomy, and what has now changed.
Before we begin, it is Important to note the following:
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were formerly prohibited from earning ANY income, other than the income given to them by the Duchy of Cornwall, controlled by Harry’s father. And the money given to them through the Sovereign grant, dispersed to them by Harry’s grandmother.
Out of all the funds received from the crown, by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, 95% came from the Duchy of Cornwall, under the direction of the Prince of Wales. While the remaining 5% come from the Sovereign grant.
But where does that money come from? The oldest son of the current British monarch gains control of the Duchy of Cornwall, at birth. And so Prince Charles, Harry’s father, is the Duke of Cornwall, and controls the Duchy of Cornwall along with all of its Assets. As it turns out, these Assets are quite extensive, including 205.1 Square Miles of land, or 0.2% of land in the United Kingdom. These are farming, residential, or commercial properties, which are rented out, and bring constant revenue to the duchy. The Duchy also has special legal rights, and privileges. For example, the property of anyone who dies in the county of Cornwall, without any identifiable heirs, automatically becomes the property of the duchy of cornwall. And any company that is registered in cornwall, and then dissolved, forfeits its assets to the duchy of cornwall. It is some of this revenue that was being used to cover Harry and Meghan’s expenses.
Similarly, The Queen’s estate generates revenue from land and other assets, although much larger in scope.
All of these revenues from the Crown Estate are surrendered to the British government. Specifically, HM Treasury, (Her Majesty’s Treasury, sometimes referred to as The Exchequer, or The Treasury.) The British government department responsible for fiscal and economic policy in England.
From that money, a percentage, usually about 10-25% is given back to the Queen for her use in performing the duties she and the rest of the royal family is responsible for, and maintaining property and assets which belong to the royal family.
See the chart below:
So, for example, from 2017-2018, £329 million was surrendered by the Crown Estate, to the British Government, and subsequently. £82 million was given back to the Queen to cover the expenses of her office in 2019 .
And from 2018-2019, £343 million was surrendered by the Queen’s estate, and it has been announced that the sovereign grant for 2020-2021, will be £85 million.
Sussex has chosen, to no longer receive any money from this grant. Which covered 5% of their expenses. Or to receive any money from the Duchy of Cornwall, which covered the other 95% of their expenses.
As for travel expenses, the Sussexes have issued a statement saying:
“All travel arrangements undertaken by The Duke and Duchess in their private time have always been and will continue to be paid for privately and not by UK taxpayers.”
The only expenses of the Sussexes, which will still be covered by the Crown, are security expenses, which is mandated by the Home office. In addition to being mandatory, the government of the UK does not disclose the cost of security, as stated on its website:
“No breakdown of security costs is available as disclosure of such information could compromise the integrity of these arrangements and affect the security of the individuals protected. It is long established policy not to comment upon the protective security arrangements and their related costs for members of the Royal Family or their residences.”
