2008 Woodie Awards
Arts Report
Regina Pynn
Issue date: 10/5/07 Section: Campus Life
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On Saturday September 29, Stevens' three artists-in-residence performed a concert at the library. Choir and voice director Bethany Reeves, violin/viola musician Martin Andersen, and pianist Phillip Dieckow all gave beautiful performances. Dieckow's selections included a selection named "Widmund" that was wonderfully airy and romantic. Anderson's pieces were also wonderfully played and made all the more enjoyable given the rarity of the act. A concert featuring a viola solo performance is an uncommon occurrence. Reeves' performance was also beautiful to listen to. Reeves is the most visible of the artists-in-residence, as has lead the Stevens' Choir for the past few years.
Yet high point in the concert was Dieckow's performance of "Nocturne." This piece was composed by James Redcay, an NYU student who is Stevens' composer-in-residence. This original work has already gained attention in the musical world and the audience was privileged to hear it performed on Saturday.
The most disappointing part of the night was the lackluster turnout in the audience. Though the audience members that did attend were enthusiastic and thoroughly enjoyed the performance, it was disgraceful that more of the Stevens community did not turn out to support these performers. They missed out on a wonderful evening.
The Hoboken Arts and Music Festival took place this past weekend. Once again, this yearly festival was far less about actual art and music than it was about commercialism and politics. Though all of Hoboken turned out to the shows that took up most of Washington Street, they spent more time buying goods from the vendors and eating than they did listening to the music stage down by First Street or enjoying the creativity up and down the street. The fine art sales scattered at the far end of Washington Street were a joy to walk by, but had few serious buyers nearby though the handmade crafts fared somewhat better. But it was the Hoboken staple- politicians and political wannabees strutting up and down the street that stuck out most prominently in this reporter's mind.
Yet high point in the concert was Dieckow's performance of "Nocturne." This piece was composed by James Redcay, an NYU student who is Stevens' composer-in-residence. This original work has already gained attention in the musical world and the audience was privileged to hear it performed on Saturday.
The most disappointing part of the night was the lackluster turnout in the audience. Though the audience members that did attend were enthusiastic and thoroughly enjoyed the performance, it was disgraceful that more of the Stevens community did not turn out to support these performers. They missed out on a wonderful evening.
The Hoboken Arts and Music Festival took place this past weekend. Once again, this yearly festival was far less about actual art and music than it was about commercialism and politics. Though all of Hoboken turned out to the shows that took up most of Washington Street, they spent more time buying goods from the vendors and eating than they did listening to the music stage down by First Street or enjoying the creativity up and down the street. The fine art sales scattered at the far end of Washington Street were a joy to walk by, but had few serious buyers nearby though the handmade crafts fared somewhat better. But it was the Hoboken staple- politicians and political wannabees strutting up and down the street that stuck out most prominently in this reporter's mind.