Choir Hits England
by Anna Perritt ‘11
Staff Writer··································
For J-term 2008, members of the Randolph-Macon College Concert Choir went on a singing and sight-seeing tour of England and Wales. From stepping off the plane in London day one to climbing back on two weeks later, each day was busy with something new to see or do. Thanks to the group’s guide, Ciaran Moss, the trip was not just comprised of typical tourist sights, but a mix of local attractions and not-so-well known places of interest, too.
The first week, the choir visited the towns of Salisbury, Bristol, Bath, Cardiff, Llandaff, Chester, and York. Popular attractions included Stonehenge, the Roman Baths, Tintern Abbey, and the Viking Museum. The choir’s first concert was at Bath Abbey. Two days later, they sang at St. David’s Cathedral in south Wales followed the next day by a performance back in England at Llandaff Cathedral. The fourth concert took place at York Minster, quite an honor since even local choirs rarely get permission to sing at the Minster.
Week two began with an overdose of Shakespeare at Stratford- Upon-Avon as the group toured the Shakespeare Center, his birthplace, his wife Anne’s cottage, and Holy Trinity Church where he is buried, Anne beside him. All this was topped off with an evening attendance of Henry IV Part I performed by the Royal Shakespeare Company. The choir sang at Christ Church College in Oxford the next day after a walking tour of the city. The final four days were spent in London. Between climbing to the top of St. Paul’s Cathedral, visiting the Tower of London where the Crown Jewels were on display, and touring the Globe, the choir had their final performance at St. Anne’s & St. Agnes Lutheran Church. Several students went to the theater district and saw Spamalot or Wicked. Others hit the shopping district.
Although the trip was a blast, singing was not the only academic part of the class. The week before leaving, students were split into pairs and given a location to research. Each day overseas, a pair presented information on the area the group was to visit that afternoon. Also, every evening students had to complete a journal entry documenting the day’s activities and critiquing their performances. Choir members learned through experience the acoustic effects of different architectural styles by singing in the various cathedrals. Between the peer presentations and Ciaran’s mass of knowledge, everyone on the trip learned some British and Welsh history, and got to experience a new culture.
Spring term means the reunion of the twenty overseas travelers with the other 45-plus Concert Choir members and the learning of new music. Keep your ears open around campus; you won’t want to miss hearing these students sing!
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A Word from the SGA President
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Dear Fellow Students,
Welcome back from J-Term break! I hope you had a relaxing break after an
excellent J-Term. The Student Government Association has been working hard on
the different issues that we gathered from students in the beginning of the fall. This
is the list of what we have accomplished to date.
Coffee to Class
Estes now offers coffee in to go cups for $.54. This is a great way to take coffee
to classes that start before Macon Coffee opens. You can purchase coffee to go
whenever Estes is open. Please ask for a Coffee To Go Cup at the swipe computers
in Estes.
Bus To Bridgewater
In support of the Football team's tremendous season, SGA rented a bus that took
students to the pivotal football game against Bridgewater late in the season.
Email Information
SGA Representative Lauren Soles looked into the email situation for all students,
but specifically the deletion of Senior accounts. She reported that the accounts
will not yet be deleted and that ITS will give us more information about it in the
future.
TV in the Up Campus Laundry Room
The SGA was responsible for erecting the cable TV in the Up Campus Laundry
Room. This initiative was headed by Kris Hutchinson.
Ratified a New SGA Constitution
After many months of deliberation over the last two years, the SGA ratified a
new constitution in October. Please ask your representatives for more information if
interested.
Review of Hookah Policy
The policy in Fishtales banning hookahs from campus was brought to SGA's
attention and it was researched and discussed heavily before coming to the decision
that hookahs should remain as a banned item on this campus.
Satellite Office
In order to increase visibility, and availability, SGA has a satellite desk in the
campus center. Executive officers take office hours if the resources of the main offi
ce on the 2nd fl oor is not needed. The desk sits across from the foosball table on
the lower level of the Campus Center.
Can Food Drives
SGA has sponsored two can drives. During football games representatives would
collect cans from fans. This was know as the "Drive of the Game" facilitated by the Junior
Class. The Freshman Class Board also held a canned food drive.
SGA Forum with President Lindgren
The SGA has set up open forums with President Lindgren to be held once a semester.
The spring forum will be held shortly in the Campus Center. Please look for publicity.
Hampden-Sydney Week
As tradition has it, the sophomore class board is in charge of HSC week and this year
was a great success. In addition to the activities throughout the week, R-MC raised over
$1,000 for Habitat for Humanity. Special thanks to the board and its executive members.
Way to go Class of 2010!
Jam the Jar
In collaboration with RHA, SGA held the JAM THE JAR in December, which was a
huge success. This was one of the best student turnouts for this sort of event. Thank you
for your participation. The results were presented to the administration and gave both SGA
and RHA a great perspective of the Student Voice.
Ring Ceremony
The Junior Class Ring Ceremony exceeded the previous standards of the Ring Ceremony
and was a great success. Congratulations class of 2009 and all participants.
Blood Drive
The Sophomore Class Board and the Brothers of Kappa Alpha Order held a very successful
blood drive in the Campus Center during J-Term.
The Student Government Association is looking forward to being even more productive
and representative in the Spring. I invite you all to attend our meetings in the Yellow
Jacket Room from 9pm - 10pm on Tuesday nights. If you have any questions or comments
please email me at jhill@students.rmc.edu. Have a great spring semester.
Sincerely,
Pearson Hill
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