Denison Magazine Blog

I spent a little bit of my afternoon editing a story on Jeremy King ’97, Denison’s new (and first!) sustainability coordinator. You can read all about him in the winter issue, but if you just can’t wait to hear about the things he’s hoping to do at Denison, check out this article in today’s Newark Advocate.

You may remember Leela Hazzah ’02 from our “Enterprise” issue (winter 2006-07). Looks like she had a little free time while saving Africa’s lions from extinction to pose for a Vogue photographer and tell her story in the magazine’s November issue.

To be completely honest, I wasn’t sure what to expect at the taping of the From the Top radio show at Swasey Chapel on Saturday. I knew what From the Top was all about—a radio show from National Public Radio that highlights young classical musicians. I knew, too, that one of the CEOs of the show is a Denison graduate, Jennifer Hurley-Wales ’83, and that she and the rest of the From the Top crew had recently won a couple of Emmys for the documentary-style PBS version of the show. (You’ll see a piece on Hurley-Wales in the winter issue of Denison Magazine.) And, sure, I knew the kids would be good, but good Lord, they were absolutely incredible.

From the Top is celebrating its 10th year, so it seemed fitting that Saturday’s performance was a bit of a retrospective that highlighted musicians who had appeared on the show in the past. They included Anna Lee, an exceptional and excitable 14-year-old violinist who had first appeared on From the Top when she was just 11. Then there was Colton Peltier, a 15-year-old pianist who practices six hours a day—and, believe me, it shows. There were some older alums, of course, including John Brancy, a 20-year-old baritone in his third year at Julliard, and Lauren Chipman, a classical viola player-turned-rock star who now, at age 26, is playing with the indie band, The Rentals.

What was most striking about the show was not that these performers were outstanding musicians—which they very clearly were. It was that they were young people with old musical souls. When they were interviewed by host Christopher O’Reily (an accomplished pianist in his own right), they talked about pestering parents, cell phones, high school drama, and football. But when they performed, the transformation was truly amazing. It was as if these talented young musicians had been playing this music for a lifetime.

If you don’t know the show, give it a listen—especially on January 4th, when Saturday’s show (brought to Swasey as part of the 2009-10 Vail Series), will be broadcast. For a sneak peek, check out the video below. And to see From the Top’s take on their time in Granville (with more video), check out  announcer Joanne Robinson’s blog here.

Remember Jason Barger from our spring issue? He’s just released a viral video that accompanies his book, Step Back from the Baggage Claim. In the video and the book, Barger talks about his hope for a world movement of kindness and respect—starting at the airport. To see the video and learn about his plan to change the world through “small, thoughtful steps,” click here.

When Jordan Smith ’05 is studying plant biology, he goes by his given name. When he’s in music mode, performing and recording with his folk/indie group, Polka Dot Dot Dot, he becomes Jordan O’Jordan.

After Denison, Smith headed off to State College, Pa., in order to earn his PhD in plant biology at Penn State, and in the midst of all that science and nature, he managed to make some music. Having just listened to Polka Dot Dot Dot’s album Love Letter to New Zealand, we’re thinking of writing a love letter ourselves. The music is fun, simple, and simply great. Check ‘em out here. If you like what you hear, the band is releasing a new album “Syzygy” and setting off on tour next week. You might want to look into that ….

I just got back from the library where I got to see an informal lunchtime concert by the Hilltoppers. It proved to be a nice study break for the students, and a nice break from the daily routine for some staffers—Sam Thios, vice president for student affairs, even joined the group for their final number.

Here’s a look at one of our favorite songs from this afternoon: Carolina in My Mind, by James Taylor.

Over the weeks, our trusty blog readers have trekked through Denison Magazine history as we work our way toward the 100th volume to be published next year. You’ve seen the many incarnations of the magazine, including its humble beginnings as the Chicago-Denison Bulletin, through several name changes, and the addition of color. The most recent incarnation of Denison Magazine debuted in the spring of 2005, when then-editor Paul Pegher sent the magazine in for a redesign. The result was this:

Appropriately themed “The Future,” this issue was quite a change from the early versions of the publication, and while most of the readers praised the differences, some weren’t so excited. One reader wrote: “Change is good, but what the hell is going on?” Another thought the new design looked “more like a Highlights magazine than a serious college publication.” As more and more issues hit mailboxes, though, folks seemed to have embraced the new look.

No doubt the magazine will continue to evolve over the next 100 years, but we’ll need your input in order to keep it moving in the direction you want it to go. We’d love to hear from you. Write to us at denmag@denison.edu. For now, though …. class dismissed.

As we’ve mentioned on this blog in recent weeks, Denison Magazine hasn’t always been Denison Magazine. At first it was the Chicago-Denison Bulletin, then it was the Denison Alumni Bulletin, and then it was The Denison Alumnus. But the next incarnation of the publication stuck—in 1978, Denison Magazine made it’s debut. Here’s the inaugural issue of the magazine:

Sure, it looks a lot different than the one you’ll be getting in your mailbox in December, but we’ll get to those changes next week. For now, enjoy this little peek at the past.

Over the last couple of Fridays we’ve been offering up little history lessons documenting the changes the magazine has seen over the years as we gear up for its 100th volume. But class is canceled today …. we’re a tad busy around here.

Throughout the day yesterday, Bill Bradley and Newt Gingrich met with students, faculty, and staff before giving a talk last night at Swasey as part of the Babcock Lecture Series. (Check back here later today for photos, videos, and a recap of last night’s talk.)

Today, we’re dedicating the new Bryant Arts Center with keynote speaker Sir Ken Robinson. (Check in here to see coverage of the events going on tonight and throughout the weekend.)

Oh .. .and the Board of Trustees is here for a visit … as are a bunch of prospective students and their parents.

You know … just another day at the office ….

I got a call a few weeks back from a gent named Rick Kaufmann ’86 who wanted to tell me about the Denison Singers. As many of this blog’s readers may know, the group got its start as the Madrigal Singers in 1961 when assistant professor of music and university organist, Bill Osborne (at right, below), recruited students to start singing classical music for folks on campus and in local high schools and churches. Over the years, the group even toured, performing more than 500 concerts in more than 20 states.

The group broke up back in 2003, when Osborne retired and, later, moved down to Winston-Salem, N.C., but it seems his singers just couldn’t let him go. So, for the third time since the “official” group’s final concert, past members of the singing troupe have tromped down to Winston-Salem to meet up with their former singing coach and endure three days of rigorous (but fun!) rehearsals for a Sunday afternoon concert at Augsburg Lutheran Church with the Church’s choir.

This year, 30 Denison Singers descended on Winston-Salem from places like New York, Ohio, Georgia, Texas, and Arizona … even John Leistler ’86 flew in from Amman, Jordan for a few tunes. The weekend wasn’t all scales and vibrato. The old college pals met up for drinks and meals and plenty of memories. In 2011, they’re planning on skipping Winston-Salem to reunite at Denison in honor of the 50th anniversary of the group’s founding. To hear more about the group via podcast, listen
here. For more information on what those singers are up to these days, visit: www.denisonsingers.com