Image provided by: Clackamas Community College; Oregon City, OR
About The Clackamas print. (Oregon City, Oregon) 1989-2019 | View Entire Issue (Feb. 23, 2011)
ts Culture Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2011 The Clackamas Print 5 Above: Alyssa Smith sings Above right: Chris Taylor slips into the music. Nathan Sturgess Clackamas Print lotieff itieff takes the lead during a jazz ensemble practice at Clackamas Community College. ?nse of camaraderie in Niemeyer 114 is “guaranteed to put a smile on your face. face. 99 ” Right: Wesley Mason-Shaffer focuses on his sound. ’s own “Glee” ly Erik Andersen h-Editor-in-Chief ike I have said before, music is the heart and psoul that drives the ins of everyone on the If you have ever seen the [“Rent” or watched the fGlee,” you might have of the power a talented [of individuals can pro- iproperly placed vocally, lone goes out to C lackamas [unity College’s very own [jazz ensemble, a collec- iwhat could be Clackamas B’s best. The harmonious relationship this group has is nothing short of outstanding. • Each practice I attended sounded more like a professional performance, my very own con cert that sent wave after wave of solid vocal notes which actually sounded more like a lyrical mar ble wall without cracks. I like to think I have a good ear for flaws in music, both instrumentally and vocally, but I could not for the life of me find very many at all in the positive, upbeat tones of this ensemble. This could be because the instrumentals are performed by none other than Known as Anonymous, the band highlight ed last week. Or maybe it’s because this group of students was bom with voices so perfect that even without instrumentals they sound flawless. The truth is, although all of the above is true, none of it would be if it wasn’t for the very animated and scholarly instruction of Lonnie Cline, the vocal jazz ensemble’s teacher and mentor. Cline really gets into the vibe by standing up and composing with his hands, facial expressions and body movement. As the band plays and the group sings, it is hard - if not impossible - to find a soul that isn’t smiling. “My favorite aspect is the music and camaraderie, we real ly are a family,” said Tiffany Vess, who I must say has a very exceptional voice when1 singing the lead for several pieces. I didn’t need Vess to tell me that' the ensemble was like a family; it couldn’t be more evi dent with the vibes and comfort everyone showed in that room. This group of 17 singers and four band members is the largest single group I have ever had the pleasure to watch perform. I can honestly say now that I have, I feel more complete than I did before. You can find the group in the Niemeyer Center in room 114. The vocal jazz ensemble is guaranteed to put a smile on your face ancj, lift your spirits even if you’re in the worst of moods. Above: CCC vocal jazz ensemble meets for a jam session. Below left: Erin Parra feels the moment. Below right: Mishelle Wesselink practices for perfection. - If you or someone you know is in a band or performs any type of music in Clackamas County or at Clackamas Community College, Erik would love to get in touch with you. Feel free to e- mail him at chiefed@clackamas. edu. FLU: Take a shot at ‘Flu Season,’ catch the fever starting this weekend at Niemeyer Hall Continued from Page 1 rathan Sturgess Clackamas Print • Brandon McFarland. h Katie Farrell (left) Nly Robison (right). Almost all the actors comment ed on how much they liked the emotional depth and complexity of the play but also how challeng ing it was to play a character that they found difficult to relate to. Emily Robison, who plays the part of Woman, emphasized how dif ficult it was to be a pregnant and allegedly insane character when she has never actually been either. Justin McDaniels, who plays the part of Man, also found it challenging. “(Man is) a mean person essentially, and I’m not like that... so to try and learn that through substitution. Taking how I felt before and applying it to this play has been (challenging).” Making thematic connections within the fabric of the play has been an exciting process for many of the students. One student in particular, Katie Farrell, who plays the part of Nurse, has had some pretty dramatic eureka moments. “When Katie makes a discov ery, you can see it for miles ... she’ll just be in the middle of a line and go ‘Oh my God!”’ said Gerber. Along with the excitement of the play comes darker themes, and the emotional nature of the play is taxing on the students. “There was one part where it was just so deep and so emotionally draining ... and we were just like, ‘Let’s go get some sushi,”’ said Farrell. The heaviness of the play was reflected in some of Gerber’s com ments about the effects that loom ing budget cuts may have on the theater department. According to Gerber, limited funds played a role in how they chose the current play as well. But Gerber expressed how he’s used to the fact that theater is often the first on the chopping block. “It’s forcing us to make sacri fices and the toughest part is to try and come up with what sacrifices can we make that hurts the student least,” said Gerber. Even with the looming cuts to funding, the theater department has made a daring move to pro duce a play that is as new as it is irreverent to theatrical tradition. The play promises to both enter tain and challenge the actors and the audience with its bold account of the human condition. The Flu Season Ticket Pricing: Adult: $10 Youth under 18: $8 Students: $8 Seniors: $8 Location: Niemeyer Hall Show Times: Feb. 24 - March 6 Thurs.-Sat. 7:30 p.m. Sun. 2:30 p.m.
