SIU
Professor Teaches Irish Music to Local Students Dr.
Bryan Kelso Crow is spreading his love of Irish music to young students
in the area. Though an Associate Professor of Speech Communication at
Southern Illinois University, Crow has been teaching eleven fourth and
fifth grade students at the Carbondale New School to play the tin whistle,
a traditional Irish instrument. Lisa
Percy, the students' teacher, first had the idea for this class after
she returned from a semester in Ireland. She wanted her students here
to be exposed to Irish music and culture. Because Crow's daughter also
attends Carbondale New School, he was happy to volunteer to work with
Percy's class each week. Crow
learned to play the tin whistle when he visited Ireland in 1978. On
subsequent trips he has enjoyed playing with local musicians. He now
can be heard frequently playing both the tin whistle and the wooden
flute in Carbondale with the traditional Irish band The Dorians. During
the past year, the children have learned to play Irish music as well
as songs like "Auld Lang Syne" and "Hot Cross Buns."
They have been enthusiastic about learning the music and have even recently
performed as a group at the school talent show. In
fact, for many of the children, performing before an audience remains
a favorite part of their musical studies. According to Shanshan Ge,
a student in the class, "I like to hear the clapping because we
know we did a good job." Likewise,
Crow thoroughly enjoys the time he spends with them. "They are
a wonderful class…very appreciative." Members of the class will be performing at the upcoming Irish Festival at Turley Park on April 24, 2004, where the outdoor Celtic Fair will also include performances by The Dorians, students of The St. Louis Irish Arts group, a Scottish pipe band from Indiana, and a duo from Nashville, among many other attractions. Crow will teach an introductory tin whistle workshop for beginners of all ages at 10:00 AM, Saturday, April 24, with registration at Turley Park. |
|
|
A 2002 Graduate of Carbondale New School, Craig Johnson travels to Panama as an Exchange Student
Exchange student gets surprise visit from host father
MARION -- A Marion High School junior got a surprise visit last weekend from the man who will be his Panamanian host father. Craig Johnson, an honor student at MHS, was accepted into the American Field Service Intercultural Exchange program for the fall semester. Erconides Medina, whose family will also be Johnson's family for the semester, is president of a large Panamanian cattle cooperative as well as owner of a general contracting business. Medina was in the United States to participate in Free Trade Commission talks between Panama and the United States held in Florida. Medina was also seeking buyers for his cooperative's beef and dairy products. Medina and two of his business associates made a special trip to Williamson County just to meet Johnson and his family. "I am even more excited about living and studying in Panama," Johnson said. "Now that I have met Mr. Medina, I feel confident that this is going to be a good experience." Johnson was accepted as an AFS student based on grade point average, his maturity and his desire to be exposed to new and different cultural experiences. Johnson has spent the summer working to help pay for his expenses and prepare for his life in Panama. "I never dreamed of meeting my host father just days before I leave for this trip," Johnson said. Johnson is scheduled to leave for his summer adventure today and will return Feb. 15, 2005. Johnson was not the only one who was pleasantly surprised by Medina's visit. Johnson's parents were very pleased to meet the man who will be their son's surrogate father for several months. "We now feel reassured that Craig will be in good hands," Jeanette Johnson said. "We know that Mr. Medina and his family will treat Craig as one of their own." |
|
|
© 2006 Carbondale New School |
