Brent Shires
Brent Shires, assistant professor of Music and instructor of French horn at UCA, has had several solo appearances lately. At the end of September he gave solo recitals at the University of Kansas and University of Arkansas with Terrie Shires, piano instructor at UCA, accompanying. On Oct.16, Shires was the featured soloist with the Pine Bluff Symphony Orchestra, performing Mozart’s Rondo in E-flat K. 371, and Morceau de Concert by Camille St-Saens. In addition, Brent hosted Dr. Heidi Lucas, horn professor at the University of Southern Mississippi, who gave a solo recital and master class for students at UCA on Oct. 15.
Mark Spitzer
Mark Spitzer, associate professor of creative writing, just sold his paranormal horror novel Monster Dystopia to the sci fi genre publisher Twilight Times Books. He was also recently a featured reader at the Improved Lighting Series in Fayetteville and for the Honors College’s Challenge Week at UCA.
David Bailin
David Bailin, an instructor in the Art Department, has been selected to appear in the Who’s Who in American Art 2012 (32nd Edition).
John Vanderslice
John Vanderslice, associate professor of writing, has had his short story “No. 117” accepted for publication by the journal Mobius. Also, his play “Visa” has been chosen for the UCA Theatre Department’s annual Festival of One Acts. The Festival of One Acts will run during the first week of December.
Dr. Ryan Fisher and Dr. Paige Rose spent the last part of the summer in Washington D.C. at the 2011 MENC Music Education Week. While there, they presented research that was conducted with recent music and Honors College graduate, Sally Shewmaker. The study, entitled, “Effects of Manual/Pedal Movement, Tempo, and Gender on Accuracy of Steady Beat in Kindergarten Students,” was featured in the Research Academy during the week. Fisher and Rose also participated in music advocacy and education policy talks with senators and representatives on Capitol Hill. Dr. Rose, who was recently chosen as President Elect for the Arkansas Music Educators Association, also represented Arkansas as the state delegate to the National Assembly of MENC.
Dr. Rose and Dr. Fisher have also spent part of the summer and fall developing the UCA Music Education Professional Development Series, sponsored by a grant they received from the UCA Foundation. Funding was used to sponsor parts of UCA’s third summer of Orff Schulwerk training, offered to music teachers from around the entire country in July and August. The grant also brought conductor, composer, and educator, Dr. Sandra Snow, to campus from Michigan State. Dr. Snow presented a day-long workshop for choral educators and students from around the state this September. Dance and movement specialist, Peter Amidon was also featured in an October workshop for general music specialists and music education students.
Within the summer Orff training, Dr. Rose completed her own third level of Orff Schulwerk training, becoming fully certified in this process of teaching music. Her training was funded by a Faculty Development Grant, awarded to her by the UCA Foundation.
In October, Dr. Rose was also featured as clinician for the East Baton Rouge Parish Professional Development Series for elementary music teachers in Louisiana. This November, Dr. Fisher presented an interest session entitled, “Enhancing Music Instruction through Interactive White Boards,” at the Arkansas Music Educators Fall Professional Development Conference. He and Dr. Rose most recently returned from Pittsburgh where they also presented research entitled, “Effects of Age, Experience, and Instruction on Elementary Music Teacher Movement Self-Efficacy” at the American Orff Schulwerk Association National Conference.
Dr. Fisher and Dr. Rose are conductors of the Central Arkansas Children’s Choir, who will be featured with the Conway Symphony Orchestra on Dec. 3 at Reynolds Performance Hall. The group will also perform with Pat Boone as a part of the Reynolds Public Appearances Series on Dec. 11, before giving their own concert on Dec. 13 at the Snow Fine Arts Center. This fall, the choir was awarded a grant through the Wal-Mart Foundation.