Conservatory Dean's Blog

David Pogue receives honorary doctorate from Shenandoah Conservatory

At the 2nd Conservatory Convocation on August 29, 2007, New York Times technology columnist and correspondant for CBS News David Pogue received an honorary doctorate.

David Pogue’s lifelong interests have explored the boundary, the interface, between classical music in performance and computer applications. His initial training as a pianist, composer and conductor was challenged by the possibility of tapping the versatility and efficiency of the computer for composing and arranging music for the stage. In the process, he became a teacher of computer skills to the Broadway community and a highly successful author-columnist who makes the mysteries of both music and the computer understandable to the average person. Even the writing of fiction has experienced his non-traditional blend of perspectives.

For his unique imagination of the boundary between music as a classical discipline and the computer of the future, and his artistic contributions, Shenandoah University is pleased to grant David Pogue the degree Doctor of Music, honoris causa.

Photos by Cathy Kuehner
More photos at David Pogue Honorary Doctorate Photo Gallery

3 Video clips of May 2007 France Tour by Paulette Moore

Documentary film maker Paulette Moore has posted 3 clips of the Shenandoah Choir's historic May 2007 concert tour of France's great cathedrals.

Shenandoah University Choir Tours France #1 - The Arrival:
Shenandoah Conservatory Choir takes a rollicking tour of France. In this, the first of 3 segments, the group performs in major cathedrals, channels Marie Antoinette at the Palace of Versailles, and students reflect on the challenges and the honor of working with Grammy Award-winning conductor Robert Shafer. Watch 7 minutes now on YouTube: http://youtube.com/watch?v=ltHtGEZI6oo


Shenandoah University Choir Tours France #2 - Normandy:
Shenandoah Conservatory choir members continue their tour through France with a trip to the poignant landscapes of the Normandy Beaches. There the group gives an impromptu and deeply moving performance to some appreciative onlookers. Watch 5 minutes now on YouTube: http://youtube.com/watch?v=jS166JxnXEc


Shenandoah University Choir Tours France #3 - Notre Dame:
In the last of a 3 part series - the Shenandoah Conservatory Choir is one of just three international groups chosen each year to sing at Notre Dame's High Mass in Paris. Students take us behind the scenes at the renowned cathedral - revealing the sights, the sounds of the event and the antics of some amusing Eucharistic ministers. Watch 6 minutes now on YouTube: http://youtube.com/watch?v=EILYhAz9D14

Conservatory Calendar for 2007-08

You can view the 2007-08 Conservatory Calendar at: Conservatory Calendar

You can subscribe to this calendar at: Subscribe

To learn more about iCal go to iCal

Conservatory Convocation

Revised Faculty Orientation week activities

You can view the revised Faculty Orientation week activities calendar at: Revised calendar

You can subscribe to this calendar at: Subscribe to Revised Faculty Orientation

To learn more about iCal or to download a copy, go to http://www.apple.com/ical

Here is a WORD.doc with detailed information that also includes the student's schedules for the week.

Detailed Orientation Week Schedule

Conservatory Dancers in Ireland

Left to Right:

Lindsey Berry (junior - AMGT), Mary Evans (junior - AMGT) - both girls were on an internship with Fluxusdance

Heather Reid (just graduated), Cari Chambers (junior), Caitlin Granville (senior), Shanon Castle (senior), Julie Polyniak (just graduated), Lucy Dundon (Fluxusdance Company member), Cathy O’Kennedy (Fluxusdance Artistic Director)

Dessert Potluck at Kaptain Home

Conservatory Faculty/Staff Dessert Potluck
to welcome new faculty
Sunday August 26 2-4:30 p.m.

Kaptain Home 614 Pritchard’s Hill Ct.
(south on Valley Ave--Rt. 11 then turn onto
Lake Dr. by Popeye’s. Turn left on Saratoga,
then right on Pritchard’s Hill Ct.)
Bring a dessert or something to drink
No RSVP • VERY casual dress • Call 662.0684 if lost
Family and significant others welcome

New faculty 2007-08

CON faculty in the media

Ting Yu Chen performing in Taiwan

Thomas Albert reviewed in Pittsburgh

Bye-Bye Birdie

What a fantastic closer for the 2007 SSMT. Congratulations Hal and all SSMT staff, technicians, faculty, actors, singers, designers and dancers.

Mac Book Pro Laptop Program--Fall 2008

Here are some more FAQs about the Mac Book Pro laptop program that begins in 2008.

NEW!!! What about the technology fee for folks not enroled in the 2008 Apple laptop program? There is no small technology fee for conservatory students, not even a wireless fee. Only incoming freshman in the fall of ’08 will be charged a technology fee and receive a laptop. Other students are able to purchase their own laptops and bring them to campus; however, they should also purchase their own warranty and insurance. SU will not be providing this coverage for personal laptops.

Why a laptop computer program? Aren’t Conservatory students are going to be teachers, performers, music therapists, and arts managers? Well, maybe. The world of the performing arts is morphing into a place where transferable skills are called for, a deeper level of self-reflection is necessary, and the ability to share one’s creative skills and passion with a broader audience is required. For example, an on-line portfolio is becoming a requisite for all performing artists, teachers, therapists, and managers. That requires elements of video, audio, and graphic/digital design.

Why Apple? The creative software and operating systems that performing artists need are built into the machine. GarageBand, iMovie, iTunes, iDVD and iPhoto are all tools that advance opportunities for learning, expressive growth and skill development. An added plus is the intuitive nature of the OS X operating system and other software; it’s basically plug and play.

What if I’m not into computers? The computer is only a tool that can assist learning and advance creativity. There will be plenty of students, faculty and staff to help you get going.

If I’m entering in fall 2007, should I buy a laptop or wait? That is a personal decision. Some students have found excellent pricing in purchasing refurbished Mac Book Pros from Apple or third-party vendors.

A Mac Book Pro computer will be given to freshman only in 2008. Students entering in 2007 will not be given a computer next year because they will be sophomore. Recommendation is to buy their own through Apple's educational program.

What are the recommended specifications? At least 1GB of memory; 2GB is much better. A super drive (built into the

$4,000 for a laptop computer? ($500 per semester for 4 years). That figure not only represents a very powerful learning and communications tool, but dedicated technical support, Internet access, an extended repair/replacement plan, an insurance policy, and a base of very powerful software.

Will all students be required to enter the laptop program in 2008? No, just the entering first-year students—and then the entering first-year students in subsequent classes.

We just bought a PC laptop. Now what do we do? You can do many practical things with PC laptops—especially in the business world. Creatives tend to use Apple computers, and programs such as QuickTime and iTunes have become ubiquitous (just watch any movie trailer on line, or visit iTunes University in the iTunes Store). Much of the software for composing music, editing video and audio, podcasting, and creating graphics—are native to Apple machines, but with additional software, you can also do many of those applications in a PC environment.

In Fall 2008, can other students (2nd, 3rd and 4th year) enroll in this program? It would be preferable and more cost-effective to just purchase a Mac Book Pro computer with the needed specifications and software.

Won’t a laptop be obsolete in 2-3 years? Apple computers have a longer useful life than PCs. It is not uncommon to have Macintosh computers still functioning effectively four years and beyond.

Is a Mac Book Pro powerful enough for leading edge creativity and higher-end applications such as digital video? The answer is yes, but to do extensive video editing and other higher-end applications there is a new Apple lab for learning and creativity in Ruebush Hall, Rm. 111. That will provide a prime location for realizing advanced student projects and also serve as a base for training.

We hope that this helps, and thank you for choosing Shenandoah Conservatory!

Dean's China trip--July/August 2007

Shenandoah Conservatory now has satellite offices for student recruitment in Beijing and Shanghai China. A good friend of Shenandoah Conservatory--Mr. Jack Zhao of Potomac, Maryland, is providing office space and staffing support for these facilities. Mr. Zhao is the President and CEO of iTalkBB, an international communications firm with headquarters in Vienna, Virginia and offices in Austin, Texas, Beijing and Shanghai. iTalk Broadband Corporation (iTalkBB), is the pioneer in the Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) industry to the global Chinese market in the United States and Canada. http://www2.italkbb.com/bb/enu/enu_index.asp

Dean Laurence Kaptain just returned from a trip to open these two locations. He met with Chinese conservatory faculty, students, governmental officials, and members of Mr. Zhao’s staff.

Kaptain stated, “This is an outstanding opportunity—a place to hang our banners, distribute literature, and provide information to talented Chinese students who wish to attend Shenandoah Conservatory. We are strategically targeting this project to attract 8 string players for the Fall of 2008. These will likely be two string quartets that will come to study in the new Graduate String Quartet Program offered by the Audubon Quartet. A primary objective is to improve the quality of our orchestral program.”

While this program will begin with string players, it is targeted to attract talented Chinese students on any instrument, voice, or into Shenandoah’s noted programs in Music Therapy and Arts Management.

Jack Zhao’s involvement in this project comes from his exposure to the breadth of talent at Shenandoah Conservatory. “This past year my wife and I were able to attend the Shenandoah Summer Musical Theatre, as well as student performances at Strathmore and the Kennedy Center. We are very excited to be a part of helping to build the quality of programs at Shenandoah. This may also pave the way for Conservatory students to attend Chinese institutions, as well as to tour and perform in China.”

Kaptain said, "I know that I speak on behalf of Shenandoah University in giving thanks to Jack Zhao for his generosity of thought, spirit and resources in helping us to begin this important era in Conservatory advancement. Through his actions he is helping us to advance cultural opportunities for our performing arts community, while raising the quality of our performing ensembles."

Left photo: In Beijing--Tony Wang (China International Culture and Arts Company), Gu TingTing (recent graduate of Central Conservatory), Xie Nan (distinguished violin professor at Central Conservatory), Laurence Kaptain, and Jack Zhao (President and CEO of iTalkBB)

Right photo: In Shanghai--He Xian (distinguished violin professor at Shanghai Conservatory), LK, Mike Wang (iTalkBB), Zhou Xianglin (Shanghai Conservatory composition professor)