School of FIne Arts

Metalsmithing students explore feelings about war

Metalsmithing design students in Gina Westergard's enameling class in the School of Fine Arts recently got the opportunity to express their feelings about the war in Iraq through a special national exhibition at the Velvet da Vinci gallery in San Francisco.

The exhibition, which focused on a theme of "Anti-War Medals," sparked an interesting semester of dialogue and discussion for Westergard and her students. "The anti-war subject matter can get quite heated, however, my students handled diverse feelings and opinions in a respectful and mature manner," she said. "We had very intelligent conversations regarding this project and topic in class." Read More

KU Students advance in MTNA Competitions

Two students, vocalist Greer Davis Brown and flutist Annie Davidson, won first place in their areas of the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) state competition in late November and will advance to the district contest held January 16, 2004 in Boulder, Colo.

Winners of the district event will compete in the MTNA finals, held March 27-31, 2004 in Kansas City, Mo.

Flutist Annie Davison of Lawrence is a student of David Fedele, who joined the department of music and dance faculty as assistant professor in fall of 2003. Soprano Greer Davis Brown of Minneapolis studies with Pamela Hinchman, who is in her third year as associate professor in the department.

Hinchman's students swept the vocal areas of the MTNA and as well as other competitions this fall.

• Baritone Michael Brown of Lawrence won first place in the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) competition.

• In the MTNA contest, Michael Brown took second place and Lindsay Ohse of Topeka placed third.
  

• Yoojin Jeon of Korea and Soyoun Chun of Lawrence won the top two positions in the Kansas Music Teachers Association contest.

Visit the School of Fine Arts website for more information.