Students, professor prepare for Carnegie Hall performance

Twenty singers at Randolph College will follow in the footsteps of many famous artists this spring by performing in Carnegie Hall.

Randolph College conductor and music professor Randall Speer will conduct a concert in Carnegie Hall’s Stern Auditorium on Easter Sunday. He will be joined by the Randolph College Chorale, a high school choir, and the New England Symphonic Ensemble, for a performance of Mozart’s Vesperae Solennes de Confessore (Solemn Vespers). The concert was organized by MidAmerica Productions, a company that produces concerts in New York and around the world.

Randolph College Chorale and Randall Speer

Performance in

Carnegie Hall

Sunady, April 8, 8:30 p.m.
Discount tickets are available but must be ordered through MidAmerica productions by March 14.

One year ago, MidAmerica Productions invited Speer to conduct a festival choir performance this season. Although he was not required to bring singers himself, he invited his students at Randolph to ensure that they would have the incredible opportunity. Connie Anderson Calhoun ’57 and C. Merrell Calhoun donated money to help cover the costs of the trip, Speer said.

“Being able to perform that on the Carnegie Hall stage is daunting a little bit, but more than anything else, it’s exciting,” Speer said. “This is an incomparable experience for these students, and once in a lifetime for most.”

Since it opened in 1891, Carnegie Hall has hosted some of the world’s most accomplished composers, conductors, and musicians, including Sergei Rachmaninoff, Igor Stravinsky, Benny Goodman and his orchestra, and Judy Garland. That tradition continues today—in fact, Speer and the Chorale will take the stage in Stern Auditorium just a few hours after the acclaimed British composer John Rutter conducts a concert there.

Speer said he never expected to find himself leading his students for a Carnegie Hall performance. “Perhaps in my wildest dreams I might have wished for something like this,” he said. For it to become a reality, and to have the opportunity to stand in the same spot that some of the world’s greatest conductors have stood, is such a great honor.”

Mozart’s Solemn Vespers is a challenging but inspiring piece, Speer said. Mozart composed the music while working in Salzburg, Austria. “Right now, the students are experiencing the hard work that it takes to get into it, but they’re already getting a sense of just how glorious this music is,” Speer said.

The group will travel to New York a few days before their concert. Then they meet the high school choir and the orchestra that will join them for the Easter Sunday performance and hold several hours-long rehearsals.

While performing in Carnegie Hall is a rare opportunity, touring far and wide is normal for Randolph College music students. Chorale regularly tours, and has performed in Washington, D.C., California, eastern Pennsylvania, Jamaica, and the Midwest. “These are significant experiences, certainly, but the New York and Carnegie Hall trip is taking it to a whole other level,” Speer said.

Student Center Renovation Update: February 16

Progress on the Student Center renovation is happening rapidly. The inside of the facility is undergoing major visible changes as construction crews continue installing the remaining flooring and begin work on framing, among other projects.

One of the most exciting highlights this week was the the framing for the WWRM's new DJ booth. Now that the structure of the glass booth is in place, it is possible to visualize the dramatic effect this element will have on the facility. The booth overlooks an opening in the floor, which will allow student broadcasters to see the main floor below as they DJ for parties or for the student radio station. The seating areas on the floor below will be removable so that the space can be used for dances and parties.

Workers are also continuing work on the existing window openings. The new facility is filled with large, airy windows, which will fill the spaces with light and views of the nearby Blue Ridge Mountains. The existing window openings are being enlarged to accommodate the new windows.

Work also continues on the outside of the facility. Framing for the glass vestibules on each side of the main building is complete, and workers continue to work on the rear section of the building, which will be expanded.



Keep checking back for updates on the project! See all of the updates at www.randolphcollege.edu/studentcenter.

View of what was formerly the Skeller. Workers are expanding the window openings to accommodate new, larger windows. This space will become the seating area for the Skeller, which will be located nearby on the right side of "The Street."






The new larger windows will be energy efficient and provide amazing views of the Blue Ridge Mountains.



Workers have installed framework of the new student radio station booth. The booth looks over the opening in this photo to the floor below.

Another view of the new student radio station booth.

This is the view below from the WWRM booth. The floor below will feature seating, which can be removed  to offer dance space for parties and other social events.

View of the second floor.

Another view of the second floor.

Framework for one of the two glass vestibules.



View of the main floor. "The Street" will be located in the rear.



Another view of the main floor.

You really should present in the Symposium of Artists and Scholars. Apply now.

It is time to dust off the project you are most proud of and submit it for Randolph College’s prestigious academic showcase.

Every year, the Symposium of Artists and Scholars brings together the best research projects and creative works produced by students at the College. You can submit a serious paper, a musical performance, a dance you choreographed, or art you created. It can be an independent project related to your major, or an assignment you completed for an elective course.

Bottom line: If it is a project that you are proud of, we want to see it!

The application deadline for the 2012 Symposium is looming. (It's February 24. Apply now.)

We recently asked a few students (and one 2011 graduate) why they were glad they presented in the symposium last year. This video summarizes their responses:

What are you waiting for? Apply now.

Senior writing students present their work at Riverviews Art Space on Thursday

Here are just some of the Randolph College English and creative writing seniors whom you can hear live an in person Thursday night.

They will read some of their poems, short stories, and creative nonfiction at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, February 16, at Riverviews Art Space at 901 Jefferson Street in Lynchburg.

Come support these students who have spent four years refining the art of the written word.

Presenting students include:

Jennifer Bundy
Sarah Fogle
Jamey Hagy
Alina Herron
Danielle Robinson
Karl Speer
Sara Taylor
Jerry Wells
Britni Wilson

Lynchburg alumnae and alumni send Valentines for first-year students

We love it when our alumnae and alumni share their love for the College with our current students. First-year students received a special treat this Valentines Day courtesy of the Lynchburg Chapter of the Randolph-Macon Woman’s College Alumnae and Randolph College Alumni Association.

The chapter donated red carnations and giant candy bars, which were placed in Main Hall for first-year students to enjoy.

Special thanks to our Lynchburg Chapter! (Chapter presidents are Laura Bullock Crumbley ’72 and Katherine Sabalis Miles ’98.)

Local author, acclaimed historical preservationist to speak about Anne Spencer

One advantage of being located in Lynchburg is our proximity to many important historical sites, which means we also have connections to many local history makers—such as Anne Spencer, the well-known Harlem Renaissance poet who made her home just a few miles from the Randolph College campus.

Lessons Learned from a Poet's Garden

Featuring Jane Baber White

Date: Wednesday, Feb. 15
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Place: Alice Ashley Jack Room, Smith Memorial Hall

On Wednesday, Randolph College will highlight its connections with Spencer by hosting Jane Baber White for a discussion of Lessons Learned from a Poet’s Garden, her recent book that details the process of bringing Spencer’s home and garden back to life as a museum. That 28-year restoration has attracted attention and praise from around the world.

The restoration process also unearthed many remarkable connections between Spencer and R-MWC. For example, Randolph College’s campus is surrounded by a red brick wall, which replaced a wrought iron gate—and that gate is now found in Spencer’s garden. White will discuss those connections and other lessons learned in the restoration process.

White is a lifelong resident of Lynchburg and has a passion for gardens and historic sites. She has led a number of restoration projects and received local, regional, and national recognition for her work at the Old City Cemetery, where she was director for 27 years.

Student Center Renovation Update: February 13, 2012

Construction crews are busier than ever bringing Randolph College's new Student Center to life. The facility is seeing rapid changes as workers put in floors, walls, and windows. On the main level, the framework for "The Street," can now be seen. The walkway will run from the Main Hall entrance of the Student Center through the facility to the outside. The new and improved Skeller (cafe/grille) will be on one side of "The Street," while seating areas will be on the other. An eating area will be housed where the old Skeller was located, and the rest of that floor will be filled with open seating areas. 

On the upper floors, workers have begun to expand window openings, and flooring has been placed. Other framework has also begun.

Keep checking the blog for more photos on the progress, and go to www.randolphcollege.edu/studentcenter to see previous updates.

This photo shows the upper floors of the back part of the Student Center facility. The Skeller can be seen through the openings in the flooring. 



Framing for restroom facilities on the second floor of the Student Center.



Workers are enlarging window openings. The new windows will add a bright, airy feel to the Student Center.

An eating area will take the place of what was once the Skeller.

Another view of the old Skeller facility.

A view looking up from the old Skeller level.

"The Street" will be between the metal framework shown here.

View of "The Street" from the Main Hall entrance to the Student Center. The wall in front will be removed in order to open the area.

The area below this opening will house seating and other social spaces. The furniture will be easily moved to provide areas for dances and other events. The WWRM (the student radio station) will be located above the opening and will look down on the dance floor.