Tuesday, April 18, 2000
The University Daily Kansan
Section A · Page 3
KU student finds direction in music
Jazz ensembles to perform tonight
Bv Erin McDaniel
Special to the Kansan
Kerry Marsh sits poised on the edge of a piano bench pounding out chords. His head, shoulders and feet bounce in rhythm. Suddenly, he jumps to his feet, claps his hands twice, and eight University of Kansas students surrounding the piano burst into song. Marsh stops them after a sour chord.
"OK, that one's going to be very hard to control," he says. "That'll take some work."
Marsh moves the giggling and chatting singers into a circle and switches to a different song.
He plays the opening chord and dances as he directs. He kneels briefly within the circle of singers, stomps his feet, claps and cries "Unght!" to the beat. As the piece ends, Marsh jumps and points abruptly at the group.
"Yes!" he exclaims. "That was better than ever!"
Marsh is coaching one of two KU vocal jazz ensembles he directs this semester, both of which will perform at 7:30 tonight at the Lied Center. The groups, which were originally taught by Dan Galley, director of jazz studies, came under Marsh's direction when he volunteered for the position last fall. Marsh is a fifth-year senior at the University — an undergraduate who does not get paid for his work.
Jes does not get pearl for the week.
Simon Carrington, director of choral
activities, said it was unusual for an undergraduate to direct KU vocal ensembles.
"It's pretty rare, but it's because Kerry is so good," Carrington said. "He's a very impressive young musician. He has not just expertise and skill, but flair."
Carrington said Marsh was instrumental in expanding the vocal jazz program from two ensembles to three this semester.
this semester.
Marsh's talents have led him to numerous other musical ventures as well. He sings with the KU Jazz Singers and KU Chamber Choir; directs the Lawrence Men's Choral; directs and sings with Green Street, a community jazz ensemble; sings with Five is Right Out, a barbershop quartet; and plays piano for KU Jazz Combo II.
Marsh estimated he spent an average of six hours a day on music, but he still had time for other hobbies, such as the KU Freethinkers Club, the KU Racquetball Club, gymnastics and reading about biology, astronomy and quantum physics.
Even with such diverse interests, Marsh said he had never considered a career that wasn't musical.
"I think musicians and artists feel that it's something they absolutely have to do," he said. "It's partially just that I get chills from certain chords, certain melodies, certain lyrics."
Marsh said he credited music for many events in his life, including his marriage to Janelle Marsh, Lawrence graduate student.
"I am with my wife solely because of am music," he said. "I woomed her through
Marsh said he got the most enjoyment from jazz, especially vocal jazz.
song."
"I live and breathe that kind of music," he said. "The artists in jazz are able to use so much emotion. Through most idioms, it's done mostly through the composer's ideas first. In jazz, the composer lays down a few rules, but once you get into it, it's your tune."
Marsh said that his expression through composition rarely came from a romantic source but that he had no lack of inspiration.
lack of inspiration. "Sometimes the music itself is the inspiration," he said. "I'll just goof around at the keyboard and let my hands fall where they fall. And I have tunes where the words are just syllables. It's not a very romantic answer, but the music does happen. And I'll never run out. Everything else in my life could become stagnant, but I would still have the energy, love and joy of music."
Although Marsh loves singing jazz, his real love is directing, he said.
"I love being able to work on the product from different angles and really listen to everything," he said.
After Marsh graduates in May, he plans to spend one more year at the University, working toward a master's degree in choral conducting. He will then transfer to the University of Miami, where he plans to study vocal jazz performance.
Marsh said he was happy with everything he had accomplished at the University and that he was proud of the students in his vocal jazz ensembles, whom he calls "my kids."
Kerry Marsh, Lawrence senior, leads rehearsal at Murphy Hall. Yesterday's practice was in preparation for the KU Jazz Ensemble performance at 7:30 tonight at the Lied Center. Marsh directs two jazz ensembles at the University. Photo by J.M.Dailey/KANSAN
Engineering department celebrates 100 years
By Gina Blaser Special to the Kansan
Malter Keifer Palmer started the department of mechanical engineering at the University. Contributed photo.
The department of mechanical engineering celebrated its 100th anniversary Saturday with an open house and a banquet.
Ronald L. Dougherty, professor and chairman of the department, said the event celebrated both the past and the future.
"We are looking at this ban quiet to be the culmination of the first 100 years and the kickoff for the next 100 years," he said.
About 220 people attended the banquet, including several grandchildren and great-grandchildren of Walter Keiler Palmer, the first chairman of
the department, said Sharon Leducina, office specialist for the department.
Palmer designed the first mechanical engineering curriculum in 1899, and he taught the first mechanical engineering courses at the University of Kansas. Palmer left the University in 1901.
Dougherty said the event also honored the Palmer family for its contributions to the department.
"It's important to recognize them," he said. "They started things out."
The banquet was open to alumni, faculty, students and the
mechanical engineering advisory board.
"I think it went really well," said Mary Livingston, department office assistant. "I think everybody enjoyed themselves very much. The alumni loved it."
The banquet featured an awards presentation to recognize students and faculty. The keynote speakers included alumnus Dave Rank, a 1963 graduate and Softail Platform manager at Harley-Davidson in Wisconsin; George Forman, dean of the department from 1973 to 1979 and professor emeritus; Tom Mulinazzi, associate dean; and
Bryce Baker, Wichita senior
Robert Umholtz, associate professor, received an award for 50 years of service. He was a KU student for three years and has been a professor for 47.
Alumni also were recognized at the banquet.
The open house featured research labs, including robotics, biomechanics, computation and student projects. The shop and computer labs also were open.
open:
Pictures of the event will be posted on the mechanical engineering Web site. The site's address is http://www.engr.ukans.edu/~kume/.
'Hilltop Hustle' to give families a chance to race
By Jessie Mayer
writer@kanson.com
Kanson staff writer
Hilltop Child Development Center families will hustle through campus in a five-or one-kilometer run to raise money for the early childhood education center. April 29
The first "Hilltop Hustle" will be at 8 a.m. April 29 and will help raise money for equipment and supplies for Hilltop's new childcare building, said Jan Brummeil, assistant director at Hilltop.
Brummen, assistant district officer. The races begin at the new building, which is near Stouffier Place apartments and the Burge Union. Brummell said the building, which will serve about 200 children, is almost complete and will open Aug.1.
Matt Lindaman, Lawrenr member of the fundraiser's planning committee, said the day was about much more than monetary goals.
"First and foremost, we are trying to get as many families from Hilltop as possible to come out and participate." Lindaman said. "But there's a big focus on making it fun for the kids."
To do that, there are two different races for people of all ages to participate in. Along with the five-kilome
HILLTOP HUSTLE
What: Five and one kilometer runs to raise money for the Hilltop early childhood education center.
When: 8 a.m., April
Cost: $15 per person for the five kilometer;
$4 per person or $10 per family for the one kilometer.
Along with the five-kilometer run, there will be a one-kilometer family run around Allen Fieldhouse to get the children involved. Brummell said the five-kilometer run, which was usually designed for adults, now encompasses people of all ages.
ple of all ages.
"We have a range of ages," Brummell said. "Six is the youngest runner we have, and 67 is the oldest."
the registration fee for the five-kilometer run is 15,
and the one-kilometer is $4 per person or $10 per family.
"We are hoping for a good turnout to make it feasible to have another run in the future," said Sara Barth, project director for Hilltop.
She said the center didn't have a specific monetary goal it wanted to raise but expected about 150 to 200 people to participate with their families — something Lindaman said he looked forward to.
"I'm excited because I will get to run with my daughter," said Lindaman, whose daughter attends Hilltop. "It is a good chance to get the Hilltop families involved and spend time with their kids."
Barth encouraged people to register early at the Hilltop center offices but said people could sign up on the day of the race.
Race-day registration will begin at 7:15 a.m., and medals and prizes, which were donated from local businesses, will be awarded to the top three finishers of each 10-year age group.
WANTED: TRANSPORTATION COORDINATOR
APPLY: STUDENT SENATE OFFICE (410 KANSAS UNION)
DUE: APRIL 28, 2000 BY 5 P.M.
- Position begins May 17,2000
- 20 hours per week @ $5.50-$7.00/hr.
- Job Duties: Responsible for daily operations of KU on Wheels, Lift Van,
and Safe Ride. This includes providing information for riders, bus
pass distribution,and planning of route changes.
?'S: HOLLY KREBS 864-4644