music
Fostering excellence
After 21 years leading the Marching Jayhawks, Robert Foster continues a proud tradition with a strong work ethic.
By Kris Belden
Kansan staff writer
Afflier on a bulletin board in Murphy Hall challenged non-band members to "Come sweat with us." D
During Hawk Week, while many students enjoyed their free time before classes started, more than 250 Marching Jay hawks filed into Memorial Stadium, instruments in hand, to do just that—sweat
By 9 a.m., three of the male band members had taken off their shirts. It was hot.
Robert Foster, director of bands, saw things differently.
"God loves the Jayhawks," said Foster. "It's been pretty cool this week."
--you sweat and look gross all year and have to change clothes before going to classes," said Sara Trautman, Oklahoma City, Okla., junior.
To the members of the marching band, heat was simply a fact of life.
Such hard work and dedication was a part of belonging to one of the top 10 marching bands in the nation and one of the top two marching bands in the Big Eight Conference.
"I don't think the average person understands the commitment these kids have," Foster said.
Many band members agreed that marching took time, dedication, and most of all, sweat. However, band members agreed that performing made all of the hard work worthwhile.
"There's no better feeling," said Kevin Comcowich, Topeka senior. "It's a rush. Right before the game starts, you get psyched."
Dan England, Lenexa junior, agreed.
"Performing in front of 40,000 people is the most exciting thing I've ever done." he said.
Valerie Bontrager / KANSAN
England said that football teams were not the only competitors on game days—the bands also are very competitive. He said winning over another band's home crowd was rewarding.
"After we lost the K-State game last year, I had people come up to me and say, 'Hey, at least your band won,' England said.
Foster said that although the students got excited about performing, he said that he felt more apprehension than excitement before a performance.
"I know a lot of things can go wrong, and I wait to see if they happen," Foster said. "I've been doing this for a few years too."
Foster is the fifth director in the 100-year history of the KU marching band. He has directed the band since 1971 and has been directing marching bands for more than 30 years.
"It takes continuity to build a tradition of excellence."
Foster said. "Every time you change, you start over."
The Marching Jayhawks received the 1989 Sudler Trophy, an annual award recognizing long-term excellence in collegiate marching bands. It was the seventh band ever to receive this award.
As Robert Foster stood in the middle of the marching
--mass, intercom in hand, every one of the band members was at his command. "Band!" Foster yelled. "Band," they responded. "10-hut," Foster yelled. "One, two," they replied. Feet, legs, and instruments moved in sync, perfect parallel lines of students flowed together to the right side of the Memorial Stadium field, turned in harmony and returned in the opposite direction. Each member of the band moved snappily and in perfect step.
Robert Foster directs the Marching Jayhawks during rehearsal yesterday in Murphy Hall. Foster has directed the marching band for 21 years
"If you do it right, you only have to do it once," Foster
See FOSTER, Page 11.
University Theatre
The Thirteenth Clocks by James Thurber Sept. 26
Joe Turner's Cone and Gone by August Wilson
Nov. 13, 14, 19, 20, 21
The Tempest by William Shakespeare Oct. 16, 17, 18, 23, 24
Fall production performances:
theater
*The Card Index by Tadeusz Rozewicz*
September 30, Oct.1, 2, 3, 4
Aspiring thespians audition
Kyogen and No Theater II Nov. 5,6,8
The Love of the Nightingale by Timberlake Weiten baker December 3, 4, 5, 6, 8
Sean Tevis / KANSAN
Although she barely speaks English, Hesty Davlat signed up yesterday to audition for a role in any of the six University Theatre productions this semester.
She said that she came to the United States from her native Indonesia four weeks ago to study piano and that she has never acted before, but wanted to try out anyway.
By Delin Cormeny
Kansan staff writer
Each actor or actress has only one read — a mere 120 seconds — to impress the directors and earn a second audition. Call back auditions will be tomorrow. Thursday and Friday, and cast lists will be posted.
"Yes, of course I'm scared," she said. "But I just go read."
Would-be thepies may recite a prepared selection or do a "cold read," which is a piece the directors choose.
urdav.
"We strongly encourage people to prepare things, because that's what they are — prepared." said theater secretary Mike Boring. "There's a definite advantage to being prepared."
William White, Madison, W.Va.,
junior, said he planned to recite two
Langston Hughes poems for his
audition.
"In order to do a cold read well, you have to know the character and the play," he said.
However, Jim Wallert, freshman said he preferred to give a cold read.
"For the first call, I wouldn't think
made a difference; each of the directors from each of the six productions this semester first auditions, but they will conduct second auditions separately. If actors earn a second audition, they must read from the specific show, or shows, they are being considered for.
it would make a difference," he said.
The featured fall production is Shakespeare's *Tempest*. "Other shows include "The Thirteen Clocks," "The Card Index," "Kyogen and No Theatre II." "Joe Turner" or "The Love of the Nightingale."
All roles for the fall semester season will be decided this week.
Auditions will be held in November for early spring shows and in January for late spring shows.
AUGUST 25, 1992 PAGE 9
KU Campus
People and places at the University of Kansas
calendar
Exhibitions
Spenser Museum of Art
Hours: Closed Monday; Tuesday
Sat 8:5, Sun 12:5, 864-4710.
Contemporary Japanese Prints and Ceramics Runs through September 25
Baldwin Lee Photographs Runs through September 27
Seeking the Floating World: The Japanese Spirit and Turn of the Century French Art Runs through October 4
Keith Haring Prints, William Burrougs Text Run through October 11
KU Museum of Natural History
Hours: Mon-Fri 9-5, Sat 9-3, Closed Sun. 864-4540.
"Zenus Unveiled: Images from the Magellan Mission."
*Runs through September 24*
Spenser Research Library
Hours: Mon-Fri 8-6, Sat 9-1, Closed Sun.
864-4334
Kansas Collection Featured Exhibit:
Nicodemus in the 20th Century Runs through August 31
KU Art & Design Gallery
Art & Design Bldg.
Hours: Mon.-Thurs. 8:30-4:30, Fr., 8:30-1:30, Sat.
Closed, Sun., 1-4:30; 864-4401.
Basic Studies Scholarship Show Runs through September 4
Calendar continues, Page11.