Fearful coeds try karate
IN SELF DEFENSE
Mary Blair, instructor Morrison
A small group of University of Kansas women are learning the womanly art of self defense.
Not because they hate men. To the contrary, as one of them explains: "I adore men; I just don't want to hurt them."
Thus the women are finding that the usually weaker sex, physically, can with knowledge overcome greater strength.
If this seems rather frightening to prospective suitors, they should realize that the purpose of the Saturday morning class is to give its female members the knowledge and skill to ward off unwanted "attentions," and intentions.
"THERE ARE MANY WOMEN who are afraid to stay alone or to go out at night, even when it's necessary. Some techniques of self defense will give them the sense of security and protection they should have," Bruce Morrison, Leavenworth graduate student and the class instructor, said.
"It's not only a U.S. problem, for I have a Japanese, a Lebanese and an English girl interested in the class.
"I emphasize practical techniques which will come back to them in an emergency, but teach defenses depending on the seriousness of the situation," he said.
MORRISON, WHO HAS the black belt from a Korean Karate School, taught a similar women's class last year at Michigan State. He started the study of judo and karate in 1556 in Japan, and spent the last two years in Peace Corps service in Nepal where he also taught self defense techniques.
What do the women think of the idea, and the action?
Their comments are typically revealing.
"It's good exercise, great for a woman's figure," Gwen Hall, Muskogee, Okla., senior, said. "It develops rhythm, coordination, graceful movements and muscle tone, without the big muscles."
MISS HALL HAS studied karate before, and is also enrolled in the predominantly male karate class at KU this semester.
"I feel safer walking around now, and I don't think I'd panic in a bad situation." Mary Blair, Cedar Rapids, Ia., junior, said. "I think my semester of fencing helped with coordination, but it's
been fun learning how to fall without injuring yourself.
"It's all pretty practical, like how to use an umbrella or folded magazine for defense."
Gay Benjamin, Garnett sophmore, mentioned a major problem—that of rehearsal between class sessions.
"THE GIRLS IN my hall won't cooperate and let me practice the techniques on them," she said.
The University of Kansas Concert Course will present the Robert Shaw Chorale, which will appear here on April 18, at 8 p.m. in Hoch Auditorium.
Shaw Chorale into 18th season
During the current tour Shaw will for the third time present a full length choral masterwork on tour. Great successes touring during the 1959-60, and the 1961-62 seasons have pointed to the presentation on tour of the most familiar of all sacred oratorios—Handel's "Messiah." Shaw has chosen the version last conducted by Handel during the composer's life time—the 1754 "Messiah."
Robert Shaw stepped into the musical spotlight in 1941 when at the age of 25 he formed a group of amateurs into the Collegiate Chorale and presented them at a concert in Town Hall in New York. Soon such celebrated con-
Founded in 1948, it is now in its 18th season of activity. Its name and the name of its founder, director and organizer, California-born Robert Shaw, are known to millions in this country and all over the world through concert tours, television appearances and recordings. The Chorale and Orchestra has made three of the most successful tours in the history of the U.S. State Department's Cultural Exchange Program, visiting the Middle East in 1956, touring the Soviet Union in 1962, and singing for ten weeks throughout South America in the summer of 1964.
if she doesn't give it to you...
ductors as Koussevitzky and Stokowski engaged Shaw and his singers to participate in performances of oratorios and other large choral works conducted by them. Igor Stravinsky invited the group to sing in a performance of his Symphony of Psalms when the composer conducted the work over the CBS network. Arturo Toscannini honored young Shaw by featuring the Collegiate Chorale in such classics as Beethoven's Ninth Symphony and Missa Solemnis.
Tickets are available at the Murphy Hall Box Office and the Bell Music Company. KU students will be admitted by I.D. cards.
Daily Kansan Wednesday, April 13, 1966
5 Piece Place Setting this week for $3.99 20% Off on Serving Pieces