friday, december 5, 2003
news
the university daily kansan 3A
Vespers concert kicks off holidays for 79th time
By Alex Hoffman
ahoffman@kansan.com
Kansan stuff writer
A musical tradition continues to usher in the holiday season at the University of Kansas.
The Holiday Vespers concert will celebrate its 79th year with performances at 2:30 p.m. tomorrow and Sunday at the Lied Center. An evening show will take place at 7:30 p.m. Sunday.
The huge production provides a sampling of musical talent within the music department and from outside the University. The
"There's so many people in the Lawrence community that think of the holiday season beginning with
Vespers."
John Paul Johnson Director of choral activities
KU Symphony Orchestra, the KU Symphonic Chorus, the KU Chamber Choir and the First
United Methodist Church Celebration Ringers are among the participants.
John Paul Johnson, director of choral activities, said he loved the Vespers experience, even though it came at a busy time of year for the students and faculty.
"I really enjoy getting the opportunity to conduct concerts and watch how people react and get into the holiday spirit," Johnson said.
The concert begins with the symphony orchestra performing Polonaise from Piotr II'yich Tchaikovsky's opera Eugene Onegin. In the first of a variety of
choral performances, the Symphonic Chorus will then sing in a stereo effect by surrounding the Lied Center crowd in the balconies and aisles.
"It's an overwhelming amount of singers," Johnson said. "But for the best sound for the audience, we're going to do most of the things on the stage."
A returning favorite to the concert is Random Harmony, a men's quartet made up of students in the Chamber Choir. The group first sang at Holiday Vespers last year. It will sing a medley arranged by Michael Brown, Perry senior and one of its members.
It also plans to sing Aud Lang Syne in a barbershop style, one of the quartet's specialties.
Whisler also has the opening solo to "Ave Marla," but he most enjoys his role with Random Harmony.
"I think the crowd is going to enjoy our arrangements," said Shaun Whisler, Olathe senior and co-founder of Random Harmony. "This is probably one of our favorite events to perform at."
"It's probably made my college experience, singing with three of my best friends," he said.
As in previous years, the audience will have the opportunity to
interact with the musicians. There will be three sing-alongs of holiday standards during the concert.
"The audience will get a big kick out of it," Johnson said.
out of it, for sure," Johnson said. At 79 years, the University's concert has one of the longestrunning traditions of Holiday Vespers in the nation.
"There's so many people in the Lawrence community that think of the holiday season beginning with Vespers," Johnson said.
Tickets for all three shows still remain. Tickets cost $12.50 for adults and $10 for students.
Edited by Joey Berlin
University team to analyze electromagnetic spectrum
Frequency study could promote efficient usage
By Amber Byarlay
abyarlay@kansan.com
Kansan staff writer
The National Science Foundation has given the University of Kansas $1.8 million to research and organize the radio frequency spectrum.
The research project will be called the National Radio Networking Research Testbed and will include University faculty and students. The researchers will measure how much of the radio frequency, or RF, spectrum is used.
Determining this will help researchers to develop new technology and policies that will use the RF spectrum more efficiently.
Using the spectrum more efficiently is important because it is finite, said Victor Frost, computer science and electrical engineer professor.
"It's a resource, and the way
"The easiest way to think about it is with colors. TV and radio stations each have their own color they send us."
Gary Minden
Project director
it's allocated determines how customers can use it," Frost said.
The RF spectrum works by sending out a number of frequencies. These frequencies will cover a certain area.
"The easiest way to think about it is with colors," said professor Gary Minden, who will lead the project. "TV and radio stations each have their own color they send us."
Each frequency has its own color, and the frequency will broadcast at only that one color. But those colors can only be seen for a certain distance, Minden said.
phones, television and radio stations and satellites use specific frequencies.
Right now, these frequencies are managed by the Federal Communications Commission. To use a frequency, a company must apply and pay for a license.
Within that area cellular tele-
What Minden and his team will determine what frequencies are used and how much they are used. After they know how the RF spectrum is used, the researchers will make policy suggestions on how to use the spectrum most efficiently.
Minden said the researchers would also create technologies that would take advantage of any unused portions of the spectrum they found.
Such technology would include maps in cars that would give information about traffic jams locations or MP3 players that download music into your car as well as into the player, Minden said.
Minden said the project work would begin Jan. 1, though preliminary work had already begun.
Edited by Dave Nobles
Colo. sees record number in early peak of flu season
By Danielle Hillix
dhillix@kansan.com
Kansan staff writer
More and more people are getting sick with the flu. And that has health officials sick with worry.
Flu season normally peaks in January and February, but local and national officials are reporting a peak-like number of cases now. That leaves a bleak outlook for the coming months.
"It it could get ugly," said Barbara Schnitker, director or nurses at Douglas County Health Department. "We really don't now what all might happen."
Across the United States and throughout the University of Kansas, flu season has hit hard and early. The Centers for Disease Control reports strong flu activity that has increased weekly. Watkins Memorial Health Center has treated an unusually high number of flu patients. And it is expected to only get worse.
This time of year, students tend to focus on papers and finals and forget about staying healthy. This opens the door for the flu, Myra Strother, Watkins chief of staff said. Adequate sleep, nutrition and exercise are essential to keep-
a healthy immune system and avoiding the flu.
"If you wear yourself down, you're just asking for it," Strother said.
A flu vaccination is the best way to prevent the infection. Watkins gave out more than 3,000 vaccinations at clinics this semester. Vaccinations are still available at the center, by appointment. Flu shots are the best protection against the flu, but they are not a guarantee.
The active flu season has been attributed, in part, to a second strain of influenza that was not in this year's vaccination. Because this exact strain of influenza was not in the vaccine, even those who got the shot are not completely protected from the infection.
This has lead to an increase in flu cases. Most states do not keep track of the exact number of flu cases. In states that do the number is strikingly higher than previous years.
Colorado, one of the hardesthit states, has reported 6,239 confirmed flu cases. This is more than the previous two years combined.
COLD OR FLU?
CHECK THE SYMPTOMS:
This sharp increase has health professionals worried about the coming months of flu season.
Cold
Low fever
Running, stuffy nose
Sore throat
Mild to moderate cough
"An increased number of cases
High fever
Headache
Full body aches and pains
Fatigue and weakness
Often severe cough
Source:
Watkins Memorial Health Center
means an increased likelihood for severe cases," Strother said.
Though rare among college students, influenza can develop into pneumonia or other serious infections requiring hospitalization. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has confirmed one influenza-related death in the state.
If a flu case ever gets worse, the patient should immediately see a doctor, Strother said.
- Edited by Shane Mettlen
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