Remember the days... (HU SURVEY)

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/5HBXVJQ

Here is a fun, short survey for current HU students and alumni. Over the years, many things have changed regarding campus culture and events, but contrary to popular belief, many things also have stayed the same.

His Chosen Sounds Thanksgiving Concert Pushed Forward Without Choir Director

    

     His Chosen Sounds held its annual Thanksgiving concert Saturday, Nov. 19 in Ogden Hall. The concert

featured performances from HU's gospel choir, university choir, and concert choir and paid tribute to the 

late Royzell Dillard, former director of University choirs. 

     Students celebrated the life and legacy of Dillard in an emotional program that featured song selections

and testimonials, and performed in traditional "Dillard style" that current students and alumni could relate to. 

Choir members let their emotions and vocal ability blend together in perfect harmony to deliver a powerful 

performance. 

      Dillard touched many lives. Many Hamptonians served under him as members of the University Choir,   

University Concert Choir, the University Gospel Choir: His Chosen Sounds and The Vocal Jazz Ensemble:


JZAZZ. Dillard was also the national choir director for the 105 Voices of History, an Historically Black


Colleges and University national initiative managed by Partners Achieving Success, an organization created to


promote diversity in America's national venues and to link students' skills across industries.  He worked with


and training over 450 students from HBCUs for their participation in the national choir.


     A musical genius, Dillard published articles and music as well as presented at numerous conferences and


workshops both nationally and internationally. Named to the Who’s Who in Colleges and Universities,


Dillard has several noteworthy performing credits including Porgy and Bess, Messiah, A’int Misbehavin’,


and Five Guys Name Moe. One of the highlights of his career was his performances for former U.S.


Presidents William J. Clinton and George W. Bush, as well as current President Barack H. Obama.

Urban Souls Dance Company

Moving, eccentric, captivating ... these are all words that describe the Urban Souls Dance Company's performance that took place on Nov. 11 in Ogden Hall.

The Urban Souls Dance Compnay is headed by Harrison Guy and is based in Houston. The company believes in bridging gaps between the worlds of urban life and dance theater. Dedicated to the preservation and creation of historical and contemporary dances, Urban Souls celebrates cultural themes that educate and entertain. This dance troupe provides audiences with more than just a dance performance, but a passionate “dance experience that will inspire and energize audiences.”

The program was titled "My Souls is Urban," and consisted of five dances; each with a different theme and unique stye. The dance troupe enticed the audience with a variety of dance styles ranging from jazz, to comtemporary dance and even included three of HU's students in the final dance.

Not only was the show a pleasure to watch, but it was also thought provoking and evoked strong emotions from the audience. This was my first time watching the Urban Souls Dance Company perform and will definitely not be my last. I would recommend watching this dance company to anybody who enjoys dance or wants to view a good show.

The Urban Souls Dance Company also held a dance seminar in the dance studio on campus that was open to students, falculty, and the general public.

 

Hampton Players and Company Present ‘How I Learned to Drive’

     The Hampton University Players & Company will present “How I Learned to Drive,” directed

by Robin Jackson Boisseau. The show runs Dec. 2-3 at Armstrong Hall Little Theater at 8 p.m.,

with a Sunday matinee on Dec. 4 at 3 p.m.  Admission is $10 general, $8 senior citizens, and

$8 non-HU students.

    Paula Vogel’s “How I Learned To Drive” gives a lighter look at a very dark subject.  The

audience is taken for a bumpy ride as Li’l Bit recounts her deepening relationship with her

Uncle Peck, a truly caring man with one major flaw. Her “lessons” span many years and we

come to understand not only the how of their deepening relationship, but the why as well.  The

overtly theatrical method of presentation—including flashbacks, non-realistic setting, and the

device of the Greek chorus—both distances the audience and draws them into the world of Li’l

Bit and Uncle Peck as he instructs her not only how to drive, but how to have the strength to take

control of her life. 

     HU's theater department has had previous successes with its productions, including 

"Dreamgirls," and is known for putting on dynamic and moving performances. Anticipation is

high among students, faculty members, and Hampton-Roads residents, and actors and

actresses are working hard to put on a good show.


Due to the sensitive and mature matter contained in the production, it is not recommend for

children.

For ticket information, call the HU Box Office at (757) 727-5236 or (757) 727-5402.

HU Presents Free Holiday Performance of Handel's "Messiah"

     HU's Musical Arts Society, chamber orchestra, and university choirs present Handel’s

Messiah Sing-a-Long on Sunday, Dec. 4 at 4 p.m. in Ogden Hall. Admission is free and open

to the public, but donations to the Choir and Orchestra Scholarship campaigns will be

accepted.
    
     Celebrate the season with a “Sing-A-Long” to George Frederic Handel’s timeless holiday

classic.  This musical holiday classic has become a traditional event in the Hampton Road

community.  The audience is invited to bring musical scores and join along with featured artists

Shelia Jackson Maye, soprano; Suzanne Oberdorfer, mezzo-soprano; Michael Myers, tenor;

and Walter Swann, baritone.


For additional information, please call the Music Department at 757.727.6508

New Lines for Greek Organizations and Music Fraternities Attrack Large Crowds

    

      Hundreds of students atteneded greek probates that showcased this week outside and in

the student center. Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity kicked off the week of probates and set the bar

high for other greek organizations to follow. Kappa Alpha Psi, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority,

and Sigma Gamma Rho Sorotity held its probates later on it the week and created a buzz

around campus.

     Music fraternities Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia and Sigma Alpha Iota also held its probates this

week  and members showcased  their musical talents outside and in Armstrong Hall. The Army 

ROTC's fraternity, Persian Rifles, will also hold its probate Thursday, Nov. 17 at 8 p.m.

    
     With anticipation high, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority will roundup this week of probates on

Sunday, Nov. 20, 2011.

HU Jazz Ensemble Fall Concert

(Members of the Jazz Choir: Michael Thompson, Jasmine Butler, Zainab Mustapha, Paris Ford, Morgan Gusby)    

    
  
      The HU Jazz Ensemble will host its Fall Concert Thursday, Nov. 17 in Ogden Hall at 8 p.m. The concert

will feature performances from the Jazz Choir and Jazz Band. There is no cost for admission.

     The Jazz Ensemble is headed by Jerry Bracey and meets tuesdays and thursdays from 3-4 p.m. Come

out and support the renowned Jazz Ensemble and hear classic jazz music!

Sound Check

This week on sound check, I will be highlighting a male R&B group that hits close to home … Emphasis. I am a member of this group and I am very proud of our accomplishments thus far.

                                                                                   

EMPHASIS

Biography

Daring to change the stereotype for male R&B groups, we have a unique style and distinct voices that are incomparable. Our members include; Jeremiah Carter (junior), Darian Gladney (junior), Gabriel Olyaiah (junior), Jonathan Simpson (junior), and myself. We are a diverse group of young men that hail from various parts of the country, and came together to form the group October 2010. Our first performance together was at the 2010 Hampton Idol competition where we stole the show with our theatrical performance and tight harmonies. We were named the winners of the competition, and since have performed at various functions throughout Virginia, and are currently working on a mixtape to be released next semester.

Review

We are an up and coming group that has the potential to bring the era of the male groups back. Although we have only been together for a year, our chemistry on stage can give off the impression that we have been singing as a group for years. As a whole, we have the vocal ability that rivals big name R&B groups, and bring creative elements to our performances. The audience never knows what to expect when we hit the stage. We have a unique stage presence that is essential to successful performers and leave our hearts on the stage after each performance. Great things are in store for us as we grow and mature as vocalists and performers.

Interview Questions

Who are some of Emphasis’s musical influences? Some of our musical influences include: Day 26, Boys II Men, Musiq Souldchild, Jodeci, and Bruno Mars.

What motivates Emphasis to want to put on a good show? Our passion for music and entertainment motivates us to want to put on a good show. This is what we love to do, so it’s only natural that we put our all into every performance. We owe it to our audience.

What is the future of Emphasis? The future of Emphasis is unpredictable. We are just taking it one performance at a time and continue to work hard to improve our craft.

What are some issues that arise when working in a group? A main issue that arises in our group is diversity. In Emphasis, we have members with different musical styles and tastes. We take this diversity and try to use it as an advantage by having a variety of music in our repertoire.

What is the main goal of this group? The main goal of this group is for us to be the best vocalists and performers we can be.

How would you classify each member of the group? We would classify Gabe as the leader. He keeps everything together. Darian is the devil’s advocate of the group. Jonathan hypes the crowd for us. Morgan brings unique ideas for performances. Jeremiah is the motivator of the group.

Upcoming Events/Performances

·         Mixtape to be released soon!

·         Performance Nov. 13, 8:00pm at Club Visions in Norfolk, VA

***For booking, contact Apollo Simon at (757) 927- 8448

Links

Empahsis's facebook page

Emphasis's Twitter Acct

Annual Gospel Choir Thanksgiving Benefit Concert

     HU's gospel choir, His Chosen Sounds, will be hosting its annual Thanskgiving Benefit

Concert Saturday, Nov. 19, 2011 in Ogden Hall at 7 p.m. A large canned or dry good item, or

monetary donation is required for admission. All goods and donations collected will benefit less

fortunate families in assisting with Thansgiving dinner.

    

     His Chosen Sounds is under the direction of Royzell Dillard and is known for its dynamic

performances. This choir actively performs on campus and in the Tidewater area, and has a

high reputation. His Chosen Sounds performs an array of gospel music ranging from orignial to

contemorary songs and attendance to this event is highly recommened to set a positive tone for

the holidays.

... And the reviews are in for the Kindle Fire...

    
     The reviews are in for the Kindle Fire, and although this tablet is inexpensive and cuts the

price of an iPad in half, it has some faults. The device has no hardware volume button, a

somewhat awkward display ratio and a screen with a glare that makes it a bit difficult for

actually reading. The tablet also lacks the complexity and specifications of rivaling devices and

needs polishing on its software.

    
     Although it has some faults and incapabilities, there are some advantages to the Kindle Fire.

Its screen displays rich colors and clear text, and the tablet also has access to a huge amount

of content from Amazon’s digital storefronts.

    
     The consensus on the tablet is that its low cost, sleek design, and android powered systems

make it an overall good tablet ... but not great. The Kindle Fire is recommended for consumers

who want "light entertainment" and who dont want the same level of functionality as the iPad.

Dance of the Week

     This week's dance of the week comes from the mid-west and is a new phenomenon among

the younger generation. The dance is called the "Cat Daddy" and Michael Thompson, a senior

music recording technology major will demonstrate it. Thompson is also a member of the

Terpsichorean Dance Company.

Introduction

     Hampton U’s entertainment blog is dedicated to highlighting all forms of entertainment

around campus. In this blog, you will find upcoming musical, dance, and theater events, fashion

tips, stories on underground musicians, entertainment news, polls, surveys, and much more!

This blog will help bridge the cultural gap between faculty, students, and alumni by being an

informative and interactive tool to current entertainment and culture.