Give to the Max Day raises $48,275 for Saint Mary’s

Give to the Max Day 2011, held Wednesday, Nov. 16, was a complete success! Saint Mary's placed 5th in the “Higher Education” rankings — raising an amazing $48,275 from 287 donors. This was nearly triple what was given during last year’s Give to the Max Day.

Nicole Schroeder, director of the Saint Mary’s Fund, would like to give a special thank you to Jennifer Teske (associate director of the Saint Mary’s Fund) for her work supporting volunteers in the Twin Cities; to Big Red for making an appearance at the Mall of America; and to Bob Fisher (young alumni & student relations associate director) for supporting students as they put on a brand new event to engage the undergraduate population in philanthropy.

University Advancement is grateful to everyone who donated, as well as everyone who shared in the excitement of the competition and helped to share the SMU spirit!

Good Lovelies to usher in holidays Dec. 1

Funny and upbeat, with just a pinch of sass, the Good Lovelies will take the stage at Saint Mary’s on Thursday, Dec. 1. The Page Series will welcome this award-winning Canadian trio at 7:30 p.m. in Page Theatre.

Part folk-roots, part Western Swing, this Toronto-based trio relies on unerring three-part vocal harmonies, clever songs, and convulsively funny repartee drawn from a seemingly endless succession of comedic adventures on the road. The Good Lovelies released a 12-track Christmas album, “Under the Mistletoe,” in November 2009.

These lovely ladies will usher in the holidays with old-fashioned melodies and impressive vocals. Their Christmas repertoire features a new take on familiar classics, a nostalgic treatment to more current songs, and original tunes that are sure to usher in the season in style.

In conjunction with this old-fashioned holiday theme, patrons are invited to dress in their best vintage outfits. Prizes will be awarded for “best female,” “best male,” “best couple,” and “best use of accessories.”

Tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for seniors and students and are available at www.pagetheatre.org or call the box office, Ext. 1715, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Saint Mary’s is a fiscal year 2011 recipient of an Institutional Presenter Support grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board. This activity is funded, in part, by the Minnesota arts and cultural heritage fund as appropriated by the Minnesota State Legislature with money from the vote of the people of Minnesota on Nov. 4, 2008.

Students to stage tragic tale in ‘Machinal’ Nov. 18-20

The Department of Theatre and Dance will present the tragic story of a woman driven to murder after being dominated by men, marriage, motherhood and machines in the 1928 expressionist play, “Machinal” Nov. 18-20.

The story revolves around the predestined main character, Helen, who lives a life that has been dictated to her. She follows the rituals that society expects of a woman, however resistant she may feel about them, and subsequently marries her boss, whom she finds repulsive. After having a baby with him, followed by an affair with a younger man who fuels her lust for life, she is driven to murder her husband. She is found guilty of the crime and meets her end, ironically, in a machine — the electric chair.

“Machinal” is inspired by the real-life case of convicted and executed murderess Ruth Snyder — the first woman ever to be executed in the electric chair in New York State after she, along with her lover, murdered her husband. The play’s author, Sophie Treadwell, covered Snyder’s murder trial as a reporter.

Under the direction of Judy Myers, “Machinal” will take to the stage at the Valéncia Arts Center, 10th and Vila streets, at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Nov. 18-19, and 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 20.

Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students and seniors and are available online at www.pagetheatre.org at the Performance Center Box Office, Ext. 1715, Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Saint Mary’s choirs to present ‘Lessons and Carols’

The Concert Choir, Chamber Singers and Women’s Choir will present their annual holiday tribute, “Lessons and Carols,” at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 10. The concert will also feature the Saint Mary’s Chamber Orchestra.

The performance — a celebration of Advent and the Nativity through song and spoken word — will be held at Chapel of Saint Mary of the Angels, located at Wabasha and Vila streets.

Music will include familiar carols, as well as selections by a variety of composers from Renaissance to the present.

Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students and seniors and are available by calling the SMU Box Office, Ext. 1715, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, or online at www.pagetheatre.org.

Concert Band to present ‘Sounds of the Season’

Celebrate the music of the Christmas season with the Saint Mary’s University Concert Band 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 11, at Page Theatre.

The concert will feature four student guest conductors: Tyler Ringiesen, Ashley Buhr, Jessica Giers and Jessica Bouska. Dr. Janet Heukeshoven will direct the rest of the hour-long performance, which includes Alfred Reed’s “Russian Christmas Music” and familiar seasonal favorites.

The band will be performing the “Coventry Carol,” a lovely setting of “Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring,” “Greensleeves Fantasia,” and the beautiful Huron Canadian Indian carol, “Twas in the Moon of Wintertime.” On the lighter side, audience members of all ages will enjoy “A Charlie Brown Christmas” and the big band jazz inspired “A Most Wonderful Christmas.”

The concert will be followed by a Christmas lobby party, which will feature a selection of holiday treats. Smaller ensembles — the brass choir, flute quartet, saxophone ensemble, jazz combo, bassoon trio and more — will perform.

Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students and seniors and are available by calling the SMU Box Office, Ext. 1715, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, or online at www.pagetheatre.org.

SMU jazz, percussion groups join talents for Dec. 9 concert

The 18-piece Saint Mary’s University Jazz Ensemble, Jazz Combo I and World Drum Ensemble will combine for an evening of hot jazz to melt away the chill of the season at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 9, in Page Theatre.

Both jazz groups are directed by Dr. John Paulson, and the World Drum Ensemble is directed by Denny McGuire.

Vocalist Jessica Ingvalson will be featured on jazzy arrangements of the Christmas classics “Christmas Time is Here” from Charlie Brown and “Santa Claus is Coming to Town,” arranged by Dave Wolpe.

The World Drum Ensemble will join Jazz Combo I on the great samba “Brazil,” arranged for the nine-piece group by Michael Philip Moussman. They’ll also perform a boss nova version of “White Christmas,” arranged by Mark Taylor. The Jazz Ensemble will pull out all the stops with a wild arrangement of “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” by Gordon Goodwin as well as other great jazz standards like “Ladybird.” Audiences will also enjoy a premiere performance of Dr. Paulson’s “Four PM Blues.”

Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students and seniors and are available by calling the SMU Box Office, Ext. 1715, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, or online at www.pagetheatre.org.

Students to show art in ‘Ideas that Spark’

Brianna Nelson

Students will display energetic and electrifying work in “Ideas that Spark,” the all-campus student art exhibit Nov. 19 through Dec. 14 in the Lillian Davis Hogan Galleries.

The show features 2011 SMU December art graduates Danielle Cossetta, Sarah Kraft, Brianna Nelson, and Charlie Williams. An opening reception for the artists will be held 4:30 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 19, at the galleries.

The Lillian Davis Hogan Galleries are open 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily and are free and open to the public.

Fall Financial Forums are Nov. 21 and 30

Faculty and staff are invited to upcoming Fall Financial Forums in Winona and in Minneapolis.

The Twin Cities forum is scheduled for 11 a.m. Monday, Nov. 21, in the PAN Alumni Room. The Winona forum will be 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 30 in Salvi Lecture Hall.

Speakers will include: Cindy Marek, vice president for Financial Affairs; Genelle Groh-Beck, director, Human Resources Department; Kelly Boice, staff accountant; and Dave Ansell, financial analyst.

Wine and Cheese reception, VP update is Nov. 22

Faculty and staff are cordially invited to a wine and cheese reception and an opportunity to hear updates from university vice presidents from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 22, in the Common Room. Please RSVP to Jo Nesler at Ext. 1664 or jnesler@smumn.edu.

Etiquette dinner draws 36

Thirty-six students, including several of our First-Generation students, attended the etiquette dinner sponsored by Career Services. Thanks go to Dr. Mary Fox for leading the event.

Jazz notes

Dr. Paulson performs with the Miles Johnston Quartet from 8 p.m. to midnight Friday, Nov. 18 at the Starlight Lounge in La Crosse.

Swing Inc. performs Friday, Nov. 18, from 6 to 9 p.m. at Signature’s Restaurant.

Lueck serves as director-elect for Region 5 of ACCED-1

Terrie Lueck, director of Conferencing and Camps, has been elected and has agreed to serve as Director-Elect - Region 5 for 2012-2013 for the Association of Collegiate Conference and Events Directors-International. This organization consists of more than 1,500 campus professionals who design, market, coordinate and plan conferences and special events on the campuses of colleges and universities around the world. Since 1980, ACCED-I has increased the visibility and enhanced the stature of the collegiate conference and events profession.

There are 11 regions. Region 5 includes Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin and Saskatchewan.

Lueck will represent Region 5 at the Annual Conference to be held in Denver, Colo., in March 2012.

Reminder: No ‘Campus Notes’ next week

Because of Thanksgiving break, there will be no ‘Campus Notes’ next week. Look ahead on your calendars. The next edition will be Friday, Dec. 2. The deadline for that issue is Wednesday, Nov. 30.

Kowles to speak Dec. 1

Dr. Richard Kowles will present "The Wonder of Genetics: The Writing of a Trade Book with a Focus on the Fountain of Youth" at 4 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 1, in Room 112, Hoffman Hall.