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NEWS:

WSU Student Curates Worcester Windows

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NOTEWORTHY:


Ben McElroy's (Admissions) first published short story, "Another Double Helix Day in Taillertown," appears in the newly released Bizarro horror anthology Houdini Gut Punch (Library of Horror Press, November 2010). "Another Double Helix Day in Taillertown" follows the Emerald Moth on his quest through Taillertown, Massachusetts, where he learns about the often bizarre and twisted nature of his purpose in life. All the while, the Moth must evade his nemesis, the Bleeding Woman, before she can destroy him, which would result in disaster for the residents of Taillertown and beyond. Two more of Ben's tales will appear in the forthcoming Blood Bound Books horror anthology Seasons in the Abyss, a winter-themed selection titled "Halted Progress" and a summer-themed selection titled "Speed Demon." Several other stories are currently under consideration by various editors. Meanwhile, he continues to write and submit his fiction on a regular basis.



Susanna Meyer (Communication Sciences and Disorders), Emily Soltano (Psychology), Linda Larrivee (Communication Sciences and Disorders), and Kenneth Melnick (Communication Sciences and Disorders) were among the speakers at the annual convention of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), November 18-20 in Philadelphia, PA. Professors Soltano, Meyer, and Larrivee presented a paper about speech-language pathologists' knowledge of and training in second language acquisition. In addition, Professor Melnick presented a paper with his colleague from Brazil on children and adult's perception to overcome stuttering. The ASHA convention, which annually attracts over 10,000 attendees, is the most comprehensive conference for speech-language pathologists, audiologists, and speech, language and hearing scientists. The ASHA conference had a variety of educational sessions that highlighted the latest developments in research and clinical practices for professionals who provide services in schools, hospitals, health care centers, rehabilitation clinics, and other practice settings.



Worcester State Theatre and the Department of Visual and Performing Arts are pleased to announce the Irene Ryan acting nominees from Julius Caesar. Alexis Flanagan (Cassius) and Tasha Matthews (Casca) were selected by the respondent from the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival as nominees for the Irene Ryan Audition Scholarship program at the Region 1 festival January 25-30, 2011. (The Region 1 Festival will be held in Fitchburg this year.) Flanagan and Matthews will be joining the nominees from the Spring '10 production, Tartuffe: Ruby Pontbriand and Lynn Ranahan. With their scene partners, the Irene Ryan nominees perform scenes and monologues in a series of elimination rounds. Students attending festival have the opportunity to attend workshops and panel discussions, attend performances by other schools, and audition for parts in plays that are worked on. Also selected from Julius Caesar were two Irene Ryan alternates: Ryan Adie and Christine Begin.

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AROUND CAMPUS:

WSU to Host Free Concert Featuring
Pianist Stephen James and Cellist Peter Zay


The Worcester State University Department of Visual & Performing Arts will Present the Music of J.S. Bach, Schubert, Prokofiev, and James performed by WSU adjunct faculty members Pianist Stephen James and Cellist Peter Zay, Monday, December 6, at 7:30 p.m. in the Fuller Theatre. James and Zay are gifted classical musicians and will present a well-rounded program, including original music by Steve James.

Stephen James has performed for the Tanglewood Music Center Chamber Series, the WICN Radio concert series at Mechanics Hall, the Omnibus Series at Boston University, the American Repertory Theater, the Asparagus Valley Contemporary Music Ensemble, and on many other concert series in New England. He holds a masters degree in piano from Boston University, where he studied with Luis Batlle and performed the Stravinsky Symphony in Three Movements with the Boston University Symphony Orchestra, and a bachelors degree in music from Amherst College, where he studied piano with Beveridge Webster, Vincent Marlotti and Robert Miller, and performed the Schumann and Stravinsky piano concertos with orchestra.

He is a composer as well as a pianist, and completed his doctoral degree in composition at Boston University, where he received the graduate composition prize in 1984, the Malloy Miller Composition Award in 1986, and an award for continuing musical excellence in 1987. James was a Crofts Fellow in Composition at the Tanglewood Music Center and a member of the Center for Compositional Study at the Aspen Music Festival. Performances of his works include premieres by the the Pro Arte Chamber Orchestra of Boston and the Atlantic Brass Quintet, commissions from the Washington Music Ensemble and the Newburyport Choral Society, and performances by the Society for New Music (Syracuse, NY) and the Fellows of the Music Center at Tanglewood. He currently teaches music theory and piano performance at Worcester State College, and has also taught at Boston University, the University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth, Anna Maria College and Bridgewater State College.

Cellist Peter Zay's musical achievements have taken him to venues throughout the United States, Europe and Central America. Recent highlights include the International Musical Arts Institute chamber music concerts in Maine, frequent invitations to perform with the Quartetto Saravasti in Murcia, Spain, and as a guest artist on the Sunday Serenades concert series in Hartford, CT. Past performances include at the Yellow Barn Chamber Music Festival (VT), the Taos Chamber Music Festival, the Aspen Music Festival, and the Bellingham (WA) and Wintergreen (VA) Festivals of Music.

Zay is the Principal Cellist of the Plymouth Philharmonic and a member of the Hartford Symphony Orchestra. He has performed regularly with many other organizations including the Boston Lyric Opera, the Pro Arte Chamber Orchestra of Boston, the Boston Modern Orchestra, the New World Symphony (FL), the New Haven and Springfield (MA) Symphonies, the American Sinfonietta and the Barrington Stage Company. He has concertized in many of the worlds leading venues including Vienna's "Musikverein," Frankfurt's "Alte Oper," Stuttgart's "Beethoven Saal," Symphony Hall and Jordan Hall in Boston, Tanglewood, TD Garden Boston, Madison Square Garden, and the Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall. Zay has toured with Diana Krall, Linda Ronstadt, Pepe Romero and Andrea Bocelli and has appeared with Luciano Pavarotti, Barry Manilow, Arlo Guthrie, Frankie Valli, the Beach Boys, Aretha Franklin, and Tiempo Libre among many others. He has recorded for New World Records, Natural Soundfields, Gamut Records and Moving Together Productions and has been featured live on WFCR and WAMC Public Radio.

Zay first began studying the cello with his mother at the age of six. He earned a Bachelor of Music from the Hartt School of Music and a Master of Music Degree from the Manhattan School of Music. His teachers and coaches included members of the American, Emerson, Guarneri and Muir String Quartets, and the Beaux Arts Trio.

The concert is free and open to the public.

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ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Holiday Toy Drive
Once again the Planting the Seed Foundation will sponsor a Holiday Toy Drive to benefit children in need throughout Worcester County. In 2009, over 4,500 toys were donated and given to children. If gifts are wrapped please label girl or boy and include the age (infant to 18). Deadline for donations is December 9. Please deliver gifts to the President's Office, Room 255 Administration Building. Many thanks for your continued generosity!

Worcester Energy Barn Raisers
Glenn D'Alessio (Physical & Earth Sciences adjunct) and many Worcester State alums are taking part in Worcester Energy Barn-Raisers. The group is currently seeking new tools and materials to allow them to continue their volunteer work of energy barn-raisings where they weatherize homes and community buildings to save energy while promoting environmental and social justice. Everyone is invited to their Tool Fundraiser on Friday,
December 3, from 6-9 p.m. at the Woo Church (911 Main St., Worcester at the Pilgrim Church). Admission will be either a tool from their wish list or a suggested $5-20 donation. There will be live music, a pasta dinner, and a raffle with awesome prizes, as well as information about the organization and how to get involved with the Barn-Raisers. To RSVP or find out more information, please visit www.energybarnraising.org.

Reminder - Inclement Weather Policy
It's that time of the year. Don't forget to review the inclement weather policy at www.worcester.edu/inclementweather. Do you want to receive a text message about weather-related University closings and/or emergencies? Add or update your mobile number in the Emergency Notification system.

Last eNews of the Semester - December 6
The last eNews of the semester will be Monday, December 6 and
will resume on Tuesday, January 18. Please continue to send your submissions throughout winter break. Don't forget to submit your spring events to the online calendar at www.worcester.edu/calendarform.

Spring Semester Elder Registration - January 13
Worcester State University's Intergenerational Urban Institute (IUI) will be hosting elder registration on Thursday, January 13, 2011. Elder registration is for life-long learners, aged 60+, who are interested in signing up for spring 2011 semester courses at WSU. Classes for the spring semester begin January 18 and there is no tuition or fees for students aged 60+.

IUI invites elders to come and meet their peers and enjoy an intergenerational classroom experience. The reception begins at noon with refreshments and information in the Sullivan Commons, Room 130 in the Sullivan Building. Registration follows from 1-3 p.m. at the Registrar's Office, Room 107 in the Administration Building. Courses are offered on a space available basis. Those interested in registering are asked to bring a drivers license, senior ID card, or birth certificate (proof of age required). For more information call 508-929-8900.

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WSU IN THE NEWS:

College Town
Telegram & Gazette; 11/28/10
The Holiday Pops Concert featuring the Chorus and Chorale of Worcester State University and Chamber Orchestra will be held at...


Crafts Center holds cup show
Telegram & Gazette; 11/28/10
The cups runneth over at the Worcester Center for Crafts. About 40 local and nationally known artists have contributed 200 handcrafted vessels for the center's first cup show, which opens Thursday.


Professor Donnelly Interview with Nancy
Sheehan on the Center for Crafts Holiday Fair
Telegram & Gazette
Visit link above for video.

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