MSU President's Column for Traill County Tribune

March 7, 2015 

The halls and corridors at MSU are alive with the sound of music!

 

We will have the opportunity to host the North Dakota High School Activities Association Region 3 large group music contest on Friday, March 13. We are excited about having students and directors from MayPort CG, Hatton/Northwood, Park River, Grafton, Thompson, Fordville-Lankin, Central Valley, Larimore, Walhalla, St. Thomas, and Minto on campus. The contest begins at 9:00 a.m. and will continue until about 3:30 p.m.

This contest has been held at Grafton High School for the last few years, but due to major school construction and remodeling, they were unable to make the accommodations in Grafton. When the region directors contacted Mayville State about the possibility, we jumped at the chance!

The public is invited to attend and listen to the performances throughout the day. Concert choirs will perform on the stage in the MSU Classroom Building Auditorium. Concert bands will perform in the Lewy Lee Fieldhouse.

Just a few weeks later, on Friday, April 10, Mayville State will host the Region 3 solos and ensemble contest. Hosting this contest is a long-time tradition at Mayville State. Soloists and ensembles receiving star ratings at this contest will advance to the state music contest in Bismarck on May 2.

Bringing music opportunities to campus for Mayville State students has been a long-time thrust. We are thrilled that we are now offering band and choir participation activities for all students, and as of the fall semester of 2011, a music minor is being offered. The Mayville State music department had been greatly curtailed due to budget cuts in the early 1990s.

More students participate in music at Mayville State than any other activity, with the exception of football. Music participation is seen as an important component in Mayville State’s strategic enrollment management plans. Providing opportunities for involvement is not only an important aspect of recruiting students for Mayville State, but also for retaining them. Music is a great way to get students involved, and music students are generally good students who greatly enhance campus life.

All students who participate in music at Mayville State receive scholarships. Funding sources include private donations and the annual Tables du Jour event. The Traill Blazers Mayville-Portland area men’s choir has also contributed proceeds from their annual performance to the scholarship fund at Mayville State for several years.

To help ensure that we may continue to offer these scholarships and grow the number of students who attend Mayville State and participate in band and/or choir, the MSU Foundation has established a booster club of music supporters called Music Makers. Businesses and individuals may become Music Makers with their annual gifts of $100 or more. In addition, a handful of music endowments have been established by generous private donors. Music makers help make the gift of music available to students who are in pursuit of their dreams and goals. For more information, contact MSU Foundation Executive Director John Klocke at 701-788-4787 or john.j.klocke@mayvillestate.edu.

The MSU music department has already had a busy year, and there is more to come. The traditional homecoming concert was held last fall, and it was an absolute joy to hear the 125th anniversary choir, comprised of the current concert choir, together with alumni and friends. The stage was filled with singers, and the auditorium was filled with beautiful music. To celebrate the holidays, the department held their annual Christmas concert in December.

The spring pops concert is scheduled for Sunday, March 8 at 2:00 p.m. All are welcome to attend, and there is no admission fee. The music department spring concert is scheduled for Sunday, May 3, same time, same place. Please mark your calendar and plan to enjoy the wonderful musical talents of our students.

A fund-raising event to benefit music at Mayville State is just around the corner. Tables du Jour will be held Saturday, April 18 at the MSU Campus Center. Tables du Jour, or “tables of the day,” will feature 31 tables, each adorned in its own theme. After a time of viewing the tables, guests will be served a delicious brunch. A silent auction is also a big part of the event. As an extra-special treat this year, Jacky Arness, Miss North Dakota, will be singing a song or two.

If you haven’t already experienced Tables du Jour for yourself, I assure you that it will be a morning of fun, wonderful entertainment, great food, and creative table themes. Each year, table hostesses and designers are encouraged to think outside the box, and they continue to exceed expectations year after year. If you’re interested in attending, please contact Kim Lauf at 701-788-4271. A preview event for Tables du Jour will be held Friday evening, April 17, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. The public is invited to come in and view the fabulously decorated tables while enjoying refreshments. Advance tickets are not required. There will be a charge of $10.00 per person at the door. Gather your friends and come to Mayville State for an evening of pure enjoyment!

Music speaks a universal language, and provides a legacy that all can enjoy. The benefits of having music at Mayville State are multi-faceted. Thank you to Mike Bakken and Greta Paschke for the time and energy they have dedicated to make music a success story once again. We also extend our sincere gratitude to the many people who have supported the music department through their monetary gifts, as well as their time and talents.