Hotline // September 11, 2024
This week’s Hotline includes the following articles:
- VCSU Music Faculty Showcase performance set for Sept. 13
- Alumni invited back for homecoming Sept. 20-22
- All Campus Convocation Thursday
- Summer Vikes on Central set for Sept. 12
- JAS Quintet performing jazz concert Sept. 25 at VCSU
- Flu clinic coming to VCSU on Sept. 25
- Viking sports update
- What’s happening at VCSU and around Valley City…
VCSU Music Faculty Showcase performance set for Sept. 13
Valley City State University is thrilled to present an evening of captivating performances by its esteemed music faculty in the 2024 Fall Music Faculty Showcase. The showcase will take place on Friday, Sept. 13, at 7:30 p.m. in the Larry J. Robinson Center for the Arts Performance Hall on the VCSU campus. Attendees can look forward to an eclectic program, spotlighting the diverse talents of the university’s wind, voice, percussion, piano, and band faculty members, with a special appearance from VCSU President, Dr. Alan LaFave. Admission to the event is free.
The concert will open with a dynamic performance by woodwinds professor Dr. Katrina Clements, who will be joined by President Alan LaFave. Together with Dr. Ozzie Johnson on piano, they will perform Konzertstück a la Feidman, a clarinet duet in a Klezmer style, featuring virtuosic cadenzas and familiar themes. In addition to playing with many of the faculty on the evening’s recital, Dr. Ozzie Johnson will play Chopin’s Nocturne in C Minor. This small masterpiece features a slow, stately opening that dissolves into a dream-like middle section, which eventually erupts and spills over into a restlessly passionate reworking of the opening material. VCSU Director of Bands, Professor Jerrold Heide, will follow with a performance of Four Short Narratives for solo euphonium, a set of miniature tone paintings depicting different times of day.
The night will continue with Dr. Kenneth Jimenez, chair of the VCSU Music Department, performing two works: an arrangement of Cavatine d’Anna Bolena by Donizetti and Conversation for Cornet by Clare Grundman, showcasing his talent on cornet and cornopean, a rarely performed French brass instrument. Dr. Taylor Long will take the stage with an eccentric and rhythmically intense work for hand gestures and synchronized tape by American composer Mark Applebaum, pushing the boundaries of performance art. Rounding out the program with a stunning distillation of emotional energy, Dr. Stephen Cunningham will perform Ich bin der welt by Gustav Mahler, which is a setting of a poem by German poet Friedrich Rückert. The showcase will conclude on a lighthearted note with After You, Mr. Gershwin! by Béla Kovács, performed by Dr. Katrina Clements with Dr. Ozzie Johnson. This playful piece draws inspiration from early jazz and blues music, reminiscent of George Gershwin, offering a delightful, upbeat finale.
Attendees can look forward to an exciting evening of music. The concert is free and open to the public.
Alumni invited back for homecoming Sept. 20-22
The Valley City State University (VCSU) Foundation and Alumni Association is excited to welcome alumni back to VCSU for homecoming next week, Sept. 20-22.
“As we prepare to celebrate homecoming, we’re thrilled to welcome back our alumni, family and friends to VCSU. It’s always a special time to reconnect, share stories, and witness the growth and exciting developments happening on campus,” said Cory Anderson, Executive Director for University Advancement. “Involvement is key to the vibrancy of our community, and we can’t wait to create more memories together.”
“Homecoming is one of my favorite traditions at VCSU. During homecoming, we welcome our alumni home. The weekend is filled with lots of opportunities for alumni to reconnect with their VCSU family including classmates, faculty and staff of the university,” said Kim Svenningsen Hesch, Assistant Director for Advancement & Alumni Relations.
The 42nd Annual Bill Osmon Fun Run will kick off the week at 4 p.m. at Lokken Stadium.
On Wednesday, Sept. 18 volleyball will play Dickinson in Graichen Gym at 7 p.m. The team will play again on Thursday, September 19, taking on the University of Jamestown at 7 p.m. at the Bubble.
Alumni are invited back to participate in a full day of events on Friday, September 20 with an ice cream social at 1:30 p.m. in the Student Center. A campus tour starts at 2 p.m., leaving from the Student Center, and the bookstore will be open from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. The Homecoming Parade, in conjunction with Valley City High School, will start at 4 p.m. on Central Avenue. The Hall of Fame Social will begin at 5 p.m. at the Valley City Eagles Club. Alumni and friends are invited to socialize with the inductees and others before the banquet and ceremony that will begin at 6 p.m. The night will end with an All Alumni Social starting at 8 p.m. at the Valley City Eagles Club.
On Saturday, Sept. 21, the Alumni Honors Breakfast will start at 9 a.m. in the Student Center. Tickets for breakfast will be $15 and available to purchase at the door.
This year, a VCSU Baseball Alumni Game will start at 11 a.m. at Charlie Brown Field. Tailgating at Lokken Stadium will begin at 1 p.m. Following the tailgating, the VCSU Football team will face Dakota State University with kickoff starting at 4 p.m.
The Postgame and All-Alumni Social will take place after the football game at the Valley City Eagles Club at 7 p.m. The College Student and Alumni Dance will follow, starting at 9 p.m.
For more information about VCSU Homecoming 2024 activities, contact the VCSU Foundation and Alumni Office.
All campus convocation tomorrow
All students, staff and faculty are encouraged to attend the All-Campus Convocation on Thursday, Sept. 12. The event will take place on McFarland Front Lawn at 11 a.m.
Summer Vikes on Central set for Sept. 12
Valley City State University is once again partnering with Summer Nights on Central to host the third annual Summer Vikes on Central on Thursday, September 12, in downtown Valley City.
The event features live music by Tripwire – a national touring cover band – along with numerous booths and activities. Summer Vikes welcomes incoming and current VCSU students to Valley City and introduces them to local businesses and community members in a fun and relaxing atmosphere.
Summer Nights on Central is a series of street dance events held each summer on Central Avenue in downtown Valley City featuring live music, late night shopping, food and beverage vendors and more. Booths and vendors open at 5:30 p.m. on Sept. 12 and live music begins at 6 p.m.
The VCSU freshmen class will join President LaFave at the VCSU footbridge before the event. From there, the VCSU Marching Band will lead the group downtown to join the community. All current VCSU students and members of the VCSU Viking Family are invited to meet at the footbridge at 5:30 p.m. for the march to downtown.
VCSU students will have a chance to dunk band director Tara Dahl and strength and conditioning coach Will Rakowski into the dunk tank this year.
Businesses are encouraged to set up a booth where they can provide information, freebies, drawings, games, giveaways or college student discounts. Those interested can sign up at https://www.valleycitytourism.com/summernights
Summer Vikes on Central is a free public event for all ages. The community is encouraged to attend and join VCSU students in the last downtown party of the summer.
JAS Quintet performing jazz concert Sept. 25 at VCSU
Valley City State University will host one of South Dakota’s premier jazz ensembles for a free concert September 25th at the Larry J. Robinson Center for the Arts.
JAS Quintet will perform at the CFA Performance Hall on VCSU’s campus. The concert begins at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 25, and will feature a mix of old and new, including many original compositions and arrangements by members of the band. Admission is free.
“JAS Quintet has proven themselves one of the top jazz ensembles in the region,” said VCSU president Alan LaFave. “We’re excited to bring this talented group of performers and educators to our community and showcase their music in our first-class performance venue on campus.”
Formed in 2012 and based in Sioux Falls, S.D., JAS Quintet performs at concerts and festivals throughout the region. The group features the classic jazz quintet instrumentation of trumpet, saxophone, piano, bass and drums. Concert attendees can expect to hear familiar tunes along with a few new jazz classics.
More information about JAS Quintet can be found on their website: http://www.jasquintet.com/
Listen to JAS Quintet on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4pCi3aiC9uOfOVPnMyKZlF?si=C4qaoYX9So6axj-ofypEAg
Listen to JAS Quintet on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@jasquintet
Flu clinic coming to VCSU on Sept. 25
City-County Health District will be holding a Respiratory Vaccination Clinic at VCSU on Wednesday, Sept. 25 from 10:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. in the Skoal Room.
- Vaccines that will be available: 2024-25 Influenza (flu) and COVID
- A voucher for 3000 points will be available for employees who participate in the Dakota Wellness Program upon request.
Please complete the online registration process at https://forms.office.com/g/ rF03NmA0Nx
- You will be asked to enter your health insurance information so have that available when you register.
- You will not be asked to schedule a time to come, this is only a preregistration process, so the staff have an idea of how much vaccine they need to bring with them. You can come anytime between 10:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. to get your vaccination(s).
Viking sports update
Football
The Valley City State football team defeated Augsburg 24-14 last weekend. Noah Chambers threw for 157 yards and a touchdown, and James Dahn added a 56-yard pick-six for VCSU. The Vikings are now 1-1 on the season. Read more.
Volleyball
Sadie Hansen was named NSAA Setter of the Week after the senior setter helped VCSU to a 1-1 weekend at the Viterbo Tournament, including a 3-0 sweep over Judson University. VCSU took a 3-1 win over Concordia in its home opener Tuesday night and is now 7-4 on the season. Read more.
Golf
The VCSU Golf teams fell to Dickinson State in a dual played Saturday at Village Green Golf Course in Moorhead, Minn. Viking golfers Owen Haase and Sydney Carlson each finished in fourth place at the meet. Read more.
Upcoming Events
Sept. 13: Cross Country at MSUM Twilight, 7:30 p.m. (Moorhead, Minn.)
Sept. 13: Volleyball at No. 15 Morningside, 6 p.m. (Sioux City, Iowa)
Sept. 15-16: Golf at UJ Fall Invite (Jamestown)
Sept. 18: Volleyball vs. Dickinson State, 7 p.m. (Graichen, Valley City)
What's happening at VCSU and around Valley City...
Aug. 19-Oct. 3
Visiting artist exhibition: “Hints, Allegations, and Things Left Unsaid”, VCSU Art Gallery
September 12
11 a.m. All Campus Convocation, McFarland Lawn
5:30 p.m. Summer Vikes on Central, downtown Valley City
September 20-22
VCSU Homecoming Week
September 26
2024 North Dakota AI Conference, Larry J. Robinson Center for the Arts