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  • The Fine Art of Denim

    EXHIBITION EXTENDED UNTIL OCTOBER 14!!
    Denim, with all its symbols and dualities, is a common item of clothing that unites many around the globe. Dad Jeans, skinny jeans, low riders, bell bottoms, boot leg, wide leg, no leg, 501s, 504s, button fly, stretch jeans, the American dress code writ large across centuries. With so many styles available and ways to accessorize/manipulate the fabric, denim has historically allowed for a freedom of expression representing both individuality and shifts in cultural movements. Denim comes in a wide range of blues and other colors, washes, fades and textures making it a perfect, but not obvious, medium to create fine artwork. Denim that was discarded can open up a new way of looking, a startling way of seeing past the everyday. What we have abandoned, will be presented again, re-purposed from the lives we lived, to moments we experience together “forever in blue jeans.”

    Monmouth University’s Center for the Arts is pleased to present The Fine Art of Denim, a juried exhibition of artists who use recycled denim in new and creative ways. The works featured in this exhibit come from artists all over the United States and abroad.

    Pieces were selected from almost 100 entries by juror Vincent DiMattio, an accomplished artist and Monmouth University Professor in the Department of Art and Design, where he has taught for over 50 years and served as department chair and as gallery director for more than 20 years.

    Exhibiting Artists include: Michele Fandel Bonner, Howard Brandenburg*, Kerstin Bruchhaeuser, Emily Budd*, Don Coulter, Allison Dent, Debra Disman, Heidi Drahota, Shelley Gardner, George Gianakopoulos, Sabine Heinlein, Malka Kutnick, Tanya Lucadamo, Bob Mosier, Johanna Norry, Janice Patrignani, Leah Poller, Mary Schwarzenberger, Ashley Thomas, Ann Vollum, Shirley Wagner

    Virtual Exhibit: 

     

    The Fine Art of Denim Artist Statements

    *artists featured in virtual exhibit only.

    Virtual Opening Reception:
    June 24, 2021 at 7 p.m. via ZOOM

  • Monmouth University Music & Arts Festival 2021

    Entering its 2nd year on the virtual stage, this year’s Monmouth University Music & Arts Festival will feature members of the Garden State Philharmonic performing music from Civil War era Marches through Ragtime, Dixieland, and Jazz featuring music by composers George Gershwin, Scott Joplin, C.W. Handy, Duke Ellington, and Louis Armstrong. The festival will also highlight selections and solos from The Monmouth University Chamber Choir, a performance by the Blue Hawk House Band and a special reading by former United States Poet Laureate and Pulitzer Prize winner Natasha Tretheway. The festival will premiere at 7:00 PM on July 1st and be available to view through July 31st. To receive the streaming link for the festival you will need to register.

    The Monmouth University Music & Arts Festival is designed to provide Monmouth County communities and beyond, along with the students, faculty, and staff at Monmouth University, with the opportunity to enjoy a top-flight music and arts event each summer.

    In 2022, we are looking forward to presenting a robust program of offerings as the festival will host its inaugural in-person event. Our university is the year-round home for working musicians and artists, not to mention scores of students honing their talents as instrumental and theatrical performers, visual artists, and arts administrators. With the Music and Arts Festival becoming a yearly tradition, we hope to attract nationally and internationally acclaimed musicians and other fine artists to our campus. Not only will they supplement our students’ arts education, they will be on site each summer to provide visitors with opportunities to experience premiere concerts and exhibitions right here on the Shore.

    PROGRAM:

    The Garden State Philharmonic – Brass Quintet and Percussion
    STRIKE UP THE BAND!

    Strike up the Band  – George Gershwin, arr. Holcombe

    Signal March      – G.W.E. Friederich

    The Entertainer     – Scott Joplin arr. Arthur Frackenpohl

    High Society –     Cole Porter,  arr. Luther Henderson

    Beale Street Blues – C.W Handy, arr. Luther Henderson

    Sweet Georgia Brown – Ben Bernie & Maceo Pinkard,  arr. Luther Henderson

    It Don’t Mean a Thing if it Ain’t Got That Swing – Duke Ellington, arr. David Kosmyna

    Sousa Stars and Stripes –  John Philip Sousa – Holcombe

    The Monmouth University Chamber Choir

    Steal Away – American Spiritual, arr. Gwyneth Walker

    A Gershwin Jazz Trio – Words and music by Ira and George Gershwin, arr. Jay Althouse

    1. “Nice Work if you Can Get it.”
    2. “Someone to Watch Over Me.”
    3. “I Got Rhythm.”

    Seasons of Love – Words and music Jonathan Larson, arr. Steve Zegree
    Soloists:  Brynn Coy, Jordan Dilone, Tyler Oden, Kailey Rouse, David Wilderotter

    Vocal Solos by Members of the Monmouth University Chamber and Concert Choirs

    Shenandoah – American Folk Song, arr. Jay Althouse
    Brynn Coy – soprano

    Desperado – Eagles –
    Samantha Jordan, mezzo soprano

    She Used to Be Mine – from the Broadway musical “Waitress,” Sarah Barellies
    Rachel Wilson, soprano

    Wayfaring Stranger – American Spiritual, arr. Nick Garrett
    Nick Garrett, guitar and voice

    Strange Fruit – Billie Holiday
    Jenae Louis-Jacques, mezzo soprano

    Run Away with Me – Words and music Kait Kerrigan and Brian Lowdermilk
    David Wilderotter, baritone

    Cry Me a River – Arthur Hamilton
    Georgette Abinader, mezzo soprano

    Who I’d Be – from “Shrek the Musical,” Words and music David Lindsay- Abaire and Jeanine Tesori

    Mitchell Hendricks, baritone, Mia Heim, mezzo soprano Jordan Dilone, tenor

    Summertime – from the Opera “Porgy and Bess,” George Gershwin
    Jenae Louis-Jacques, mezzo soprano

    Somewhere Over a Rainbow – Words and music by Edgar Harburg and Harold Arlen, arr. Murray Cutter.
    Kristen Wilczewski, soprano

    Blue Hawk House Band
    Cover version of “Freedom,” composed by John Lomax, Jonny Coffer, Alan Lomax, Frank Tirado, Dean McIntosh, Kendrick Lamar, Carla Marie & Beyoncé

    Performance Groups:

    Garden State Philharmonic – Brass Quintet and Percussion:
    Diane Wittry – Music Director and Conductor
    Michael Baker (Trumpet 1), Olivia Pidi (Trumpet 2), Karl Kramer-Johansen (Horn), Roger Verdi (Trombone), Wes Krygsman (Tuba), Gregory Landes (Percussion), Michael Avagliano (Score Reader)
    For more information on the program and performers click here

    Monmouth University Chamber Choir:
    Dr. David Tripold, director,     Maggie Tripold, accompanist
    Georgette Abinader; Kendall Brighton; Brynn Coy; Jordan Dilone; Mia Heim; Mitchell Hendricks; Arina Martin; Erin McGinniss; Tyler Oden; Lindsay Ploskonka; Delaney Rivera; Kailey Rouse; Nicholas Sewell; David Wilderotter; Rachel Wilson

    Blue Hawk House Band
    George Wurzbach, Director
    Mani Kissling (vocals), Mark Rodriguez (Guitars/Keyboards,) Dee DiMeola (Drums), Max Adolf (Guitar), Michael Rabbits (Rap) Dillon Schindler (Keyboards) Sara Wojciehowski (Bass/producer), B. J. Biedebach (engineer)

     

  • The History of Simon & Garfunkel…Together and Apart

    Class Schedule: Thursdays – Dec. 2, Dec. 9, and Dec. 16 | 7:30 – 9:00 PM

    The History of Simon & Garfunkel…Together and Apart – If you took the sweet harmonies of the Everly Brothers and matched them with the lyricism of Bob Dylan the result might be Simon & Garfunkel. Often considered the thinking person’s rock ‘n’ rollers they were also one of the most successful musical acts of the 1960’s.

    This three-session virtual course taught by Gary Wenstrup, uses  audio and visual content to trace the arc of Simon & Garfunkel’s career from their surprise teenybopper hit “Hey Schoolgirl” …to the folk-rock classic “Sound of Silence” to the ever popular “Mrs. Robinson” …to the majesty of “Bridge Over Troubled Water.” It will also cover their careers post-breakup with special attention paid to Paul’s world-wide smash “Graceland.”

    Zoom Link will be provided upon registration.

  • Self-Publishing, Step-by-Step

    Class Schedule: Thursdays – Nov. 11 and Nov. 18 | 7:30 – 9:00 PM

    This two-session virtual course taught by Christy Schmidt, provides participants with a complete roadmap to guide them through the self-publishing process.

    Content will include:

    • Appreciate the modern publishing market
    • Overcome the infamy and dispel the mystique of self-publishing
    • Become aware of self-publishing scams
    • Realize realistic time and financial costs of self-publishing
    • Understand how to prepare a manuscript using self-publishing applications
    • Choose the appropriate genre and length for marketing exposure
    • Discover when a copyright license is required for quotes and pictures
    • Attract the perfect beta readers and professional editors
    • Understand the vital purpose of cover art and how to find a talented digital artist
    • Define the minutia of publishing: ISBNs, Bar Codes, LCCNs and BIFACs
    • Appreciate superior book design and explore design resources
    • Time obtaining and registering your copyright
    • Review marketing essentials: both virtual and brick-and-mortar solutions
    • Explore self-publishing outlets like Amazon and IngramSpark – and understand how their competitive natures can help or harm your efforts
    • And more!

    Christy A. Schmidt, Esq. has served as a professor and instructor for over thirty years. A graduate of Emerson College and Rutgers University School of Law, she prides herself on guiding students to master all areas of communication. The warm reception for her self-published novel, Treasure, based on Shakespeare’s The Tempest, inspired her to retire from a twenty-year law practice to follow creative pursuits. Her texts, Talk it Out: Mastering Critical Discourse and No Words: Mastering Nonverbal Communication assist students and professionals with critical thinking, perception and public presentation. Among her other works is her photo-exploration, To A Lighthouse which delights juveniles and adults with beautiful photos of each New Jersey lighthouse and engaging family-bonding exercises. She serves as an adjunct at both Kean and Monmouth Universities, offers private workshops for professionals, operates a portrait studio, manages a virtual art gallery, and continues to publish fiction and nonfiction work.

  • Podcasting for Beginners

    Class Schedule: Thursdays – Oct. 21, Oct. 28, and Nov. 4 | 7:30 – 9:00 PM

    In this three-session virtual course taught by Robert Rodriguez, students will learn how to produce a podcast from the planning stage to the final upload. From developing a concept to basic recording technology, post-production and finally launching onto Apple and Spotify the course will provide step-by-step instruction to producing your own podcast! No previous podcasting experience is required.

    Robert Rodriguez, host of the podcast Something About the Beatles podcast, is an award-winning author; penning or contributing to a dozen books. He’s written extensively about The Beatles: five books so far, including the latest Solo in the 70s and 2012’s acclaimed Revolver: How The Beatles Reimagined Rock ‘N’ Roll. He’s also contributed numerous articles to Beatlefan magazine, and has been a regular interviewee on radio and TV about the group.

    Zoom Link will be provided upon registration.

  • Writing Memoir

    Class Schedule: Thursdays – Sept. 30, Oct. 7 and Oct. 14 | 7:30 – 9:00 PM

    This three-session virtual course, taught by Mike Farragher, provides attendees with an introduction to basic modes for telling the stories of their lives. Working in a supportive workshop setting, students will enjoy engaging, wide-ranging discussion about the joys and challenges of bringing their memories to life.

    Instructor: Mike Farragher, Monmouth University alumnus and author of numerous works of fiction and memoir.

    Whether you have dreams of being a bestselling author or you’re committed to creating your life story as an heirloom for future generations of your family, memoir writing can be a rewarding endeavor to help make sense of your life journey.If you’ve ever said aloud, “I should write a book someday,” but didn’t know where to begin, this course will get you on the road to fulfilling that creative dream.

    This course will explore how to get started, tools to overcome lack of confidence and overwhelm, provide creative writing prompts, and instill a disciplined process essential for success that has produced proven results for unknown and known authors alike.

    Zoom link will be provided upon registration.

  • History of Philadelphia Soul

    Class Schedule: Thursdays – Sept. 9, Sept. 16 and Sept. 23 | 7:30 – 9:00 PM

    This three-session virtual course taught by Kit O’Toole, traces the history of Philadelphia or “Philly” Soul, which greatly impacted not only the sound of 70s soul but the development of disco. Its lush string arrangements, horns, seductive vocals, and varied lyrical content added an element of sophistication to funk and soul, paving the way for disco and the 1990s neo-soul movement.

    The class will begin with influences such as Phil Spector’s “wall of sound” production, Motown’s pop/soul gloss, and James Brown’s “on the one” funk. Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff, the chief architects of the Philly Soul sound, will be explored in depth, as their compositions and productions resulted in classics by the O’Jays, Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes, and Billy Paul. The duo would also form the Philadelphia International label, whose legendary house band MFSB helped craft the sound. Along the way, the sound helped create disco and influenced acts as diverse as David Bowie, Hall and Oates, and Jill Scott. In addition to multimedia presentations, group discussions will further enhance understanding of this greatly influential genre.

    Zoom Link will be provided upon registration.

  • CANCELLED – Tuesday Night WORLD Record Club: Gilberto Gil’s Quanta Live

    DUE TO UNFORESEEN CIRCUMSTANCES THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELLED.

    It’s just like book club but with albums! With new advances in technology, the way we consume music through our devices, apps and on demand streaming services like Pandora, Spotify and iTunes is making the idea of the “album” as an art form extinct. Get together with other music enthusiasts on Tuesday nights to discuss some of the greatest records of all-time! Listen to the album beforehand and then come prepared to discuss. This event will featuring Gilberto Gil’s Quanta Live will be hosted by Monmouth University Professor Meghan Hynson and is cosponsored by the Institute for Global Understanding.

  • Tuesday Night Book Club: Jonathan Franzen, Freedom

    Join us for Tuesday Night Book Club! Hosted by Monmouth University’s Ken Womack, each month we’ll explore a different novel. All you have to do is Zoom in and join the discussion!

    This month’s novel is Jonathan Franzen’s Freedom.

    Freedom, by the New York Times bestselling author Jonathan Franzen, is a masterly novel of contemporary love and marriage, a brilliant charting of the temptations and burdens of liberty: the thrills of teenage lust, the shaken compromises of middle age, the wages of suburban sprawl, and the heavy weight of empire.

    Patty and Walter Berglund were the pioneers of old St. Paul—the gentrifiers, the hands-on parents, the avant garde of the Whole Foods generation. But now, in the new millennium, they have become a mystery. Why has their teenage son moved in with the aggressively Republican family next door? Why has Walter, once an environmental lawyer, taken a job working with Big Coal? Most startling of all, why has Patty, the perfect neighbor, turned into the local Fury? Patty and Walter Berglund are indelible characters, and their mistakes and joys, as they struggle to learn how to live in an ever more confusing world, have become touchstones of contemporary American reality.

    We are still waiting for more information about whether we will be able to hold this event in person. However, we are also committed to continuing offering access virtually to Tuesday Night Book Club for all our new audiences! You can register now for Zoom access to the event. When you register you will be provided the meeting link to join the conversation. 


    Please stay tuned for more details about an in-person location for this event when more information becomes available. 

  • Tuesday Night Book Club: Maggie O’Farrell, Hamnet

    Join us for Tuesday Night Book Club! Hosted by Monmouth University’s Ken Womack, each month we’ll explore a different novel. All you have to do is Zoom in and join the discussion!

    This month’s novel is Maggie O’Farrell’s Hamnet. On a summer’s day in 1596, a young girl in Stratford-upon-Avon takes to her bed with a sudden fever. Her twin brother, Hamnet, searches everywhere for help. Why is nobody at home?

    Their mother, Agnes, is over a mile away, in the garden where she grows medicinal herbs. Their father is working in London. Neither parent knows that Hamnet will not survive the week. Hamnet is a novel inspired by the son of a famous playwright: a boy whose life has been all but forgotten, but whose name was given to one of the most celebrated plays ever written.

    We are still waiting for more information about whether we will be able to hold this event in person. However, we are also committed to continuing offering access virtually to Tuesday Night Book Club for all our new audiences! You can register now for Zoom access to the event. When you register you will be provided the meeting link to join the conversation. 
 

    Please stay tuned for more details about an in-person location for this event when more information becomes available.