Southeastern Musicians Score
by Jessica Exkano and Erin Moore
For more than 20 years, nationally acclaimed performers have flocked to Southeastern Louisiana University in October to participate in Fanfare, the university’s annual celebration of the arts. Now, Southeastern is returning the favor, as talented students, graduates and faculty members receive recognition on the national stage for their artistic endeavors.
The 2008 honors began with two Emmy Awards—making a total of four—for the school’s television station, the Southeastern Channel. (See “And the Emmy Goes To…” in IN’s March-April issue.) Since then, the three members of the Southeastern community featured here have been given national awards for their individual achievement.
Ken Boulton
Pianist
Have you ever dreamt of walking down the red carpet? Or performing on stage in front of a huge audience? Like most Americans, Ken Boulton, an associate professor of piano at Southeastern, always enjoyed watching red carpet shows on television, but never thought he’d ever be part of one himself. So it was with great pleasure that he accepted an invitation to appear at the 50th Annual Grammy Awards celebration after being nominated for his two-CD album “Louisiana—A Pianist’s Journey.”
How does he sum up the experience? “It was surreal. Being a Grammy nominee means you are given lots of kudos, and it’s the greatest thrill I’ve ever had the pleasure of experiencing,” he says.
Boulton describes his Louisiana-inspired classical music as one of the most approachable classical music CDs ever. “The music is characterized by touches of jazz, a little bit of ragtime, and flavors of melody, harmony and rhythm, which make it less highbrow than what we typically think of classical music as being,” he says.
Boulton is quick to point out that without the help of his Southeastern colleagues, this project may never have come into existence. He credits Dr. Emily Bond and Margaret Adelmann of the university’s Office of Sponsored Research and Programs in helping him obtain the highly competitive $50,000 ATLAS (Awards to Louisiana Artists and Scholars) grant that enabled him to begin production. From there, Dr. Sam Hyde and Keith Findley, director and assistant director, respectively, of the university’s Center for Southeast Louisiana Studies assisted with the research for the 32-page book that accompanies the CD. It includes a history of Louisiana and biographies of the eight composers whose works are featured on the CD.
Newfound fame hasn’t changed this professor’s priorities. The first thing he did when he returned from the award show was hand out all of his Grammy gift items to his students. Boulton prefers to be recognized as an educator first, performing artist second. “I am extremely passionate about music and working to mold the lives of young adults,” he says. “I encourage my students to be independent, to take advantage of every opportunity they are given and to be leaders in the department.”
Brian Hanson
Composer
Brian Hanson, a native of Covington, originally enrolled in the university as a classical guitar major on a music performance scholarship. At one point, he considered switching majors in order to become a historian. Southeastern guitarist and educator Patrick Kerber, recognizing Hanson’s potential, encouraged him to remain in music. His advice proved to be insightful. Hanson recently won the 2008 national competition for young composers sponsored by the Omaha Symphony Guild.
“Alissa Rowe and the Southeastern Concert Choir worked with me. Glen Hemberger and the Wind Symphony worked with me. And fellow students worked with me on chamber pieces, as well. These people really went beyond what is required so that I could grow as a composer,” he says.
Of his success, he notes, “It was a fantastic feeling knowing that my hard work and determination had paid off, and that maybe I could go places as a composer. The other winners were master’s-level students at the top composition schools in the world. Now, Southeastern Louisiana University is thrown into that great equation.”
Because of his recent win, Hanson will have the opportunity to compose scores for musicians of the Omaha Symphony Orchestra, and his music will be performed in places as far away as Hawaii and New York. He also recently scored the video puzzle game “Enchanted Gardens.”
Daveda Karanas
Mezzo-soprano
In the operatic circuit, experience is everything. By the time mezzo-soprano Daveda Karanas was announced as winner of the prestigious 2008 Metropolitan National Council Auditions, she already had an extensive and impressive résumé—she was well versed in choral music, opera, musicals, symphonic work and wind ensemble work.
“I always had a big voice. In most cases, people don’t know what to do with that—especially at a young age. At Southeastern they taught me the basics, which gave me a good foundation and allowed me to express myself in the best possible way,” she says.
Karanas’ path wasn’t always crystal clear, however. The Mandeville native originally enrolled at Southeastern as a music education major, planning to teach others how to be in command of their voices. After her very first campus performance, voice teacher Dr. Stephen Rushing encouraged her to consider changing her major to performance. She mulled it over for a week, and, as they say, the rest is history.
Opportunities to perform on campus flourished. Karanas sang solos in concert choir, played percussion in the wind symphony, had lead roles in operas and musicals and even performed with the Southeastern Wind Symphony at the College Band Directors’ National Association Gulf Coast Conference in Atlanta. She speaks of her days at Southeastern with a fond regard. “I loved the performance opportunities given to undergraduates. They definitely helped me get to where I am today. You learn a lot about opera and performing by being on stage and interacting with others. As long as you have good schooling and experience, I believe that helps you in this craft,” she says.
Since her prestigious win at the Metropolitan National Council Auditions, Karanas has also received the Shenson Performing Arts Fellowship, which helps young artists further their career objectives.
Any hopes of Karanas performing again at Southeastern? Karanas says, “I would love to come back and give thanks to a great university that gave this singer a chance.” With a voice described by The Times Picayune as “the biggest voice of the day” and by fans as “flawless,” her return will assuredly be well worth the wait.
Fanfare 2008
One of Southeastern’s greatest cultural contributions to the northshore area is October’s Fanfare. A month-long celebration of the arts, Fanfare offers more than 60 events, including art, dance, film, contemporary and classical music exhibits, lectures, children’s events, theatrical productions, workshops, master classes and much more.
Now in its 23rd year, Fanfare’s attendance has more than quadrupled from 11,000 people in 1986 to almost 50,000 attendees in 2007. Its humble beginning was a series of alternative activities for students in the fall when Southeastern had no football team. At that time, there was a national push to increase students’ awareness of the arts. The university’s Campus Activities Board, realizing the need to promote art awareness, worked diligently to turn Fanfare into the phenomenon it is today.
Why is Fanfare such a big hit? The answer is simple. The festival not only draws national artists and performers from around the world—it also provides a stage for local talent. Another factor contributing to Fanfare’s success is that it offers something for everyone, including children.
Fanfare also gives back to the community through its educational outreach programs, which have been estimated to reach more than 6,500 children annually throughout south Louisiana. These programs bring students to the theatre and take performers and artists into classrooms and auditoriums across the region.
“Fanfare provides an opportunity for many children who may not normally have the chance to attend performing arts events to see something they’ve never seen before,” says Michelle Biggs, associate director for marketing for the Columbia Theatre.
One crowd favorite is the Missoula Children’s Theatre, a touring production, which features local talent. Sixty children from the surrounding area were featured last year. This year, auditions will be held for “Robinson Crusoe.”
More than 60 percent of Fanfare’s events are free to the public, and students receive discounted rates. “We hope to draw more families from outer communities,” says Biggs. “We want to continue to extend the gift of the arts to the surrounding community.”
Fanfare 2008 features:
• Hodding Carter, journalist—keynote speaker
• Michael Atonello, violinist—music on a centuries-old Stradivarius
• Missoula Children’s Theatre—local children in “Robinson Crusoe”
• American Palace Theatre—a one-man adaptation of “The Kite Runner”
• Kenneth Boulton, pianist—Grammy Award nominee
• Elisa Monte Dance—“Zydeco,” created for and about Louisiana
• New Orleans Opera Association—Opera on Tap
• Old Time Gospel Hour—at the Tangipahoa Parish African-American Heritage Museum
• Then and Now Lecture Series—from “American Pie” to female terrorists.
For complete Fanfare 2008 event and ticket information, see columbiatheatre.org or contact Michelle Biggs at 985-543-4366.
Southeastern’s
Cultural Outreach
Southeastern’s cultural outreach programs aim to familiarize younger generations with the humanities and to nurture a passion for the arts. Faculty and students perform at various venues throughout the region. Most school-sponsored performances are free and open to the public.
Southeastern’s Community Music School makes such initiatives as music theory programs, private lessons or the chance to play in a chamber ensemble possible for students of all ages. Director Ken Boulton says, “Overseeing a program that is roughly 300-students strong is very special to me. My students give me great satisfaction as each successive year they become more certain of their own talents and abilities. To see them settle into their own rhythm is very satisfying to me.”
