PURSUITS: June 26, 2017

Dr. Marc O'Reilly (political science) presented How to Do Model United Nations at the International Studies Association's recent conference at the University of Hong Kong on June 17.

Dr. Nate Beres (chemistry) was selected as one of 20 faculty members in the U.S. to participate in an NSF-sponsored Chemisty Collaborations, Workshops & Communities of Scholars, Art and Chemistry Workshop at Whitman College in Walla Walla, Wash. The workshop was held June 4-9. Participants looked at how art could be built into chemistry labs as well as looking at modern chemical techniques used in art conservation.

Faculty members and friends from the School of Music & Theater, both past and present, were very active at the annual meeting of the International Double Reed Society, held at Lawrence University in Appleton Wis., from June 20-14. Composer Doug McConnell received a performance of his recent composition, Four States of Mind, for oboe and piano by former Heidelberg SMT faculty member Melissa Bosma; her collaborative pianist was Allison Shinnick. Each of the movements in the 15-minute work celebrates its own state of mind: Mischievous, Tranquil, Indulgent and Purposeful. 

Current Heidelberg oboe specialist Andreas Oeste won an honorable mention in the 2017 Fernand Gillet-Hugo Performance competition. Andreas was one of five finalists from around the world who were selected to perform in the competition for the final round. Each finalist presented a 30-minute program of required repertoire before a panel of distinguished judges. 

Also performing at the conference were several musicians who have taught at Heidelberg in the recent past; all of them play the bassoon! The list included Susan Nelson McNamee, Eric Varner and Amanda Patronik. Composer Jenni Brandon, a recent guest composer at the New Music Festival was also in attendance to hear several of her latest compositions for double reed instruments. 

Dr. Bill Reyer (English) recently served as the Laureate Award poetry judge for the National Amateur Press Association. Additionally, Bill served as one of four judges in the sixth Trivia Night in Downtown Tiffin on July 10, sponsored by SIEDC.