Articles by author: Brock University

• Brock University condemns actions of some students on St. Patrick’s Day

  Monday, March 20, 2017 | By Brock University

  MEDIA RELEASE: 18 March 2017 – R00058

  Brock University takes pride in being a community partner in St. Catharines and, as such, it is disappointed by the actions of a small portion of its student population Friday.
   
  A large group of people, including Brock students, gathered on a residential street near the Pen Centre on St. Patrick’s Day. The gathering was shut down by the Niagara Regional Police later in the day.
   
  The University is aware of the situation and is fully co-operating with the investigation by the NRPS. In addition, a group of student and staff volunteers went to the area Saturday morning to assist in cleaning up garbage left on the street from the unfortunate actions of some students.

  Brock University officials are also committed to meeting with the City of St. Catharines and the NRPS in the coming weeks to discuss how this type of incident can be prevented in the future.

  “These deplorable actions do not reflect Brock University’s culture or values and this group, both from Brock and elsewhere, do not represent our student population of almost 19,000,” said Interim President Tom Traves.
   
  Leading up to St. Patrick’s Day, Brock University staff canvased numerous high-density student residential areas to give a reminder about the importance of being responsible citizens, and to hand out garbage bags and tags, responsible drinking guides, taxi numbers and other information.
   
  Brock also worked with the NRPS to have extra officers on hand both on campus and in these neighbourhoods.
   
  “On behalf of the Brock University Students’ Union, we would like to apologize for what took place Friday,” said Curtis Gadula, Director of Student Life and Communications for BUSU. “We pride ourselves on the many students who give so much back to our community, and we find it embarrassing that students were involved in this incident.”

  For more information or for assistance arranging interviews:
   
  * Dan Dakin, Media Relations Officer, Brock University ddakin@brocku.ca, 905-688-5550 x5353 or 905-347-1970

  Brock University Marketing and Communications has a full-service studio where we can provide high definition video and broadcast-quality audio.

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  Categories: Media releases

• Brock Department of Music to add string orchestra

  Friday, March 17, 2017 | By Brock University

  MEDIA RELEASE: 17 March 2017  – R00057

  A new string orchestra coming this fall will help attract new students and community musicians to Brock University’s Department of Music.

  For the first time in its 47-year history, the Department of Music will offer String Orchestra as part of its ensemble bank starting in September. The addition will make the Department’s programs more appealing to potential students, as it brings a much stronger string presence to its activities.

  “We have been trying to attract quality string students to the Department, and our lack of in-house orchestra has definitely been a detriment,” says Department of Music Chair Karin Di Bella.

  The string group will be added to the existing ensemble roster of the Brock University Choirs, and the Brock University Wind Ensemble.

  The String Orchestra has been developed to serve two key needs: filling a need in the Department’s curriculum; and providing a place for community string players to share their talents.

  “We have appreciated a partnership with the Niagara Symphony Youth Orchestra and the community-based Mercredi Musique in the past, but incoming students really want their ensemble experience to be housed at the University,” says Di Bella.

  Based on the successful model of the Wind Ensemble, the String Orchestra will work as a partnership between the Department and the community, welcoming community members to the group to fill out the numbers needed for the ensemble to be viable.

  Mercredi Musique is a key partner in the development of this new ensemble. Following the loss of their long-time music director Paul Van Dongen, the group ceased activity at the end of the 2015-16 season.

  “We are enthusiastic in our support of this endeavour. It’s an ideal direction for both the community and the University,” says Chris Thorne, former concertmaster of Mercredi Musique.

  Community string players are welcome to audition for the new Brock University String Orchestra. Auditions will be held this summer, with information posted on the Department website in the coming months. Auditions for an ensemble conductor will also be held. Any string specialists interested in applying for the conductor position should check Brock’s Human Resources listings, and let the Department know of their interest.

  The String Orchestra will rehearse during the academic year from 7 to 10 p.m. Wednesdays in Cairns Recital Hall, FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre.
   

  For more information or for assistance arranging interviews:
   
  * Dan Dakin, Media Relations Officer, Brock University ddakin@brocku.ca, 905-688-5550 x5353 or 905-347-1970

  Brock University Marketing and Communications has a full-service studio where we can provide high definition video and broadcast-quality audio.

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  Categories: Media releases