Media releases

• Rams, Badgers set to clash in downtown basketball games

  Thursday, November 15, 2018 | By Brock University

  MEDIA RELEASE: 15 November 2018 – R00201

  Two university basketball rivals will battle once again Saturday on the biggest stage in Niagara.

  The Brock Badgers men’s and women’s basketball teams will take on the Ryerson Rams in a doubleheader at the Meridian Centre in St. Catharines Saturday, Nov. 17. The 2-3 Badgers women will face the undefeated 5-0 Rams at 6 p.m. while the 4-1 Badgers men will face the 5-0 Rams men’s team at 8 p.m.

  Badgers men’s head coach Madhav Trivedi says it will be a good test for his team against the No. 2 team in Canada.

  “We’re playing one of the best teams in the country on home soil, so it’s going to be exciting,” said Trivedi. “When you play in a bigger venue, that college hoops atmosphere really comes out. Brock University and this event is proof of how far we’ve come in Canada with university basketball. The fans from Brock and the fans Ryerson brings with them are tremendous for our sport.”

  The Rams lead the OUA in field goal percentage (52.1 per cent), rebounds (47.2 per game) and points per game (95.6). Brock is right behind Ryerson in all of these categories and the Badgers lead the league in three-point percentage (39.5 per cent).

  “Every game we play is important. It’s an opportunity to for us to get better,” said Trivedi. “We get to see where we measure up every game.”

  The Badgers lineup consists of a balanced scoring attack made up of Johneil Simpson, Cassidy Ryan, Tyler Brown and sophomore Daniel Cayer. Ryerson is led by senior guard JV Mukama and sophomore forward Tanor Ngom.

  The women will also have a big test against the Rams after winning back-to-back games on the road last weekend.

  “We’re looking forward to playing in an unbelievable venue. I would like our players to take in as much of the day and game as possible,” said women’s head coach Mike Rao. “We are very fortunate to have this opportunity. We’ll put forth our best effort and that’s all I can ask.”

  The Rams will be challenged in defending Brock’s dynamic guard Melissa Tatti, who is fourth in the OUA with 19.6 points per game, and rebound machine Courtney McPherson (7.6 rebounds per game).

  Tickets for the doubleheader are on sale on Ticketmaster online with prices set at $15 for adults, $10 for students and seniors, and $8 for kids 12 and under. Limited courtside seats are available for $35. For every student ticket sold, $1 will be donated to the Brock University Students’ Union Food First Program, an on-campus food bank supporting undergraduate and graduate students.

  Doors for Saturday’s games will open at 5 p.m. and the first 500 fans into the Meridian Centre will receive a free Brock Badgers T-shirt.

  Note: Media planning to attend Saturday’s game should RSVP to Stephen Leithwood and use the Community Entrance at the Meridian Centre.

  For more information or for assistance arranging interviews:

  * Stephen Leithwood, Communications Officer, Brock Sports/Ancillary Services sleithwood@brocku.ca, 905-688-5550 ext. 4752 

  * Dan Dakin, Manager Communications and Media Relations, Brock University ddakin@brocku.ca, 905-688-5550 x5353 or 905-347-1970

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  Categories: Media releases

• Avanti Chamber Singers to commemorate the Christmas Truce at first concert of the season

  Wednesday, November 14, 2018 | By Brock University

  MEDIA RELEASE: 14 November 2018 – R00200

  On Christmas Day, 1914, French, British and German soldiers along the Western Front laid down their weapons, emerged from the trenches and joined in song to celebrate the season. Now referred to as the Christmas Truce, the unofficial ceasefire was a symbolic moment of peace and humanity amid the violence of the First World War.

  To mark the 100th anniversary of the 1918 armistice, conductor Rachel Rensink-Hoff will lead the Avanti Chamber Singers in a performance to remember the truce on Saturday, Nov. 24 at St. Thomas’ Anglican Church in St. Catharines. This marks the first performance of the season for Brock’s choir in residence.

  Titled And on Earth, Peace, the concert will include Remembrance Day tributes, popular songs from the time of the First World War and classic Christmas carols. Songs will be performed in English, German and French, and the audience will be invited to sing along to carols that soldiers would have sung.

  “The moving story of the Christmas Truce was fitting inspiration for our first performance of the season,” said Rensink-Hoff, Assistant Professor of Music in the Marilyn I. Walker School of Fine and Performing Arts. “As we look back to Remembrance Day and forward to the holiday season, we will join together in song — just as those soldiers did more than 100 years ago.”

  Many differing stories about the Christmas Truce have been shared. Even today, it is still unclear exactly what happened on Christmas Day all those years ago.

  The most commonly shared account is that soldiers all sang carols together in celebration on Christmas Eve before emerging to wish their enemies a Merry Christmas the next day. After the soldiers ceased fire, they met to exchange small gifts and souvenirs.

  The Avanti Chamber Singers is comprised of 30 musicians from around the Niagara region.

  Rensink-Hoff said she works with different individuals every year, and hopes to showcase the hard work and talent of this year’s choir at the opening concert.

  “The challenge with a new choir is gelling together as a group — not just musically, but interpersonally,” she said. “This is now my second season with Avanti and it makes a big difference when you know people more closely because it helps all of us feel that we are in this together.”

  Accompanying the Avanti Chamber Singers will be pianist and organist Lesley Kingham and guest trumpeter Timothy White.

  And on Earth, Peace takes place Saturday, Nov. 24 at 7:30 p.m. Advanced tickets are available through the Avanti Singers website, at Thorold Music and Booksmart, or from choir members for $20 for adults and seniors. Tickets at the door are $25 for adults and $20 for seniors. A $5 ticket is available for students and eyeGo program members.

  The Avanti Chamber Singers will also be performing on Feb. 23 and April 27 at St. Thomas’ Anglican Church.

  Rensink-Hoff is also the conductor for the Brock University Choirs, which includes both the chamber choir and the new women’s choir. Their first performance will take place Dec. 1.

  For more information about upcoming choral performances, visit the Brock University Music website.

  For more information or for assistance arranging interviews:

  * Dan Dakin, Manager Communications and Media Relations, Brock University ddakin@brocku.ca, 905-688-5550 x5353 or 905-347-1970

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  Categories: Media releases