Emeriti Council programs continuing

Contact: Jeanne Baron

KALAMAZOO--The second half of this season's Wednesday II meetings put on by the Western Michigan University's Emeriti Council is under way.

All emeriti and surviving spouses are invited to attend these meetings, which take place at 2 p.m. the second Wednesday of each month from September through May in Walwood Hall's Heinig Emeriti Lounge. In addition to camaraderie and light refreshments, the gatherings include interesting programs.

Photo of Terry .

Williams

Next up will be a presentation on "The Stages of My Life" Feb. 8 by D. Terry Williams, professor emeritus of theatre. Williams will explore the theatres that influenced the teaching of theatre history as well as stage director choices. By examining past and present theatre structures, he says the development of theatre and drama can be traced in all of their iterations.

His presentation will address questions such as:

  • Did the structure of drama determine theatre architecture or vice versa?
  • Were the Greeks really the true founders of drama and the creators of the first theatres?
  • What did Shakespeare's Globe Theatre really look like?
  • What plays fit what types of theatres?

Other upcoming programs

  • March 7, "Sounds of the Trumpet in Popular Music/Big Band Themes" will be presented by Bill Morris, associate professor emeritus of accounting and co-director of the Portage Senior Band as well as President of the Kalamazoo Federation of Musicians.

    The two-part program will include a live performance demonstrating the various trumpet mutes used when playing popular songs of the 1920s through 1960s and performances of big band theme songs. Audience members will be asked to identify some of songs and band leaders.
  • April 11, "Our Adventure with Quilting" will be presented by Mary Cain and Mary Cordier, professor emerita and associate professor emerita of education and professional development, respectively.

    The two will present illustrations of quilting in people's lives in past times as well as today and discuss variations of traditional and original quilt patterns. Several quilts will be on display.

Visit wmich.edu/emeriti for more information.