Courses in the Spotlight

In this issue of PAN we will feature two courses offered at Riverland: College Choir and Stage Make-Up.
Over the past few years, the College Choir seems to have emerged as one of the more popular ensembles at Riverland. The Choir is comprised of a mix of students representing many majors--everything from music to nursing to computer tech. This group studies and performs a wide variety of literature from different cultures and musical styles. Recent concerts have included music from opera, Handel’s Messiah with the Austin Symphony Orchestra, mid-20th century choral music, and a Bach cantata with chamber orchestra. Currently the choir is studying pieces in French, Chinese, English, as well as a lively gospel setting of the Mass.
The choir has appeared at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center’s Alice Tully Hall, and at DisneyWorld. There is no audition required to participate in this ensemble.

Stage Make-Up appeared as a course offering at Riverland in Fall of 2005. It was added to the curriculum as a course primarily intended for AFA-Theatre majors, though it is open to all students.
This course is designed to be an introduction to the skill and art of make-up design and application for actors on the stage or screen. Beginning with the basic fundamentals of youth and age make-up and continuing through special effects of latex and prosthetics, the student use skills acquired in the course to enhance character development.
As a part of their course grade, students in Stage Make-Up class are usually required to display their work on themselves and/or others at the Fall semester Fine Arts Showcase, held in December. The students on display are murder victims, wood nymphs, octogenerians, animals, and more.