4/18/2007 - Belmont Vision
Transcription
4/18/2007 - Belmont Vision
Feature www.belmontvision.com Spirituality and creativity Though not many students on campus know about it, several Belmont students are finding a bridge between their spiritual and artistic sides through a relatively new major. p. 6-7 News The student newspaper of Belmont University Vol. 56, No. 14 April 18, 2007 1 break, 11 days Spring, Easter combined in ‘08 By Chansin Bird Due to the early date of Easter and Belmont’s hopes to host the Atlantic Sun conference basketball tournament next year, spring break ‘08 will come immediately after Easter break. This reverses the usual order of school holidays and will put spring break – March 20-30 – two and a half weeks later than it was this year. Administrators moved spring break back a week because they knew they were going bid on the A-Sun tournament and wanted to have the students on campus for the event. “It’s a much better tournament if the students are here,” Athletic Director Mike Strickland said. Then they realized Easter break was going to be earlier than usual. “I think coming back from spring break and turning around a week and a half later for another break makes little sense,” Provost Dan McAlexander said. Instead of having two separate breaks from school in the spring, students will have a longer break. “A fairly large percentage of our students live a fairly significant distance away,” McAlexander said. “They’re probably going to be flying home. This gives them an opportunity to be home, spend Easter with their families, and extend their spring break. They will not have to do double travel.” This also means spring break will actually occur in the spring. Students can hope for warmer weather, as the first day of spring is officially March 20 in 2008. As for the A-Sun tournament, Belmont last hosted in 2004 and 2005. “Spring break did start on the Friday we were doing the semifinals, and students were leaving campus,” Strickland said. “We got some students to say they’d start their spring break when the tournament was over. We had a donor donate the tickets for them.” Belmont will submit a two-year bid in May to host the tournament again, and the decision will be made in June. “The tournament committee makes a selection,” Strickland said. “In the A-Sun, they are looking for who puts the most money on the table, who makes the highest bid.” The tournament dates will be March 5-8. This coming year will be the first time the conference will have a combined tournament for men’s and women’s basketball. “I think we’ve got a really good chance,” Strickland said. “I think the league would like to have it here. Everyone likes to come to Nashville. And they know we’ll do a good job with it.” Middle Tennessee State University and Tennessee State University are going to be on spring break March 3-7. Vanderbilt will take its break March 5-11. Lipscomb University and the Metropolitan Nashville public school district will be away March 17-21. Belmont will be one of the last schools in Nashville to go on holiday. SENIOR WRITER It’s a race! Belmont hosted the Nashville Mayoral Forum on Apr. 13 at the Massey Performing Arts Center (MPAC) for the upcoming race in August. Two Belmont student panelists quizzed the six candidates on issues relevant to the Belmont student community. p. 3 Sports Flamethrowers Summer’s close, which means things are starting to heat up on the diamond for the Bruins’ baseball team, and nobody brings the heat better than BU’s strikeout-hungry trio of Charles Lee, Josh Moffitt and Carlo Testa, above. Also, Wilson Tucker breaks the all-time hits record. What record will fall next for Belmont’s consensus A-Sun first-teamer? p. 8 Entertainment Best of the Best, baby! It’s all come down to this: the outright champions of Pop/Rock, Country, Christian, Urban and Other Showcases, as well as five top songwriters from the Writers’ Showcase, will be featured in the comprehensive Best of the Best Showcase at 7 p.m. Saturday, Apr. 28. p. 10 Online Sports editor Jordan Drake’s NFL mock draft Check it out at: www.belmontvision.com Sing it Greek style PHOTOS BY SIERRA MITCHELL During Belmont’s annual Greek Week, sorority and fraternity members used “Greek Sing” as an opportunity to raise their voices and encourage new members. Among the participants were, top, members of Phi Mu and, bottom, Alpha Tau Omega. Students probe links between art, grace By Chansin Bird For junior Lucas Cummins, “Religion and music are two aspects of my life that naturally coexist and complement one another.” Belmont’s Religion and the Arts program enables him to fully pursue both fields, which he believes will prepare him for the career he wants, working in the music industry with a strong background in religion. Many Belmont students don’t know much, if anything, about the Religion and the Arts major. This Thursday they will have the opportunity to not only learn about this new major but also view some pieces created by Religion and the Arts students. Visual art, poetry, essays and musical compositions will be on display in a convocation event, and there will be a brief presentation about the major as well. The symposium class, made up of predominantly upperclass Religion and the Arts majors, has organized the gallery exhibition to share their work and introduce people to the program, launched in the fall of 2005. “It’s explicitly set up to be a forum where students can reflect artistically on a theological theme,” professor Steve Guthrie said. “This show isn’t claiming to be the five best songwriters at Belmont or the 10 best photographers, but here are some attempts at integration. Here are some students who are trying to draw together who they are as Christians and what they love to do as artists.” The event’s theme is “Overflow: profligate grace and reckless beauty.” Students in the major consider the question, “What does art do?” Guthrie said that contemporary SENIOR WRITER Getting There WHO: For all students and faculty, put on by the Religion and Arts Symposium class WHAT: Convocation with a "gallery exhibition sort of feel,” featuring art, photography, writings and music pieces by Religion and the Arts students. Also, information about the Religion and the Arts major. THEME: “Overflow: profligate grace and reckless beauty” WHEN: Thursday, April 19 from 79 p.m. WHERE: Neely Dining Room CONVO CREDIT: Christian Faith Development American culture tends to ask of everything, “What’s this good for? What can I do with this?” “Art encourages us to look at an object – not in terms of some benefit we derive from it – but for it’s own sake,” Guthrie said. That way of looking at things is not very far removed from the Christian idea of grace, he said. “God looks at us and doesn’t say, ‘What’s this good for? What’s in it for me?’” Guthrie said. “Rather, God pours out love to creatures who don’t have very much to offer.” See RELIGION AND ARTS, page 2 Page 2 The Belmont Vision, April 18, 2007 Stars show up, but students complain about CMT show By Rachel Allen The Country Music Television Music Awards returned to Belmont’s campus for a second year on Mon. April 16. For security reasons, the Beaman Student Life Center and other parts of campus were shut down for days around the event, creating more than a few frustrated students and faculty. Here is what some of them had to say: STAFF WRITER "Parking is just ridiculous...having the show here is good publicity, but it could be better planned." Christina Coomer, freshman Religion and the Arts major "I'm glad we can have it, it's good publicity, I know, but seriously, don't shut down campus. What is more important--academics or publicity?" - Megan Gleckler, junior commercial voice major who can't get her posters approved for a recital on Friday because Beaman is closed. "Don't forget the students." - Emily Bishop, junior medical imaging technology major "They don't benefit us much and they get in the way." - Ben Bryan, sophomore political science major "They need to work on their relationship with the students. We're trying to get an education here; we're not just hanging out, and they're hindering that education." - Krystal Long, sophomore media studies major RELIGION AND ARTS, from page 1 The show is organized around this theme of overflow - a God who pours out abundance and a world filled with good blessings. All students are encouraged to come, particularly people who are interested in the Religion and the Arts major. Beyond that, Guthrie thinks anybody who is interested in this dialogue between religion and the arts would benefit. “The Religion and the Arts [classes] … put my art in the context of a real and secular world, rather than relegating it to the corner of a church building,” Jessica Brandhorst said. Attendees will be able to take home a Religion and the Arts journal, titled “Life Abundant”, which features many of the pieces from the show. Because the symposium class is offered every other year, this convo event may only occur that often, but it’s possible a forum for Religion and the Arts students will be organized to present their work annually. “We have a lot of really gifted, creative people in this new major,” Guthrie said. “It’s great for them to have this outlet to present some of the things they’re working on.” Stylin’ Models get dressed up and take to the runway for a fashion show by Feedback Clothing, Belmont’s on-campus fashion boutique. Among the participants, clockwise from top, are Megan Andrelski and Lindsey Wagner; Lindsay Timberlake; and makeup models Steven McWilliams and Aubrie Wilson. PHOTOS BY ZOLLIE WILSON BURS presentations April 25 By Ameshia Cross After months of hard work, stressful moments and frequent visits with advisers, in the Honors Program, College of Arts and Sciences and Education, Religion and Business Schools will present their research theses in front of professors, students and faculty as part of Belmont Connections. The presentations are for BURS – the 17th annual Belmont Undergraduate Research Symposium – April 25. “Over the years it has grown from a few students to over hundreds,” Academic Outreach and Undergraduate Research Coordinator Dr. Glenn Acree said. There are between 110-120 presentations this year. Each student will have 20-30 minutes to present their thesis and the groundwork of their research. But there is a slight difference in BURS this year. “We will have a poster session, it’s an opportunity STAFF WRITER for students to display the work they’ve done over the past year,” Acree said. The posters will be on tri-fold boards and students will be near them to explain their significance to observers. Belmont’s BURS keynote speaker this year is Dr. Gary Wells, a psychology professor at Iowa State University and an internationally recognized scholar in scientific psychology and eyewitness memory. He was a founding member of the U.S. Department of Justice group that developed the first set of national guidelines for eyewitness evidence. Academic Lecture convocation credit will be given for those students who attend BURS. “For those who will have to present their research in the future, it is important to know what it’s like,” Acree said. “Even if you won’t have to present, it’s a great learning experience. Undergraduate research is a way of teaching what students can’t get in the classroom.” 1900 Belmont Blvd., Nashville TN, 37212 Phone: (615) 460-6433 E-mail: [email protected] Editor: Managing Editor: Online Editor: Photo Editor: A&E Editor: Sports Editor: Advertising: Faculty Adviser: Online/Graphics Adviser: Henry Nichols Melanie Bengtson Joanna Larson Sierra Mitchell Andrew Cole Jordan Drake Karen Bennett Linda Quigley Angela Smith Senior Staff: Adaeze Elechi, Chansin Bird, Chris Speed, Eric Detweiler Contributors: Lisa Johnston, Courtney Drake, Rachel Allen, Ameshia Cross, Rachel Waller, Jessica Walker, Matt Reynolds, Bethany Arthur, Meaghan Mitchell, Ray Taylor, Sarah Mitchell, Jeanette Ceja, Bland Clark, Chase Misenheimer, Lance Conzett, Katie Ragsdale, Joseph Shelby, Danae Hutchinson The Belmont Vision, April 18, 2007 Page 3 Mayoral candidates address local issues By Ameshia Cross Voting can be a difficult task - especially when there is a myriad of candidates. Where do you start? Belmont University hosted the Nashville Mayoral Forum April 13 in the Massey Performing Arts Center. Harry Chapman, director of development for major gifts, moderated the forum for Nashville mayoral candidates David Briley, Bob Clement, Karl Dean, Buck Dozier, Kenneth Eaton and Howard Gentry. Chapman opened by saying, “six out of 10 students remain in Tennessee after they graduate,” although students are gradually moving to bigger cities to find work. Belmont Vision editor and senior journalism major Henry Nichols began questioning the candidates about what their plans were in regard to keeping students in Tenn. “We need to keep college graduates in Nashville,” Clement said. He believes that having a clean, green, safe and affordable Nashville are the key elements in keeping students in Tenn. after they have completed their studies. Dean echoed this, saying, “Nashville is a city that is a perfect place to raise a family.” “The economic, social and cultural diversity in Nashville make it a place where students should want to stay,” Dozier said. Briley actually went farther in his response, “I will make sure we have more neighborhoods where people can work and play. I will start a program where students can come and work with the government and pay off their student loans within five years.” James Madison Society Vice President Lauren Williams probed the candidates as well with questions regarding environmental awareness and growth. Dozier began by saying, “Environmental care is a moral issue.” Eaton was not so convinced that environmental initiatives would make a difference at all. The candidates also expressed interest in the future of today’s college students. “Your generation will discover the new wealth,” Briley said. Each candidate got a chance to say why he deserves to be the next mayor of Nashville. “I believe in bridges. We need bridges to connect us culturally, ideologically and religiously,” Briley said. “Endowment for schools, hometown security, common sense, decency and accountability will be brought to Nashville if I am elected,” Dozier said. “I am running for mayor because Nashville can be a better place, diversity is its true treasure. We can have the best education systems and together we can keep Nashville flourishing,” Gentry said. “I have a plan. A plan for the environment, community and the overall growth of Nashville,” Briley said. “I want to see Nashville reduce crime, increase job availability, build smarter transit systems and become more environmentally conscious. We need to match our resources with volunteerism,” said Clement. STAFF WRITER School of pharmacy will open for ‘08-’09 By Lance Conzett Belmont may be known primarily for its music business school, but the university is quickly attempting to establish itself as a center for medical training. The latest expansion of its health care programs – including physical therapy, occupational therapy and nursing – comes in the form of a school of pharmacy, set to open in the 2008-09 school year. Belmont isn’t the only university to institute a pharmacy program, however. When the school opens, it will be the third new pharmacy program in the Middle Tennessee area. Cross-boulevard rival Lipscomb University and Union University in Jackson, Tenn., both plan to open similar programs in the same time period. Both of these programs, as well as East Tennessee State University’s program, which started in January 2007, likely will vie for prospective students in direct competition with Belmont. According to Belmont’s initial announcement, projections indicate 1,060 new pharmacy positions will be needed in Tennessee alone; there will be an expected shortage of 157,000 nationwide by 2020. But despite this, some have seen the increase as possible oversaturation. Jennifer Athay, associate director of student development with the American Pharmacists Association, was quoted in wire service reports saying, “I know there have been some discussions within the pharmacy profession about, ‘OK. When is it going to be too much?’” Although the pharmacy school has been formally announced, little is known about STAFF WRITER A growing need The addition of a pharmacy school at Belmont is expected to help meet the need – and provide jobs – in a growing marketplace. The American Foundation for Pharmaceutical Education reports: • A Jan. 2003 survey by the National Association of Chain Drug Stores reported 5,499 vacant drug store pharmacist positions. • Government and industry surveys point to unprecedented increases in the volume of prescriptions. Between 1992-99, the average number of prescriptions each community pharmacist filled rose 32 percent. • Administrative time to handle third-party payments for prescriptions now consumes 10- 20 percent of a pharmacist’s time. how it will operate. It has been described as a four-year graduate studies program, but the university has not established a curriculum, and five of the seven jobs that have been advertised in higher education listings since Dec. 1 remain active. The position of founding dean is no longer listed among the openings, but the university has not revealed if the post has been filled. These and other details are expected to be finalized closer to the scheduled opening. In recent years, Belmont has focused heavily on expanding its health care facilities. The Gordon E. Inman Health Services Building was opened in August 2006 after a similar situation was brought to light. A nurse shortage in Tennessee caused the university to establish a “fast track” program for nursing student graduates. PHOTO BY SIERRA MITCHELL Upcoming Nashville mayoral candidates David Briley, Bob Clement and Karl Dean push to gain the vote of Belmont students as they listen to an opening statement from Harry Chapman, Belmont director of development for major gifts. The six candidates in the August election participated in a forum at Belmont April 13. Representatives of Belmont’s democrat and republican collegiate organizations were in attendance, among other political groups. The candidates left a lasting impression on senior Belmont Ambassador Molly Smith. “I wasn’t familiar with the candidates before the forum,” she said. Incentives to get students to attend the forum included class credit for some and convocation credit for all. But Smith didn’t come for either of those reasons, “I wanted to hear each of them and see what they were really like. They had their individual platforms but they were still relatable to students,” she said. Page 4 ideas The Belmont Vision, April 18, 2007 Let us know what you think. Send a signed letter, 400 words maximum, with your local telephone number, to The Editor, Belmont Vision, 1900 Belmont Blvd., Nashville, TN 37212. E-mail submissions are also accepted; send them to [email protected]. E Aday in the life U.S. v. China: piracy wars It’s just another day in the life…except today’s unusual because you pull into the Inman parking deck and there are a few more spaces than usual. You exit your car with 10 minutes to spare, walk into class and head towards the third row where your friends are already waiting. “Did you hear what happened?” they ask in a tone of heightened wonder and disbelief. “No…” “Some dude shot a girl to death in Thrailkill this morning.” “No way!” “I wonder if it was that same dude who stole stuff from people’s dorms.” “When did all this happen?” “Like about an hour ago.” “That gives new meaning to the name Thrailkill!” A few minutes later, your professor comes in and everyone excitedly asks what the deal is with the shootings and what has been done to take care of it. “Why are we still here when there’s a killer on campus?” you ask. “What if he comes over here?” somebody else asks. HENRY NICHOLS “Don’t worry guys,” the professor says. “The building supervisor just got off the phone with the provost and said it’s all being taken care of. They’ll let us know if there are any updates. Just stay calm.” Everyone keeps whispering to each other as class begins. A few people didn’t show, but no one leaves. Everyone is calm as class begins. Half an hour passes and you’re almost asleep. Late into the class period, you open your eyes again, only this time they stay open. You hear a few very audible cracks and stumble out of your chair in a state of surreal shock. After a few seconds and more of the same, you begin to notice screaming and blood near you. It sounds like gunfire…it is gunfire. You don’t know what to do because you don’t want to get shot. You hide behind your chair in the auditorium. You can’t think. You freeze. A few seconds later, though it seems like an eternity, the gunfire stops. Your group on the far side of the room starts gasping and nervously sighing a few seconds later, peering intently over the classroom towards the door to make sure the assailant is gone. Now you and your friends are variably cursing and rush to see what the damage is. Immediately, you see familiar faces not moving. You pause and then rush to their side, pulling them face-up to see what happened. In horror, you find a couple pulses have stopped. Others are bleeding profusely, crying. You whip out your cell to dial 911, only to find a few others are already doing so. You call anyway and give a tone of utmost urgency to respond to a shooting. You want to run to the bathroom to find some paper towels but you’re too scared. Meanwhile, you do what you can to care for and comfort people whose time may be finite. You still expect to wake up at any moment. Life is playing a cruel trick on you. What cruel soul could do something like this? This isn’t happening! And you do eventually wake up…and thank God it wasn’t Belmont. 48 hours has passed since one of the darkest days in recent American history. Monday morning on Virginia Tech’s campus, over 30 people (and counting) were slain by an as-yet-unknown gunman whose senseless acts of violence will forever be known as “Black Monday” in Blacksburg, Va. The massacre marked the deadliest shooting rampage in U.S. history, only eight years to the day after the Columbine High School shootings in Colorado. No one knows at this point the full extent of why or how this tragedy occurred. Nobody has any answers on how shootings like this can be prevented again. None know right now how this will affect school/national security in the time to come. The only thing anyone can do right now is pray for the families involved, for the souls of the innocent slain, for the recovery of those wounded in the hospital, and that we as a nation continue to be more compassionate towards each other and understanding to why things like this happen. After all, it was just another day in the life. Henry Nichols, Vision editor, is a senior journalism major. E-mail: [email protected] seriously impact U.S.-China relations. First, the After almost two years of trial-and-error, I have United States announced that it would levy a 20.3 found the perfect places for Chinese food in percent import tariff on coated paper from China. Nashville. According to Citysearch.com, there are Granted, there are defendable reaan astounding 146 Chinese restaurants in the greater MELANIE BENGTSON sons for the decision, however, I don’t believe that they truly outNashville area and, while I weigh the costs of posing such an have not tried them all, many unprecedented tariff. of them deliver disappointing Second, last week the United fried rice – if they deliver at States decided to file two piracy all. Today, I know to order suits against China through the from Beijing (off of Trousdale World Trade Organization. Lane) for delivery and to go to Piracy is a problem in China and Chinatown (in Green Hills) if I no one can dispute that fact. US want a nicer meal. companies – most of them proChinese restaurants are ducing music, movies, books, interesting places – a unique, etc. – lose between $1-3 billion often inauthentic meeting of in business each year because of East and West. Loaded with Chinese piracy. Often, movies calories and foreign appellaand CDs that have been illegally copied sell for tions like “moo goo gai pan” and “General Tso’s about $1 on the streets in China. The Chinese govchicken,” these dishes serve as a representation of ernment has been working –though not incredibly the impact of Chinese culture on the American way successfully – to combat the piracy problem within of life. its borders. The United States took yet another sigChina’s impact, however, is much more farnificant risk in its relationship with the country when reaching and intricate than many of us takeout-lovit filed these cases. Chinese officials have been quite ing college students realize. However, in the past clear – these actions will have serious consequences few weeks, the fragility of the relationship between on bilateral trade. our country and China has resurfaced into the politiFinally, two Hollywood stars are beginning their cal and economic spotlight. own crusade against the Chinese government. Mia In 2006, the United States imported more than Farrow and Steven Spielberg have begun to call the $287 billion worth of Chinese products, making 2008 Beijing Olympics the “Genocide Olympics” them our second largest import-trading partner. In and are urging a boycott because of the Chinese govturn, the United States exported $55 billion to China ernment’s as-yet-unwavering support of the in 2006. These economies are inextricably linked Sudanese government. Because of the relationship, and the United States has recently made a series of the UN Security Council has been unable to pass decisions that will seriously jeopardize further relasignificant sanctions against Sudan to punish them tions between the two. for their role in the Darfur genocide. Of course, China holds a unique position in the world today. when the campaign started and began to gain It has a rapidly growing economy, an ever-stabilizmomentum in the press, China sent a representative ing government, and a fierce amount of power in to the Sudan to convince the government there to global negotiations. It has veto power on the United accept peacekeeping forces from the UN. Nations Security Council, as well as a tremendous If the “Genocide Olympics” serves as a preceamount of influence with both North Korea and Sudan. The United States never could have success- dent, China will act decisively when its economic interests are in danger. (A boycott of the Olympics fully negotiated its deal with North Korea without would cost the Chinese billions of dollars.) While China’s help. China also has an incredibly strong there has obviously not been an end to the Darfur military that isn’t really being used much right now. China is posed to take over the United States’ dimin- conflict, the Chinese are acting in a way that begs a ishing role as the world superpower. Not to mention question: what will China’s reaction be to the recent the tiny inconvenient fact that the US has a $232 bil- U.S. actions (which certainly pose an economic threat to the Chinese)? The answer cannot possibly lion trade deficit with China. be a good one. The United States has already made So why, in light of these important facts, is the a good number of enemies in the international arena. United States making decisions that will seriously jeopardize our relationship with such a powerful eco- Can we really afford to tick off the world’s rising superpower? nomic and political power? Good question. I don’t have an answer; I just know that I’m not quite comMelanie Bengtson, Vision managing editor, is a fortable with the way things are going right now. In the last two weeks, the United States has made sophomore developmental politics major. Email: [email protected] a series of very uncomfortable decisions that will Letter to the Editor Show me the money ... for liberal arts To the editor: As a student with many loans I would like to know just exactly how much money this school is spending towards the liberal arts programs in this university. I have to say that I am skeptical about how much money this university is spending comparatively between the new sports complex, professor pay, building more practice rooms for music majors, academic scholarships and athletic scholarships. I would hope that the University Board of Directors would have enough wisdom to not increase tuition to pay for more athletic facilities as most students spend their spare time at concerts, internships and campus organizations rather than participating in athletic events. If they are indeed raising tuition to pay for the new athletic facilities let me express my utter disgust with their unwise decision that will leave music business majors, nurses, musicians, entrepreneurs and, yes, even religion majors with much larger debts once they graduate. Chris Balch The Belmont Vision, April 18, 2007 Page 5 What is it we “so proudly hail”? c Like any good citizen of these United States, I often find myself whistling “The Star-Spangled Banner” for no apparent reason. America, you have invaded me. Especially considering the vast number of baseball games I’ve attended over the years, it’s no surprise that the national anthem has managed to wriggle into my subconscious. I’ve heard it jazzed up, stripped down, harmonized, butchered, with trumpets, without trumpets, sung by women, sung by men, sung by Grammy winners, and sung by grandmothers. If I didn’t hear it once over the course of the next 49 years, I’d probably still be able to whistle it at my 70th birthday party. This makes me wonder what other bits of Americana have made their stealthy way into my being over the past two decades. This is partially spurred on by the subtle assumptions I made about the world based on time spent in New Jersey (where I was born), Louisville, Ky., (where I was raised), and Nashville (obvious). My family moved from Summit, N.J., to the Louisville suburbs a few months before Kindergarten Cop hit theaters. One of the first conversations I had with my mother after we moved took place during a ride to the grocery store. We were on a rural Kentucky highway, and the dialogue went something like this: “Where are all the cars?” “There aren’t as many people here as there were in Summit, Sweetie. We’re farther from the city here, so there’s not as much traffic.” “Okay. But Mom, where are all the cars?” The lack of gridlock was beyond my comprehension. Thirteen years later, the subsequent switch from Kentucky to Tennessee forced me to recognize one of Louisville’s regional peculiarities that I’d learned to take for granted. In a couple of days, the city of my upbringing will be slowly overtaken by outsiders. There will be a fireworks display, a boat race, hot air balloons, a parade, and a marathon. Women will begin wearing hats that Dr. Seuss would prob- ERIC DETWEILER “Welcome to the USA, where we constantly lament the sexual promiscuity of the teen-age population and constantly send songs like “Fergalicious” to the top of the charts.” Rock’s “The Great American Melting Pot” in an elementary school that was roughly 104 percent white. Welcome to the USA, where we constantly lament the sexual promiscuity of the teen-age population and constantly send songs like “Fergalicious” to the top of the charts. (In a similar vein, the American obsession with education hasn’t prevented a song entitled “Buy U a Drank” from stumbling onto iTunes’ top sellers list.) This is the land of the free, the Hardee’s Thickburger, and more diets than a fast food restaurant’s got calories. Do I sound pretentious? It’s only because I’m a deserved citizen of the best country in the world. Do I sound cynical? Affluence certainly never stopped us from acting like the world was falling apart. Do I hate America? No, although Bill O’Reilly might argue otherwise. Do I worry? Yes. I think I need to step out for a bit. ably dismiss as excessively bizarre. And on May 4, the schools in Louisville and the surrounding counties will be closed. Why? Because of a horse race that lasts approximately two minutes. Perhaps you’re familiar with the Kentucky Derby, perhaps not. Either way, during the years I spent in Kentucky’s public education system, I didn’t think it the least bit odd that we got the first Friday in May off every year. After all, there was betting to be done. I’ve finally adjusted to the idea that people in Nashville, only three hours down I-65, care more about Sara Evans than Secretariat, but the beginning of May still seems a little too quiet. Despite traveling a good bit within the States, the only foreign country I’ve ever visited is Canada. I’ve never been to Mexico, much less Spain (though I kind of like the music). I remain saddled with an American perspective. I am a citizen of the world’s wealthiest nation, a nation whose dominant religious text contains the line “Woe to you who are rich.” I grew up listening to Schoolhouse Senior writer Eric Detweiler is a senior English major. E-mail: [email protected] Friday YOUR FUTURE IS WITHIN REACH APRIL 20 APRIL 21 Wolfmother The Roots Drive-By Truckers Keller Williams Mat Kearney Amos Lee The Whigs Rocco DeLuca & The Burden Brett Dennen BANG BANG BANG The Dynamites featuring Charles Walker Naughty By Nature JYPSI The Old Silver Band And so is the money to pay for it College expenses should not be a roadblock for your future. Stay on track with an alternative loan from Campus Door. Get up to $250,000 to pay for college and make no payments until 12 months after you graduate. 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Lender is Lehman Brothers Bank, FSB. ©2007 Campus Door Inc. All Rights Reserved. Equal Opportunity Lender. Page 6 The Belmont Vision, April 18, 2007 Religion and the “This major prepares the student to be an effective interpreter of Christianity in contemporary culture. An interdisciplinary degree that allows the student to combine the study of religion with the study of music, art, or theater, the degree creates opportunities for students to prepare for ministry in a wide variety of fields where faith intersects with culture.” -Belmont University Catalog Facts Major was created: Fall 2005 36 Religion and the Arts majors 13 Freshmen 10 Sophomores 8 Juniors 5 Seniors 16 Guys 20 Girls 5 Honors students Possible Emphasis Choices: Music, Art, Theater, English Emphasis breakdown: 14 Music 9 Art 0 Theater 7 English 6 unaccounted for 4 Religion and the Arts minors *Approximate figures* Classes General Education Core Requirements for B.A. Prerequisites: New Testament and Exegesis Christian Doctrine Core Emphasis Vocation and Christian Life Spiritual Formation Christian Ethics Colloquium Area Emphasis Courses: Faith and Beauty Faith and Popular Culture Theology and the Arts Religion and the Arts Symposium Arts Focused Electives (Three courses from one art area) Total in Major: 30 credit hours Minor Requirements: 18 credit hours Electives: 15 credit hours Total: 128 credit hours Major more than job preparation By Chansin Bird When senior Clint Hamm explains to questioners what his Religion and the Arts major is, people often ask him, “What are you going to do with that?” “I don’t typically have an answer they expect to hear,” he said. “They expect some sort of profession, or they’ll hear ‘music’ and ‘Bible’ and so they assume I’ll lead worship in church or be a choir director. For me, the realm of possibilities is a lot bigger so it’s hard to relate that to people. So I say, ‘I don’t really know. We’ll see.’” Hailing from Largo, Fla., Hamm chose to come to Belmont to study music and run track. He spent his freshman year as a commercial music vocal performance major, but it wasn’t long until he ventured into the religion department. He heard about a new major called Religion and the Arts being offered the following fall, and it seemed like the perfect fit. “I was really excited about it. Before I SENIOR WRITER ever came to Belmont, I remember getting online and looking at the school of religion and wondering, ‘What if I’m supposed to do that?’” Hamm said. “I pushed Clint Hamm it in the back of my mind. It’s funny to think this is where I’ve ended up.” Fortunately for Hamm, he didn’t lose any credits from the change and will actu- ally be graduating a semester early this coming December. He’ll be among the first handful of students at Belmont to graduate with the major. “It’s really important to study art and theology in conjunction with one another,” Hamm said. “As artists, it’s important to understand the full breadth of the Gospel and how our role fits in that as members of the community of believers.” After graduation, Hamm hopes to spend some time traveling, and he particularly wants to spend time in a Latin American country. He’s a Spanish minor and has been to Guatemala and wants to go back. He may eventually go to seminary, too. “I don’t want to stop being an artist but I don’t feel like I have to commercialize it,” Hamm said. “I want art to be a big part of my life no matter what I’m doing. Maybe this major more than anything is going to be something I incorporate into my life, into my personhood. That seems more important to me than a job.” Interests span both mind, soul By Chansin Bird Freshman Meghan Gwaltney was attracted to Belmont by the flexibility of the honors program, but she knew from the start that she wanted to be a Religion and the Arts major. “I think it’s really interesting to see how religion is portrayed in literature and affects literature,” she said. Her emphasis is therefore English literature, but she also has a strong interest in art history. Belmont doesn’t offer many art history courses, Gwaltney said, so she plans to study in Dresden, Germany, during her junior year. “Both religion and the arts are very important to our culture individually,” Gwaltney said. “A culture is shaped by the religion that is practiced, and art is an expression of that culture. It’s important to look at how those two things that are SENIOR WRITER important by themselves can be even more important when they are connected.” She gets to take the same basic religion classes all religion majors take, and she is happy to find them more challenging than the Sunday school classes she went to growing up. “I’m learning more than just the Bible stories that have a happy ending,” Gwaltney said. “To me, it makes Christianity more meaningful and increases my faith. It’s something I learn for myself and not just something I’ve been brought up with.” Her father, Dr. Darrell Gwaltney, is the dean of Belmont’s religion school. He’s the one who started the Religion and the Arts program, originally told her about it, and he’s even been her teacher already. “It wasn’t weird,” she said. “Before he taught, he was a pastor. I was used to hearing him preach so it was like that.” Meghan Gwaltney “I became a Religion and the Arts major at the end of my sophomore year. As an upcoming senior, my first full year in this major has been nothing short of a breath of fresh air. The Religion and the Arts major beautifully encompasses a study of my three loves: music, people and our Creator. I get to attend classes where I learn how to better utilize my music and my voice in worship and draw people to the throne of God. There is nothing better.” - Anna Skates, junior “I am a Religion and the Arts m encompasses and connects the t most passionate about. I was church, and my faith in God a Christian are extremely dear to have also been given the talent a an artist. At many times in my things have seemed opposed to e ing to connect the two into one fu I found this major. The classes it grow in my spiritual walk, deve talent, and see how the two w - Nicole Loveless, jun The Belmont Vision, April 18, 2007 Page 7 e Arts Little Luscious Promises By Jessica Brandhorst F I U T. Crave it. All shapes, sizes. Some mellow, some sweet. Long, lean, or round and plump. Visible signs of invisible grace. Fruit is a promise, is a covenant. It says, “There is a tomorrow. Come! The days are young. Captivate your senses. Taste and know good.” Life within succulent juice, Shelters in crisp, delightful flesh. Savor this gift, borne of God and tree. Suckled by the earth, fathered by the rain. Delivered by humble midwives of the field. Careful not to bruise the tawny-faced children Or large and purpled families of many young. Pregnant with love and joy and peace. Patient, kind, good and gentle, full of self control. This gift satisfies, sanctifies, mystifies. It unifies the old and the young, All one with a great love For fruit. major because it two things I am raised in the nd my life as a me. However, I and the vision of y life these two ach other. In tryulfilling purpose, requires help me elop my artistic work together.” nior R Morning Came Early By Clint Hamm Morning came faster than I would like But if it delayed I might’ve died So welcome… Welcome the rays and the words of the birds. Even if my lids are slant, my drums loose, with joints that can’t, and a cramping calf. I’ll chew the cud. Photographs by Religion and the Arts majors: (top) Mikey Brackett, (right) Nicole Loveless, (bottom) Anna Skates. The Belmont Vision, April 18, 2007, 2007 Page 8 sports Check out sports editor Jordan Drake’s 2007 NFL mock draft wih in-depth analysis at www.belmontvision.com. The first three rounds of the 2007 NFL Draft are Sat., Apr. 28 (11 a.m.-7 p.m.) on ESPN. The draft continues Sun., Apr. 29 (10 a.m.-5 p.m.) on ESPN2. Pitching key to success on diamond By Rachel Waller Who says variety is the spice of life? Not Belmont head baseball coach Dave Jarvis, who prefers things stay the same, at least when it comes to Bruins’ baseball, where consistency is the name of the game. This consistency is crucial as Jarvis called pitching “an innate and key” part of baseball. He contributes much of the team’s 20-15 record to consistent pitching. “The proof is in the pudding!” Jarvis said. Jarvis also said that the team’s current record is based on each player knowing their role. Roles expand and contract according to successes and failures. The roles of players are determined purely by their individual performance, not by seniority. A key player in this game of consistency is Charles Lee, the senior ace from Brentwood who is 5-1 so far in nine starts with 52 strikeouts and a 3.39 ERA, pacing the starters. “He is consistent in executing all three of his pitches,” Jarvis said. When asked what made Lee so special, Jarvis replied that in addition to his consistency, “he is emotionally mature and not overpowering.” “It’s important for a player to be emotionally mature, to be able to deal with failure and success and keep a level head out on the playing field.” Jarvis said. “He gives the team Bruins baseball coach Dave Jarvis said pitching is key to success, and he counts on pitchers, from left, Carlo Testa, Charles Lee and Josh Moffitt. STAFF WRITER PHOTOS BY AIMEE MONELL faced last season, Jarvis said. He too is no stranger to strikeouts, tallying 40 in eight starts. Despite this success, Jarvis said he doesn’t focus on strikeouts. “Our philosophy is to try and create situations where strikeouts can occur,” Jarvis said. One way Jarvis tries to accomplish this is by using two midweek relievers, Ben Meador and Chris Manning, to give his starting pitchers a break. “Chris is the most specialized athlete,” Jarvis said. “He knows his role …and does his job.” Just the way Jarvis likes it. opportunities to win. Not all of these are taken advantage of, but he still gives us the opportunities.” Lee is not the only one handing out golden tickets to the baseball team. Josh Moffitt and Carlo Testa, two additional starting pitchers, also bring their best to the mound. “Josh just has good ‘pitching stuff,’” Jarvis said. “He is somewhat erratic but physically, he has the tools.” Moffitt certainly does have the tools, striking out a team-high 69 batters this season and five at a recent game against GardnerWebb. According to Jarvis, Testa also excels in consistency. Only a sophomore, he has eliminated the control problems he Relax and enjoy America’s favorite pastime “Take me out to the ball game, Take me out with the crowd. Buy me some peanuts and Cracker Jacks, I don’t care if I never get back, Let me root, root, root for the home team, If they don’t win it’s a shame. For it’s one, two, three strikes, you’re out, At the old ball game.” JORDAN DRAKE College basketball just wound down and has gone into hibernation until November. College football players have hung their cleats up for another four months after concluding spring practice. Professional football does have its draft coming up in a little less than two weeks, but after that, Pacman Jones will be the only player making headlines (for all the wrong reasons). The NHL is in its early playoff season that seems to last forever, but even it ends in mid-to-late June. The NBA is about to jumpstart its mammoth of a playoff but it ends in mid-to-late June, too. So, after mid-June, it will be baseball or bust for sports fans. And if you are not an NBA or NHL fan, the drought until August when America’s favorite sport begins – football – can seem like an eternity. However, there is still one game that sails us right through the dog days of summer. It is America’s favorite pastime – baseball. Problem: Due to the simplicity and availability of games on television, many people think watching baseball is boring – maybe a notch above golf. Solution: Go to a baseball game and soak in the atmosphere. There is something about watching a baseball game in person that just feels right – that just feels American. From catching some rays to eating a hot dog to socializing amongst old friends or common fans who are now friends to the excitement of a home run, the diamond is where it’s happening. Plan of Attack: Fellow students – in these last couple of weeks – there are three close and affordable options just a couple miles down either Belmont Boulevard at Lipscomb Bruins Schedule Men’s Tennis Home games are in bold All times are Central 4/20-22 Atlantic Sun Tournament Johnson City TN Baseball 4/18 4/20 4/21 4/22 4/24 4/25 4/27 4/28 4/29 5/1 Women’s Tennis Lambuth ETSU ETSU ETSU UT-Martin MTSU Lipscomb Lipscomb Lipscomb UT-Martin Greer Stadium Greer Stadium Greer Stadium Greer Stadium Greer Stadium Murfreesboro TN Nashville TN Nashville TN Nashville TN Greer Stadium 6:00 pm 3:00 pm 2:00 pm 2:00 pm 3:00 pm 3:00 pm 6:00 pm 6:00 pm 1:00 pm 6:00 pm 4/20-22 Atlantic Sun Tournament Johnson City TN Men’s Track and Field 4/20-21 4/28 4/29 Vanderbilt Invitational Penn Relays Cardinal Invitational Nashville TN Philadelphia PA Louisville KY 4/20-21 4/28 Vanderbilt Invitational Penn Relays Nashville TN Philadelphia PA Softball 4/18 4/21 4/26 Austin Peay Aquinas Field Stetson Deland FL BSU (DH) Aquinas Field 1:00 pm 1:00 pm 2:00 pm Men’s Golf 4/28-29 Cavalier Classic Charlottesville VA Jordan Drake, sports editor, is a sophomore entrepreneurship major. E-mail: [email protected]. The Wilson ı Tucker Assault Senior outfielder Wilson Tucker, a unanimous preseason All-Atlantic Sun First-Team selection from both the coaches and media, should own several records by the time the season is over. Stay tuned to each edition of the Vision for an update of his quest to conquer Belmont’s record books. Career records: Belmont has at least 20 games remaining. Tucker Leader Difference Home runs 29 29 T-1st Runs Batted In 156 162 6 Hits 252 TUCKER 1st 57 57 T-1st a Women’s Track and Field or down 8th Avenue North at Greer Stadium. Option 1: Belmont v. Lipscomb; at Lipscomb; April 27-29 (6 p.m., 6 p.m., 1 p.m.); free. Option 2: Nashville Sounds v. Iowa Cubs (AAA Baseball); Greer Stadium; April 21-24 (6 p.m., 2 p.m., 6 p.m., 10:30 a.m.); $6. Option 3: Belmont v. ETSU; Greer Stadium; April 20-22 (3 p.m., 1 p.m., 1 p.m.); free. End of the year tests, final exams, group projects, last-minute convo cramming, schedule planning for next semester or graduation…take a backseat to the ballpark. If I was a doctor, my prescription for this stress would also be to take a backseat at the ballpark. Doubles The Belmont Vision, April 18, 2007 Page 9 A run to success from Kenya to Belmont By Ameshia Cross Belmont’s top track and field runners, freshman Hillary Cheruiyot and junior Kipkosgei Magut, are making history. They are both native Kenyans recruited by Belmont because of their track and field performance. “Belmont has a connection in Kenya with a guy who does running trials and recommends if the runner is a good fit for Belmont,” men’s cross country and track coach Jeff Langdon said. Magut became attracted to Belmont because of its academic options. “I liked accounting and wanted a business career. I felt like Belmont had what I wanted to do,” he said. He heard about Belmont’s cross country team through a close friend and further inquired about it through communications with Langdon. One thing set it apart from the other schools that caught his eye. “I felt like Belmont stayed on top of things, they kept the lines of communication open. They wanted me,” Magut said. Members of the cross country team are not only fierce competitors; they are close friends as well. “My teammates were so welcoming and you get encouraged when you meet people that are supportive, especially since the team is so small. We interact like family,” Magut said, which is important because his parents are far away. Magut is an avid supporter of Coach Langdon’s method of training. “His program is wonderful. At the beginning you take it STAFF WRITER easy and at the end you are amazed at what you can do,” he said. Langdon doesn’t hold his players hands, but he is encouraging. “I like his laid-back style. He pushes but leaves us accountable because we are adults,” Magut said. Magut was a No. 1 finisher at the NCAA regional tournament and an Atlantic Sun Championship winner. “He is the most outstanding track and field performer,” Langdon said. Magut has been running 1500-meter races and improving his time gradually, with aspirations of becoming a professional runner, though he doesn’t want to be singled out as the best. He said, “The guys are so competitive. I’m not the only one that is good; they challenge me to keep getting better everyday.” With pressure from his teammates, Magut insists that he has to be at the top of his game and perform. “Cheruiyot is most outstanding for indoor competitions,” Langdon said. “I like the Belmont environment. It allows me to grow intellectually and personally,” Cheruiyot said. Cheruiyot is getting used to living in Nashville. “I’ve been getting a lot of practice in the ‘southern’ environment,” he said. He is disciplined, waking up at 6 a.m. to train. He wants to go to the Olympics one day, but his long-term goal is education. “They are a huge asset to the team, at or near the top in ability, and are great team players,” Langdon said. Team player is the key word in this statement because - in Kenya - runners race individually and it is Hillary Cheruiyot Kipkosgei Magut often hard for them to really understand the concept of team competition. Both players have improved tremendously since they came to Belmont. “Having guys to practice with and holding each other accountable has helped a great deal,” Langdon said. Both track members had never been to the United States before coming to Belmont. Moreover, the two had never been exposed to Christianity. “They have adapted very well to the Belmont environment,” Langdon said. It has also been beneficial for them to be here together. It brings a bit of home for the two kindred spirits. They don’t go home for holidays or see their parents as often as most Belmont students do, but it doesn’t seem to faze them. “They are here for the right reasons,” Langdon said. Cheruiyot echoes, “It’s a good place. I like Belmont because it allows me to achieve my dreams and move closer toward my future goals. It’s an honor to be a part of Belmont.” With the motivation and drive the runners exhibit on a daily basis, it’s no wonder why Cheruiyot says, “Belmont has the best athletes I’ve ever seen. They give their best in time and numbers. I came here because they are the best.” Patton heads to No. Illinois By Jordan Drake Former Belmont (‘80) basketball player Ricardo Patton is looking ahead to a head coaching job at Northern Illinois. Patton, a graduate of downtown’s Hume-Fogg Academic High School, earned two athletic letters at Belmont after transferring from junior college. The one-time NAIA All-American was inducted into Belmont’s Sports Hall of Fame in 1989. After working his way up the coaching ladder – middle school and high school– while briefly stopping at numerous colleges in assistant roles – MTSU, Arkansas-Little Rock and TSU – Patton landed in the Big 12 Conference at the University of Colorado in Boulder as an assistant in 1993. About midway through the 199596 season, he was promoted to head coach – where he remained with the Buffaloes for 11 seasons. Patton achieved notable success at Colorado – a feat to be admired since the program is not a traditional basketball power. His teams captured a pair of NCAA Tournament berths (1996-97, 2002-03) and four NIT berths (199899, 1999-00, 2003-04, 2005-06). The NCAA bid in 1996-97 was Colorado’s first appearance in the Big Dance since the 1969-70 season. To top it off, Patton holds a fifthdegree black belt in Tae Kwon Do. Q: How was your experience at Belmont? A: I had a wonderful time there the two years after transferring from junior college. I still have great relationships with former teammates during that time. I have great, fond memories of my time there. Q: So, you worked as a cameraman at WTVF (Nashville’s CBS SPORTS EDITOR affiliate) after graduating? A: You know I actually got my foot in the door at Channel 5 by working in their print shop after going Ricardo Patton to HumeFogg High School, which was a votech school when I attended there. I majored in printing. That’s how I got the job at the television station. I ran the printing press. About a year later, they trained me for the studio camera. That’s what I did for the next five years. I ran camera for the CBS affiliate there. Q: Why did you suddenly turn to coaching? A: At that point, I had a burning desire to get back around the game of basketball. So, I went back to school to get certified to teach. I taught one year at Two Rivers Middle School and volunteered as an assistant coach. The very next year I was an assistant basketball coach at Hillwood High School. Q: After 11 seasons at Colorado, what led you to Northern Illinois? A: It is a great opportunity. After meeting with the athletic director, I was very impressed. I have been very impressed with … their leadership [and] the MAC conference. I think it is a well-respected conference and especially with the new facilities. There is no reason why we [Northern Illinois] shouldn’t be successful in basketball. Q: Have you visited Belmont recently? A: I haven’t been on campus, but I do follow the program’s success and was very excited to see them make the tournament this past season. I know Coach Byrd has done a terrific job. I do follow it from a distance. Q: Under certain circumstances, could you see yourself returning to coach in the Nashville area? A: There is no question. I mean Nashville is still home and no matter how far away you go, I think most of us would always look at an opportunity to return home at some point. Q: What is it like to coach NBA players like Chauncey Billups and David Harrison? A: Well, I think the biggest thing that you realize is that they see the game just a little bit differently than the average player. I always believe there is something special about a young man that has a chance to play at the next level. Certainly, coaching those guys, you recognize right away that they are just a little bit different. As we say in the profession, the great ones get it a little bit sooner. Even though they still have a lot of learning to do, they just seem to get it a little bit quicker. Q: Why are you so involved in the martial arts? A: It is just a way of life for me. I actually started practicing in the ninth grade just coming home every day looking at The Green Hornet and that’s really what got me started. I still train in martial arts and of course that was one of the things I wanted to do when I left the junior college. Wherever I finished up, I wanted to start and teach a Tae Kwon Do class and Belmont afforded me the opportunity. We started out with like 12 students and by the time I left, we had four or five classes and over 60 students. Sports Notebook J o rd a n D ra k e , S po r t s E d it or Softball stumbling Belmont has lost 10 of their last 12 games to fall to 10-31 (5-11 A-Sun). The Bruins did manage to split series with conference foes Kennesaw State and Mercer. Men’s golf 7th in tourney Going into the final day of play on Tuesday, Apr. 3, the Bruins stood at second with a tremendous 14 under par as a team after 36 holes of play. However, gusty winds got the best of Belmont, evidenced by a final round of 17 over par. The Bruins finished with a tournament score of 855 (+3), 31 strokes behind overall team champion Austin Peay. Sophomore Scott O’Brien paced Belmont with a career-best 7th place at 207 (-6). Women set school record for 54-hole score; 6th in tourney Belmont set a new school record for best 54-hole score, 951, at the conference championship Apr. 9-11 at Keith Hills Country Club in Buies Creek, N.C. The Bruins finished 52 strokes behind host and conference champion Campbell. Senior Esther Moon placed 14th after shooting a 74 in the final round. The score was the lowest 18-hole score by a Bruin golfer at the A-Sun Championship. Men, women down Lipscomb The Bruins (5-8, 2-6 A-Sun) men continued their domination of Lipscomb on the tennis court Apr. 4. The 6-1 victory marked Belmont’s fifth straight match win over the Bisons. The Bruins won five of six singles matches and two of three doubles matches. The Apr. 12 match at Campbell had a different ending to it as Belmont fell 5-2. The Camels won the doubles, taking two of three matches. Senior Felipe Abreu and junior Ignacio Gesto won their respective singles matches. The Bruins’ women’s team (9-7, 4-5 A-Sun) continued their dominance of Lipscomb, too, by defeating the Bisons for the fifth straight time with a 7-0 match win Apr. 4. Belmont swept all three doubles and all six singles matches. Like the men, Apr. 12 belonged to Campbell as the Camels won 6-1. The lone Bruin win came from senior Liz Conyer at the No. 2 slot. Track succeeds Boston-Moon Classic The Bruin men notched nine top-five finishes and the women posted five top-five finishes to give Belmont an overall 14 top-five finishes Apr. 14 at the Boston-Moon Classic held at TSU. Sophomore John Brigham, sophomore Lynette Rives and junior Christa Coppin each won an event. Page 10 The Belmont Vision, April 18, 2007 a&e Top Grossing Films for the Week Ending 4/15 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Disturbia Blades of Glory Meet the Robinsons Perfect Stranger Are We Done Yet? Best of Best ends showcase season By Courtney Drake It’s that time of year again when all of Belmont University’s showcases have come to an end…all, that is, except for the Best of the Best showcase, which will be Saturday, April 28 at 7 p.m. in the Curb Event Center. Once again, the best talent at Belmont will be represented in one night, representing five genres. This year, the performers are Brooke Annibale, winner of the Other Showcase, Justin Wilson, winner of the Country Showcase, Kassi Konz, winner of the Christian Showcase, Future, winner of the Urban Showcase, and Sophia, winner of STAFF WRITER the Pop/Rock Showcase. “I didn’t expect to win the Other Showcase, and now to [be in the Best of the Best] is really awesome,” said Annibale. And the five performers aren’t the only ones who will be featured at the showcase. In addition, five songwriters who won the Writer’s Showcase Series will be performing as well, including Rich Ramsey, Seth Jones, Alvin Love, Stephanie Lambring and Colleen McCarron. “It’ll be an experience to get on stage with multiple genres,” said Justin Wilson, who has been in the Country Showcase three times but will take the Best of the Best stage for the first time this year. “But, I feel privileged to get up there with a set full of talented people.” Besides the varying performers, the set-up and production of the show also promises to be different than what it’s been like in the past. “It will be like a retro awards show,” said Chris Trump, producer of the Best of the Best Showcase and president of Belmont’s Showcase Council. “There will be more lighting rigs and two mini, custom stages to showcase writers.” The Best of the Best Showcase is the only one put on by the Mike Curb College of Music Business that does not have a winner. “There are so many genres, it would be hard for a judge to pick a winner without discriminating against another genre,” said Trump. He added that one focus of the show will be to “honor the people who made the show possible,” hence the awards show influence. While there is no winner, Wilson is still looking forward to getting exposure and building a fan base. Plus, according to Annibale, there will be something to suit everyone’s taste at the showcase. Come for ‘The Visit’ Little Theatre produces dark comedy Getting There The Visit opens tomorrow night in the Belmont Little Theatre. 7:30 p.m. shows will be April 19-20 and April 26-28. 2:30 p.m. matinees will be offered April 21-22 and Sun., April 29. General admission is $5, Belmont faculty and staff pay $3 and Belmont students get in free with their ID. PHOTOS BY AMY KADISH Cory Carter (above) and Benjamin Reed (right) interact with Leah JensenRader (both) during rehearsals for Friedrich Duerrenmatt’s The Visit. This mysterious tale of revenge and justice will be the final play produced within the walls of the historic Belmont Little Theatre. Spun shutters under increased CD sales woes By Lance Conzett Hidden behind the Circle K on the opposite side of Belmont Boulevard, Spun Music and Movies operated for four years in relative obscurity in the shadow of Belmont. Frequent customer Adaeze Elechi described Spun’s cult-like selection as “all of the songs and movies that you thought were out of existence; [Spun] was probably where they went to die.” On March 15, Spun held its last hurrah. Though the occasion was marred by rain and a sudden chill that stood out in a week of unseasonably warm weather, a DJ was set up to spin records on the deck outside while friends of the store and owner Tim Buchanan trickled in to take one last look at the store, buy what remained of the stock and say goodbye. “It’s not your average, overly pretentious record store,” explained Emily Brown, a sophomore design communications major and former employee of Spun. “Tim told me STAFF WRITER multiple times that he’s too old to care what’s cool anymore, so he stocks what he likes.” Buchanan’s philosophy for the store seemed to work for him for a while. Although the store didn’t have the wide selection of a big chain in either albums or movies, it managed to pull in a small but devoted following of DJs, college students and people attracted by Buchanan’s personality. “I think what drew me there more than anything at all was Tim, the owner of the store, and the people you meet,” said Elechi. “It was the first place I went to when I got to Belmont and when I got to the States. Tim was my third friend in America.” The shop became an alternative sanctuary from the Belmont life and everything associated with the “High Fidelity” atmosphere that many record stores tend to unconsciously adopt. “It was a happy place to be,” said Brown. “If you ask for a Celine Dion album, we’re not going to reach across the counter and smack you.” The problem that the store faced was with getting its name into the public. The sign was obscured and the store’s existence was anything but apparent to anyone who wasn’t deliberately looking for it. Many Belmont students were unaware of Spun’s existence, particularly freshmen like Abby Selden, who said she “didn’t even know it was there.” “I think [Tim] just loves having a record store. I think he needed help though,” said Brown. This isn’t the first time that Spun has felt the pressure of being beneath a financial burden, but this January saw record stores like Spun being hit particularly hard by the fallout of recent closures and subsequent liquidation sales by chain stores across the area. “Tower closing hurt. I had a lot of customers coming around saying ‘you won’t see me for a while’ because the Tower sale cleaned them out,” said Buchanan. In February, Buchanan announced on the store’s e-mail list that he was closing down the store, saying that trying to keep the store open exhausted him. Once the closure was announced, several potential buyers, which at one brief point also included Belmont, stepped forward. “They’re there and they’re speculating, but that’s probably all there is to it,” said Brown. “They feel bad because we’re having to close.” However, the store’s biggest supporters consider Spun without Buchanan to be a completely different store that won’t resemble what attracted them in the first place. “It’s not going to be the same at all,” lamented Elechi. But even though the store is shutting down, everyone involved in its management would do it all over again, given the chance. “I don’t regret it at all,” said Buchanan, looking around his empty store. “If I had to do it again, I would do some things differently but most of it would be the same.” The Belmont Vision, April 18, 2007 Page 11 Strong lineup for Vandy ‘Rites’ The Almost – Southern Weather In the same manner as most other bands that reach a particular level of stardom, there is often a band member who decides to do his own side project. Such is the case with The Almost, a band conceived by Underoath drummer Aaron Gillespie. “As much as I love what I do in Underoath,” Gillespie remarked, “there are songs in me and music that I enjoy just as much that comes from melody. Even though the guys in Underoath may not like this style of music that much, they’re on my side and super supportive.” To describe the sound of The Almost in terms of Underoath, the emotionalism is just as solid, the vocals almost as good, but there are several factors that hurt the album. The overall songwriting, lyrics and melody, are slightly lacking. There is virtually no lead guitar work, which leaves an obvious hole in the band’s sound. Regardless, even though the tracks are hit-or-miss, they combine to form a fairly decent album worth picking up, especially considering the $7.99 price tag at most retail stores around town. The Hollywood Ten – Six Headed Boy EP Somewhere within the chaotic noises of ambience, this eclectic band presents a fine appreciation for the art of sound. Yes, buried within delayed, spine-tingling guitar, eye-popping bass and drum grooves, hair-raising vocal transcendence (via front man Ben Ford) becomes the type of complex sound that only few can achieve – especially on the independent level. The Hollywood Ten can pull off this signature sound in a live setting but are perhaps at their best here when utilizing the advancements of studio technology. The results have combined to form this intentionally-driven album of meaning and art that is worth checking out. Timbaland – Shock Value One of the most anticipated albums of 2007, Timbaland’s Shock Value crosses bridges between radio-friendly pop and well-written hip-hop. In doing so, it picks up fans of all listening pleasures. The songs within the album have generated 248,000 digital downloads, propelling Shock Value’s key radio track, “Give It To Me”, from #42 to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100. This chart jump is the second-highest number in chart history. Unlike most other artists that ride the radio and invade the charts though, the numbers here are deserved. The collaborations here are phenomenal – Elton John, Justin Timberlake, Fall Out Boy, 50 Cent, Nelly Furtado, The Hives…just to name a few. In a peculiar way, even though this album was released under Timbaland’s own name, it actually has very little Timbaland, the recording artist. Instead, Timbaland the producer is behind every track, pushing the envelope on developing beats and incorporating unique sounds to achieve a sort of musical utopia. The results are this blending of musical artists with different sounds, united under the musical shade of Timbaland’s branches – real music at its best. Gabe Vitek & The Ivory – Self Titled EP For those of you who, like myself, have become numb to the amount of Belmont musicians who all sound the same (think most singer/songwriters), Gabe Vitek & The Ivory are much like the attributes of a comfortable sofa – in them you can find relaxation, enjoyment, and a certain emotional attachment that nothing else can provide. Songwriting genius Gabe Vitek pulls in all the elements of a great song: elaborate musicality, well-chosen lyricism, and enough feeling to ensure excited enjoyment. Lead guitarist Joe Hoogerhyde is talented, yet not in the “I’m just going to shred on my guitar” sense. All his notes are executed by feeding off of song vibe in the most perfect and complementing of fashions. In fact, the guys of Gabe Vitek & The Ivory prove themselves musically talented in every sense. That, along with an adamant devotedness to songwriting distinction, validates the likeliness of deserved label interest within the course of the year. CLASSIFIED ADS Summer Rental Furnished beautiful immaculate summer rental, 1⁄2 block from front of campus, 4 BR, 2 Bath, Grill, Deck, picnic table, garage for band practices, Call Cindy @ 717 448-6844. Bed A 100% all new Full size mattress set in plastic w/warr. $120.00 615-394-0861 Bed 1 All New Brand Name Queen Pillowtop Set In plastic w/warr. $160.00 615-394-0861 Bed 3 pc King Pillowtop set Brand name. New in Plastic w/war. $250.00 615-394-0861 By Courtney Drake The annual Rites of Spring Music Festival on Vanderbilt University’s campus, which is open to the public, is coming up on Friday, April 20, and Saturday, April 21. This year, the headliners will include The Roots, Wolfmother and Drive-By Truckers. Singer/songwriters Keller Williams and Mat Kearney will also perform at the event, as well at The Whigs, Brett Dennen, JYPSI and more. For a full list and schedule of performances, visit www. ritesof spring.com. The music store F.Y.E. will sponsor the event and will sell tickets at their store on West End Avenue. Tickets are $25 for day passes and $40 for STAFF WRITER weekend passes. Tickets will also be sold at Grimey’s New and Preloved Music in Nashville at www.grimeys .com or by calling (615) 2559600. Tickets can also be bought by calling Vanderbilt’s Sarratt Box Office at (615) 343-3361 or by visiting www.ticketmaster.com. The festival will take place on Alumni Lawn at Vanderbilt, with gates opening at 3 p.m. Music will be played from 4 p.m.-1 a.m. both days. Free parking is available at the Terrace Place Parking Garage, off of 21st Avenue South on Terrace Place. PHOTOS COURTESY PURE VOLUME Aware/Columbia recording artist Mat Kearney and Interscope rock outfit Wolfmother will be some of the many talented performers at this year’s Rites of Spring Music Festival. This two-day event is a staple of Vanderbilt’s campus as well Nashville’s music scene in general. The Belmont Little Theatre presents The Visit Written by Friedrich Duerrenmatt Thursday, April 19th at 7:30pm Friday, April 20th at 7:30pm Saturday, April 21st at 2:00pm Sunday, April 22nd at 2:00pm Thursday, April 26th at 7:30pm Friday, April 27th at 7:30pm Saturday, April 28th at 7:30pm Sunday, April 29th at 2:00pm at the Belmont Little Theatre General Admission $5 --Faculty/Staff/Alumni/NonBelmont Students $3 -- Belmont Students FREE!! CA Convocation Credit!!! For reservations, call the Box Office at 460-6199 Page 12 The Belmont Vision, April 18, 2007 stage The Miss Firecracker Contest Boiler Room Theatre May 4 - June 2 www.boilerroomtheatre.com The Dinosaur Musical Roxy Regional Theatre April 14 - 28 www.roxyregionaltheatre.org I Hate Hamlet Tennessee Repertory Theatre May 3 - 19 www.tnrep.org Chicago Chaffin’s Barn Dinner Theatre Through May 5 www.dinnertheatre.com The Payout Actor’s Bridge May 11 - 20 www.actorsbridge.org song stuff Lady Antebellum with Tyler Hilton 3rd & Lindsley April 20 www.3rdandlindsley.com Swan Lake Nashville Ballet April 27 - 29 www.nashvilleballet.com Bobby Hamrick 3rd & Lindsley April 24 www.3rdandlindsley.com Contemporary Cultures Frist Center for the Visual Arts Through May 6 www.fristcenter.org Sara Evans and the Country Music Marathon Nashville Arena April 28 www.gaylordentertainmentcenter.com 300: The IMAX Experience Regal Opry Mills 20 Currently Playing www.fandango.com Tyrone Wells with Leigh Nash Mercy Lounge April 19 www.mercylounge.com My Chemical Romance Municipal Auditorium April 25 www.nashvilleauditorium.com Mamma Mia! Tennessee Performing Arts Center May 1 - 6 www.tpac.org the april 24 Josh Turner Ryman Auditorium April 19 www.ryman.com Norah Jones Ryman Auditorium April 26 www.ryman.com Patti Smith/Twelve (Sony) Porcupine Tree/Fear of a Black Planet (Atlantic) Arctic Monkeys/Favourite Worst Nightmare (Warner Bros) Marillion/Somewhere Else (MVD Visual) Simply Red/Stay (Simply Red) april 20 Vacancy (Kate Beckinsale) Fracture (Anthony Hopkins) Hot Fuzz (Simon Pegg) april 27 In the Land of Women (Adam Brody) If Looks Could Kill The Muse April 27 Aqualung Exit/In April 28 www.exitin.com Samurai Festival 2 Belcourt Theatre April 20 - 25 www.belcourt.org Mozart and Mahler Nashville Symphony April 19 - 21 www.nashvillesymphony.org www.themusenashville.com Dance Theatre through Chinese Poetry Vanderbilt’s Ingram Hall April 28 - May 5 www.chineseartsalliance.org Nashville Film Festival Regal Green Hills 16 April 19 - 26 www.nashvillefilmfestival.org Tears of the Black Tiger Belcourt Theatre Opens April 27 www.belcourt.org GMA Showcases Rcktwn April 21 - 22 www.rcktwn.com Matt Wertz Exit/In April 26 www.exitin.com screen Pam Tillis Grand Ole Opry April 20 www.opry.com The Invisible (Marcia Gay Harden) Next (Nicolas Cage) Wind Chill (Emily Blunt) The Condemned (Steve Austin) Kickin It Old School (Jamie Kennedy) what we’re listening to Andrew Cole (A&E Editor) 1. Patty Griffin/Living with Ghosts 2. Josh Rouse/1972 3. Ray LaMontagne/Trouble 4. Spring Awakening/Broadway Cast Lance Conzett (Staff Writer) 1. Girl Talk/Night Ripper 2. P.O.S./Audition 3. Pavement/Wowee Zowee album drops... Matt Reynolds (CD Reviewer) 1. Tokyo Police Club/A Lesson in Crime 2. Vega 4/You and Others 3. Timbaland/Shock Value 4. Notorius B.I.G./Best of Notorious B.I.G may 1 Rush/Snakes and Arrows (Atlantic) Tori Amos/American Doll Posse (Sony) Blake Shelton/Pure BS (Warner Bros.) Feist/The Reminder (Cherry Tree) Miranda Lambert/Crazy Ex-Girlfriend (Sony) Michael Buble/Call Me Irresponsible (Reprise) Kimberly Locke/Based on a True Story (Curb)