Category Archives: Arts and Communication

04.22.24

LLCC Choir and Band announce upcoming performances

The Lincoln Land Community College Choir and Band invite the public to upcoming free concerts this spring on the LLCC campus at 5250 Shepherd Rd. in Springfield.

The theme of LLCC’s Choir performance is, “Glory!” The choir will perform on Friday, May 3 at 1 p.m. in A. Lincoln Commons. The performance will include uplifting music across different styles including American spirituals, jazz, pop, choral classics and folk songs. Justin Johnson, LLCC vocal music adjunct instructor, will also perform. The choir is conducted by See Tsai Chan, Ph.D., LLCC vocal music adjunct instructor.

The choir will hold two additional performances this spring on April 26 at 1 p.m. in the UIS Student Union Ballroom Lobby and on May 3 at 7 p.m. at Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception.

The LLCC Jazz Band performs in concert Monday, May 6 at 7 p.m. in A. Lincoln Commons. The performance will feature jazz standards including “St. James Infirmary,” “Fly Me to the Moon,” “Stompin’ at the Savoy,” “That Old Black Magic” and more. The band is directed by Jason Waddell, LLCC professor of music. Soloists include Duston Suits of Loami; Miriam Carter, Colin DeFord, Aerwyna Eastvold and Ryan O’Neal of Springfield; and Nick Horn of Mason City.

03.26.24

College mourns loss of Laurie-Lewis Fritz

Laurie Lewis-FritzIt is with great sadness that we acknowledge the loss of Laurie Lewis-Fritz, assistant professor of music, who passed away on Saturday, March 23. With the support of her family, including many of her LLCC family members, Laurie was a true warrior and fought a noble battle for life.

She joined LLCC in 2019, teaching music and conducting the LLCC Choir. She was dedicated to her students, guiding them in their educational journeys and sharing with them her passion for music. Under Laurie’s direction, the LLCC Choir provided many memorable concerts, including a performance at the Illinois American Choral Directors Association Conference in 2021 at DePaul University in Chicago.

We extend our condolences to her family, friends, students and colleagues. A visitation will be held Tuesday, April 2, 4-8 p.m. and a funeral service will be held on Wednesday, April 3, 11:30 a.m. at Butler Funeral Home in Chatham.

02.22.24

LLCC awarded VR grant funding

The Illinois Community College Board (ICCB) has awarded $766,000 to 12 Illinois Community Colleges to help implement virtual reality (VR) equipment into existing Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs throughout the state. Overall, the funding will allow recipient colleges to purchase VR hardware and software to recruit and instruct students in a variety of workforce training programs. LLCC has been awarded $91,688 for the areas of health professions, workforce, and arts and communication.

“The Illinois Community College System is constantly looking to stay at the forefront of workforce development. This funding will not only help recruit students who want access to the latest technology but also provide new cutting-edge training opportunities to better position them for success in their chosen career fields,” said ICCB Executive Director Brian Durham.

The two-year grant program was passed by the General Assembly and signed by Governor Pritzker in FY24. Individual grant amounts were awarded based on college program and equipment needs.

VR grant funding can be used to purchase VR hardware and software to expand or enhance current Career & Technical Education student recruiting practices using VR technology or start a new CTE program to include VR technology.

01.10.24

In the news

Dr. Natasha Casey, assistant professor of communication, recently guest co-edited a special issue of the Journal of Media Literacy.  The article, “Media and Information Literacy: Enriching the Teacher/Librarian Dialogue” is available online.

Still searching for a new year’s resolution? Sheridan Lane, director, culinary program and operations, offers some inspiration in this week’s Epicuriosity 101 column in the State Journal-Register, “Hello, 2024: Eat your veggies.”

12.07.23

Thank you from Dr. Natasha Casey

Thank you to many members of the LLCC community who gave informational interviews to interpersonal communication students and provided insights as local experts for students working on informative and persuasive speeches. It is an incredibly busy time of year and that you graciously gave your time and expertise to students taking communication classes is much appreciated.

Dr. Natasha Casey, assistant professor, communication

12.04.23

LLCC Band performance today, 7 p.m.

Band Concert. Shadows of instruments.The LLCC Band invites the public to a free concert in A. Lincoln Commons today, Dec. 4, at 7 p.m. on the LLCC-Springfield campus, 5250 Shepherd Rd.

Selections will range from concert band standards to holiday music. The band is directed by Jason Waddell. Soloists include Carter Demarco, Clay Higginson, Anna Lindstrom and Kelly Wells.

12.01.23

LLCC Choir performances today, 1 & 7 p.m.

Homeward. Graphic of airplane taking off.The LLCC Choir and Band invite the public to free concerts in A. Lincoln Commons on the LLCC-Springfield campus, 5250 Shepherd Rd.

LLCC’s Choir performs “Homeward” today, Dec. 1, at 1 and 7 p.m. Selections include “Homeward Bound,” “Take Me Home,” “I’m Going Home” and “Let the River Run.” The choir is directed by Laurie Lewis-Fritz and conducted by See Tsai Chan.

The LLCC Band performs in concert Monday, Dec. 4, at 7 p.m. Selections will range from concert band standards to holiday music. The band is directed by Jason Waddell. Soloists include Carter Demarco, Clay Higginson, Anna Lindstrom and Kelly Wells.

11.29.23

Upcoming LLCC Choir and Band performances

LLCC Music (made out of letters and music notes)The LLCC Choir and Band invite the public to free concerts in A. Lincoln Commons on the LLCC-Springfield campus, 5250 Shepherd Rd.

LLCC’s Choir performs “Homeward” on Friday, Dec. 1 at 1 and 7 p.m. Selections include “Homeward Bound,” “Take Me Home,” “I’m Going Home” and “Let the River Run.” The choir is directed by Laurie Lewis-Fritz and conducted by See Tsai Chan.

The LLCC Band performs in concert Monday, Dec. 4, at 7 p.m. Selections will range from concert band standards to holiday music. The band is directed by Jason Waddell. Soloists include Carter Demarco, Clay Higginson, Anna Lindstrom and Kelly Wells.