Category Archives: Arts and Communication

11.30.22

LLCC Choir and Band plan upcoming concerts

The LLCC Choir and Band invite the public to upcoming free, end-of-semester performances on the LLCC-Springfield campus, 5250 Shepherd Road. Come out and support our students and their hard work!

Honors Recital – Nov. 30

The Honors Recital, featuring many of the music majors performing solo works, will be held tonight at 7 p.m. in Menard Hall, Room 2250.

LLCC Choir’s “RƎVO⅃UTION” – Dec. 2

REVOLUTION (with the E and L backwards). The revolutionary power of love. Fall 2022 Choir Concert. Friday, December 2, 2022, 2 p.m. & 7 p.m., A. Lincoln Commons Rotunda. Free. LLCC.The LLCC Choir performs “RƎVO⅃UTION,” a concert about the revolutionary power of love, Friday, Dec. 2, at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. in A. Lincoln Commons. Directed and accompanied by Laurie Lewis-Fritz, assistant professor of music, soloists will include Jack John Barham, Miriam Carter and Dane Paige.

LLCC Band – Dec. 5

The LLCC Band performs its fall concert Monday, Dec. 5, at 7 p.m. in A. Lincoln Commons. Selections will range from standards to modern arrangements. The band is directed by Jason Waddell, professor of music. Soloists include Jaden Rilying, Tanner Stephens, Olive Strassner, Colin Deford, Clay Higginson, Jonah Pollock, Daniel Wingert and Hayden Stroup-Huffhine.

11.21.22

LLCC Choir performances

15 members of the LLCC Choir wearing their LLCC Music T-shirts.The LLCC Choir traveled to A-C Central on Wednesday, Nov.16. The choir performed selections from its upcoming concert for the high school and junior high school choirs, and the high school and junior high school choirs performed selections from their upcoming holiday concert for the LLCC Choir. Afterward, Laurie Lewis-Fritz, assistant professor of music, did workshops with both choirs and was assisted by the students in the LLCC Choir. Liz Klauzer, the director of the A-C Central choirs, praised the LLCC students for their wonderful performance and their encouragement and support of the A-C Central students.

“RƎVO⅃UTION,” a concert about the revolutionary power of love, will be held on Friday, Dec. 2 at 1 and 7 p.m. in A. Lincoln Commons.

REVOLUTION (with the E and L backwards). The revolutionary power of love. Fall 2022 Choir Concert. Friday, December 2, 2022, 2 p.m. & 7 p.m., A. Lincoln Commons Rotunda. Free. LLCC.

11.03.22

Display for El Dia de Los Muertos

The LLCC Ofrenda will continue to be open through the end of the week if you would like to add a picture of a departed loved one or encourage your students to add one for continued celebration of El Dia de Los Muertos. It is in the glass case near the LLCC Arts and Communication office of the second floor of Menard Hall.

11.01.22

Display for El Día de Los Muertos

The LLCC Arts and Communication Department has set up an “ofrenda” to help celebrate El Día de Los Muertos, which begins today, Nov. 1, and ends on Nov. 2. Please feel free to add a picture of your departed loved ones to the display in the glass case near the main office of LLCC Arts and Communication (second floor of Menard Hall). Students are also invited to participate.

10.25.22

Music students attend regional conference

Vocal students with McIntire and Lewis-Fritz
Laurie Lewis-Fritz, assistant professor of music, and Mina McIntire, private applied voice instructor, took four voice majors (Jack John Barham, Miriam Carter, Tanner Stephens and Brett Wisecup) to the Central Region Conference of the National Association of Teachers of Singing Oct. 21-22. The conference provided opportunities to learn more about singing, network, hear wonderful performances and attend a performance class with Grammy Award-winning soprano Christine Brewer.

At the conference, all students sang for a panel of professional vocalists as part of the first round of the National Student Auditions. Barham, Carter and Wisecup all advanced to the semi-final round based on their scores in the first round. In the end, Barham earned an honorable mention, which qualifies him for the national level of auditions, and Carter won first place in her category.

Barham, Stephens and Wisecup study with Lewis-Fritz, and Carter studies with McIntire.

Barham holding certificate and Lewis-FritzCarter holding certificate and McIntire

10.25.22

Al Shull presented at Culver Stockton art exhibit Oct. 22

Paintings in background with "Al Shull '89" in foregroundAl Shull, professor of art, had 15 oil paintings and drawings exhibited at the Mabee Art Gallery at Culver Stockton College in Canton, Mo. Oct. 4-22. Prof. Shull spoke about his art to students and alumni at the exhibition’s closing event last Saturday during Culver Stockton’s homecoming weekend. Shull’s art is described as “photorealistic, capturing an unexpected moment in time. His work is large and full of biographical details which beautifully narrate the person within the picture plane.” His co-exhibitor and presenter was Stan Hilginbrinck, a fellow Culver Stockton alum.

09.27.22

LLCC awarded grant to expand career and technical training

LLCC has been awarded a $540,000 grant as part of nearly $5 million designated for seven Illinois community colleges by the U.S. Department of Labor to expand career and technical training. LLCC will use the funds to expand its integrated media design and helpdesk programs.

LLCC will develop an integrated media design lab at the college’s Medical District location, 130 W. Mason St. near downtown Springfield. This will provide a convenient location to those who live or work in that area to earn an associate in applied science degree in the subject.

“The lab will contain Mac computers which are the standard in the design industry,” said Adam Watkins, LLCC dean of arts and communication. “Students earning the integrated media design degree will be qualified for local jobs in graphic design, application design and web design. Wrap-around supports will also be offered to encourage members of marginalized communities to enroll in the degree program. We are working with local employers who are looking to diversify their workforce and are interested in offering jobs to graduates of this program.”

The grant will also help LLCC develop a competency-based program leading to a helpdesk certificate. Students will be able to demonstrate the skills they have in the subject and accelerate through courses based on their prior knowledge and experience, saving them time and money.

“This program gives students the skills and knowledge required for an entry-level IT helpdesk position. We know there is a great need for these positions across all industries locally and nationally,” said Dr. Carmen Allen, LLCC professor of computer science. “We will develop this program to emulate another competency-based program LLCC offers in cybersecurity. The helpdesk program is offered online and can be a game-changer for adults looking for a new career as well as students right out of high school.”

Both program expansions are expected to kick off in fall 2023.