Classes have started and tagging along is another semester of Soundings events. The intention of Soundings is to enrich the liberal arts education offered at Castleton with the hopes that students will become more aware of their surroundings and their place in the world. There are 17 events planned for this semester ranging from musicals and concerts to lectures on medicine and social media. As a reminder, Soundings I students are required to attend and successfully complete cards for six events. Soundings II students are required to attend and complete only four and Junior Soundings must attend three events and submit responses online along with a culminating essay. As a change this year, tickets are no longer required for events and Soundings students need only to bring their student IDs.
Before you whine about the boring lectures and lost evenings, take a look at some of the exciting events this semester has to offer. The spring 2014 soundings calendar really has something for everyone. The Burlington Ensemble will return on Feb. 10 for a workshop at 12:30 p.m. and a performance 7 p.m. highlighting the theme “Beyond Beethoven.” If classical music isn’t your thing, Los Ciegos Del Barrios, a New York based Latin band whose members are blind will be performing on April 1 at 7 p.m.  On April 17, music department professor Paul Kafer will be presenting on the topic of film music and the connections it has to many fields of study.
Many lectures this semester showcase the current generation and how students in this era will have to adapt to challenges that other generations never dreamed of. Among these presentations is a lecture by former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean on Feb. 11 on the topic of civic engagement in “the first global generation.” Another is a lecture about the growing field of natural medicine presented by Dr. Emily Cannon of Integrated Medicine in Middlebury on Feb. 18.  For athletes uninterested in medicine or music, on Feb. 10. former NFL cornerback Wade Davis will be speaking about his life and challenges he has faced while advocating for LGBTQ youth.
In what is sure to be an exciting show, the Castleton theater department will be performing the satirical comedy “Urinetown”, a show about a hero who refuses to pay to use a public toilet.  There will be six performances in late March so be sure to come and check it out. A full calendar of events can be picked up at the Fine Arts Center box office and online at castleton.edu/soundings.
The Soundings staff wishes to remind students that all food and drinks, including water bottles are not allowed in Casella Theater and must be left outside before all events. As usual, cell phone use is prohibited and if students are seen using these devices their Soundings cards may be taken and their responses may not be counted. Remember to bring your ID, something to write with and to arrive early. If there are any questions regarding soundings please stop by the box office or contact SallyAnn Majoya.