A little slice of musical heaven will fill Sams Hall at Kansas Wesleyan University during Homecoming and Family Weekend October 5 through 7.
That’s because two musical ensembles – the Philharmonic Choir and the String Orchestra – will be performing at 2 p.m. on Saturday, October 6. Dr. Ken Hakoda, chair of the Department of Music and conductor of the Salina Symphony, said the performances have special meaning this year.
Each ensemble has been invited to perform next February at the Kansas Music Educators Convention in Wichita, a significant honor for the music program. For the Saturday of Homecoming and Family Weekend, each will perform individually, then perform Johann Sebastian Bach’s “Magnificat” together, in its entirety.
The performance also brings four alumni back to campus to take part in the concert. Aine Hakamatsuka, ’12; Britany Jeffery, ’13; Corey Braxton, ’08; and Matt Schwan, ’09 will all be on stage. Dr. Jesse Henkensiefken, assistant professor of music and director of the strings program, will conduct.
“We wanted to do something special,” Hakoda said. “We wanted to perform one of the larger works that is not often heard. Besides, bringing alumni back shows there is life after college!”
The returning alumni are working in professional music careers launched by their education at KWU. Hakamatsuka is a freelance musician in New York City. Jefferey is a freelance musician in the Chicago area. Braxton is choir director at Lyons High School. Schwan is choir director at Junction City Middle School.
While the concert provides a good opportunity for alumni and families to see why both groups have been invited to perform at the music convention, Hakoda said it’s also about the students.
“It is fun for us to perform,” he said, “and it’s fun for the students, too.”
The full schedule of events for Homecoming and Family Weekend includes the following.
Reunion activities planned for:
Class of 1968/Golden W
Baseball Alumni
Volleyball Alumni
Softball Alumni
Alumni Award Winners:
Bob Murray ’71 – Service
Dr. Climetine (Harris) Clayburn ’71 – Achievement
Ralita (Estwick) Cheeks ’07 – Young Alumna
Dr. Charlie and Pat Grimwood – Alumni by Choice
Hall of Fame Inductees:
2007 Volleyball Team
Sarah Claborn ’11 – Volleyball
Deena Baker ’97 – Softball
Mark Brown ’76 – Men’s Basketball
Jimmy Ranieri ’98 – Football and Soccer
Thursday, October 4
7:30 p.m. | Alumni Theatre Production
The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) (Revised)
Fitzpatrick Auditorium
COST: $8 per person
CAST: Gary Demuth, Paul Minneman, and John Hendrick
Friday, October 5
8 a.m.–5 p.m. | Campus Tours
30-minute tours begin in Admissions on the second floor of Pioneer Hall
8 a.m.–5 p.m. | Homecoming Headquarters
Hauptli Student Center
Event registration and information
12–4 p.m. | Coyote Golf Outing
Salina Country Club
COST: $75 (includes boxed lunch; prizes awarded)
Noon–12:30 p.m. | Golden W Social
Muir Gymnasium
Social time for Class of 1968 and other Golden W members
12:30–1:30 p.m. | Golden W Luncheon
Muir Gymnasium
Class of 1968 Induction, Wesleyan Chorale Performance
COST: $20; Free for members of the Class of ’68
1:30–4 p.m. | Welcome Lounge
Brown Mezzanine
Reconnect and reminisce with fellow Coyotes and faculty and browse yearbooks
Oberammergau 2020: Learn more about an exciting travel opportunity to Germany and Switzerland!
4–5 p.m. | Breakthrough Reception
Peters Science Hall Room 413
Celebrate the opening of the Charles B. Creager Physics Lab and other technological advances made over the past year.
4–7 p.m. | Larry Thomas Art Exhibit
The Gallery, Sams Hall of Fine Arts
Reception with the artist from 5–7 p.m.
6–8 p.m. | Alumni Awards Dinner and Campus Update
Hilton Garden Inn, 3320 S. 9th St.
2018 Alumni Awardees
Dr. Climetine Clayburn ’71, Alumni Achievement Award
Bob Murray ’71, Alumni Service Award
Ralita Cheeks ’07, Young Alumna Award
Dr. Charlie and Pat Grimwood, Alumni by Choice Award
COST: $25; 2018 Honorees and presenters no charge
7 p.m. | Women’s Soccer vs. York
Graves Family Sports Complex
7:30 p.m. | Alumni Theatre Production
The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) (Revised)
Fitzpatrick Auditorium
COST: $8 per person
CAST: Gary Demuth, Paul Minneman, and John Hendrick.
TBD | Volleyball Team Alumni Dinner
COST: At your own expense
Contact Fred Aubuchon for more information.
Saturday, October 6
8-10 a.m. | W Club Breakfast and Athletic Hall of Fame Inductions
Muir Gymnasium
Celebrate the athletic accomplishments of fellow alumni.
2018 Hall of Fame Inductees
2007 Volleyball Team
Sarah Claborn ’11, Volleyball
Deena Baker ’97, Softball
Mark Brown ’76, Men’s Basketball
Jimmy Ranieri ’98, Football and Soccer
COST: $15; 2018 Hall of Fame inductees and presenters no charge; $20 at the door
8:30–10 a.m. | Alumni Flag Football
Laha Practice Field
10–11 a.m. | Alumni Council Meeting
Student Activities Center Room 203
All are welcome to learn more about how your Alumni Association fees are allocated.
10 a.m.–noon | Homecoming Headquarters
Hauptli Student Center
11 a.m. | JV Volleyball vs. McPherson
Mabee Arena
Noon | Men’s Soccer vs. York
Gene Bissell Field at Graves Family Sports Complex
Noon–1 p.m. | Family Picnic
Kirwin House, 130 E. Kirwin
Hosted by President and Mrs. Thompson
COST: $8 per person
Noon | Alumni Softball Game
Bill Burke Park
Noon | Alumni Baseball Game
Dean Evans Stadium
1 p.m. | Volleyball vs. McPherson
Mabee Arena
Recognition of the Alumni Award Winners and Hall of Fame inductees.
COST: $8 Adults; $5 Seniors (60+)/Military; $2 Students/Youth; under 5 are free. Special combo ticket for volleyball and football available at the volleyball ticket table. (admission to both games for $10)
2 p.m. | Choir and Orchestra Concert
Sams Chapel, Pioneer Hall
3:30–5 p.m. | Tailgating and Kids Zone
Student Center quad
Reconnect with classmates and faculty and meet our current students to find out what life is like on campus today.
COST: $8/Adults; $5/children under 5; Free for Faculty/Staff with ID
Pay on site for a buffet prepared by Sodexo or bring your own food.
Limited reserved tailgating spots; reserve your spot at www.kwu.edu/tailgate. No glass permitted.
5 p.m. | Football vs. Saint Mary
Gene Bissell Field at Graves Family Sports Complex
Halftime features the traditional coronation ceremony and recognition of the Hall of Fame Inductees and Alumni Award Winners
COST: $8 Adults; $5 Seniors (60+)/Military; $2 Students/Youth; under 5 are free
8 p.m. | Alumni Theatre Production
The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) (Revised)
Fitzpatrick Auditorium
COST: $8 per person
CAST: Gary Demuth, Paul Minneman, and John Hendrick
8 p.m. | Yotes on the Patio
Speakeasy, 2030 S. Ohio St.
COST: At your own expense
Sunday, October 7
10:30–11:30 a.m. | Worship Service
University United Methodist Church
Philharmonic Choir Performance