The Rice Thresher (Houston, Tex.), Vol. 52, No. 28, Ed. 1 Thursday, April 29, 1965 Page: 3 of 8
This newspaper is part of the collection entitled: Texas Digital Newspaper Program and was provided to The Portal to Texas History by the Rice University Woodson Research Center.
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
SIGHTS AND SOUNDS
Culture moves on
The colleges: a new enthusiasm
"Culture" is a funny thing.
It defies definition, and, at
. Rice, is supposed to be almost
non-existent. You arrive here
as a Freshman and learn, to
your horror, that Rice is sup-
posedly a "cultural desert"—a
vast wasteland of work, worry,
and three-month-late papers. So
you forget about "the finer
things" and dig, head down-
ward, into the bog.
Sigh.
At least, this is the way
things are "supposed" to be. In
theory, the idea holds all sorts
of possibilities for self-right-
eous student martyrdom. In
practice, it just plain isn't true.
If the nomads would lift then-
heads for a minute, they would
see, hear, and maybe even feel
the following:
Home-grown Music
Music: This year, Rice has
supported two home-grown mu-
sic groups. More importantly,
the new one (The Rice Sym-
phonic Society) has been an
overwhelming success, due pri-
marily to the vigor of Dr. Rich-
ard O'Neill and a devoted group
of fine musicians.
The Shepherd School, that
much-maligned child of the
Rice Administration, has done
its usual outstanding job this
year—unnoticed but for a dedi-
cated few. Also deserving notice
is the excellent Hanszen series.
Art: Little more than this
must be said; within the next
two weeks there will be three
art shows on campus—at Hans-
zen, in Hamman, and in the
Library. y* *
The "art" may no^be "good"
all the time, but it is there.
Other notable events: the
Sounds
By JOHN DUNLAP
A fair critique of the Hous-
ton All-City Symphony can be
a difficult business. The listen-
ing reviewer must keep his wits
about him. He can never let
himself be so taken by the
music that he forgets who the
musicians are. If he doesn't re-
mind himself that he is listen-
ing to a high school orchestra,
he begins to confuse compara-
tives with superlatives.
Those who attended the Hans-
zen Spring Recital Series con-
cert last Sunday were willing
to agree that the sound was un-
deniably clean, the tempos aand
dynamics plausible.
Nor could anyone fail to lie
impressed with the overall dis-
cipline and maturity of the
orchestra. Paradoxically these
very virtues define the crux of
the listener's dilemma: when-
ever he was confronted with
instances of high school shod-
diness, he was completely taken
aback.
Extremes in Tempo
The opening selection, Pur-
cell's "Overture, in D," was
given a spirited and intelligent
reading. The sound was good
baroque—robust, exuberant, yet
business-like. There was, how-
ever, some occasional difficulty
with clearness of voices.
The * major selection was
Schubert's Symphony number 5.
Conductor. Lantz tended toward
extremes in tempo, but was able
to make a fairly good case for
his ideas. The first and second
movements were well played at
faster and slower tempos, re-
spectively, than any of the
standard recorded versions.
Oboe Concerto
The third movement was best
—th^ strings' attacks were
clear and^ the woodwind mix-
tures in perfect balance. The
"Creative Collaboration" exbit-
it in the RMC, and the exhibi-
tion of works by Rice art profs
ear^r this year.
Literature: This year has
seen Allen Tate, Kenneth Burke,
a special tribute of T. S. Eliot,
"Janus," and the high-spirited
"Mamser." The "Mamser" is
specifically gratifying, because
it is all-student and all spon-
taneity.
Drama: This has been the
year for dramatics at Rice—and
the growth hasn't stopped yet.
This year we find Mr. Neil
Havens coming to Rice as our
first "Lecturer in Drama" and
directing the Players through
their most successful over-all
season to date.
Theaters Blossom
We see more student initia-
tive and quality in Lawson
Taitte's phenomenally success-
ful "Baker Theater - in - the -
Round." As we said, the growth
isn't over.
In the works: Hanszen thea-
ter—budget approval is pend-
ing at Hanszen for the estab-
lishment of a college theater
under the direction of Roger
Glade; Theatre 300, Rice's first
dramatic course to be taught
by Mr. Havens next year under
the Fine Arts department.
And besides this, there are
vague rumors and encouraging
noises coming from the theatri-
cal-minded at Jones and Will
Rice.
But through this all, there is
the following great light upon
the horizon.
Renaissance ? Perhaps not,
but to the nomads on the "des-
ert," even the slightest drizzle
might be called a cloudburst.
fourth movement was correctly
performed at allegro vivace,
but the fast pace was probably
responsible for a few of those
rare uneasy moments. Some of
the difficult tutti scalar pass-
ages in the coda just didn't
quite come off.
Unquestionably the high point
of the concert was Steve Mar-
tin's performance of Handel's
oboe concerto in G minor. Mar-
tin's great virtue was his tone
—sweet and pure, "from the
wood" and his technique, while
not superb seemed soun d
enough.
He played with ease, and in-
stinct for nuance, and a master-
ful sense of- the long line. Mar-
tin showed that he was able to
rise above the orchestra with
lordly confidence, volume and
tone, seemingly unconcerned by
his instrument's reputation for
treachery. His ornaments were
correct and his trill fluid. The
orchestra provided sound sup-
port throughout.
Hovhaness' Work
The concert concluded with
Hovhaness' "Prayer of St.
Gregory." The work is a sort
of Barberesque combination of
trumpet solo and tone poem,
with a radiant etheral chord
structure that recalls the bel-
ter moments from the sound
track of "Captain From Cas-
tille." The trumpet did • full
justice to his solonpart, manag-
ing to suggest all the chivalric
virtues.
* % *
This Sunday, at 2, the Hans-
zen Spring Recital Series con-
tinues with a chamber concert
by the Rice Symphonic Society.
The series will be concluded the
following Thursday when Eva
Wydra presents a piano recital
at 7:15 in the Hanszen Com-
mons.
By RICK HEIDNER
Will Rice College President
Each of us here has contributed some great
or small part to ttfts thing called a College, the
students, past and present who saw in the Col-
lege the chance, not merely to prepare to assume
responsibility in the outside world, but to ac-
tually assume responsibility for legislating,
judging, and in general just plain learning
how to get along with other people; the admin-
istrators who have given the students here a
great measure of personal freedom and now
wonder whether rising expectations on the part
of the students will outstrip responsibility; the
professors, especially the associates who feel a
need for some sort of link between a student's
formal academic life and his private life, and
particularly the patrons who give their whole-
hearted support to the College although they
are, for the most part, unable to follow our day
by day progress.
A College is a fascinating institution. Homo-
geneous by any academic standards, its member-
ship contains ail the elements of any society,
united, Kierkegaard would say, by their common
humanity. There are the recluses, and the hell-
raisers; those ambitious for power; those with a
real thirst for knowledge; those with a purpose
in life, those seeking one, those convinced that
one does not exist. People with a respect for
law and those with none.
They are all here, if one looks. But they are a
special group in a way. If they really believe in
something, really desire it, then they will work
and fight for it. Perhaps this is in the age and
nature of college students. If so, it is a quality
which should not be lightly waved aside with
a label of immaturity upon it. The willingness
to defend one's beliefs, to labor to institute them,
and yet all the while being willing to modify
them if evidence or experience dictates, is a
quality to be admired whether discovered in the
President of the United States, the adminis-
trators of a University, or the membership of a
College.
The College System is experiencing rising ex-
pectations. Of this there is no doubt. The con-
versations and editorials of several years decry-
ing the Rice Myth, reminding one of Eliot's
"wind in dry grass" have for the most part dis-
appeared. In their place came a successful Hiw-
suit to end segregation of the University, course
and grading reforms brought about by the Stu-
dent Committee on Educational Policy," the Mar-
grave Committee, and possibly in the future the
even more far-reaching Woodward Proposal. The
students have seen this.
Students Demonstrate Sincerity
The new atmosphere generates new enthusi-
asm in the student body, enthusiasm looking for
expression. We have seen this enthusiasm take
on projects ranging from college libraries to
student demonstrations. And in both of these
cases the students were for the most part sin-
cere and resolute in their purpose.
I speak mainly for this college when I note a
new seriousness of purpose. Very few people
even believe in hazing freshmen. Advice on ori-
enting freshmen comes from all classes, and it
is almost entirely constructive. This is not to
say that waterfights and general horseplay are
dead. Rather they are now spontaneous, not
carefully organized. People are interested in
music rooms and speaker programs, libraries
and decorations for the commons. An Open
House proposal^ was meticulously worked out
before it was made public. The effort on student
projects is now preceding the demands for rec-
ognition of these projects.
I have no real way of knowing, but this does
not sound like the student attitude that was
prevalent at the inception of the college system
eight years ago. Students have made a great
many mistakes along the way, but since then
as one college member put it, we have hewn a
great deal out of the earth with nothing but our
hands and our minds. Each new class does not
repeat till the same mistakes that its predecessor
has made. The College System is maturing.
Let me use what I have said to this point to
attempt to make a distinction: The new General
Announcements of Rice University contains the
following paragraph:
"Rice University assumes that the students,
having voluntarily enrolled, are in accord with
its objectives and philosophy and that they will
abide by its regulations and accepted practices."
Accord Gomes With Application
An objective, a rule, or a philosophy is not
meaningful, and one cannot be meaningfully in
accord with it until he has lived under it and
has applied it to himself. A freshman coming
to Rice from high school usually hasn't the
slightest idea what an academic community is
all. about. A freshman cannot accept intelli-
gently the condition posed in this paragraph.
Although I am looking forward to returning to
Rice next year, I am not in complete accord with
all the objectives and philosophy of Rice Uni-
versity, though I think that much the Univer.-ity
has to offer is very good.
To those parts which I feel are in error, I
plan to voice my .objections and the objections
of my fellow students to the best of my ability
as J did this year as a SCEP sub-committee
chairman. I will encourage everyone in this
manner.
But I have no wish for my actions to hinder the
functioning of the University, for there is value
in Kant's maxim "Dissent all you wish, but
obey." This maxim, however, places greater
responsibility on those requiring obedience than
on those required to obey. If we are to make
the Colleges a part of the University, we must
remove the barriers to mutual trust being erected
by both sides, and recognize that the objectives
both of the Colleges and the University are the
betterment of education, education in the broad-
est possible sense of the word, for many people
realized that we educate
in the colli
have
ourselves in a very real sense
cover what education is.
A commitment to the goal of
by an institution doe-n't net
pledge of support from the pe
College and a University must;
i^hture earn ^'ie support- of then
dis-
a fit
1 to
pie i
■ education
require a
serves. A
)y thi ir very
nem! i e1 - s.
Imported Auto
Sales &
Service
Clean Used Cars
COMPLETE PARTS
AND SERVICE
5109 Kirby JA 2-6303
BREAK THE STUDY HABIT
WITH A SNACK AT
DUTCH KETTLE
HERMANN PROFESSIONAL KLDG.
BREAKFAST — LUNCH — DINNER
CHARCOAL BROILER
STEAKS — HAMBURGERS — HOME MAPI-: PIES
OPEN 24 HOURS
SHORT ORDERS TO GO — J A 8-9121
OfciSfr..
The ideal
Association...
You and
university
Your Neighbor
M in■ the Village
AND LOAN ASSOCIATION *
Home Office—2500 Dunstan (in the V/V/ageJ-Houston
Branch: 5225 Bellaire Blvd.
Branch: 204 N. Main, Conroe
THE RICE THRESHER, APRIL 2 9, 196 5—1' A G E 3
0
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This issue can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Newspaper.
Durham, John. The Rice Thresher (Houston, Tex.), Vol. 52, No. 28, Ed. 1 Thursday, April 29, 1965, newspaper, April 29, 1965; Houston, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth244946/m1/3/: accessed April 25, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Rice University Woodson Research Center.