French Renaissance Fair hits the Kellogg Center
The French Department coordinated their first Renaissance Fair on Nov. 3 as part of their mega cultural activity. Students from all levels of French helped piece the event together during all of October.
Each department organizes a cultural event. French students worked on the Fair as part of their “tutor” sessions and curriculum under the advising of Morgane Chatanger, the department’s Teacher Assistant. The residents of the Maison Française, or French house, hosted weekly activities so students had a place to plan the event and design games.
“We tried to have everyone involved in one way or another,” Chatanger said.
Last year’s theme incorporated the history of the Caribbean Islands to show how French culture has influenced that region of the world.
“The format stays the same every year, but what I’ve been trying to do is relate it to the upper level classes,” Chatanger said. “This event is about the Middle Ages since the upper level classes are studying French history.”
The students provided a feast, played chess, backgammon, and checkers, dressed in medieval costumes, and had a story telling about the French Renaissance.
Albion Music Department hosts fourth annual piano competition
Barry Snyder, the Eastman School of Music’s professor of Piano, opened the competition with his performance on Oct. 27-30. Pianists had the opportunity to play competitively, receive feedback on their performances, and interact with French students from Albion’s sister city, Noisy le Roi.
Kurt Juday, the music department manager, helped arrange the competition.
“Their repertoire wasn’t particularly different or culturally influenced than most,” Juday said, “but their presence was a special and notable element of this year’s competition, and we are glad that they took the time to come perform.”
The invites are hoping that more Albion students will perform at the Bailly conservatory in the future.
After playing, the pianists received an audio recording of their performance. This serves as a tool to advance musically.
“Many of the participants are young, and the Albion College Piano Festival may be their introduction to competitive playing,” Juday said. “We take steps to make sure that even the youngest players feel appreciated for their performance, and that the atmosphere is welcoming, cooperative, and educational.”
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