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Eye on UMSL: Making connections
Eye on UMSL: Making connections

Dean Shu Schiller speaks with attorney Eric Kendall Banks, a 1990 UMSL Distinguished Alumni Award recipient, during a reception last Wednesday night at the Blanche M. Touhill Performing Arts Center.

Eye on UMSL: Making connections

Dean Shu Schiller speaks with attorney Eric Kendall Banks, a 1990 UMSL Distinguished Alumni Award recipient, during a reception last Wednesday night at the Blanche M. Touhill Performing Arts Center.

Eye on UMSL: Making connections

Dean Shu Schiller speaks with attorney Eric Kendall Banks, a 1990 UMSL Distinguished Alumni Award recipient, during a reception last Wednesday night at the Blanche M. Touhill Performing Arts Center.

MORE IN Touhill Center
13 top UMSL Daily stories from 2013

13 top UMSL Daily stories from 2013

They include posts about students unearthing dinosaur bones, a faculty member studying the effects of viewing “The Biggest Loser” and an alumnus’ recollection of rapping in The Nosh.

11 UMSL photos from 2013

11 UMSL photos from 2013

UMSL campus photographer August Jennewein shoots thousands of photos each year. As 2013 came to a close, he chose the photo above and 10 more below to revisit.

Eye on UMSL: Happy New Year!

Eye on UMSL: Happy New Year!

Melissa Schwartz, a junior music major at UMSL, plays “St. Louis Blues” by W.C. Handy at the Wind Ensemble Concert held in the Lee Theater at the Touhill. She was part of 10-student trumpet ensemble.

‘The Screwtape Letters’ returns to Touhill this weekend

‘The Screwtape Letters’ returns to Touhill this weekend

The provocative theatrical adaptation of the C.S. Lewis novel “The Screwtape Letters” will return with its wickedly clever premise to the the Blanche M. Touhill Performing Arts Center at the University of Missouri–St. Louis. Directed by Max McLean, the performance will begin at 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. Dec. 7.

Eye on UMSL: UMSL Day records

Eye on UMSL: UMSL Day records

More than 1,400 people visited the university on Nov. 23 for UMSL Day and 123 prospective students completed applications. Both figures broke records for the biannual event, which gives prospective students and their families the opportunity to tour the university’s 350-acre campus, talk with faculty members and attend information sessions on admissions and financial aid. The Office of Admissions held UMSL Day at the Blanche M. Touhill Performing Arts Center.

‘I Chose UMSL’ campaign shifts focus to opportunity, outcomes

‘I Chose UMSL’ campaign shifts focus to opportunity, outcomes

UMSL students look to the university to create life-altering opportunities. UMSL alumni prove-out those opportunities with solid successes. That’s the story of the newest chapter of the “I Chose UMSL” branding campaign launched in October. This is the fourth iteration of the popular initiative.

Shanghai Ballet to stage ‘The Butterfly Lovers’ at Touhill

Shanghai Ballet to stage ‘The Butterfly Lovers’ at Touhill

Founded in 1979, the Shanghai Ballet boasts a history of more than 30 years, holding a prestigious position in the international ballet world. Shanghai Ballet’s production of “The Butterfly Lovers” is often considered the Chinese equivalent to “Romeo and Juliet.”

Variety Children’s Theatre to perform ‘Peter Pan’ at the Touhill

Variety Children’s Theatre to perform ‘Peter Pan’ at the Touhill

“Peter Pan,” the latest Variety Children’s Theatre production, will take flight Oct. 25-27 at the Blanche M. Touhill Performing Arts Center at the University of Missouri–St. Louis. As in years past, Variety Children’s Theatre will stage its production with a cast of professional actors and children of all abilities, a live orchestra with 21 musicians, glorious sets and brilliant costumes.

Wynton Marsalis to bring blend of gospel, jazz to Touhill

Wynton Marsalis to bring blend of gospel, jazz to Touhill

Since jazz musician Wynton Marsalis composed and recorded “In This House, On This Morning” two decades ago, he has remained committed to projecting a theme of universal humanism while reflecting the form of the African American church service. Never has Marsalis coalesced the codes of sacred and secular expression more successfully than with the 2008 extended work “Abyssinian Mass,” commissioned to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the Abyssinian Baptist Church on West 138th Street in Harlem, N.Y.

Wynton Marsalis to bring blend of gospel, jazz to Touhill

‘Savage Love’ live at UMSL’s Touhill Center

Dan Savage is a writer, TV personality and activist best known for his political and social commentary, as well as his honest approach to sex, love and relationships. His sex advice column, “Savage Love,” is syndicated in newspapers and websites throughout the United States, Canada, Europe and Asia.

Student new to UMSL, takes on big role in ‘Rocky Horror’

Student new to UMSL, takes on big role in ‘Rocky Horror’

Among the University of Missouri–St. Louis students performing in “The Rocky Horror Show” at the Blanche M. Touhill Performing Arts Center is Grayson Jostes, who came to UMSL this semester as part of SUCCEED, a post-secondary program for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

UMSL marks Jubilee with specially commissioned symphony

UMSL marks Jubilee with specially commissioned symphony

To mark its 50th anniversary the University of Missouri–St. Louis commissioned composer and UMSL music professor Barbara Harbach to write an original performance piece. Her creation will make its debut next month.

Wynton Marsalis to bring blend of gospel, jazz to Touhill

Improv shop to stage evening of comedy at Touhill

The Blanche M. Touhill Performing Arts Center at the University of Missouri–St. Louis and St. Louis’ own Improv Shop have teamed up again this season to present three evenings of comedy. The first performance will begin at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 25 at the Touhill.

St. Louis Jazz Orchestra to pay tribute to Maynard Ferguson

St. Louis Jazz Orchestra to pay tribute to Maynard Ferguson

The St. Louis Jazz Orchestra, led by Jim Widner, director of jazz studies at the University of Missouri–St. Louis, will showcase the music of Maynard Ferguson and feature the artistry of St. Louis’ own Maynard “disciple” Jim Manley. “St. Louis Jazz Orchestra: A Tribute to Maynard Ferguson” will begin at 7 p.m. Sept. 24 at the Blanche M. Touhill Performing Arts Center at UMSL.

Media Coverage: August 2013

Media Coverage: August 2013

The University of Missouri–St. Louis makes a significant impact on the St. Louis area. Stories about the university, its scholars and their expertise are often covered by local and national news media. Media Coverage highlights some of the top coverage, but does not serve as a comprehensive listing.

Arianna String Quartet to revisit South Africa for season opener

Arianna String Quartet to revisit South Africa for season opener

This summer, the Arianna String Quartet spent three weeks teaching and performing in South Africa. Now back in the States, the University of Missouri–St. Louis’ resident quartet will revisit their trip to open its 2013-2014 season at the Blanche M. Touhill Performing Arts Center at UMSL.

Wynton Marsalis to bring blend of gospel, jazz to Touhill

Pair of Touhill festivals, MADCO make St. Louis Post-Dispatch’s Go! List

Two festivals and a dance company that call the Blanche M. Touhill Performing Arts Center at the University of Missouri–St. Louis home are among St. Louis’ best in arts and entertainment. That’s according to the inaugural Go! List, which celebrates the St. Louis Post-Dispatch critics’ and readers’ A&E favorites.

UMSL resident artists Arianna String Quartet announce 2013-14 repertoire

UMSL resident artists Arianna String Quartet announce 2013-14 repertoire

The acclaimed St. Louis-based Arianna String Quartet, resident artists at the University of Missouri–St. Louis, has announced its 2013-14 St. Louis concert series. The quartet will perform four concerts – “Out of Africa” featuring Alex Klein, oboe; “An Evening with Johannes Brahms” with pianist Johannes Brahms, “A Night at the Opera” with special guest soprano Stella Markou and “High Five” – in the E. Desmond and Mary Ann Lee Theater at the Touhill Performing Arts Center. Subscriptions are on sale now at Touhill.org and by calling 314-516-4949. Single tickets go on sale early August.

Big Muddy Dance set to ‘Invigorate’ Touhill audiences

Big Muddy Dance set to ‘Invigorate’ Touhill audiences

St. Louis’ full-time, professional jazz dance company will present “Invigorate,” a concert of new and classic dance works, at 8 p.m. June 20-22 at the Blanche M. Touhill Performing Arts Center at the University of Missouri–St. Louis.

Spring to Dance Festival returns to Touhill

Spring to Dance Festival returns to Touhill

What started out as just an idea of Dance St. Louis Artistic and Executive Director Michael Uthoff has exploded into one of the hottest dance festivals in the country. Thirty professional dance companies, three nights, $15 tickets – the Memorial Day Weekend phenomenon, Spring to Dance Festival, returns for its sixth year at the University of Missouri–St. Louis with a smorgasbord of dance styles, including everything from cutting-edge contemporary dance and tap to classical ballet, modern and more.

Wynton Marsalis to bring blend of gospel, jazz to Touhill

Creative writers to give one last reading as students

A day before they graduate from the University of Missouri–St. Louis with an MFA in creative writing, nine students will read their original works. The semiannual MFA Graduate Reading will begin at 7:30 p.m. May 17 at the Blanche M. Touhill Performing Arts Center at UMSL. The reading is free and open to the public.

Alarm Will Sound to perform ‘1969’ at Touhill

Alarm Will Sound to perform ‘1969’ at Touhill

Inspired by a once-rumored but unconsummated meeting between the Beatles and Karlheinz Stockhausen – icons of 1960s rock and avant-garde composition, respectively – Alarm Will Sound’s “1969” connects the music, politics and culture of a turbulent decade through the works of the Beatles, Leonard Bernstein and contemporary composers Stockhausen and Luciano Berio.

UMSL Mirthday concert draws nearly 900

UMSL Mirthday concert draws nearly 900

Neon Trees (pictured), an alternative rock band from Provo, Utah and Grouplove a Los Angeles-based indie band attracted nearly 900 fans April 17 to the annual Mirthday concert at the University of Missouri–St. Louis. The concert was held in the Blanche M. Touhill Performing Arts Center. The Capital Kings, a Washington, D.C., Christian pop band, opened for the headliners.

UMSL marks Jubilee with specially commissioned symphony

Greater St. Louis Jazz Festival celebrates 10 years

Over the last ten years, the Greater St. Louis Jazz Festival has grown to be one of the most significant jazz festivals in the Midwest. Produced by the University of Missouri–St. Louis, the Blanche M. Touhill Performing Arts Center and Jazz St. Louis, the 2013 festival will run April 18-20 and feature Monterey Jazz Festival on Tour, Doc Severinsen and His Big Band and Anat Cohen and Matt Wilson.

The Second City to stage ‘Laughing Matters’ at Touhill

The Second City to stage ‘Laughing Matters’ at Touhill

Every time The Second City touring company returns to the University of Missouri–St. Louis for its extremely popular annual show at the Blanche M. Touhill Performing Arts Center, a future legend could be onstage. Named the country’s “Comedy Empire” by The New York Times, the Chicago-based improv group has a reputation for cultivating the next generation of comedic royalty with alumni including Tina Fey, Bill Murray and Steven Colbert.

Earn a Certificate in Audio Recording from UMSL

Earn a Certificate in Audio Recording from UMSL

The College of Fine Arts & Communication at the University of Missouri–St. Louis announced their new program for students to earn a Certificate in Audio Recording. The college is collaborating with Ira DeWitt, president and founder of Notifi Records; the UMSL Department of Music; and the Blanche M. Touhill Performing Arts Center, to offer this certificate program that provides participants with the necessary technical skills needed for the production of high-quality sound recordings.

Chick Corea, Bela Fleck to play Touhill

Chick Corea, Bela Fleck to play Touhill

Maybe pairing a National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Master and the one of the world’s finest banjo players shouldn’t work. But the BBC calls Chick Corea and Bela Fleck “everything a collaboration of this caliber should be – perhaps even a little bit more.”

MADCO to pick up speed in ‘Momentum’ at Touhill

MADCO to pick up speed in ‘Momentum’ at Touhill

MADCO, the resident dance company at the University of Missouri–St. Louis will pick up speed in “Momentum” by performing the work of some of the nation’s hottest choreographers, including Gina Patterson (Austin, Texas) and Janice Garrett (San Francisco).

Jazz orchestra to pay tribute to Count Basie

Jazz orchestra to pay tribute to Count Basie

The St. Louis Jazz Orchestra will pay tribute to one of the leading bands of the swing era, the Count Basie Orchestra, with a concert at the University of Missouri–St. Louis. “A Night of Count Basie” will begin at 7 p.m. Feb. 26 at the Blanch M. Touhill Performing Arts Center at UMSL.

Moulin Rouge-inspired ballet to be staged at Touhill

Moulin Rouge-inspired ballet to be staged at Touhill

The Moulin Rouge has been the inspiration for books, paintings, musicals, films – and now, ballet. Dance St. Louis will bring Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet, the oldest continuously running ballet company in North America, to St. Louis for the first time to perform “Moulin Rouge – The Ballet” at 8 p.m. Jan. 25 and 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Jan. 26 at the Blanche M. Touhill Performing Arts Center at the University of Missouri–St. Louis.

Composer’s poetry-inspired score to debut at Touhill

Composer’s poetry-inspired score to debut at Touhill

A musical score composed by Barbara Harbach and based on works by Greek surrealist poet Andrea Embirikos will makes its debut at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 11 in the E. Desmond and Mary Ann Lee Theater at the Blanche M. Touhill Performing Arts Center on the North Campus of the University of Missouri–St. Louis.

Festive holiday concert to feature UMSL’s choral ensembles

Festive holiday concert to feature UMSL’s choral ensembles

Are the mild temperatures and lack of snow making it hard to get into the holiday spirit? The University of Missouri–St. Louis’s annual holiday concert could be just the cure. The Classic Holiday Concert is one of the most popular of the holiday season. The performance will be held at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 10 in the Anheuser-Busch Performance Hall at the Blanche M. Touhill Performing Arts Center at UMSL.