David Glenn’s “Valley of Streams” reprised in living color

Jeff Horner’s photograph of Mill Creek is one of 41 color images that will accompany David Glenn’s “Valley of Streams.”

Professor of Music David Glenn’s tone poem, “Valley of Streams,” now comes in full color. Glenn’s paean to the Walla Walla Valley, organized in four settings to capture the region’s landscape, colleges, downtown and Hispanic community, was premiered last spring by the Walla Walla Symphony. Since then, he has added a striking visual element to the work: 41 photographs by local photographer Jeff Horner.

When the orchestra reprises “Valley of Streams” in its “A Centennial Finale” program (3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 16), Glenn’s symphonic poem will be complemented by Horner’s photographs projected on two walls of Cordiner Hall.

“When I first sat down to write the piece, I saw it unfolding like a film,” Glenn said. “The more I thought about a visual connection, the more I thought photos would be more organic and less distracting.”

Glenn, a member of Whitman’s music faculty since 1989, had seen hundreds of Horner’s photographs on the front pages and section fronts of the Walla Walla Union-Bulletin. “Jeff’s work captures the Walla Walla Valley beautifully,” Glenn said. “I think the visual element adds another dimension.”

“Valley of Streams” is one of four works for orchestra that Glenn has written. The Walla Walla Symphony premiered his “Christmas Fantasy for Orchestra and Jazz Sextet” in December 1998. “A Day at Carnaval” was first performed in April 2000 by the Mid-Columbia Symphony. “Artist Portraits” was introduced by the Walla Walla Symphony in March 2001.

Tickets to the Walla Walla Symphony concert are available online at www.wwsymphony.org or at the door.

Another chance at symphony tickets

The president’s office has another 12 tickets to the Dec. 16 performance of the Walla Walla Symphony. They will be given on a first-come, first-served basis to the first staff or faculty members who request them. Respond to parishlj@whitman.edu only.

Festive attire encouraged – Whitman’s winter holiday party is Saturday

Faculty and staff are invited to the annual Whitman Winter Holiday Party, hosted by George Bridges and Kari Tupper, on Saturday, Dec. 15. The party starts at 7:30 p.m. in the Young Ballroom, Reid Campus Center. This festive occasion, with food, beverages, music and dancing, warrants festive attire, which is encouraged. Party-goers are also asked to bring a canned or boxed food donation for the local food bank.

International Human Rights Day letter-writing campaign

Monday, Dec. 10, is International Human Rights Day – marking the day in 1948 when the United Nations General Assembly adopted and proclaimed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. As a follow-up to the recent discussion on genocide, at which Professor Bruce Magnusson discussed Darfur, Whitman community members are invited to participate in a letter-writing campaign this evening, Dec. 10, at 7 p.m. This event, which is hosted by Congregation Beth Israel, will take place at the Synagogue, located at the corner of Alder and Roosevelt Streets in Walla Walla. All supplies will be provided. To RSVP, send an e-mail to nsleavitt@hotmail.com.

Faculty Profile: Mare Blocker
Visiting Assistant Professor of Art

• Department: Art
• Birthplace: Seattle
• Education: BFA, University of Washington, 1982; MFA, University of Idaho, 2006
• Years at Whitman: 2003-04; 2006-current. This is my third year.
• Courses: All levels of printmaking and book arts, as well as drawing.
• Favorite book/film/music/play/art/etc: Books: “Candide,” the “His Dark Materials” series; the PBS series on the “Brain” and “Art 21”; music: I like hip hop, “girl” rappers, Nina Hagen and Balkan Beat Box-really anything except heavy metal. Artists: Squeak Carnwath, Tilleke Schwarz, Dorothy Caldwell.
• Favorite sculpture on campus: “Fountain of Vibrant Waters” (George Tsutakawa)
• Best travel experience: I ran away from home in 1975 and went to the Philippines.
• Interests/pleasures: I like to make things, garden and bowl.
• Recent accomplishment: Personally, I lost the use of my left deltoid muscle group in October after a spinal surgery. I’m able to touch my head now; that’s been a big accomplishment for me. Professionally, I recently had a one-person show at the Pendleton Center for the Arts, and the Rhode Island School of Design bought a piece of mine for their collection a couple of weeks ago. And I recently published my new book, “The Giant Child Manifesto.”
• What people don’t know about me: I once asked MC Hammer if I could take a picture of him at the Oakland Airport and he autographed the Polaroid for me.
• Why I teach: I want to keep the tradition of handmade books alive for future generations, and I adore interacting with students. I learn something new every day. Teaching brings me great joy, which is why I got an MFA at 46.
• Favorite aspect of Whitman: the community and the relationships I have built with my students.
• What I’ve learned here: that failure is sometimes a gift in disguise.
• Quote: “If you’ve got it flaunt it, and even if you suspect you’ve got it flaunt it,” famous “flauntulist” academy slogan.

The Fountain is published by the Office of Communications. Send news to Editor Lenel Parish at thefountain@whitman.edu. Photos are accepted. Submissions are due by Tuesday at 5 p.m. for the following week's issue. Editorial Assistant: Marcy Manker ’10. Managing editor: Lana Brown. Director of Communications: Ruth Wardwell. Online: www.whitman.edu/fountain