About the Festival

The first Indiana State University Music and Culture Festival took place on March 12–15, 2019, and showcased artistic traditions, both past and present, from China, Korea, Thailand, Vietnam, Hungary, and the United States. Through Arts and Culture, a significant vehicle for finding common ground with others and expanding our understanding of the human experience, the Festival offered attendees a unique glimpse into current global perspectives.

The Festival featured guest student and faculty presenters traveling directly from ISU partner institutions: Shenyang Conservatory of Music, China; Mahidol University School of Music and St. Gabriel’s School, Thailand; An Giang University, Vietnam; and University of Pécs, Hungary.

Also featured were student and faculty presenters from the ISU Colleges of Education, Arts and Sciences, and Technology, representing the departments of History (African and African American Studies); Art & Design; Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics; Textiles, Apparel, and Merchandising; Theater; and the School of Music.

Support for the festival came through the ISU Center for Global Engagement, the College of Arts and Sciences, and the School of Music.

Festival Visiting Guests

• St. Gabriel School Percussion Ensemble, Bangkok, Thailand; Mr. Lertsak Raksujarit, Director, and students
• Ms. Xiaocheng Jia, violin; Associate Professor, Shenyang Conservatory of Music, Shenyang, P.R. China
• Mahidol University School of Music, Salaya, Thailand; Dr. Wannapha Yannavut, Artist/Instructor of Percussion, and students Nut Wuthithepbuncha, Tawanrat Suksa-ard, Thanaphat Pratjaroenwanit
• University of Pécs Faculty of Music and Visual Arts, Pécs, Hungary
  • Solymosi Péter, trumpet; Farkas István Péter, trombone; Beregi András, tuba; Ibolya Huszics, piano; Bence Vas, guitar
• Dr. László Norbert Nemes, Director of the Kódaly Institute, Kecskemét, Hungary
• Eun Sun Jung, gayageum; Korean musician
• An Giang University, Long Xuyên, Vietnam
  • Dr. Bui Thi Ngoc Phuong, voice; Lecturer, Faculty of Tourism & Culture-Art Presenting
  • Mr. Vo Minh Luan, keyboards; Musician
  • Mr Nguyen Bao Lam, voice; An Giang Department of Science and Technology Presenting
  • Mr. Lu Minh Nien, voice; Student, Pedagogy Practice School
• Batesville Middle /High School Gyil Ensemble; ISU Alumnus, Alec Branstetter, Director

Festival Photos

• View the Festival Photos

Festival Program

• Download the official Festival program

Schedule of Events

Tuesday, March 12

All week: International Costume and Traditional Dress Static Display. Dr. Robin Robinson, Ms. Pamela Tabor, and students of the Textiles, Apparel, and Merchandising Program.
NEW LOCATION: Meyers Technology Building, 3rd floor

All week: Visit the Arts Illiana Gallery, located at 23 North Sixth Street, and view the current exhibition entitled “The American Dream.” Fifty-nine works of art representing interpretations of the American dream from artists across North America…including the Wabash Valley. Open 10am - 4pm.

6:30 pm - Music in Japanese Horror: A discussion and analysis of the film Tag
Dr. Melanie D’Amico and Marie Mori
Location: University Hall Theater

• A presentation of the 2015 film Tag, Riaru onigokko (original title), directed by Sion Sono, and an interactive discussion of the music used in the movie. Our intent is to explore the cultural differences in the music selections (contrasting with U.S. horror), the effectiveness of the musical selections for the scenes, and the audience’s impressions of the role of music in this film. We will have a pre-viewing discussion and a post-viewing discussion.

Wednesday, March 13

All week: International Costume and Traditional Dress Static Display, Library Events Room, all week. Dr. Robin Robinson, Ms. Pamela Tabor, and students of the Textiles, Apparel, and Merchandising Program.
NEW LOCATION: Meyers Technology Building, 3rd floor

All week: Visit the Arts Illiana Gallery, located at 23 North Sixth Street, and view the current exhibition entitled “The American Dream.” Fifty-nine works of art representing interpretations of the American dream from artists across North America…including the Wabash Valley. Open 10am - 4pm.

7:30 pm - Opening Remarks: Dr. Michael Licari, Provost
Performance: Opening Festival Concert: ISU Student Ensembles, featuring Ms. Xiaocheng Jia, violin, Shenyang Conservatory of Music, Shenyang, P.R. China.
Location: Tilson Auditorium

Post-concert - Performances of Digital Art & Percussion Collaboration Professor Sala Wong and Digital Art Students, Dr. Jimmy Finnie and percussion students.
Location: University Hall Auditorium. Reception to follow in University Hall Atrium.

Thursday, March 14

All week: International Costume and Traditional Dress Static Display. Dr. Robin Robinson, Ms. Pamela Tabor, and students of the Textiles, Apparel, and Merchandising Program.
NEW LOCATION: Meyers Technology Building, 3rd floor

All week: Visit the Arts Illiana Gallery, located at 23 North Sixth Street, and view the current exhibition entitled “The American Dream.” Fifty-nine works of art representing interpretations of the American dream from artists across North America…including the Wabash Valley. Open 10am - 4pm.

9:00–10:15 - Panel Discussion “How Faculty Internationalize Their Classrooms” Dr. Scott Sterling
Location: Landini Center for Performing and Fine Arts, room 159

• Opening speaker: Zachariah Mathew
• Moderator: Scott Sterling
• Panelists: Whitney Boling, Aruna Chandaraekaren. Donna Crawford, Lisa Decker, Colleen Haas, Don Rogers, and Renata Geld (University of Zagreb).

10:15–10:45 - Lecture recital: “An Exploration of Thai Traditional Music for Western Percussion Instruments”. Dr. Wannapha Yannavut, Artist/Instructor of Percussion at Mahidol University School of Music, Salaya, Thailand and her students.
Location: Landini Center for Performing and Fine Arts, room 159

10:45–12:00 - Performance: St. Gabriel School Percussion Ensemble, Bangkok, Thailand. Mr. Lertsak Raksujarit, Director. ISU Percussion Ensemble, Dr. Jimmy Finnie. Director.
Location: Landini Center for Performing and Fine Arts, room 159

1:00–2:15 - Performance: University of Pécs Faculty of Music and Visual Arts, Pécs, Hungary & Korean musician Eun Sun Jung, Gayageum.
Location: Boyce Recital Hall

2:45–4:00 - Presentation: International Graffiti as a Lens to Increased Cultural Understanding, Dr. Lisa Calvin
Location:Landini Center for Performing and Fine Arts, room 159

• Residents of Terre Haute regularly view graffiti while stopped by passing trains, but this presentation invites the audience to approach graffiti from a new perspective. Through ephemeral messages about politically charged social issues, graffiti can be a tool to learn about historic moments in time of another country. Graffiti as a form of artistic self-expression may celebrate international figures or challenge existing cultural values. A hastily drawn doodle may be created with the intent to generate a smile—but delivered with a biting sense of humor. Examples of all of these types of graffiti and more will be examined. The presentation draws largely from a collection of digital images of graffiti in Spain, but will also include graffiti from other European nations and South America.

4:15–5:45 - "Indiana State University’s Hidden Hispanic/Latino Art and History Tour,” walking tour with Dr. Crystal Reynolds and Jocelyn Krueger
Location: Meet in the front (northwest side) of University Hall Theater

• Come join historian and researcher Dr. Crystal Mikell Reynolds on a three stop tour of the “hidden art and history” of Hispanics/Latinos at ISU (1940s to the present). The art and history of this dynamic group will be explored with special guest presenter Jocelyn Krueger, curator of the permanent art collection. Stops will include Normal Hall, Cunningham Memorial Library, and the College of Education.

7:30–8:45 - Performance: Chamber music and Choir Concert ISU Faculty and Choirs
Location: University Hall Theater

Friday, March 15

All week: International Costume and Traditional Dress Static Display. Dr. Robin Robinson, Ms. Pamela Tabor, and students of the Textiles, Apparel, and Merchandising Program.
NEW LOCATION: Meyers Technology Building, 3rd floor

All week: Visit the Arts Illiana Gallery, located at 23 North Sixth Street, and view the current exhibition entitled “The American Dream.” Fifty-nine works of art representing interpretations of the American dream from artists across North America…including the Wabash Valley. Open 10am - 4pm.

9:00–10:15 - Presentation: “Kodályian Heritage of Safeguarding Traditional Musical Culture in Hungary and the Creation of the New Modern Classical Style”, Dr. László Norbert Nemes, Director of the Kódaly Institute, Kecskemét, Hungary.
Location:Landini Center for Performing and Fine Arts, room 159

10:45-noon - Performance: ISU Theater Department students.
Dr. David Marcia will be directing Macbeth this Spring. This theater presentation will be a combination of short scenes, fight combat demonstration, and Dr. Marcia presenting on the Macbeth.
Location: University Hall Theater

1:00–2:15 - Performance: An Giang University, Long Xuyên, Vietnam & Dr. Colleen Haas, West African Music
Location: Landini Center for Performing and Fine Arts, Boyce Recital Hall

2:45–4:00 - Fashion Show: Textiles, Apparel, and Merchandising Culturally Inspired Fashion Show, Dr. Robin Robinson
Location: University Hall Theater
Original Designs by:

• Keralynn Little - Senegal Inspired
• Abigail Irwin - Japanese Inspired
• Destiny Lopez - Germany Inspired
• Breon Crumbley - Scotland Inspired
• Bianca Perez - Spanish Inspired
• Darrean Douthit - Chinese Inspired
• Joyce Robinson - United Kingdom Inspired

4:15–5:45 - "Indiana State University’s Hidden Hispanic/Latino Art and History Tour,” walking tour with Dr. Crystal Reynolds and Jocelyn Krueger
Location: Location: Meet in the front (northwest side) of University Hall Theater

• Come join historian and researcher Dr. Crystal Mikell Reynolds on a three stop tour of the “hidden art and history” of Hispanics/Latinos at ISU (1940s to the present). The art and history of this dynamic group will be explored with special guest presenter Jocelyn Krueger, curator of the permanent art collection. Stops will include Normal Hall, Cunningham Memorial Library, and the College of Education.

7:30–8:45 - Performance: International Guest Ensembles and Performers with ISU Students and Faculty, and special guests the Batesville Middle /High School Gyil Ensemble, ISU Alumnus, Alec Branstetter, Director.
Location: University Hall Theater. Reception to follow