Baritone belts melodies
during Robeson tribute
Lee Bitler
Capital Times Staff
Though fighting a cold, nationally
known baritone Edward Pierson still
managed to entertain a crowd of about 25
students and faculty, during his Feb. 5
performance in the Gallery Lounge.
Pierson’s performance was part of Penn
State Harrisburg's Heritage Series, with
this month's focus being on black culture.
Pierson's "Black Culture in America"
tour featured a musical narrative
celebrating the life of Paul Robeson. A
renowned athlete, activist, lawyer, singer
and actor; Robeson is also one of New
Jersey's much-respected "Citizens of the
World."
Pierson's tribute, entitled "Paul, We
Hardly Knew Ye: Robeson Remembered,"
not only outlined the many academic and
theatrical accomplishments of Paul
Robeson, but also the trials and
tribulations he endured.
Pierson's rich baritone voice wafted
through the Gallery Lounge, flourishing
the melodies of Daniel. Deep River. Ballad
WPSH radio gets cranked
up for spring semester
WPSH, the voice of Penn State
Harrisburg, is ready for another semester
of bringing music and information to the
campus.
"We are going to continue providing
free public service soots to the clubs and
other organizations c . campus," said Terry
Wolf, general manager. "We want to get
people involved by letting them know
what's going on."
According to Wolf, WPSH has become
one of the highest profile, and the loudest,
clubs on campus thanks to disc jockey
equipment purchased by the club last year.
They have provided music for many
clubs and organizations such as XGl's, the
Eastgate, from page 1
Penn State Harrisburg will share the
first floor of the center with the
Pennsylvania Securities Commission,
while other tenants, like the United States
Postal Service, occupy the top floor.
"It was just an empty shell when we
first purchased it," South recalled. He said
more than $40,000 has been spent to
install walls, doors, carpeting, lighting
and other fixtures during recent months.
Since most classes will be offered
during evening hours, South doesn't
foresee a parking problem.
"Day classes with large enrollments
might be a challenge," he acknowledged,
but added that there is public parking
across the street.
"Within the building itself, we have
145 parking spaces on the ground floor,"
South said. "The area is served by public
transportation, and for many people, it's a
short walk from downtown or residential
neighborhoods."
Turning to another possible concern,
South explained that a complex security
system has been put into place for the
exterior of the building. One person at a
central location inside can easily monitor
For Americans. Let Mv PcopleCio and
several other songs which highlighted
African American Ancestry as well as
Robeson's life.
During the diverse program, Pierson
also permformed various pieces from
operas, spirituals, show tunes and art
songs.
Pierson, currently a voice professor at
Montclair State College, has performed in
productions such as "Don Carlo,"
"Showboat," "Tosca" and "Porgy and
Bess." He has also performed with such
well-known orchestras as the Chicago
Symphony, Cleveland Orchestra,
Cincinnati Pops and the Los Angeles
Symphony
Upcoming events scheduled for Black
History Month include African-American
Health Issues, Intcrgcncralional Round
Table, Harlem Ranaissance, Think Tank
Symposium: The Role of the African-
American in the Context of Mulli-
Culluralism, and Soul Food Sampler.
Contact the Student Assistance Center,
948-6260, for more information about
these events.
Black Student Union, the Student
Government Association and the 25th
Anniversary committee, said Wolf.
He added that WPSH offers a wide
range of musical styles and disc jockeys to
go with them. Their repertoire includes
everything from alternative to rap, classic
rock to heavy metal, and according to
Wolf, they're "the least expensive
operation around."
The WPSH officers for the spring '92
semester arc Terry Wolf, general manger;
Hilary Zeiders, assistant manager; Jeff
Hildebrand, program director; Kay Stohlcr,
personnel director; Larry Bates, business
manager; Karen Simons, sales manager;
activities, he said,
South said he believes the issue of
security may have been a more serious
concern 10 years ago than it is now. He
said the area is greatly improved over what
it once was, and pointed out other
developments in the neighborhood.
"Adjacent to the north of us is the new,
350,000 square-foot Pennsylvania Higher
I' p
& D
IRMINGHA
Baseball
Cards
and Coins
4 North Union St. M
M Middletown M
944-6380 i
Baritone Edward Pierson, Jr. performs a song from his show entitled, "Paul,
We Hardly Knew Ye: Robeson Remembered," which made its stop in the
Gallery Lounge on Feb. 5.
Barb Turk, news director; John Tinney, hiring WPSH should contact Terry Wolf
chief engineer and Rich Howarth, music or Karen Simons by leaving a letter in the
director. WPSH mailbox located in student
Any club or organization interested in activities or by calling 948-6396.
Education Assistance Agency Building,"
he noted. "Behind us is the Harrisburg
School District Central Administration
Building, and to the south is a bank."
Inside, the Penn State Harrisburg area
will include an information center with a
small library, a microcomputer lab that
hooks up with the mainframe at
University Park, two rooms for
M C
WPSH, "The Uoice of Penn State Harrisburg,"
is y° ur ansu,er!
Call for more information: 948“6396
CAPITAL TIMES 'DC'U'
February 10, 1992 i l3il iNII/Wlj/ A
Need a DJ?
workshops, two areas for conferences and a
lounge, South said.
If you're interested in learning more
about course offerings or programs
available at the Eastgate Center, contact
Annette Cremo or Mark Borger, area
representatives, at 772-3590, or Penn
State Harrisburg's Rhonda Stump at 948-
6508.
re Starkey