A Night With The Fine & Performing Arts of LBCC

With lines out the door at the Russell Tripp Performance Center, located next to Takena Hall at LBCC, people were ready for music! 

All five of the choirs LBCC has to offer were prepared to sing for a sold out show on Tuesday night.  James Reddan, an LBCC music Instructor and the conductor of the show, was hustling around the theatre finalizing details for the show.

The five choirs that LBCC offers are Concert Choir, Re-Choired Element Chamber Choir, Women's Ensemble, Blue Light Special, and The Sirens. 

Students are required to try out for the desired choir they wish to participate in and depending on skill are chosen accordingly.  Most participants are students majoring in the music field. 


The show for the night was called, "Light: The Sun, Moon & Stars."  Many of the songs were not performed in English, but the sounds and emotions from the songs portrayed a perfect image of the title of the show. 

Songs were done in languages from Hebrew to Latin, and everything in between which shows how talented and serious Reddan is about his work.  He loves music. 

Reddan said, "The most important part of this night is the synchronization with choirs and staff for the event."

Reddan has many coveted achievements in his career.  One of the most honorable that he spoke of on Tuesday night was the announcement that his Re-Choired Element Chamber Choir, of 30 people, would be performing in London, England for the 2012 Summer Olympics. 

With Concert Choir, Re-Choired Element Chamber Choir, Women's Ensemble, Blue Light Special, and The Sirens, he had his hands full. 

The audience for the performance was eager for the show to start, some people showing up almost an hour and a half before the doors opened to get the best seats in the house.  Although tickets cost seven dollars in advance and at the door, it is general seating at the Russell Tripp Performance Center, first come first served.

For people who were not able to attend the performance there are DVDs of the concert for sale at $15.  All orders received by December 9 will be processed and mailed for Christmas.  Orders take at the information desk in Takena Hall. 

During the intermission after the newest choir for LBCC, the Women's Ensemble, people were able to indulge in refreshments provided by the Red Apron Catering Co.  As well as visit with Reddan, who loves to hear feedback of the choir's performance. 

One of the show stoppers of the night was the Blue Light Special, an all male acapella group.  They used voice percussion, or "beat boxing", to keep on pace with each other, and put on a great performance. 

A crowd favorite was the performance of the song Apologize, sang in acapella by the Blue Light Special. 


Ricky Banales, an attendee of the concert said, "The way they stay on beat with each other and harmonize is truly amazing."


With all five choirs performing each choir brought something unique and different to the audience.  The Music Department loves providing amazing experiences for the audience and is always in the making for their next magical performance.


A Christmas Carol is next up on the list for the choirs, which Patti Ball says "should be an awesome show, we would love to have everyone come back."

A Christmas Carol will be performed a total of six separate times, Decmeber 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, 10.


Ball is the Program Coordinator for LBCC and does a huge part in putting on the performances and making sure everything runs smoothly.  She is a behind the scenes person and many of the things she does go unnoticed by audiences. 


Ball said, "The hardest part of organizing the shows starts an hour before doors open, set up, and getting staff prepped and in place.  Other than that it's tons of fun!" 

Hard work from students and staff goes into this night, but the smiles and satisfaction that everyone receives far outweighs the hours put into it. 

Who: James Reddan and the LBCC Choirs
What: Light: the Sun, Moon, & Stars
Where: The Russell Tripp Performance Center
When: Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Up Next: A Christmas Carol
When: Various dates, see LBCC event calendar

Judge Egan, Then and Now

Judge Egan grew up in Tangent, Oregon, and thus far has lived an inspiring and action packed life.

Long time family friend and Attorney at law Sarah Castleton said, "Jim has a great life story and does his job with passion." 

Throughout his junior high and high school years he was constantly getting in trouble with the law, skipping school, lying to parents and school teachers, and taking the easy way out. 

Judge Egan called himself a “Juvenile delinquent”, saying he would have his friends call his name for role in 1^st period and then proceed with his friends to the coast to participate in illegal activities.  Realizing that he was on a tough and long road to disappointment he turned his life around staying clean and sober during his senior year of high school. 

 At this point he had an instinct for politics but didn’t know if he would pursue it.  Working as a field leveler in Tangent, Judge Egan had thoughts of attending LBCC for his college education.   

His boss at the time had a close friend in the Oregon State University registration office and told Judge Egan to go talk to him about attending OSU.  Judge Egan was given a free pass into the University and started his college experience.   

While working as a sanitizer at the Smoke Shack in Albany and attending classes, Judge Egan and his girlfriend had a baby.  Realizing the hardships from the past and responsibilities that lay ahead, Judge Egan had an “epiphany” and got the notion he should be attending a better academic University.   

Applying to Reed College and Willamette University for further education, he received financial aid at Willamette and made the switch from OSU.   

Judge Egan spent 5 years in college to finish his undergrad, although he did not really have a clear idea of what he would like to do career-wise.   

At a job fair he ran into Captain Mack, a recruiter from the marine corp.  The two talked for quite some time and Judge Egan decided to join the OCS, Officer Candidate School.  Serving in the Marines from 1978 to 1984 Judge Egan really grew up.  He said he “learned how to learn.”    

After his time spent in the Marines, Judge Egan attended the University of Oregon Law School for three years.  With many different directions one can go with a law degree, he chose to take it slow and practiced general law as an attorney for 23 years.   

He always had a desire for public service, indicated from his years in the Marine Corp, and never settled for a job that did not perfectly fit his desires.   

Judge Egan was then called back into active duty for the Marines and served in Kuwait from 2008 to 2009. 

With the retirement of Judge Rick McCormick, an opening came about for a new Judge in Albany.  Judge Egan did not think he would receive this coveted position but decided to throw his name in the ring to Governor Kulongoski.  

He called his relationship with the Governor a “healthy battle” from their interactions over the years, with Judge Egan being Republican and the Governor a Democrat.  The two had been working against each other previously on opposing sides of the court but did not harbor bad feelings.
    
With this job he felt he could really serve and protect the public with all his many skills and passions.     

15 candidates had applied for the job and within a week it was reduced to five, with Judge Egan as one of them.  Each went into the Governor’s office and interviewed with the Governor’s Committee.   

Governor Kulongoski asked Judge Egan to take this position, “because his politics were honest and he served in the Marines.”  Judge Egan said, “Not everybody knows this about Governor Kulongoski but he was raised as an orphan and served in the Marines himself.” 

Paul Keubrich, a former associate and Defense Attorney said lightheartedly, "Jim is still Jim."

Judge Egan is now in a perfect position to continue his public service. 



Who: Judge Jim Egan
What: Profile, Accomplishments
Where: Albany, Oregon