College of Fine Arts and Production

One concentration camp survivor told Avshi Weinstein that music, for him, became a torturer. After the war, he could no longer listen to or enjoy music. Many other survivors, who were musicians at the camps, would never touch their instruments again. But Weinstein, a third generation violin maker and restorer, and his father, Amnon, have been reclaiming that musical heritage with the Violins of Hope project. The Weinsteins have collected and restored more than 70 Holocaust violins and have given the stories of the musicians who played them a voice. Avshi Weinstein was at GCU this weekend with several of the violins, before GCU Theatre’s presentation of Holocaust drama “Who Will Carry the Word?” He spoke about the project — it includes two months of events — and shared some of those Holocaust stories.

GCU Theatre Department’s moving play, “Who Will Carry the Word?,” brings the somber truths of what happened in Auschwitz to a group of French Resistance fighters to the Ethington Theatre stage. Claude Pensis and a powerful female cast showcase Charlotte Delbo’s haunting story.

The Music Department will venture into east Phoenix for the first time to present its Masterworks Concert, “Songs of Faith,” to reach new audiences. The concert will be performed Thursday at First United Methodist Church of Phoenix and Feb. 15 at Paradise Valley United Methodist Church.

The February issue of GCU Magazine has been distributed to the purple bins across the main campus and at 27th Avenue, and it features an in-depth look at the GCU enterprises that have become game-changers for both students and local residents.

In the Theatre Department’s “Who Will Carry the Word?”, the characters are determined that at least one of them must survive to tell their story. It’s a theme shared by the Violins of Hope, a collection of violins restored by Israeli master violin maker and restorer Amnon Weinstein. The instruments were played by Jewish musicians during the Holocaust. Like the play, the violins also tell the stories of the victims and survivors of the Holocaust. Weinstein, his son Avshalom, and a few of the instruments will be on campus Feb. 15-16 in conjunction with the presentation of the play, just one of the stage productions, art exhibits, concerts and more in the two-month-long Violins of Hope program being brought to Phoenix in February and March by the Jewish Federation of Greater Phoenix.

“You’re a collector of Coca-Cola products!” “You’re a flight attendant who accidentally boarded a cruise!” GCU students threw suggestions at their teammates, who had seconds to create a character, right then and there, as part of an improv workshop Saturday. The workshop was helmed by improvisationists with The Second City Touring Co., who were in Phoenix performing in “It’s Not You, It’s Me” at Phoenix Theatre. It was the first time talent from The Second City, which launched the careers of Steve Carell, Mike Myers, Jordan Peele and Tina Fey, to name a few, led a workshop on campus. “These opportunities are few and far between,” senior history and secondary education student Garrett LaPorte said.

Just a day after GCU’s music faculty hosts the All-Regional Honor Band Audition Workshop, they’ll be nestled in the University’s Recording Studio on Tuesday night for the faculty recital, “Duets.” Adjunct clarinet professor Tim Haas will perform duets with flutist Dr. Jenna Daum, oboe instructor Dr. Rachel Messing, tuba player Kevin Bock, guitarist Dr. Jonathan Crissman and alto saxophone player Dr. Scott Zimmer. Also performing will be GCU alumna Grace Baughman. “We have some major faculty here. I always love collaborating with the faculty because they’re so good,” said Haas of the concert, which starts at 7:30 p.m.

It’s been a big year so far, but there’s more to come in 2018-19. The spring semester will kick off with the grand opening of the new 150,000-plus-square foot Colangelo College of Business Building on Jan. 9 and will barrel forward through April and May with signature events such as the Canyon Challenge, Mr. GCU, the Theatre Department’s presentation of Holocaust drama “Who Will Carry the Word,” Serve the City in February, the Roadshow Tour at GCU Arena, basketball and much more. Check out some highlights from GCU Today’s 2019 Winter-Spring Calendar.

Amber Wagner was majoring in sociology until she auditioned for Dr. Sheila Corley in GCU’s Music Department, hoping to land a scholarship to help pay for college. Corley suggested that Wagner change her major to music, and that set the course for the opera star’s career. Wagner, who just completed performances with Opera Australia at the Sydney Opera House and with the Metropolitan Opera in New York, recently was named to Opera News’ “18 to Watch” list for 2018-19.

Demolition began Wednesday morning on Building 18, also known as the Media Arts Complex. Most passersby on the Promenade probably have no idea how many interesting uses the building had — even the worst of the Valley heat was no match for one of its features. The new Student Advising Center will be built on that site.