James Forger is Dean of the College of Music at Michigan State University. After earning undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of Michigan, he began his career at East Carolina University as assistant professor of saxophone. He joined the MSU faculty in 1979 and became director of the School of Music (now College) in 1990. During his tenure, the college has grown in quality and size, adding distinctive programs in jazz studies, ethnomusicology, collaborative piano, music theory pedagogy, piano pedagogy, early childhood music, and a performance diploma. The outreach dimension of the college has expanded with the founding of Community Music Schools in East Lansing and Detroit that serve more than 3,000 adults and children weekly. In 2007 he led the transition of the School of Music, previously one of nine academic units within the College of Arts and Letters, to become MSU's 16th college. Forger has maintained an active role as a saxophone performer appearing with orchestras such as Lansing Symphony, Grand Rapids Symphony, Pittsburgh Symphony, and Warsaw Philharmonic. This summer he will participate in his 20th season at the Grand Teton Music Festival Orchestra in Jackson Hole, WY. A leader in the commissioning, recording, and performance of new works for the saxophone, he has commissioned works by Milton Babbitt, John Anthony Lennon, David Liptak, Donald Martino, Charles Ruggiero, and Morton Subotnick. He is currently serving his profession as an elected member of the Commission on Accreditation for the National Association of Schools of Music. He completed two terms, including one as chair, of the Accrediting Commission for Community and Precollegiate Arts
The Centennial Celebration Committee will be collecting Rotary reflections from members to be used in the Centennial book and at the event next June. The Reflections are answers to 3 questions about your thoughts on your Rotary experiences. Please scroll down to "DOWNLOAD FILES" to participate in this memorable project. Thank you!
President Smith called the meeting to order; Pat Munshaw gave the invocation – a reflection on what really matters – and John Dale Smith accompanied the singing of a patriotic song. Dave Trumpie facilitated the introduction of guests and visiting Rotarians. Pat Munshaw provided the Remembrance Report, noting that Ned Legg is critically ill and could use our prayers. In addition, all Rotarians were urged to avoid the mosquitos that seem to be multiplying daily. On the upside, Tractor Supply Company reports a wait-list on mosquito yard spray and other retailers of similar products are seeing quite a boon to revenue. President Smith gave Todd Terwillegar, CMU Sales & Marketing Coordinator, his red badge and welcomed him to the Club.
John Grettenberger led us through the 1930’s – a decade that built the Empire State Building, Knapp’s and the Olds (Boji) Tower. Amelia Earhart flew solo across the Atlantic, the gifts purchased for the Children’s Christmas Party totaled $40 (after a 15% discount from a generous Club Member who owned the local store), and the 117 members of the Lansing Rotary began our annual tradition of roasting the outgoing President. Oh, and gas was only 10 cents per gallon. Sigh.
President Smith urged Rotarians to submit a “Rotary Reflection”; forms were on the tables, and a link to a PDF can be found in the Rotogram this week and going forward. Thoughts and memories will be included in the Centennial Celebration activities.
Special Music guest Matt Edred, Tenor, treated us to selections from Carousel and Guys & Dolls. Michael Rhodes, Chair of the Month & Day, introduced our speaker, Ms. Erin McDonough, President/CEO of the Michigan Oil & Gas Association.
Ms. McDonough talked about the depth and breadth of the oil & gas industry – and she wasn’t just talking about horizontal and vertical drilling. Membership in the Association includes representation from all who work in the industry, which supports more than 9.8 million jobs, supplies more than $3 billion in annual economic impact, and creates a product that touches all of our lives. Oil & Gas is an analytical/science-driven business, with a little luck thrown in, too, when it comes to deciding where to drill. World oil consumption continues to grow; locally-sourced oil and gas helps us to not be so dependent on foreign suppliers. 80% of Michigan homes use natural gas to heat/cool. She spent some time talking about Hydraulic Fracturing, which is only used when the geology of certain areas (such as the upper part of the state) requires it. She notes that banning hydraulic fracturing is not the answer to the public concerns about this type of drilling; rather, proper regulation is. In Michigan, which is known for being among the strongest regulated states, they have been using this type of drilling for 60 years without one instance of contaminated fresh water. She used charts and graphs to demonstrate many of her talking points, and answered multiple questions at the end of her presentation.
President Smith thanked Ms. McDonough for sharing her time with us. In lieu of a speaker’s gift, we will donate in her name to the Bio Sand Filter project, providing pure water to under developed countries. See you next week at the Lansing Country Club, to hear Jim Forger, Dean of MSU College of Music and New International Dimensions.
