Southeast raises number of arts students as River Campus turns 10

Editor's note: This story has been edited to reflect that certain numbers cited included the theater department.

Southeast Missouri State University freshman Landon Schnurbusch looked at schools all over Missouri in search of a quality music program.

Only Southeast offered world-class facilities and expert instruction, he said.

Schnurbusch is one of nearly 100 students Southeast's River Campus has added to its enrollment totals since 2007.

The Holland School of Visual and Performing Arts had 407 students in 2007 and has nearly 500 students now, Holland School associate dean Rhonda Weller-Stilson said.

A special concert was performed Tuesday night to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the River Campus, which was a collaboration between the city of Cape Girardeau and the university.

In addition to providing a place for concerts and shows, the River Campus also is a crucial recruitment tool for the university's arts programs.

Southeast's theater and dance program has had the largest increase in students, from fewer than 100 in 2007 to 177 in 2017, Weller-Stilson said.

The program expects to have 200 or more students next year, she said.

Dance previously was a minor, but dancers now can receive a bachelor's of fine arts degree or bachelor's degree, Weller-Stilson said.

The program has added classes such as improvisational dance, advanced choreography and advanced techniques, she said. The program is seeking national accreditation in dance.

"The quality and level of students, with previous training is a lot higher," dance instructor Philip Edgecombe said of the dancers he saw when he began in 2007 and the students at the university now.

Edgecombe said the dance faculty believes in training students in ballet, modern and jazz techniques. Partly because the program is seeking accreditation, the faculty have increased an emphasis on choreography.

Students are expected to create a routine that works on paper and onstage.

"You have your stars, your Michael Jordans," Edgecombe said of working with dancers of varying skill levels, "but you need your Scottie Pippens and your Dennis Rodmans. Your dancers really need to dance with each other."

Before the River Campus was started in 2007, Southeast's art programs were spread all over campus. Even now, ceramics and sculpture are on the main campus, Holland School assistant director Bob Cerchio said.

Having visual and performing arts in the same area has led to an increase in collaboration.

Edgecombe said he set up a program with a dance student and piano student in part because they were in the same building.

Events at the university have used visual, musical and performance elements. Edgecombe said dancers were part of a museum show that combined paintings and blues music.

Weller-Stilson said an event in the River Campus quad included dancers and percussion students using the metal sculptures to create music.

"Our students can work with each other so much easier," Cerchio said.

Schnurbusch said he was drawn to the River Campus by the professors.

Barbara Lamont, director of choral activities and music education, is Schnurbusch's choral teacher, and he marveled at her ability as a pianist.

"She holds us to such a high standard that it's inevitable that we will succeed," Schnurbusch said.

Lamont is new to Southeast this year, and Schnurbusch is not sure whether she would have been drawn to the university without the River Campus.

Schnurbusch is unsure of whether he wants to follow in his mother's footsteps and teach music or whether he wants to focus more on composition.

Weller-Stilson said the Holland School has a focus in professional development. Southeast graduates have done graphic design for Nestle-Purina and the St. Louis Blues hockey team, performed in symphonies, the Upright Citizens Brigade and Second City, Weller-Stilson said.

All Southeast graduates leave the school with a full portfolio, resume and head shots, Weller-Stilson said.

"We focus on getting students careers in the arts," she said.

bkleine@semissourian.com

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Pertinent address: 518 S. Fountain St., Cape Girardeau, MO