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In The News
May 5, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CSU Dominguez Hills Music Department
Honors the Late Rod Butler with Memorial Concert
Evening event serves
as fundraiser for new scholarship in his name
WHAT: Rod Butler Memorial Scholarship Concert
WHEN:
Saturday, May 10, 8 p.m.
WHERE: University Theatre, California
State University, Dominguez Hills, 1000 E. Victoria St., Carson
(Carson, CA)—The Department
of Music at California State University, Dominguez Hills (CSUDH)
will present a special concert on Saturday, May 10, in celebration
of the life of former department chair Rod Butler, who passed away
suddenly last November. Featuring musical selections from his fellow
faculty members in the music department, students, alumni and friends,
the concert will begin at 8 p.m. and take place in the University
Theatre. Doors will open at 7:15 p.m.
An alumnus of CSU Dominguez Hills (Class of 1973), Butler returned
to campus in 1991 as a music department faculty member. The 18
years between being a CSUDH student and becoming a professor were
spent furthering his studies, eventually earning a doctorate in
music theory and composition from the University of California,
Santa Barbara, teaching, and making a name for himself as a trombonist.
During his tenure as professor of music
at CSU Dominguez Hills, Butler continued to compose original
music, and exposed his students
to the field like few professors do. He taught music composition,
music theory, and directed the student jazz ensemble for many years.
At the time of his death he was serving as chair of the music department,
chair of the Division of Performing, Visual, and Digital Media
Arts, and chair of the Academic Senate, the university’s
faculty governing body.
A Southern California native, Butler attended Carson High School
and graduated from Los Angeles Harbor College before attending
CSU Dominguez Hills. He was a long-time resident of Redondo Beach.
Several of Butler’s former music students, some of whom
have since graduated and become professional musicians, along with
colleagues from throughout the university have come together for
the special concert in his memory. They will be performing pieces
by classical composer Sergei Rachmaninoff, and contemporary musicians
and composers Duke Ellington, Henry Mancini and Chick Corea—all
artists Butler loved.
The program also will feature original
compositions by Butler: “L.A.
Nocturne,” which he wrote for fellow music professor and
acclaimed classical guitarist, Dr. Scott Morris, who will perform
it that night, and “Fantasy on Days,” which will be
performed by current music department chair, Dr. Richard Kravchak,
on oboe. In addition, there will be performances of pieces written
by two former students, and one written in Butler’s honor
by his friend and colleague, Dr. Jonathon Grasse, professor of
music.
The concert is free, but donations of $25 are requested. Proceeds
benefit the new Rod Butler Memorial Scholarship Fund for music
students.
CSU Dominguez Hills is located in the city of Carson at 1000 E.
Victoria St. The University Theatre is on the west side of campus
off Toro Center Drive/Tamcliff Street.
Due to a concurrent event being held at the Home Depot Center
on campus, concert-goers must inform parking attendants that they
are attending the concert at the University Theatre to gain entrance.
Visitor parking is permitted in all campus lots with a valid parking
pass. Day passes are $3 and available at the yellow dispensing
machines at the perimeter of each campus lot.
For more information, call (310) 243-3543.
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---------------------------------------------- About
CSU Dominguez Hills -- California
State University, Dominguez Hills is a highly diverse,
urban university located in the South Bay, primarily
serving the
Los Angeles metropolitan area. The university prides itself
on its outstanding faculty and friendly, student-centered
environment.
Known for excellence in teacher education, nursing, psychology,
business administration, and digital media arts, new degree
programs include computer science, criminal justice,
recreation and leisure
studies, social work, and communication disorders. On campus
is the Home Depot Center, a multi-purpose sports complex
that hosts
world-class soccer, tennis, track and field, lacrosse, and
cycling.
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