Bookshelf

What's Been Happening

Voice, Text, Hypertext: Emerging Practices in Textual Studies edited by Raimonda Modiano and Leroy F. Searle, professors of English and comparative literature at the University of Washington, Seattle, and Peter Shillingsburg, UNT professor of English (University of Washington Press). These essays on textual studies highlight the relationship of text and culture, covering such topics as textuality in classical rabbinic Judaism, scribal activity in the ancient Near East, Czech underground literature and the online Rossetti Archive, a "hypermedia research archive." In addition to co-editing the volume, Shillingsburg contributes an essay on the functions of scholarly editing.

Reculturing Schools as Professional Learning Communities by Jane Bumpers Huffman, UNT associate professor of teacher education and administration, and Kristine Kiefer Hipp, associate professor in the College of Education at Cardinal Stritch University, Milwaukee, Wis. (ScarecrowEducation). The authors examine what makes for successful professional learning communities — those they describe as "inclusive, vibrant and enduring." The book details the stories of six schools in the middle of change, providing insight into their successes and struggles, their differences and their similarities.

True Tales of a Tall Tower by Richard Wells, UNT professor of journalism, and Mitch Land, UNT associate professor of journalism and director of the Mayborn Graduate Institute of Journalism (Channel 6 Inc.). The authors trace the history of NBC affiliate KCEN-TV in Temple, founded by communications pioneer Frank W. Mayborn — from its live dedication ceremonies in 1953 to its technological and geographical expansion today.

Portraits of Patriots by Sherman Avner 'Shug' Bledsoe Jr. ('56), who died at his Oklahoma ranch in 2001 (Quarry Press). From 1998 to 2000, Bledsoe, who was himself a veteran of the Korean War, wrote about the veterans of Atoka County, Okla., in his weekly column "Portraits of Patriots" in the Atoka County Times. The book released this year, a collection of the columns, was submitted by Shug's brother, Bill L. Bledsoe ('57) of Dallas. Proceeds from its sale are going toward the construction of a memorial to veterans of Atoka County.

The American Way by Mark Fennell ('95 M.S.) of Austin (iUniverse). The second in Fennell's Making America Great series, the book covers American culture in areas such as government, constitutional freedoms, religion, economics and the judicial system. After writing the first book in the series, Fennell was asked to serve on the Mayor's Character Task Force in Cedar Park.

Techne, first edition, edited by Mark Long ('96 M.A.) of Waco, with Joyce Spivey and Amy Patrick (Kendall/ Hunt). This college English composition textbook was adopted for use at Texas State Technical College in Waco. Essays include introductions, discussion questions, writing prompts and worksheets designed to help students break down the readings into their component elements.

Angels Fall From Gasoline Rainbows by C.J. Madsen ('04) of North Richland Hills (iUniverse). This novel, based on a true story, follows a 16-year-old boy who turns to self-mutilation in an attempt to distract himself from other pain in his life. His problems escalate when, on the same day he loses his alcoholic mother, he discovers his best friend is a victim of sexual abuse.

The Soft Blare by Nick Norwood ('92 M.A.) of Columbus, Ga. (River City Publishing). Included in Norwood's first book of poetry are five dramatic monologues and the poems "Stevens in a Swarm of Gnats" and "Vermeer's Window," among others. Norwood received a doctorate in English from Arizona State University in 1998 and taught at McMurry University in Abilene from 1998 to 2002. He currently is an assistant professor of English at Columbus State University.

The Cambridge Companion to the Lied edited by James Parsons ('92 Ph.D.) of Springfield, Mo. (Cambridge University Press). The book is the first thorough survey of German song from the mid-18th century to before World War II. Essays place the Lied in musical, literary and cultural context, covering composers as well as issues such as the way in which the Lied influenced other musical genres. In addition to editing the volume, Parsons contributed two essays. He is an associate professor of music history at Southwest Missouri State University.

Other Media

Two Seconds to Midnight, he debut recording of the Alan Baylock Jazz Orchestra (Sea Breeze Jazz). Baylock ('94 M.M.) of Washington, D.C., is chief arranger for the U.S. Air Force Band's Airmen of Note. His jazz orchestra also includes UNT alumni Jeff Antoniuk ('90, '92 M.M.), Andy Axelrad, Steve Fidyk, Joseph Henson ('97 M.M.), Luis Hernandez ('96), Joe Jackson, Tyler Kuebler ('95, '97 M.M.), Chad Makela, Jeff Martin, Doug Morgan ('96), Antonio Orta ('97), Ben Patterson ('96), John Pineda and Rich Sigler.

As Far As the Heart Can See by Julie Moberg Rivers ('66) of Topeka, Kan. (EarthStar Recordings). Following One Starry Night and The Kiss of the Sun, this is the third in a trilogy of Rivers' original piano compositions. She has received first place twice in the National League of American Pen Women Biennial Composition Contest, was awarded a Kansas Arts Commission Fellowship in composition and has received ASCAP awards annually since 1998. Her original music was also chosen for the HeartAid CD (Spring Hill Records) produced in memory of the victims of Sept. 11.

Through the Storm by Curtis Stephan ('95, '99 M.M.) of Carrollton. Singer/songwriter Stephan was featured as a guest on WFAA-TV Channel 8's Good Morning Texas in Dallas this spring, where he played a song from this debut release. Stephan, whose music ranges from acoustic rock to jazz to praise and worship anthems, is the music director at St. Ann Church in Coppell.

Smooth Africa II — Exploring the Soul, featuring Mike Drake ('88) of Dallas (Heads Up International). This collaboration brings South African vocalists and instrumentalists together with contemporary jazz artists from America. Drake, on drums, is featured on the Joe McBride compositions. Other artists on the CD include Ladysmith Black Mambazo and Spyro Gyra.

ar•ia by Tim Harrison Quintet (Consolidated Artists Productions). Pianist and composer Harrison ('91 M.M.) of New York includes the first recorded jazz settings of verse by Emily Dickinson in his quintet's debut CD. His years of work with the Unified Jazz Ensemble in small towns in Arkansas and Iowa inspired the title cut. Also featured on the CD are UNT alumni Grisha Alexiev, drums; John Eckert, trumpet; Dee McMillen ('89), vocals; and Dave Riekenberg ('79, '86 M.M.Ed.), tenor and soprano saxophones.