News

Beginning music and performing arts students from two programs at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville East St. Louis Center (ESLC) merged to bring their family and friends a melodic night of holiday cheer on Thursday, Dec. 15. SIUE Chancellor Dr. Randy Pembrook and his wife, Dr. Mary Jo Pembrook, piano instructor at the ESLC, concluded the recital with a special treat – a piano duet of Jingle Bells. 

Students from the ESLC programs, Project Success and the revitalized East St. Louis Center for the Performing Arts, delighted the audience with carefully measured piano renditions of Silent Night and Up on the House Top, an explosive display of West African drumming exploits, legendary Katherine Dunham-inspired dance moves and more. 

“I’m so proud of the students,” said Mary Jo Pembrook, who has piano performance degrees from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill and the University of Kentucky, and a PhD in music theory from Florida State University. “They have worked hard all semester. We wanted to let them shine in this recital and have some fun!” 

“I know the value of the arts, and how incredibly important the arts have been at SIUE,” said Randy Pembrook, who has a bachelor’s and master’s in music education/piano performance from SIUE in 1978 and ’80, respectively. He also earned a doctorate in music education from Florida State University in 1984. 

The chancellor also thanked ESLC Performing Arts Program Director Jack Williams for his longtime service to the arts and to the ESLC. Williams, who received a bachelor’s in fine arts/dance and theater from SIUE in 1987, trained with Dunham and has worked for the ESLC Performing Arts Program for 33 years. 

“We are committed to keeping the arts going at the East St. Louis Center,” Pembrook continued. 

ESLC Executive Director Jesse Dixon added his excitement of helping to rejuvenate the performing arts program at the Center. “Jack Williams is working diligently to help rebuild the program, and Mary Jo Pembrook volunteers as our piano instructor.” 

With a focus on empowering people and strengthening communities, the SIUE East St. Louis Center is dedicated to improving the lives of families and individuals - from pre-school through adult - in the Metro East. Head Start/Early Head Start and a charter high school are among the programs that offer the community renewed hope and an opportunity to reach educational, career and life goals. The Center also assigns first priority to encouraging, supporting and improving the educational success of the residents of East St. Louis and surrounding urban communities. The Center provides comprehensive programs, services and training in the areas of education, health, social services and the arts.    

Photos:

SIUE Chancellor Dr. Randy Pembrook and his wife, Dr. Mary Jo Pembrook, perform Jingle Bells during a piano duet. 

Students perform during the dance selection: Mary Did You Know?

Gysai Sylla, an ESLC Performing Arts student, gets into a rhythmic beat during a drumming solo at the holiday recital.