JCCs Neil Flory joined WRFAs Anthony Merchant in studio to discuss upcoming spring events at SUNY Jamestown Community College including a residency from artist A.I the Anomaly and the 2023 Jazz Fest featuring Buffalo Music Hall of Fame inductee Wendell Rivera.

www.sunyjcc.edu

Dr. Neil Flory, director of the Jamestown Community College Music Department, discusses the two free winter concerts in December that are open to the public.

The choir and concert band will showcase a variety of music styles during a combined performance at 7 p.m. Dec. 7 in the Jamestown Campus student union. The event will also feature special guests The Pearl City Jazz Ensemble directed by Ralph Rasmusson.

Julie Costantini directs the JCC choir, while the concert band performs under the direction of Chris Wakefield.

The student union will also host Winter Jam!, featuring JCC’s rock ensembles under the direction of Bill Eckstrom at 7 p.m. on Dec. 9. The concert will also feature special guest band The Way Back.

Admission is free to both concerts, which will also be streamed live on the SUNY JCC YouTube page.

Neil Flory

JAMESTOWN – The music department at SUNY Jamestown Community College will present two virtual concerts in May to showcase the college’s student musicians.

“JCC student ensembles have continued to make music in spite of the challenges brought by the pandemic, and the music department is pleased to be able to bring these live-streamed concerts to the public this spring,” said Dr. Neil Flory, coordinator of music at JCC. “We hope you can view the concerts, which promise to be wonderful events filled with a variety of great music.”

The department will host its “Spring Jam!” concert on Thursday, May 6 at 7 p.m. The event will feature the JCC Rock Ensemble, directed by adjunct music instructor, Bill Eckstrom. The performance will also include a special guest band, Day Old Soup.

The annual Spring Concert will take place on Tuesday, May 11 at 7 p.m. The concert will showcase the JCC Concert Choir, directed by Julie Costantini and accompanied by Cathy Gagliano, as well as the JCC Chamber Ensemble under the direction of Chris Wakefield.

Both concerts will be streamed live at youtube.com/sunyjcc.

Those in need of additional accommodations to watch the “Spring Jam!” concert live are encouraged to contact Flory by May 4 at 716.338.1168 or NeilFlory @ mail.sunyjcc.edu. Those in need of similar accommodations to watch the Spring Concert live are encouraged to contact Flory by May 6.

Neil Flory

Adam Owens from The Robert Lee Scharmann Theatre at SUNY JCC is in the studio to talk about an upcoming virtual production he’s working on focusing on Edgar Allen Poe. The Audition deadline is April 27.

A map showing the Northwest Arena and the area where the proposed $5 million expansion will take place (highlighted in yellow)

JAMESTOWN – The Jamestown Planning Commission has tabled a proposal to sell city land to Northwest Arena for a new addition.

According to the Post-Journal, the commission met on Tuesday and went over details of proposal, which would involve selling the city right of way land along 2nd street that current comprises five parking spots. The space would be purchased by Northwest Arena and the parking spots would be removed and replaced by a sidewalk. Meanwhile, the arena would use the existing sidewalk space as part of its expansion plan.

However, the site plan for the expansion is not ready, so the commission tabled the proposal until next month, when Arena officials are expected to present their plan.

The arena is looking to construct a new addition to hold a Kids Zone play area, gift shop, and office spaces for the National Comedy Center across the street. The projected cost would be $5 million.

Also during Tuesday’s meeting, the commission approved the site plan for the new single-story addition to the Arts and Sciences Building at JCC’s Jamestown Campus.

The building features specialized space for welding, CAD/CNC, engineering science, industrial equipment technology, mechanical technology, and machine tool technology programs through credit and non-credit courses.

The MTI also provides makerspaces in which local industrial entrepreneurs can partner with JCC’s advanced manufacturing faculty and students to develop prototypes.

The Jamestown MTI, which opened in 2003, underwent a $3.6 million expansion during summer and fall 2016 to accommodate additional classrooms and new equipment. The Lenna Foundation and Jessie Smith Darrah Fund contributed funds to the capital construction project.

Adaptability has been key to planning equipment purchases and course development at the MTI.

“Relevant academic programs and non-credit training offerings reinforce JCC’s commitment to provide a quality education and prepare individuals for the workforce,” emphasized John Sayegh, JCC’s vice president for the Cattaraugus County Campus, continuing education, and external partnerships.

Additional information on MTI programs and courses can be obtained by calling 716.338.1000 or visiting www.sunyjcc.edu/MTI.

JCC president Cory Duckworth, Sheldon Foundation board president Peter Sullivan, Sheldon Foundation executive director Linda Swanson, and JCC vice president of enrollment management and institutional advancement Kirk Young in one of the areas that will undergo renovation as part of the Sheldon Foundation grant.

JAMESTOWN – Jamestown Community College and the JCC Foundation have received a major gift from the Ralph C. Sheldon Foundation for renovation of music facilities on the Jamestown Campus.

The Sheldon Foundation has awarded a $1.1 million grant that will enable JCC to upgrade classrooms, equipment, and facilities for the music program in the Arts & Sciences Center.

For many years and through several important initiatives, the Sheldon Foundation has provided financial support to JCC, noted Kirk D. Young, vice president of enrollment management and institutional advancement.

“The foundation’s contributions have greatly enhanced the college’s ability to perform its critical mission,” said Dr. Young. Throughout its history, the Sheldon Foundation has contributed nearly $5 million to the college.

JCC president, Cory Duckworth said, “The Arts & Sciences Center provides educational opportunities for our students in a variety of academic disciplines. It is essential that we continue to renew this facility to remain at the forefront of providing high quality programs.

“We deeply appreciate the Sheldon Foundation’s commitment to provide over $1 million in private funding to help renovate and expand music education facilities and other sections of the building,” Dr. Duckworth added. “The Sheldon Foundation has been a terrific partner with JCC over the years in providing needed upgrades to our Jamestown Campus.”

Maria Kindberg, JCC’s dean of arts, humanities, and health sciences, stated, “The expansion of, and upgrades to, the music wing will allow for state-of-the-art instruction in a dynamic learning environment. JCC’s music program has served students and the community for many years and we look forward to the program growth that the renovated facility will support.

“We are extremely grateful to the Sheldon Foundation for its continued support of academic excellence at JCC,” Mrs. Kindberg said. “Without the foundation’s support, this project would not be feasible.”

JCC anticipates renovations will begin this summer.