Arts and Humanities Commons^™

S8e9: What’S The Music Scene Like At Umaine?, Ron Lisnet, Francis Vogt

The Maine Question

The University of Maine is home to 18 formal vocal and instrumental ensembles and many informal musical groups, each one with a distinct sound that enriches the academic and cultural life on campus. Many of these groups welcome students of all majors and community members. These performers tour Maine, New England and beyond, promoting the artistic offerings of the university with their voices and instruments.

In this episode of “The Maine Question,” Francis Vogt, director of choral programs and two student performers, will discuss what the music scene is like at UMaine.

S8e7: How Can Indigenous And Western Knowledge Help Preserve The Planet?, Ron Lisnet, Darren Ranco

The Maine Question

Darren Ranco has spent his life determining how to help Indigenous and non-Indigenous people protect the land they inhabit.

Through his work as an anthropologist and chair of Native American Programs at the University of Maine, Ranco has studied tribal sovereignty, cultural resource protection, environmental justice and ways Native American communities can resist environmental destruction. As a member of the Penobscot Nation, he also is passionate about improving research relationships between universities and indigenous communities, as well as training the next generation of Indigenous scientists.

In this episode of “The Maine Question,” Ranco discusses his many research projects and how …

S8e4: How Can Art Help Enrich Our Lives And Solve Everyday Problems?, Ron Lisnet

The Maine Question

Art — whether it’s created on a page or computer or in a studio or theater — can do more than showcase creativity for amusement and cultural enrichment. Art can help teach people about historical and contemporary societies, advance research, support economic development and combat daily and systemic issues.

Inspired by the significance and utility of art, the University of Maine Arts Initiative was formed to increase resources and support for creative works, reinforce their significance and enhance their visibility. The initiative also aims to break down the silos between artists, scientists, entrepreneurs and other stakeholders so they can work …

S7e5: How Can Studying The Humanities Benefit Society?, Ron Lisnet, Beth Wiemann

The Maine Question

For 10 years, the McGillicuddy Humanities Center has bolstered student and faculty creative works and research in history, geography, language, social sciences and the arts. It funds and supports fellowships, lectures, symposia, panels, performances and exhibitions.

In this week’s episode of “The Maine Question,” Center director Beth Wiemann, discusses her team’s work and the benefits humanities scholarship provides to society.

S3e9: How Do You Teach Music During A Pandemic?, Ron Lisnet, Philip Edelman, Shianne Priest

The Maine Question

The coronavirus has disrupted just about every facet of academia, especially music education. Like concerts and jam sessions, teaching music is a shared community experience, but the pandemic has prompted several educators to switch instruction from in-person to remote. How can a teacher help a student improve when they can’t be in the same room or even play together? Philip Edelman, an assistant professor of music education at UMaine, tried to make the best of a less than ideal situation. He and Shianne Priest, director of music at Leonard Middle School in Old Town, developed a pilot program that gives …

S3e5: How Can Philosophy Help Deliver The Best Medical Care?, Ron Lisnet, Jessica Miller

The Maine Question

Some may imagine that people who major in and pursue careers in philosophy are relegated to poring through old dusty books about Plato and Socrates. In reality, philosophy majors work in all kinds of fields, including the legal profession and entertainment. One place you might not expect to find a philosopher is in the hospital helping to make decisions about medical care, but that is what bioethicists do. Jessica Miller, a professor of philosophy at UMaine, also is a bioethicist. She uses her expertise to help medical professionals make decisions about care. We speak with Miller about bioethics and how …

S1e4: How Do You Get From The Maine Woods To Broadway?, Ron Lisnet, Donald Holder

The Maine Question

In this episode, we explore the unique career path of lighting designer Don Holder, UMaine class of ’80 who has worked on Broadway, in film, television, opera and dance across the globe. His lighting designs have earned 13 Tony Award nominations and two Tonys — most notably for Disney’s “The Lion King,” which garnered him his first award in 1998. In this episode, Holder tells his story — beginning in the late ’70s when he was, of all things, a forestry major at UMaine.