by Michael Allchin

Oswego, NY- On March 2 nd and 3 rd , Oswego State welcomed Electroacoustic Composer Mark Snyder, Soprano Paige Naylor, and harpist Becky Brown.

Mark specializes in mixing ambient multimedia works along with rich storytelling. The work he produces contains meaning in many different forms including events from his own life.

Mark performs with various instruments featuring the clarinet, tuba, accordion, piano, and guitar.

“When I have feeling that I want to express, I don’t always express them in words as well as I can in sound and life so that’s what I like to experiment with trying to communicate with people with what I sonically represent of human emotions and characters so I love doing it I wouldn’t want to do anything else,” Snyder said.

Cara Thompson was one of the audience members amazed with Snyder’s performance.

“It’s just amazing the combination of technology and video and the music was just incredibly compelling and powerful,” she said.

Snyder and his crew will continue performing all around while creating new pieces of work for people to enjoy.

by Eoin Gallagher

Oswego, NY- Environmentalist and former Green Party Vice Presidential candidate Winona LaDuke spoke to members of the Oswego State community on Mar. 28. Her talk is part of the “I Am Oz” diversity speaker series.

LaDuke spoke on current political issues Americans and Native Americans are facing as well as the role we have in society. She stressed the idea that college students have the opportunity to think critically.

“As college students you have the full opportunity to be critical thinkers and do good,” LaDuke said.

The biggest issue she discussed was climate change and the steps the government should be taking in order to be more aware of it.  

LaDuke has an extensive background in the environmental field. She has put her knowledge to work by challenging government and taking on big oil companies, including her involvement in the Dakota Access Pipeline protests. She is also the founder of the White Earth Land Recovery Project.

LaDuke says the key to changing the Earth is think about what it will be like seven years from now. At the current rate, she believes it may be inhabitable by then. She challenged her audience at the end of speech to change the Earth.

“Let us be creative,” she said. “Let us do what the great leader Sitting Bull said, and let us put our minds together to see what kind of future we can make for our children.”