COM musicians to perform at national jazz education conference
Sparky Koerner and the College of the Mainland www.com.edu Jazz Ensemble have been invited to perform a concert at the first annual Jazz Education Network Conference at the University of Missouri in St. Louis May 20-22.
The COM Jazz Ensemble and its individual musicians have been recognized regionally and statewide for years, but now will reach a wider audience in a city that is synonymous with jazz and the blues.
“The group is excited about being invited to perform at the Jazz Education Network Conference dedicated to jazz education,” said Koerner. “ We have been honing our craft for years and now have the opportunity to showcase our ensemble to an audience of our peers.”
Koerner added that the ensemble is currently accepting donations and will present a fundraising concert in March to help pay for the trip to St. Louis.
To learn more about the Jazz Education Network Conference go to www.jazzednet.org.
The COM Jazz Ensemble and Jazz Combo will perform in concert with guest pianist Larry Ham April 13 at 8 p.m. in the Fine Arts Recital Hall. The public is invited to the free concert.
Hurricane evacuee writing new chapters in her young life
Hurricane Rita uprooted trees and lives in East Texas in 2005, but one young woman who evacuated from the storm put down new roots in League City and began writing new chapters of her life. The path she followed and the career she chose would at first glance seem incongruous to everyone except Christina Smith who is as comfortable around pumps and compressors as she is reading Dr. Seuss or reciting Leonard Cohen poems.
But it is writing children’s stories and poetry that Christina Smith enjoys the most after a day of studying pumps and compressors in College of the Mainland’s (COM) process technology associate degree program www.com.edu/ptec.
Introduction to Chinese
Students with no prior exposure to the Chinese language can learn the fundamentals of the spoken language in Thursday evening classes at Clear Springs High School. The phonetic spelling system, pronunciation and simple vocabulary and grammar patterns will be covered along with some simple written Chinese characters.
The class meets Thursdays from 6:30 to 9 p.m. February 18 through April 1.
For details or to register, call the College of the Mainland Learning Center www.com.edu/nc at 281-332-1800.
Latin dance classes offered in League City
The College of the Mainland Learning Center www.com.edu/nc in League City offers two Latin dance classes beginning in February, for both fun and fitness.
A Saturday morning dancercise class covers a combination of Latin dance styles including Cumbia, Salsa, Merengue and versions of Latin Hip-Hop. The class meets from 9:30 to 11 a.m. February 13 through March 27.
At least three popular Latin dances will be covered in an introduction to Salsa at Clear Springs High School Thursdays from 7 to 9 p.m. beginning February 18. Students will learn basic steps and foot and hip movements from
experienced Latin dancers.
For details on either of these classes or to register call the College of the Mainland Learning Center at 281-332-1800.
Senior adult program at COM offers day trip, dance
The annual Mardi Gras dance sponsored by the Johnson Space Center Credit Union and College of the Mainland senior adult program will be held February 19 at the Gilruth Center in Clear Lake.
The senior adult program also offers a day trip to Galveston on Thursday March 4 that includes a tour of the US Coast Guard station and lunch.
For details on the dance or the day trip, call the senior adult office at 409-938-1211 or 888-258-8859, ext. 432 or visit www.com.edu/seniors.
Collegiate High School to hold information meeting February 22
The Collegiate High School (CHS) program at College of the Mainland will hold an information meeting for prospective students and parents Monday, February 22 at 6:30 p.m. in the Teaching Auditorium (L-131) at the Texas City campus.
The CHS program is available to Galveston County students and Clear Creek ISD students.
For details, contact the CHS Office at 888-258-8859 or 409-938-1211, ext. 169 or visit www.com.edu/chs.
New dental assistant class starts February 22
A new dental assistant class starts February 22 at the College of the Mainland Learning Center www.com.edu/nc in League City. The dental assistant certificate program prepares students for entry-level positions in one of the fastest growing healthcare professions. Additionally, this program includes a six-hour Health Care Provider CPR certification course and covers the relevant material necessary to prepare students to take the State of Texas Registered Dental Assistant (RDT) Exam.
Tuition is $1,799 and includes textbooks and materials.
The class begins a Monday and Wednesday schedule starting February 22 and includes five Saturdays for a total of 100 hours.
For details or to register, call 281-332-1800.
Collegiate High School career exploration fair and contest announced
The College of the Mainland Collegiate High School (CHS) will holds its 10th annual career exploration fair and science contest March 12, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Texas City campus. The fair, which features break out sessions, exhibits and campus tours, is open to all students in grades eight through twelve, including home school students.
The top science project winner will receive a $500 COM scholarship and trophies will be awarded for first, second and third place.
For details or to register, contact the CHS Office at 409-938-1211 or 888-258-8859, ext. 169. The registration deadline is March 8.
12-week classes now enrolling
College of the Mainland is now registering students for its 12-week mini session that runs from February 15 through May 14.
Classes include business computer applications; writing improvement and reading improvement; elementary and intermediate algebra; pre-algebra and basic math; business computer applications; English composition, humanities, fitness and wellness.
A complete list of classes is posted on the COM website at www.com.edu/12weeks.