Jeni Fleming. Vocalist. Appearance at Trinity Lutheran Seminary.

A misty, cool Tuesday evening in Bexley. Our boarder, Alex Hettinga, and I walk to an evening of music at Trinity Lutheran Seminary. The seminary is located at the corner of College and East Main in Bexley. An audience is gathering for the first of this summer’s Tuesdays at Trinity musical events.

The performance space is the Trinity’s Gloria Dei worship center. The featured performer is Jeni Fleming. She and her ensemble live in Montana.

Many in the audience are wearing sweaters because of the cool evening. Inside the worship center, the air conditioning is on and people don’t take off their sweaters.

Trinity’s president, Mark Ramseth welcomes the musicians and the audience. He reminds the audience of the family connection that brings this musical performance to Trinity and Bexley. The singer, Jeni Fleming, is his daughter and Jake Fleming, the saxophonist, is his son-in-law. Mark reminds the audience that the musicians have traveled from Montana for the performance. And, they arrived in Bexley at 2:00 a.m.

Jeni Fleming. wears a black strapless cocktail dress with red and white oval prints. She also wears a long white scarf. The performance space is too chilly for Jeni, so she puts a coat on as the performance begins.

Jeni performed at Trinity for the first time in 2002. Since then, it has almost been an annual performance with different constellations of back-up musicians. This year’s line up of musicians are Craig Hall, electric and acoustic guitars; Adam Greenberg, an Ohio native on drums and percussion; Chris Cundy, piano and Hammond B3 organ; Sean Lehmann, bass and Jake Fleming, acoustic guitars and saxophone.

From Jeni’s prior performances, my expectation is for an evening of sophisticated jazz arrangements from the American Songbook and also some jazz arrangements of a few pop hits thrown into the mix.

Surprises are in store this evening. Jeni warns the audience that in the last two years their performance repertory has moved into a galaxy known in the music business as pop-rock , and that they are more specifically categorized as jazz-pop artists.
Jeni opens the evening’s performance with their own arrangement of a Beatles tune “Can’t Buy Me Love.” The lyric seems incongruous in the chapel setting but that doesn’t matter. The arrangement moves the familiar Beatles ballad into a Western Swing rhythm, clearly reminding me that this is an ensemble from Montana.

Jeni’s second song is written by Jake Fleming. The acoustics of the room make it difficult to catch all of the lyrics. The title is “Scarecrow” and some of the lyrics sound like it is an introspective, moody song but I’m not certain. Phrases that I decipher are “There’s a shadow hanging over me…you must call tonight…There’s a cold deep down inside of me….You must call to lie…Can’t erase the things that are part of me…” The acoustics aren’t working for me tonight so I’m not certain if these are the actual lyrics, particularly when I ask myself what these lyrics have to do with the song title “Scarecrow.” Perhaps for new songs, the lyric might be printed in the program?

The third number is a fresh arrangement of “Never My Love,” a song made popular by the Association in the late 1960s. Jeni confesses that she wrote the arrangement without reference to the original performance of the Association. When she listened to the original, Jeni describes her reaction as “I didn’t realize how much I had destroyed.”

As “Never My Love” concludes, Jeni has warmed up and takes off her jacket .

Appropriately, the next song is a Brazilian samba. I miss the songs name, but the tropical heat of the tune is unmistakable. There is a dragging major cord in the arrangement that, within the samba rhythm, recreates the measured pace of a walk on the beach.

The arrangements of the songs are much more complex than in previous performances. The ensemble is larger than the trio that I associate with Jeni, so the complexity shouldn’t surprise. The effect of the complexity is to make it more difficult to the focus on the vocalist. There is also some need to balance the several instruments. Percussion and piano were too loud and sometimes over-powered Jeni’s voice. The larger ensemble makes the performance less intimate, less personal.

The fifth song, “God Bless’ The Child,” is the Billie Holiday, Arthur Herzog Blues standard. A song and arrangement perfect for Jeni and, with Jake on the saxophone, a reminder of what these musicians do best. This is also where I begin to notice the bass playing of Sean Lehmann. What a musician. What an addition to the group’s sound and rhythm.

“God Bless’ The Child” is also where I first wonder if there is a Jazz Pop and Jazz Mom in this ensemble.

Next is another Jake Fleming song where I have difficulty deciphering the lyric. Maybe it is not the acoustics of the location; maybe it is my hearing that is deficient. I think the title is “The Other Side” with lyrics like “I fear my affliction…awesome innocence…Need a friend…to sneak into the other-side…I spend my time…painful song in a rock-fall…freedom I’ve been crying for is finally here…” Print the lyrics in the program. Please.

This is followed by a song that featured Chris Cundy on the piano. The piano filled the room with sound and lyrics seemed secondary. “Hallelujah” and “I’ve seen your flag and marble arch…” and “love is not a march” are all I caught.

The next song arrangement was written by Jake on a February trip to Hawaii. Jeni and Jake had a two hour professional engagement on one of the islands. The two hour engagement included a week-long hotel accommodation. During the week, Jake arranged “Day After Day.”

Then in quick succession, two familiar numbers “Gimme the beat boys and free my soul,” and the lyrics of “Amazing Grace” to the tune of “Danny Boy.”

Closing the first half, , a Hebrew folk tune started slow and gathered speed.. This folk tune is a new genre and energized the audience. The interior chill had been broken.

During the interval, Alex and I discuss how the performance is different than anticipated. No standards in the play list. Little jazz except the Billie Holliday number.

The second half begins with another Brazilian song. Antonio Carlos Jobin’s “The Girl From Ipanema.” This song is performed as a samba and gives a fresh perspective on the standard.

Next is an R & B song made classic by Ray Charles: “One Mint Julip”. Jeni says the lyric is a description of how she met her husband Jake. In truth, she corrects the story to say she and Jake actually met at a campus ministry happy hour.

Then follows a Willie Nelson song, “Angel Flying Too Close To The Ground” and Lizz Wright’s “Trouble In The Air, I Don’t Want It.” Willie Nelson. How far the evening is from my expectation.

Before singing her final number, Jeni invites May Schwarz professor of church music to the microphone. Professor Schwarz organizes the Tuesday at Trinity musical events and she reminds the audience that next two Tuesdays at Trinity events are the Brass Band of Columbus on June 15 and the Columbus Symphony Brass Quintet on June 22.

Jeni’s final number is “I Need Your Inspiration” arranged as a dance number. With Jeni slapping a red tambourine, and Jake’s saxophone playing, this gospel classic energizes the musicians and the audience.

On the walk home, I discuss the performance with our boarder and explain that the concert was a surprise, and not what I expected at all. In a light rain, I comment that the music was louder, more energetic, more pop, less cerebral than her last performance. Our boarder is a sophomore music major at Carnegie Mellon and his comments are about acoustics,
arrangements and individual performances. “They covered a lot of genres,” he said, “She has a very versatile voice.” He was most impressed with Jeni’s “very pleasant voice” within the group and commented that the group could’ve let her shine a bit more. The lyrics to her songs were frequently indistinguishable over the band. However, even as someone who attends the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra every week, comparing and criticizing performers of the highest levels, Alex found the evening of music making quite enjoyable. He agreed that some of the songs worked considerably well with the ensemble, and it was very interesting to see their interpretations of different styles.

Next morning, when I look at my concert notes, I’m surprised. Rather than being a completely different Jeni Fleming, the notes are much like notes from her last concert. She takes familiar songs and rearranges the material into her own. The brainy content, both lyric and melody are gently led into the shelter of Jeni’s brilliance. She makes a song her child and nurtures it to become something new, something distinct from its origins. Jazz Pop and Jazz Mom indeed.

The sequence of songs, none from the American Songbook, also makes sense next day as I read my notes. Blues, Gospel, Bossa Nova, Beatles, Country and Western, Western Swing. The breadth of her repertory is amazing. What an enjoyable performance.
So next year, should we expect German Techno?

What I want is Jeni doing the Beach Boys. Please Jeni, next year do “In My Room,” “Rhonda.,” “California Girls.”

Jeni can pull it off an evening of the Beach Boys.

Maybe an entire CD of Jeni Fleming singing the Beach Boys.

HELP BEXLEY PUBLIC RADIO UPGRADE ITS ANTENNA. SEND YOUR MONEY PROMPTLY. BE GENEROUS.

Bexley Public Radio Foundation broadcasting as
WCRX-LP, 102.1 FM, Local Power Radio
2700 E. Main St., Suite 208
Columbus, OH 43209
Voice (614) 235 2929
Fax (614) 235 3008
Email wcrxlp@yahoo.com
Blog http://agentofcurrency.blogspot.com

Bexley Public Radio Foundation is exempt from federal taxes under IRC Section 501(c)(3). Donations are deductible from federal income taxes for individuals who itemize. Checks may identify the payee as Bexley Public Radio Foundation or WCRX-LP, 102.1 FM.

Copyright 2010. All rights reserved. Bexley Editorial Collective.

Higher education and Wall Street collapse. Roundtable discussion Thursday November 13, 2008.

Bexley Public Radio sponsored a roundtable discussion of the impact of the Wall Street on higher education.


In a wide ranging discussion of Wall Street collapse college administrators and a banker discussed financial aid and student loans availability and eligibility; student applications and enrollments; faculty grants; university endowments; alumni giving; gifts of appreciated stock; and charitable gift annuities.

Participants in the round table were: Evelyn Levino, Vice President, Students, Franklin University; Will Kopp, Vice President, Institutional Advancement, Columbus State Community College; Mark Ramseth, President, Trinity Lutheran Seminary; Steve Koch, Professor, Communications, Capital University; Dave Mallet, President First Bexley Bank.

Professor Stephen Koch of Capital University communications department moderated the discussion. He began by asking about the Wall Street collapse on student enrollments.

Evelyn Levino and Will Kopp discussed admission inquiries from potential students.

Mark Ramseth, president of Trinity Lutheran Seminary said that the Trinity student body trends to be older than the other schools represented on the panel. The median age of Trinity students is in the range of 36 and 37 years. Many individuals thinking about graduate education at Trinity have families and own their residences so these potential students are less mobile that younger students and the decision to pursue graduate education is a major life changing decision.

President Mark Ramseth, Trinity Lutheran Seminary.

Banker Mallett said that the student loan market is more difficult. Fewer lenders are willing to undertake student loans. He also said that the federal government seems to be recognizing the contraction in student loans. He pointed to the recent comments of Secretary of the U.S. Treasury Paulson that recognized that consumer lending has been hampered as much as lending by financial institutions. In response to a question from Ramseth, Mallet said that regional and city center banks were restricting their lending even after federal bailout funds were received. Holding the funds as capital rather than lending the same funds helps the banks maintain favorable capital ratios for financial reporting.

Koch asked whether the panelists saw any indication that the distress of the financial markets is causing new financial planning and strategies to be developed for the expenses of higher education.

Will Kopp responded that he has recognized that students no longer approach their college educations as a continuous relationship with a single institution. He said students “swirl” their education, taking some courses at one school and then other courses at other schools and even on-line. This “swirled” course work is usually part of a coherent strategy to develop skills and knowledge useful in achieving specific career goals. The same “swirling” is used by students to achieve financial savings when they choose to take course work at particular institutions based on relative tuition charges. Kopp also noted that institutions like Capital, Columbus State and Franklin are responding to this student strategy by developing agreements and alliances that help students pursue their academic goals in a realistic financial environment.

Mark Ramseth said that students recognize that economic downturns can be occasions to improve their job skills through education. When the job market is soft, time can be spent in education.

Evelyn Levino commented that such student strategies make sense and that she would advise students “to go for it” because the end goal is education. Much can be learned from paying attention to the creative judgments that college students make. When the goal is education there can be many roads that students follow to get to that destination. Levino also commented that “self financing” should not be overlooked in the present environment. There are many students who work part-time and attend classes part-time to minimize the amount of debt incurred in their education. Will Kopp said that he is familiar with a some students who maintain fulltime employment with their class-work.

Professor Koch said that Capital University has a tuition discount program that encourages good grades. He commented that this is a form of financial aid that is unique in encouraging the core values of excellence in education.

Will Kopp commented on a Seniors to Sophomore program of the State of Ohio. The state government pays college tuition for high school students to take college courses. The program permits high school students to graduate with both a high school diploma and an associate degrees.

Professor Koch briefly discussed the financial environment on Wall Street and its impact on research grants awarded to faculty. Will Kopp commented on a recent New York Times article reporting on how college building projects are being effected by the Wall Street collapse. He also discussed Ohio Governor Ted Strickland’s commitment to education. State funds for higher education have permitted tuition levels to remain flat for two years.

Evelyn Levino said that the budgeting point of view at Franklin is to use funds to invest in the future of the institution. She continued by describing how professional organizations serving higher education are recognizing the dangers of the current financial turmoil. She said that the Student Aid Alliance recently contacted Congressional leaders to express concern that any federal economic stimulus program include student financial aid. Increases in federal Pell Grant programs were also mentioned.

Will Kopp said that many commentators were talking about ten-year plans to deal with the Wall Street collapse. He said that any governmental program of such long duration is not realistic unless it includes a component for higher education. In reference to any ten year plan.

Mark Ramseth offered the wry comment that “Markets can stay irrational longer than individuals can stay solvent.”

Steve Koch said that “A crisis cannot be the foundation of a plan.”

The discussion then turned to capital projects and bonds. Banker Mallett said that even bond markets are being effected by the fall in real estate values and the fall in equity prices. He said that currently the bond market is being dominated by financier Warren Buffett who is actively buying municipal bonds.

Koch and Mallett commented respectively on deficit spending and price levels. Mallett continued with observations on the current low interest rate levels on federal government bonds and that his family decision to “go to cash” with their children’s college savings,

Professor Koch asked whether any of the institutions represented in the roundtable was developing explicit strategies to respond to the Wall Street collapse. Will Kopp identified three components of a strategy at Columbus State Community College: recognition that the student body is diverse in age and experience; creating scholarships for students in age groups that normally are not eligible for scholarships; and creating partnerships with other educational institutions like Capital University and Franklin University that provide financial opportunities, benefits and choices for students.

Professor Koch asked if any of the panelists wanted to speculate on how long the financial crisis might last.

Evelyn Levino said that she had no empirical data to undergird her comments. Based on media reports, Levino said that she recognized radical changes in the short term and that it is her belief that we are going through a financial crisis. The practical effects of this crisis are evident in the rapid decline in housing prices and institutions and individuals “going to cash.” All of these practical effects of the crisis are not going to be fixed over night.

Will Kopp returned to the discussion of institutional strategies at Columbus State Community College. He said that students want to prepare for employment opportunities that “won’t be shipped overseas” and also in industries that provide valued products and services such as “sustainable,” and “green technologies.” An educational institution must respond to these interests and values of student populations.

Koch commented that educational opportunities are all the more important in an environment where job opportunities are “constricted.” He also discussed Capital University’s Center for Life Long Learning.

As closing observations, Mark Ramseth said that at Trinity Lutheran Seminary the economic realities that have developed are not being ignored and that “like a household” we are “re-prioritizing how we spend our resources.” He also observed that finances are central to meeting an institutions objectives and that the time and attention being devoted to the Wall Street collapse is necessary work for every institution.

Dave Mallett offered the observation that college expenses are a very significant part of family budgets. The effect of the Wall Street problems are being felt very close to home.

Evelyn Levino said that the sooner the Wall Street problems are recognized as impacting education, the sooner the country will “come out of the problem.”

Participants in the round table were: Evelyn Levino, Vice President, Students, Franklin University; Will Kopp, Vice President, Institutional Advancement, Columbus State Community College; Mark Ramseth, President, Trinity Lutheran Seminary; Steve Koch, Professor, Communications, Capital University; Dave Mallet, President First Bexley Bank.

Bexley Public Radio Foundation broadcasting as
WCRX-LP, 102.1 FM, Local Power Radio
2700 E. Main St., Suite 208
Columbus, OH 43209
Voice (614) 235 2929
Fax (614) 235 3008
Email wcrxlp@yahoo.com
Blog http://agentofcurrency.blogspot.com

Bexley Public Radio Foundation broadcasting as WCRX-LP, 102.1 FM is exempt from federal taxes under IRC Section 501(c)(3). Donations are deductible from federal income taxes for individuals who itemize. Checks may identify the payee as Bexley Public Radio Foundation WCRX-LP, 102.1 FM.

Design is copyright 2008. All rights reserved. Bexley Public Radio Foundation. Text is copyright 2008. All rights reserved. Bexley Public Radio Foundation.