Texas Christian University, which became the first college in the country to offer a bachelor of fine arts degree in ballet in 1949, will celebrate the 60th anniversary of that milestone Nov. 6-8.  Events include a memorial to the late Fernando Schaffenburg, who led the dance school from 1963 to the early 1980s, and dance concerts with guest musicians performing.  The details:

 

Friday, Nov. 6

4:30 p.m. , Dance Bldg. Studio B Theater, Schaffenburg tribute attended by his widow, Karen, friends and former Schaffenburg dancers. Selected choreography will be featured. Free.

6 - 7:30 p.m., Kelly Center, Reception for alumni and friends. Free. Reservations by Nov. 1 to ext. 7615.

8 p.m., Ed Landreth Auditorium, Gala Dance Concert, $10 at the door. Free with TCU ID.

 

Saturday, Nov. 7

2 p.m. and 8 p.m., Ed Landreth Auditorium, Gala Dance Concert, $10 at the door. Free with TCU ID.

 

Sunday, Nov. 8

2 p.m., Ed Landreth Auditorium, Gala Dance Concert, $10 at the door. Free with TCU ID.

 

The weekend dance concerts will each feature original choreography by dance faculty members Elizabeth Gillaspy and Susan Douglas Roberts and classical and contemporary works by internationally renowned choreographers George Balanchine (staged by Michele Gifford in cooperation with The Balanchine Trust), Robert Battle (staged by Kanji Segawa), Doris Humphrey (staged by Yunyu Wang) and Jessica Lang. The concert features lighting design by Roma Flowers.

 

Soprano Colleen Mallette and the TCU Cello Ensemble, under the direction of Jesús Castro-Balbi (School of Music) will make special appearances.

 

For more information, call the TCU School of Classical & Contemporary Dance at ext. 7615 or visit the Web site at www.dance.tcu.edu.