Concert Benefits Students

Stan L. Breckenridge Performs Oct. 25 as Fundraiser for Scholarships

October 7, 2008

By Mimi Ko Cruz

Accompanied by an 11-piece ensemble, Stan L. Breckenridge, lecturer in Afro-ethnic studies, will perform songs from his five CDs as part of an Oct. 25 scholarship fundraiser.

All proceeds will benefit Afro-ethnic majors taking part in study-abroad programs. The concert, at Meng Concert Hall, is set for 8 p.m.

“This type of scholarship matters to me because, in retrospect, I realized the significance and value of humanitarianism by experiencing other cultures,” Breckenridge said. “Traveling to Japan shortly after turning 18 was a turning point in my life. Experiencing an unfamiliar culture first hand, in their own environment, led me to further consider how they felt about me. Oh boy, did I experience a rude, but good, awakening! I had an idea as to how I, an African American, was perceived in the United States and therefore assumed others outside the U.S. saw me in a similar way. My assumption was that people saw me first as an African American within the historical and probably less contemporary, context as a United States citizen.”

His experiences, however, proved the opposite, he said.

“To say the least, my sense of worth and value as a person with an individual character steadily increased,” Breckenridge said. “Having now traveled to many countries, I continue to have similar experiences and often ponder how different my life would be had I not experienced other people in their own homeland at an early stage in my life. I want our students at Cal State Fullerton to have an opportunity to experience other cultures through study-abroad programs, and a lack of funds should not be an obstacle.”

Breckenridge will debut several selections from his soon-to-be-released CD, “A Soulful Christmas,” as well as songs from his other CDs: “Expositions” (1999), “Meditations” (2001), “Solo” (2003), “Live in Poland” (2005) and “This is My Song” (2007).

Concert tickets range from $20 to $5,000.

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.fullerton.edu/supportCSUF/hss/Breckenridge/RSVP.asp, http://hss.fullerton.edu/hss or http://www.fullerton.edu/arts/events/index.htm