News briefs

COM students to speak in showcase, competitionStudents in Miami University's Communication (COM) 135 classes will be competing in a public speaking showcase at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 9 in 322 McGuffey Hall.COM 135, titled Public Expression and Critical Inquiry, is ending the semester with this showcase featuring the top eight speakers chosen from the top two speeches in each section of the class. The winner of the showcase will receive a prize valued at $500 and all participants will be given gift certificates and prizes as well.This event is open to the public and students and faculty members are encouraged to attend.Contact organizer Maura Burke at burkemd@muohio.edu with any questions.Miami Wind Ensemble to hold free concertMiami University's Wind Ensemble will perform at 8 p.m. Dec. 9 in Hall Auditorium.The ensemble is directed by Gary A. Speck. The concert is free and will include pieces from "It Perched for Vespers Nine" by Joel Puckett, "Angels in the Architecture" by Frank Ticheli, "Bells for Stowkowski" by Michael Daugherty and "Profanation" by Leonard Bernstein.Men's Glee Club, Chorale to host winter concertThe Men's Glee Cub and Collegiate Chorale at Miami University will host a concert at 7 and 9 p.m. Dec. 11 in Hall Auditorium.Ethan Sperry directs the two musical groups. The choirs will perform a variety of holiday songs including Gregorian chants, sacred selections and a Hanukkah rap.The Miami Glee Club was founded in 1907 by Raymond Burke, composer of the alma mater and Miami fight song.The Glee Club features about 100 male students.More than 90 performers are involved in Collegiate Chorale.Tickets cost $7 for the general public and $5 for students and seniors. Tickets can be found at the Shriver Center box office.For more information visit, http://www.tickets.muohio.edu or call (513) 529-3200.Capstone to present business strategiesMiami University Farmer School of Business (FSB) will be visited by representatives from the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Dec. 7 to 9.Students of Marketing 495 capstone course will present to NCAA clients ways to increase NCAA men's basketball tournament viewership in young audiences. Twenty teams will present their strategies and four teams will go onto the Dec. 11 competition. A panel of judges including NCAA representatives will determine the winner.The representatives will come from sports teams such as the Cincinnati Bengals, the Cincinnati Reds, the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Indy Racing League and teams within the Miami Intercollegiate Athletics. The competitions will be held at 3:30 pm. Dec. 7 to 9 at Taylor Auditorium in the FSB and are open to the public.