Theater and cabaret artist Sandy Bainum and internationally known composer Mark Phillips are the latest alumni of the West Virginia University College of Creative Arts who will take part in the college’s new Alumni-in-Residence Series, in which noted graduates of the schools of Art and Design, Music, and Theatre and Dance return to the Creative Arts Center to work with students.
Sandy Bainum, who graduated from the School of Music with a bachelor’s degree in 1982, will visit Friday, Oct. 24, and Mark Phillips, a graduate of the School of Music with a bachelor’s degree in 1974, will visit Saturday, Oct. 25. All events are free and open to the public.
“Having these prestigious alumni on campus is such a tremendous benefit to our current students,” said School of Music Director Keith Jackson. “Not only are they living proof of the quality of our programs, but they can also share different perspectives of the profession. I am excited to see them coming to campus and I know our students will get the most out of this opportunity. “
Actor, singer and dancer Sandy Bainum is the total modern-day performer. From standards to contemporary hits to special material, she connects with a wide range of musical generations and genres–a truly eclectic and exciting theater and cabaret artist.
Bainum is a classically trained coloratura soprano and dancer. She made the leap from small town Pennsylvania to Broadway when she was hired for the chorus of David Merrick’s legendary production of “42nd Street,” first in the National Tour and then on Broadway, in the plum role of Annie. Now living in Washington, D.C., Bainum regularly appears in Washington’s top theatrical venues in plays and musicals for which she’s garnered excellent reviews, plus several nominations and awards. She also performs her terrific one-woman cabaret shows in major venues in D.C., New York and Los Angeles.
Beginning at 3 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 25, Bainum will perform and then talk with students and faculty about her career in theater and recording. She will work with students on the audition process and interpretation of songs. At 5 p.m. there will be a reception honoring Bainum and also celebrating the College of Creative Arts’ newly selected musical theater majors. At the reception, Bainum will have a chance to talk with students, faculty and folks from around Morgantown.
All events take place in the Antoinette Falbo Theatre and are free and open to the public.
For more information about Bainum, see her website at: http://sandybainum.com/
Mark Phillips is professor of composition, electronic music and theory at Ohio University, where he was named a Distinguished Professor in 2007. An internationally known composer, his musical creations have been honored for their high level of craftsmanship, technical mastery and intellectual depth.
Phillips, who grew up in Parkersburg, West Virginia, received a bachelor’s degree in composition, electronic music and theory (with a minor in trombone) from WVU in 1974, and his master’s and doctoral degrees in music from Indiana University. His many prestigious awards include the Barlow International Prize for Orchestral Music, which led to collaborations with conductor Leonard Slatkin. Following a national competition, Pi Kappa Lambda commissioned him to compose a work for their 2006 national conference in San Antonio. His music has received dozens of orchestra performances by groups such as the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra and the Cleveland Orchestra, and has been recorded by Richard Stoltzman and the Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra, the Lark Quartet, and several solo artists.
Phillips will present a forum for music students on Saturday, Oct. 25, beginning at 3:30 p.m. That evening, at 8:15 p.m., there will be a New Music Concert that will feature two of his compositions: “T-Rex” for trombone and electronic playback, and “Porch Music” for violin, cello, and marimba.
Both the forum and the concert will be held in the Bloch Learning and Performance Hall (200A) and are free and open to the public.
For more information about Phillips, see his website: http://www.coolvillemusic.com.
For more information, about both of the Alumni-in-Residence Series events, contact the College of Creative Arts at 304-293-4359.
-WVU-
cl/10/22/14
CONTACT: Charlene Lattea, College of Creative Arts
304-293-4359, Charlene.Lattea@mail.wvu.edu
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