Nov. 11, 2008

Whitworth Symphony Orchestra to Present Nov. 22 Concert, "Imitations & Inspirations"

WHO: Whitworth Symphony Orchestra

WHAT: Fall concert, "Imitations & Inspirations"

WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 22, at 3 p.m.

WHERE: Cowles Auditorium at Whitworth University

COST: $5 general admission; free for students and senior citizens 62 and older. For more information, please call (509) 777-3280.

"Imitations & Inspirations" will feature two faculty soloists and will include performances of Sibelius's Symphony No. 3; Respighi's Ancient Airs and Dances; and Brahms' Variations on a Theme by Haydn.

Brahm's Alto Rhapsody will be sung by mezzo-soprano Patricia Blankenship-Mortier, who joined Whitworth's faculty this year as a voice instructor. Scott Miller, a tenor who joined Whitworth last fall as assistant professor of music and head of vocal studies, will perform Fuor del Mar, from Mozart's opera Idomeneo. Both Blankenship-Mortier and Miller have performed across the U.S. as well as locally with the Coeur d'Alene Symphony, Opera Plus! and other Spokane-area arts organizations.

The Whitworth Symphony Orchestra and the Whitworth String Department are under the direction of Philip Baldwin, D.M.A. The orchestra performs literature of the highest quality and features an annual concerto competition and local and regional tours. String players also enjoy many opportunities including performance classes, chamber music, guest master classes, and frequent clinics with principal players and conductors of the Spokane Symphony. Whitworth's music faculty consist of current or past members of the Spokane Symphony and are active as recitalists, soloists and chamber musicians.

Located in Spokane, Wash., Whitworth is a private, liberal-arts university affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (USA). The university, which has an enrollment of 2,600 students, offers 53 undergraduate and graduate degree programs.

Contacts:

Philip Baldwin, conductor of the Whitworth Orchestra and director of string studies, Whitworth University, (509) 777-3268 or pbaldwin@whitworth.edu.

Joan Lack or Loree Swegle, music department program assistants, Whitworth University, (509) 777-3280 or jlack@whitworth.edu or lswegle@whitworth.edu.

Emily Proffitt, public information officer, Whitworth University, (509) 777-4703 or eproffitt@whitworth.edu.