Two Rivers Chamber Orchestra honors Shepherd professor October 17

ISSUED: 2 October 2009
MEDIA CONTACT: Valerie Owens
(Two Rivers Chamber Orchestra honors Shepherd professor October 17)

Shepherdstown, WV--Shepherd University's Two Rivers Chamber Orchestra will be featuring Symphonic Triptych by Dr. Guy Frank, in honor of the professor emeritus of music, on October 17 at 8 p.m. in the Frank Center Theater. Dr. Frank also served as the chair of the Music Department and the Creative Arts Division from 1950-1984. Each of the movements bear a Shepherdstown subtitle including "Shepherdstown Viva," "Potomac Interlude," and "Millbrook Fair."

In his time at Shepherd, Dr. Frank oversaw the construction of the Creative Arts Center and the move from Reynolds Hall to the new building on West Campus in 1981. The music faculty grew to six full-time professors including Dr. Farrell Coy, Dr. Jim Pantle, and Jay Stenger, all three now professor emeriti.

"I always appreciated Dr. Frank's perceptive leadership, his friendship, and his dedication, and of course his sense of humor. He was always well-respected in the academic and wider community," said Dr. Pantle. "It was exciting to see more students join us each passing year to the point we needed the new facilities on West Campus."

"The second movement is one of the most beautiful pieces of music written. I can see the sun on the water as I study the score and am thrilled that one of the two rivers of our orchestra's name is so prominently featured here." says Dr. Mark McCoy, current music department chair and Two Rivers conductor. "It is especially dear to me as I have known Dr. Frank for many years, first as his student, then as my mentor, and always as my friend. Dr. Frank has always been known as a fine concert pianist, an accomplished composer and a great teacher. He was the heart and soul of the music department for over thirty years, and the building that houses the current music program at Shepherd bears his name."

The Symphonic Triptych will be part of the Two Rivers Chamber Orchestra's concert of American composers to open the Friends of Music concert series. Also included in the program are Leonard Bernstein's Candide, and the East Coast premiere of the Awakenings of Joseph Curiale. Closing the program are four dances from Aaron Copland's Rodeo including "Buckaroo Holiday," "Corral Nocturne," "Saturday Night Waltz," and "Hoe-Down."

For tickets, subscriptions to the Friends of Music Concert Series, or more about Lunch with Friends of Music, visit www.sufom.org or call the Friends of Music office at 304-876-5765.

-30-YOUNG

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Dr. Guy Frank