University of Mobile Announces Upcoming Music, Theatre, Arts Events

The University of Mobile Center for Performing Arts announces its calendar of music, theatre and art events for the 2005-06 academic year. The private Christian university has launched a new instrumental strings program, formed a new 16-member vocal ensemble, and established an edgy praise and worship band as the 2005-06 school year begins, according to Roger Breland, CPA director. Breland, a member of the Gospel Music Hall of Fame and founder of the award-winning contemporary Christian group TRUTH, continues to build a performing arts program that focuses both on classical music training and contemporary music with opportunities for professional-level performance venues.

UM arts events include the following, while more performances will be added as the year progresses:

SEPTEMBER:
Sept. 12: Euphonium concert and master class featuring Dr. Terri Knupps, professor of music at Southwest Baptist University
Martin Hall, UM campus. Free admission to master class and concert.
Master class for music teachers and middle and high school students featuring euphonium, baritone and low brass performance and music education 2:30-4 p.m.in Martin Hall, room 229. Euphonium concert at 7 p.m., Moorer Auditorium in Martin Hall.
Info: UM Center for Performing Arts, (251) 442-2420.

Sept. 15, 7 p.m.: Faculty Recital featuring Amy Thomas, adjunct instructor in voice
Moorer Auditorium, UM campus. Admission is free.
Info: UM Center for Performing Arts, (251) 442-2420.
Thomas will present a recital of classical and musical theatre selections. She will be accompanied by Teresa Fleming, a local performer and teacher. The program includes selections by Purcell, Handel, Poulenc, Korngold & Rossini, and musical theatre selections from “The Sound of Music,” “She Loves Me,” “Mame,” “Wicked,” and others.

Sept. 15-17, Sept. 22-24: Upper Room Dinner Theatre presents “Wait Until Dark”
Upper Room Dinner Theatre, Martin Hall, UM campus. Reservations required.
Dinner shows at 6:30 p.m., Saturday dessert shows at 2 p.m.
Reservations: URDT Box Office, (251) 442-2383.

OCTOBER:
Oct. 13, 6:45 p.m.: UM Scholarship Banquet featuring Newt Gingrich with performances by students in the Center for Performing Arts
Mobile Convention Center. Reservations required. Tickets $125
Reservations: UM Development Office, (251) 442-2226.
RamCorps drum and bugle corps and Voices of Mobile will perform during UM’s first scholarship banquet featuring a keynote address by Newt Gingrich, former Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives.

NOVEMBER:
Nov. 10-12, Nov. 17-19: Upper Room Dinner Theatre presents “Hello Dolly”
Upper Room Dinner Theatre, Martin Hall, UM campus. Reservations required.
Dinner shows at 6:30 p.m., Saturday dessert shows at 2 p.m.
Reservations: URDT Box Office, (251) 442-2383.

Nov. 15, 7 p.m.: UM Piano Ensemble
Moorer Auditorium, UM campus. Admission is free.
Info: UM Center for Performing Arts, (251) 442-2420.
The free concert will feature four pianos on stage and up to eight performers, or 80 fingers, playing at one time. The piano ensemble is comprised of 20 performers including faculty, staff, students and alumni.

Nov. 29, 7 p.m.: Fourth annual “Christmas Spectacular”
Dauphin Way Baptist Church. Admission is free.
Info: UM Center for Performing Arts, (251) 442-2420.
The free concert will feature over 100 students in the UM Center for Performing Arts including the University Singers, University Band, RamCorps, Chamber Singers and Voices of Mobile. Under the direction of Dr. Al Miller, senior academic fellow and assistant professor of music, students will perform Christmas selections ranging from the classics to pop.

DECEMBER:
Dec. 2-3: UM Opera Workshop presents “Amahl and the Night Visitors”
Government Street Baptist Church, 7 p.m., opera followed by dessert with the cast. Tickets $15 general admission; $10 for students and senior citizens.
Reservations: Center for Performing Arts, (251) 442-2420.
The UM Opera Workshop under the direction of Melba Brown, associate professor of applied music and director of vocal studies, and Patrick Jacobs, assistant professor of music, presents another of its popular Opera Workshop series with this popular Christmas production.

MARCH:
March 21, 7 p.m.: UM Piano Ensemble
Moorer Auditorium, UM campus. Admission is free.
Info: UM Center for Performing Arts, (251) 442-2420.
The free concert will feature four pianos on stage and up to eight performers, or 80 fingers, playing at one time. The piano ensemble is comprised of 20 performers including faculty, staff, students and alumni.

March 23-25, March 30-April 1: Upper Room Dinner Theatre presents “Crazy for You”
Upper Room Dinner Theatre, Martin Hall, UM campus. Reservations required.
Dinner shows at 6:30 p.m., Saturday dessert shows at 2 p.m.
Reservations: URDT Box Office, (251) 442-2383.

APRIL:
April 1-30, 2006: 15th annual “Art With A Southern Drawl”
Exhibit on display in Martin Hall, University of Mobile. Admission is free. (Open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and selected Sundays from 2-4 p.m.)
Info: College of Arts and Sciences, (251) 442-2280.
The annual juried exhibition and competition represents a wide range of media, styles, themes and techniques. The competition is open to artists working in any media, and only original art is accepted. The show is under the direction of Charles M. Clark, dean of the University of Mobile College of Arts and Sciences. Wanda Sullivan, UM adjunct instructor in art, is assistant director.
Artists must be either born in or currently live in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee or Texas. Prizes will be awarded for Best in Show, Award of Excellence, Spirit of the South Award, Southern Humor Award: I Did It and I’m Glad, and Merit Awards.

April 4, 2006, 6:30 p.m., Fourth annual “StarLight at the University of Mobile”
Martin Hall lawn, UM campus. Admission is free.
Info: UM Center for Performing Arts, (251) 442-2420.
The outdoor music festival will begin at 6:30 p.m. on the university campus. The evening will feature a fast-paced sampling of performances by students in the university’s Center for Performing Arts. The event is under the direction of Roger Breland, director of the Center for Performing Arts and founder of the contemporary Christian group TRUTH.