Theme:
Artistry and Action
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Fran Irwin, Mu Phi Epsilon International President, 314-341-8372
president@muphiepsilon.org
Jacksonville to Host Mu Phi Epsilon International Convention
“Artistry and Action,” July 30-August 2
Civic leader Frances Kinne, soprano Christine Brewer, and cellist
Ruslan Biryukov
among featured speakers and artists
FRESNO, California (June 26) – International
professional music fraternity Mu Phi Epsilon will hold its trienniel
convention “Artistry and Action” in Jacksonville, Florida,
July 30 through August 2, 2008. Approximately 250 delegates and
attendees from the coeducational fraternity’s 80 collegiate
and 58 alumni chapters will gather at the Crowne Plaza Hotel for
four days of networking, professional development, and performances
by world-class musicians, including several concerts open to Jacksonville
residents free of charge on a space-available basis.
Photographers and camera crews are invited to cover
“Artistry and Action” beginning at 4:30 p.m. on July
30 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel. Please check in at the convention
desk for location of specific events.
The convention’s keynote speaker is Frances
Kinne of Jacksonville, an award-winning Mu Phi Epsilon member known
locally and nationally for her many educational and civic accomplishments.
Now an active community volunteer, Dr. Kinne was the founding dean
of Jacksonville University’s College of Fine Arts and later
became JU’s (and Florida’s) first female university
president. She later became Chancellor and Chancellor Emeritus of
Jacksonville University. Dr. Kinne will address the convention on
Thursday, July 31 at 8:30 a.m. While her speech is open to convention
registrants only, media coverage is invited.
Renowned American soprano Christine Brewer headlines
an outstanding international roster of artists performing at the
convention. Based in Lebanon, Illinois, Ms. Brewer performs major
operatic roles on stages around the world and also tours internationally
as a recitalist and soloist. In 2007 music critics in England listed
Ms. Brewer as one of the top 20 greatest sopranos of all time. She
was named a Sterling Patron of Mu Phi Epsilon in 2006. Ms. Brewer
will give a vocal master class on Saturday, August 2 at 1:00 p.m.
and will also perform at the closing banquet on Saturday evening.
Active participation in the master class is open only to fraternity
members by advance audition, but members of the public are invited
to observe. The banquet performance is open only to convention registrants.
Mu Phi Epsilon is proud to present its 2007 International
Competition winner, cellist Ruslan Biryukov, in concert on Thursday,
July 31 at 8:00 p.m. Mr. Biryukov, a native of Azerbaijan now based
in Los Angeles, has performed with major artists and orchestras
in twenty countries. For this concert he will play works by Chopin,
Shostakovich, and others. His accompanist is pianist Mary Au, a
Los Angeles-based collaborative artist who is also the convention’s
official accompanist. Both are Mu Phi Epsilon members. The concert
is open to the public.
A concert on Friday, August 1 at 8:00 p.m. features
an eclectic program by coloratura soprano Arietha Lockhart of Atlanta,
violinist and 2003 International Competition winner Jorge Avila
of New York, Los Angeles-based multimedia performance artist Mary
Lou Newmark, and others, all Mu Phi Epsilon members. The concert
is open to the public.
Other member performances are open to Jacksonville
residents. A recital by music delegates opens the convention on
Wednesday, July 30 at 4:30 p.m., with another music delegates’
performance on Friday, August 1 at 3:30 p.m. Both are open to the
public. Additional performances will be heard in workshops and presentations
open to convention registrants only.
All convention activities and concerts take place at the Crowne
Plaza Hotel.
Information at 314-341-8372. Detailed convention information at
www.muphiepsilon.org/convention2008.htm.
Photos of convention speakers and performers are available on request
to Melissa Eddy, editor@muphiepsilon.org
or proartsmgt@aol.com.
###
transmitted by:
________________________________________
Melissa J. Eddy
Editor, The Triangle of Mu Phi Epsilon
editor@muphiepsilon.org
OR proartsmgt@aol.com
www.muphiepsilon.org/triangle.asp
(512) 342-2785
Fax (512) 342-0515
PO Box 10042, Austin TX 78766
