inda Dryden Remembered:
Special Events Weekend will feature Jamaican Opera Singer,
Legacy Chorale, CLC Music Students
E. Phillip Mentor, a classically trained baritone born in Belmont,
Port of Spain, will be the featured Guest Artist during a special
weekend commemorating the Linda Dryden Music Endowment. Events will
begin on Thursday, Feb. 22, and will culminate with an evening recital
on Saturday, Feb. 24. Mr. Mentor will be holding vocal workshops with
CLC music classes on Thursday, Feb. 22.
On Friday, February 23, Mr. Mentor will preside over a vocal master
class, open to the public, for CLC and high school students, community
members, and Legacy Chorale participants. This event will be held at
the CLC Dryden Theatre stage from 12:00-3:00 p.m. and is free and open
to the entire community. The master class will be followed by a
"meet-and-greet"
On Saturday, Feb. 24, at 7:00 p.m., at Trinity Lutheran Church, Mr.
Mentor will perform a public recital entitled "A Musical Heritage,"
including three pieces with The Legacy Chorale. The recital will also
feature soloists from CLC and the community. Repertoire for the
recital includes popular folk songs, such as "Shenandoah,"
Lomond," "Beautiful Dreamer," "Gentle Annie," "My Lady Greensleeves,"
"Simple Gifts," and "Danny Boy." A reception hosted by the Legacy
Chorale will follow.
The master class on Friday, Feb. 23, is free and open to the public.
Admission for the recital on Saturday, Feb. 24 is $8.00 for adults.
Admission is free for students under the age of 18 and CLC students
with a valid college ID. All proceeds from the recital benefit the
Linda Dryden Music Endowment.
E. Phillip Mentor resides in Piscataway, New Jersey, and has performed
with the New Philharmonic of New Jersey, the Montclair Chamber
Orchestra, and the Morristown Chamber Players. He studied at
Montclair State University, and with teachers and coaches from the
Metropolitan Opera, the New York City Opera, the New York
Philharmonic, and the American Symphony. He has performed throughout
the US and the Caribbean. In 1986, Mentor was selected
African-American Singer of the Year, and was first runner-up in the
Regional Metropolitan Opera competition. He is well known as a lively
clinician whose presentations include quick humor and
thought-provoking stories.
Linda Dryden was a long-time resident of Brainerd, mother of four
children, and co-owner/operator for several years of the popular store
The Finishing Touch with her husband, Bob. After a long battle with
cancer, Linda passed away in 2003. Her brother, mother, and Bob
created the Linda Dryden Music Endowment to celebrate her memory and
love for music. The endowment's annual earnings enable the college's
music department to bring noted music professionals to campus to
instruct master classes in vocal music as well as provide recital and
concert opportunities for CLC students and the community. Sarah
Aamot-Lundin, Artistic Director of The Legacy Chorale of Greater
Minnesota (which also shares in the fund's annual earnings), works in
conjunction with Michelle Sakry-Winkelman and the CLC Vocal Music
Department in bringing in a guest artist every year for this special
event.
Advance tickets for the Linda Dryden Music Endowment Recital will be
available at the Brainerd Dispatch office, CLC Music Department
Office, or through the Legacy Chorale of Greater Minnesota
(800-820-6034)
information, contact the Legacy Chorale Manager Bob Nelson at
www.legacychorale.org, legacychorale@
