Post by krazykev on Apr 24, 2008 7:11:12 GMT -5
GREENSBORO — Stanley Battle will perform with his twin brother, Stewart Battle, and several others tonight during one of several events planned to celebrate his installation as N.C. A&T's 11th chancellor.
Battle said the event also is meant to send a signal to the school's arts programs.
"I think the arts programs have probably suffered," Battle said earlier this week. He wants to change that under his administration. He wants to see the school's performing groups compete more often and travel more often for competitions and learning opportunities.
Battle began work at the university last year but will be installed during a ceremony Friday.
Battle's passion for music began as a child, singing with his brother in the choir of the family's church in Springfield, Mass. Battle has a master's degree in public health and a doctorate in social welfare. He continued to study voice throughout his academic career, including under professors from The Juilliard School of Music.
"I really enjoy all fields of music, but I'm specifically interested in classical music," Battle said.
About 50 percent of A&T's undergraduates take arts classes, with about 200 students majoring in the arts.
Michael Plater, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, said having a chancellor with a background in performance is a boost for the arts.
"Part of what we do is make the arts a bigger part of the community in general," he said.
Plater said he is especially excited about Battle's support for building a performing arts center at the university. Battle will perform with some of Plater's students tonight when he takes the stage with the university choir.
Stewart Battle shares his brother's love of music and said they were always trying to outdo each other while growing up.
"The real challenge was we were always competitive," Stewart Battle said.
Stewart has a law degree and is director of an independent living program in Connecticut. But the stage has never been far from his life, having performed with the Metropolitan and Baltimore operas.
"If I had my druthers, I would sing professionally," Stewart Battle said. "Music to me is more than just singing, it's a gift."
Both men have a deep love of classical music and the audience can count on hearing music composed by Copland, Haydn and Mendelssohn, as well as Broadway favorites.
Stanley Battle also will perform Luther Vandross' "Dancing With my Father."
Stewart Battle recalls first hearing his brother sing the song as a tribute to their father. "I was shocked when he did it," he said.
Though the chancellor enjoys performing, he said he will be glad when the celebrations are over and he can get back to work.
"I'm not shy or bashful. I just like to work," he said. "I don't like a fuss."
Stanley Battle said that seeing his face on billboards across town is a humbling experience, but he emphasized that getting the job done is a team effort.
"Part of my job is to see that people get to where they need to go," he said. "I don't care who gets the credit for it."
Contact J. Brian Ewing at 373-7351 or brian.ewing@news-record.com
Battle said the event also is meant to send a signal to the school's arts programs.
"I think the arts programs have probably suffered," Battle said earlier this week. He wants to change that under his administration. He wants to see the school's performing groups compete more often and travel more often for competitions and learning opportunities.
Battle began work at the university last year but will be installed during a ceremony Friday.
Battle's passion for music began as a child, singing with his brother in the choir of the family's church in Springfield, Mass. Battle has a master's degree in public health and a doctorate in social welfare. He continued to study voice throughout his academic career, including under professors from The Juilliard School of Music.
"I really enjoy all fields of music, but I'm specifically interested in classical music," Battle said.
About 50 percent of A&T's undergraduates take arts classes, with about 200 students majoring in the arts.
Michael Plater, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, said having a chancellor with a background in performance is a boost for the arts.
"Part of what we do is make the arts a bigger part of the community in general," he said.
Plater said he is especially excited about Battle's support for building a performing arts center at the university. Battle will perform with some of Plater's students tonight when he takes the stage with the university choir.
Stewart Battle shares his brother's love of music and said they were always trying to outdo each other while growing up.
"The real challenge was we were always competitive," Stewart Battle said.
Stewart has a law degree and is director of an independent living program in Connecticut. But the stage has never been far from his life, having performed with the Metropolitan and Baltimore operas.
"If I had my druthers, I would sing professionally," Stewart Battle said. "Music to me is more than just singing, it's a gift."
Both men have a deep love of classical music and the audience can count on hearing music composed by Copland, Haydn and Mendelssohn, as well as Broadway favorites.
Stanley Battle also will perform Luther Vandross' "Dancing With my Father."
Stewart Battle recalls first hearing his brother sing the song as a tribute to their father. "I was shocked when he did it," he said.
Though the chancellor enjoys performing, he said he will be glad when the celebrations are over and he can get back to work.
"I'm not shy or bashful. I just like to work," he said. "I don't like a fuss."
Stanley Battle said that seeing his face on billboards across town is a humbling experience, but he emphasized that getting the job done is a team effort.
"Part of my job is to see that people get to where they need to go," he said. "I don't care who gets the credit for it."
Contact J. Brian Ewing at 373-7351 or brian.ewing@news-record.com
