Newell Named Director of Centennial Singers

Jan. 2, 2008 -- Patrick Newell has been hired as director of the Centennial Singers following a nationwide search by the University of Wyoming’s Department of Theatre and Dance.

Newell, a specialist in musical theatre and lyric-singing techniques, also works as an academic professional lecturer at UW.

“I’ve wanted to move to Wyoming for 10 years,” says Newell. “When I lived in eastern Kentucky, I came to Wyoming four times to visit. I love the mountains and this is a great place to enjoy them.”

Before coming to UW, Newell was director of opera at Eastern Kentucky University and Clayton College and State University. He also taught voice and related courses at Point Park College, Brevard College and Luther College.

Among his many achievements, Newell founded and worked as general director of The Kentucky River Opera in 2005, served as vocal coach and music director for the 2005 season of the Jekyll Island Musical Theatre Festival and was selected as assistant music director for the 2003 season of CalRep Theatre in Pennsylvania.

The Centennial Singers will present Newell’s original show, “Good Beginnings, Happy Endings,” this year. The musical revue features selections from numerous hit musicals. 

“We have 16 amazing singer/dancers this year,” Newell says. “They are picking up on the music quickly.”

The two-part production will be directed by Newell, choreographed by Macarthur Hambrick and costumed by Carol Baalman.

This year’s Centennial Singers include Bridger Bailey, J.P. Jaramillo, Anne Mason and Tiffany Young, all of Laramie; Rebecca Diamond of Winter Park, Colo.; Kyli Hale of Afton; Erin Hamel of Green River; Christian Munck and Kayla O'Keefe, both of Helena, Mont.; Veronica Olson of Pittsburgh, Pa.; Nathan Owen of Cheyenne; Matt Sanderson of Scottsbluff, Neb.; Zach Taylor of Aurora, Colo.; Sarah Thomas of Southlake, Texas; Bart Ulbrich of Bayard, Neb.; and Nicholas Wineman of Cut Bank, Mont.

Newell holds doctor of music and master of music degrees in vocal performance from Indiana University and a bachelor of music degree from Indiana-Purdue University at Fort Wayne.

Photo
Patrick Newell directs a UW Centennial Singers rehearsal.

Posted on Wednesday, January 02, 2008