West Liberty University’s 2011-12 Concert Artist Series will open on Oct. 12 with a recital by noted trumpet and organ duo Anthony & Beard. The concert, which is free and open to the public, will begin at 7:30 p.m. at First English Lutheran Church, located on the corner of 16th and Chapline Streets, downtown Wheeling.
Anthony & Beard have performed and recorded together for many years. Trumpet player Ryan Anthony has been dazzling audiences around the globe for well over 15 years, and is known to millions from his work with the legendary Canadian Brass. He has performed as featured soloist at the Kennedy Center and with the Cleveland Orchestra and Detroit Symphony. He also has traveled around the world performing both classical music and crossover jazz. He is a graduate and distinguished alumnus of the Cleveland Institute of Music (B.M. and M.M.). He was professor of trumpet with the Oberlin College Conservatory of Music before leaving to join Canadian Brass.
Gary Beard is conductor of the Lindenwood Chancel Choir and The Gary Beard Chorale, but also is in demand as an organist. He is minister of music and artist-in-residence at Lindenwood Christian Church in Memphis, where he has developed a nationally acclaimed music program. He has performed at Carnegie Hall, The Piccolo Spoleto Festival in Charleston, S.Car, Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, France and for standing room audiences in Vienna, Salzburg and Melk, Austria.