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Robert Ward to be Honored by Governor Sept. 13

Duke music professor cited for service to the arts in the state

Robert Ward

On Thursday, Sept. 13, 2007, N.C. Gov. Mike Easley turns the spotlight on the arts by bestowing the Old North State Award for dedication and service beyond expectation and excellence on composer Robert Ward on his 90th birthday.

Ward came to North Carolina in 1967 to head the recently established School of the Arts in Winston-Salem. Under his leadership, the school doubled its enrollment and rapidly became recognized as an international leader in arts education. In 1979, he became the Mary Duke Biddle Professor of Music at Duke, where he could devote more time to composing and conducting.

In 1962, The Crucible, his opera based on the play by Arthur Miller, received the Pulitzer Prize for Music and the New York Critics' Circle Award. Since that time it has been performed widely in North America, Europe and Asia. Many of Ward's major works have been commissioned by North Carolina orchestras and opera companies.

The birthday concert on Sept. 13 will be held at 8 pm at the Jones Theatre of Ravenscroft School in Raleigh. Performing artists will be Frederic Raimi, cello, and Eric Pritchard, violin, of Duke's Ciompi Quartet accompanied by pianist Jane Hawkins. William Stone, North Carolina's famous baritone who has been heard in most of the major opera houses of Europe and America, will be assisted by Thomas Warburton, revered pianist now retired from the UNC-CH faculty.

There is no admission charge for the concert, but seating may be reserved by calling 919-493-5591 before Monday, Sept. 10.