Bill Manning

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Bill Manning BIO

Bill is a Graduate of Westbrook High School and received a Scholarship from and attended Berklee College of Music in Boston MA. and graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Music from the University of Southern Maine.  He has studied Drum Set with: Les Harris Jr., Joe Hunt, Hank Dempsey, Phil Verrill, and Dom Moio, and also studied Classical Percussion with Nancy Smith.

He has been teaching percussion for the over 30 years both privately and in the public school setting. He maintains teaching studios at The Drum Shop in Portland, ME and at Dube's Music in Freeport Me. and is the Percussion Instructor and the Director of the Scarborough High School jazz program for the Scarborough school system in Scarborough, ME.

He is a free-lance musician in the Portland, ME area and is a member of The Novel Jazz Septet, 207 Wind Orchestra, Centennial Brass Band, and is the house percussionist for The Good Theater and Cast Aside Productions in Portland ME.

He has been on the percussion staff for The New England Percussion Camp, 1999 – 2005, & 2008. He has taught percussion in Westbrook ME, 1997-1999, and South Portland ME, 1994-96, school systems.  He has been the Percussion Instructor for the All City Percussion Ensemble in Portland, ME (2000-2001), and has been the Marching Percussion Instructor at the following schools: Westbrook High School (1997-99 & 1981-1983); Wells High School (1994-97); South Portland High School (1994-96); Sanford High School (1989-93); Mt Blue High School (1984-86); Winslow High School (1983-84); and Old Orchard Beach High School (1980-81). Bill was also a founding member and instructor for The 20th Maine Drum and Bugle Corp. (1984).

Bill has been playing percussion for over 40 years starting in 5th grade . He played in Concert band, Symphonic band, Wind Ensemble, Marching band and Jazz band all through high school, as well as playing local gigs. . He has a wide variety of musical experiences from playing: Top 40, Pop, Rock, Jazz, Country, Musicals and Classical music. 

He has played with: Maine State Music Theater, The Diamonds, Mid-Coast Symphony Orchestra, Anthony’s Italian Kitchen Dinner Theater, Tri-Community Chorus, The Best of Broadway 2005, Louie Phillipe, Lynne & The Top Cats, Under the Woodwork, The Bob Charest Band, Northeast Swing, The Chris Humphrey Big Band, A Cool Shade of Blue, The Maine State Ballet Orchestra, Maine Pro Musica Orchestra, Seaglass Choir Arts, The New Vocal Collective, Scarborough High School Chorus, Lake Region Community Theater, City Theater Associates, Snowlion Repertory Company, Lyric Music Theater, Portland Players, S. Portland High School Theater Company, Gorham High School Musical Theater group, Oak Hill Players at Scarborough High School, and The Embassy Players with Hank Beebe.

Discography:

207 Wind Orchestra - Love Suite Love - February 2016; America The Beautiful - July 2016.

Ellen Domingos /Good Theater - Is There Fat In That? - 2011.

Jim D’ Amboise – Sonic Arcade 2009 - 2007.

A Cool Shade of Blue – For Duke – 2004.

A Cool Shade of Blue – Swing Dance at the Church - 2002.

Mark Klienhault - Jazzin Maine Christmas - 1996.

Bill Manning News


BWW Review: Broadway at the Good Theater Pays Tribute to 1940s

Each year Portland's Good Theater presents a holiday musical revue, written and directed by Brian P. Allen, and dedicated to celebrating a decade in American musical theatre history. Allen's show this year is devoted to the 1940s when so many of the geniuses of the a?oelegitimatea?? musical theatre style reigned supreme. The revue he has created is ambitious and comprehensive featuring twenty-five performers, including several Broadway actors, and covering the likes of Rodgers and Hammerstein, Lerner and Lowe, Cole Porter, Kurt Weill, and the Gershwins, together with many lesser-known writers. Performed with the intimacy and informality of a cabaret setting, Broadway at the Good Theater offers a nostalgic and delightful musical evening.

BWW Review: Valerie Perri Headlines BROADWAY AT THE GOOD THEATER

In what has become a delightful Portland holiday tradition, the Good Theater presented its annual musical revue, created and directed by Brian P. Allen, starring an incandescent Valerie Perri, together with Daniel Patrick Smith and a fine ensemble of Maine talent. The program, which featured twenty-nine musical theatre classics as well as lesser-known songs of the 1980s, was woven together by Allen with his comprehensive knowledge of the repertoire and his customary wit and performed with relish and commitment by the entire ensemble.

New England Premiere of BUBBLE BOY Comes To Portland

The cast is set for the New England debut of BUBBLE BOY THE MUSICAL. Cast Aside Productions ' July 12th Portland premiere will be one of the first professional presentations of this new musical based on the 2001 film of the same name.

New England Premiere of BUBBLE BOY Comes To Portland

The cast is set for the New England debut of BUBBLE BOY THE MUSICAL. Cast Aside Productions ' July 12th Portland premiere will be one of the first professional presentations of this new musical based on the 2001 film of the same name.

BWW Review: BROADWAY AT THE GOOD THEATER Serves Up Holiday Cheer

Among the many holiday season theatrical offerings, the annual musical revue, Broadway at the Good Theater inevitably proves to be a refreshing and original approach to ushering in a season of good cheer. The 2017 production, conceived, written, and directed by Brian P. Allen, is no exception; in fact, if anything, this year's show is bigger, bolder, and full of delightful surprises.

True Crime Musical, PARADE, to Open in Portland This October

PARADE is a rarely produced musical by THE LAST FIVE YEARS composer Jason Robert Brown, Pulitzer Prize winning playwright Alfred Urhy, and co-conceived by Hal Prince. Winner of the 1999 Tony Awards for Best Book and Best Original Score, it depicts the true story of Mary Phagan - a 13-year-old factory worker murdered in Atlanta during a Confederate Memorial Day Parade in 1913 - and the trial, wrongful conviction, and murder of her Jewish boss, Leo Frank.

True Crime Musical, PARADE, to Open in Portland This October

PARADE is a rarely produced musical by THE LAST FIVE YEARS composer Jason Robert Brown, Pulitzer Prize winning playwright Alfred Urhy, and co-conceived by Hal Prince. Winner of the 1999 Tony Awards for Best Book and Best Original Score, it depicts the true story of Mary Phagan - a 13-year-old factory worker murdered in Atlanta during a Confederate Memorial Day Parade in 1913 - and the trial, wrongful conviction, and murder of her Jewish boss, Leo Frank.

BWW Feature: ANDYLAND - An Amalgam of Music (Brontosaurus Records)

Percussionist Andy Robinson has been playing professionally in California bands since the 1970s. His latest instrumental album, ANDYLAND (Brontosaurus Records), is an amazing amalgam of world beat, bluegrass and rock!

BWW Review: BROADWAY AT THE GOOD Brings Cheer to the Season

Portland's Good Theater performs its annual musical revue, Broadway at the Good Theater this weekend bringing warmth, cheer, and an array of musical treats to mark the holiday season. Conceived, written, and directed by Brian P. Allen, this year's two hours of song and dance was devoted to the musicals of the 1970s.

Good Theater to Present 13th Edition of BROADWAY AT GOOD THEATER

The thirteenth edition of the Broadway at Good Theater concerts will be presented November 30 - December 4 for six performances.  This year will be a tribute to Broadway of the 1970s.   

Tickets to HEATHERS at Portland Stage Company Now on Sale

You may want to choose who you sit with at lunch a little more carefully this summer; the meanest girls in Ohio are coming to Portland.

Tickets to HEATHERS at Portland Stage Company Now on Sale

You may want to choose who you sit with at lunch a little more carefully this summer; the meanest girls in Ohio are coming to Portland.

Tickets to HEATHERS at Portland Stage Company Now on Sale

You may want to choose who you sit with at lunch a little more carefully this summer; the meanest girls in Ohio are coming to Portland.

BWW Review: This Year's BROADWAY AT GOOD THEATER Is Bigger, Brighter, and Bolder!

The annual Christmastime musical revue which the Good Theater presents has grown incrementally bigger, more complex, more sparkling, and more striking each season. This year's two-hour songfest, written and directed by Brian P. Allen, is dedicated to the musicals of the 1930s and with some dozen performers and an excellent musical combo, the evening proves a delightful tribute to the great American songwriters and a cheerful way to ring in the holidays.

Broadway at Good Theater Concerts Set for December 2-6 with Kenita R. Miller, Nicolas Callaway Foster & More

Good Theater has announced the annual presentation of its Broadway at Good Theater concerts December 2-6.  These fundraising events feature two special guests, Broadway star Kenita R. Miller, singing sensation Nicolas Callaway Foster and a dozen Good Theater performers. 

BWW Reviews: Delightful Musical Revue Rings in Christmas at the Good

Portland's Good Theater celebrated Christmas with a delightfully conceived and stylishly performed musical revue, Broadway at the Good Theater, created and directed by Brian P. Allen. Devoted to the music of the 60s and showcasing both Broadway show tunes and other iconic popular melodies, this almost forty-song evening flows seamlessly through the diverse music of the decade. Allen's selection of numbers reads like an index to the masterpieces of that tumultuous decade, and yet, he is astute in selecting some of the lesser-known production numbers together with the undeniable blockbusters. Moreover, he knows how to weave them together subtly to chronicle an era, and he provides musical staging that is characterful, but just right for the context.

Next Edition of Broadway at Good Theater Runs Now thru 12/7

Good Theater, the professional company in residence at the St. Lawrence Arts Center, presents its 11th edition of Broadway at Good Theater tonight, December 3, through December 7. These annual fundraising concerts combine Broadway tunes with holiday favorites for a sensational musical event.

Next Edition of Broadway at Good Theater to Run 12/3-7

Good Theater, the professional company in residence at the St. Lawrence Arts Center, presents its 11th edition of Broadway at Good Theater December 3-7. These annual fundraising concerts combine Broadway tunes with holiday favorites for a sensational musical event.

Good Theater Announces Cast for 10th Edition of BROADWAY AT GOOD THEATER, Including Kenita Miller and Christopher Pecoraro, 12/5-8

Good Theater announces the stars and cast for its 10th edition of Broadway at Good Theater. Performances will be Thursday 12/5 at 7:00 ($25), Friday 12/6 at 7:30 ($25), Saturday 12/7 at 3:00 ($25) & 7:30 ($30) and Sunday 12/8 at 2:00 ($30). This year the company will host Kenita R. Miller and Christopher A. Pecoraro as the Broadway headliners for the five concerts playing December 5-8.

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