Marvin Hamlisch to be Distinguished Master Artist in Residence at Point Park University in 2011

Point Park University's Conservatory of Performing Arts welcomes Marvin Hamlisch as Distinguished Master Artist in Residence in the fall of 2011. Hamlisch will give three workshops for Point Park students at the University on October 17, December 13 and January 27. The workshops are not open to the public.

Hamlisch will host The Art of the Audition on October 17 in the George Rowland White Performance Studio in the University's downtown dance complex. Select Conservatory students will have the opportunity to audition for Hamlisch and receive invaluable advice about how to stand out when it matters most.

On December 13, Hamlisch will present The Works and Imagination of Marvin Hamlisch at the Rockwell Theatre in the Pittsburgh Playhouse.

The final workshop will be held on January 27, 2012 and will focus on Hamlisch's work for film.

"I've been impressed by the caliber of the students at Point Park who are interested in theater. I hope that my knowledge will be of benefit to them," said Hamlisch.

Hamlisch's life in music is notable for its great versatility as well as substance.

As composer, Hamlisch has won virtually every major award that exists: three Oscars, four Grammys, four Emmys, a Tony and three Golden Globe awards.

For Broadway he has written the music for his groundbreaking show, A CHORUS LINE, which received the Pulitzer Prize, as well as THEY'RE PLAYING OUR SONG.

He is the composer of many motion picture scores including his Oscar-winning score and song for THE WAY WE WERE and his adaptation of Scott Joplin's music for THE STING, for which he received a third Oscar. His prolific output of scores for films include original compositions and/or musical adaptations for SOPHIE'S CHOICE, ORDINARY PEOPLE, THE SWIMMER, THREE MEN AND A BABY, ICE CASTLES, TAKE THE MONEY AND RUN, BANANAS, SAVE THE TIGER, and his latest effort THE INFORMANT!, starring Matt Damon, and directed by Steven Soderbergh.

Hamlisch holds the position of principal pops conductor for the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, Dallas Symphony Orchestra, Pasadena Symphony and Pops, Seattle Symphony and San Diego Symphony.

Hamlisch was Musical Director and arranger of Barbra Streisand's 1994 concert tour of the U.S. and England as well as of the television special, "Barbra Streisand: The Concert" (for which he received two of his Emmys).

Hamlisch is a graduate of the Juilliard School of Music and Queens College (where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree). He believes in the power of music to bring people together. "Music can make a difference. There is a global nature to music, which has the potential to bring all people together. Music is truly an international language, and I hope to contribute by widening communication as much as I can."

Hamlisch's residency is made possible by the Gerald E. McGinnis Endowment.

In conjunction with Hamlisch's residency, Point Park University's Conservatory Theatre Company will open its season with A Chorus Line at the Pittsburgh Playhouse; the show runs October 21 - 30. Tickets can be purchased by calling 412-392-8000 or visiting pittsburghplayhouse.com.

Founded in 1960, Point Park University is a comprehensive master's level university with a strong liberal arts tradition. Located in Downtown Pittsburgh, Point Park enrolls more than 4,000 full-and part-time students in 85 undergraduate programs and 12 graduate programs offered through its School of Arts and Sciences, School of Business, School of Communication and the Conservatory of Performing Arts.

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