Department of Music

• Tuesday, September 25, 2012
• 107 Old Cabell Hall
• 8:00pm
• Free

Mary Ann Archer is a flutist, piccoloist, spiritual director, college professor, and ‘Italian-through-Opera’ teacher. She was a member of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra in New York City for over 26 years, from 1977 to 2003, during a period of great artistic acclaim for that ensemble. Ms. Archer received music degrees from the College-Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati, and from Catholic University, studying flute with Jack Wellbaum, Julius Baker, and Sam Baron. After taking early retirement from the MET in 2003, Ms. Archer moved with her family to the campus of Hampden-Sydney College in Virginia, and now gives recitals and master classes at colleges and universities throughout the U.S. Ms Archer performs with area orchestras and serves as the principal flutist and orchestra manager for Lynchburg’s Opera-on-the-James. Ms. Archer received a Master of Arts in Spiritual Direction in 2002 from General Theological Seminary in New York City, and now works as a spiritual director with individuals and groups, especially in the areas of meditations and dreams. She currently teaches in the areas of music and religion at Hampden-Sydney College. With Patrizia Prevosto Johnson, Mary Ann team-teaches “Italiano all’Opera”, making yearly trips to Italy with students to experience Italian opera and culture. Ms. Archer’s recitals include concerts in Todi, Italy with husband Frank, daughter Sarah, and son Geoffrey at the Church of Santa Maria della Consolazione. Mary Ann performed at the National Flute Association Conventions in 2011 and 2012. Mary Ann and Frank will give recitals of their piccolo/piano arrangements, now published by Nourse Winds Publications, in the fall of 2012 at the University of Virginia, Caldwell College, NJ, Louisiana State University, and Hampden-Sydney College.

Frank Archer is Associate Professor of Fine Arts and Director of Choral Activities at Hampden-Sydney College and, in recent years, Visiting Associate Professor of Music and Director of Choral Music at Sweet Briar College. He holds degrees from Hampden-Sydney and Westminster Choir College.

Mr. Archer is an active recitalist, often heard as an accompanist with his wife, Mary Ann, and as a concert organist. He and Mary Ann gave the world premiere of pieces by Gary Schocker at the 2008 National Flute Association convention in Kansas City, and they have recently given recitals at Hampden-Sydney, Louisiana State University, the University of Tennessee, the University of Alabama at Huntsville, Virginia Commonwealth University, Sweet Briar College, James Madison University, and The Groton School, the last of which was in collaboration with John Ferrillo, principal oboe with the Boston Symphony. Frank and Mary Ann gave two recitals in Todi, Italy in 2010. He recently returned from N otre Dame where he continues his research on the college’s book of Gregorian Chant, and he and Mary Ann performed a recital in March for the Cleveland Flute Society. As a conductor, Mr. Archer led the Hampden-Sydney College Men’s Chorus on tours of England in 2004, 2008, and 2009 and of Italy in 2006, during which the chorus was invited to sing at the installation of the new Archbishop of Assisi and for a mass at the high altar in St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican. He is an associate of the London International Choral Festival. He recently gave world premieres of works by Catherine Hostetler in London and Jonathan Green at the inauguration of the new president of Sweet Briar College. A Christmas CD of the Men’s Chorus and other HSC musical contributions is in preparation.