By Jill Yesko , University Relations
Contact: (336) 334-5371
Posted 9-5-07
Dr. Roger Payne
GREENSBORO, NC – What do you get when you bring together a world-renowned marine biologist and a Shakespearean actor who share a passion for ecology?
The answer is “Sea Change: Reversing the Tide,” an ecologically-based, multi-media performance piece that blends classical music, poetry, nature recordings and lessons in the possibilities for world environmental sustainability.
“Sea Change” will be performed by scientist, environmentalist and whale expert Dr. Roger Payne and his wife, award-winning actress Lisa Harrow.
The performance will take place Monday, Sept. 24, at 7:30 p.m. in the Concert Hall of the School of Music at UNCG. The event is free and open to the public.
“Sea Change” was written by Payne, who along with Scott McVay discovered that humpback whales sing and that the sounds of fin and blue whales can be heard across oceans.
Among Payne’s publications are “Among Whales” and three recordings: “Songs of the Humpback Whale,” “Deep Voices” and “Whales Alive.” One of his three articles in National Geographic contained a record of whale sounds for which 10.5 million copies were printed — still the largest single order in the history of the recording industry.
Payne is the recipient of a MacArthur Fellowship, the Animal Welfare Institute’s Albert Schweitzer Medal, an Emmy award and has been knighted by the government of the Netherlands. He received a PhD from Cornell.
Lisa Harrow, is a classically-trained Shakespearian actor. She has performed with Dame Judy Dench and Glenda Jackson. She is the author of the environmental handbook “What Can I Do? An Alphabet for Living.”
“Roger Payne and Lisa Harrow are international leaders in the global efforts to respect the earth and all of its living things, ourselves included, who co-habit and share its unique resources,” said Dr. Patricia Gray, clinical professor and senior research scientist of BioMusic at the Music Research Institute at the School of Music.
Payne and Harrow will also be scholars in residence for two days at UNCG where they will present master classes and lecture in various departments across the campus.
The event is sponsored by the UNCG Music Research Institute, the Department of Theatre, the Biology Department and the Department of Environmental Studies.
For more information contact the School of Music at (336) 334-5789, or visit www.uncg.edu/mus.
