Mike McNamara Benefit Concert Supports Alumnus

On Sunday, March 1, 2009, the Providence College Department of Music hosted a concert in the Ryan Concert Hall in the Smith Center for the Arts to benefit recent graduate Mike McNamara '08. Profits went to the Mike McNamara Benefit Fund. With a total earning of over $8,000, the benefit's profits far surpassed the department's set goal of $5,000. Donations were received from the concert, as well as from states across the country, including Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Connecticut., Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and California.

Christiane Darby '09, McNamara's friend and fellow musician, also raised donations for the Mike McNamara Fund by selling bracelets that read, "Live with Passion." The bracelets were sold at the concert as well.

McNamara was diagnosed with a brain tumor on Commencement Day 2008. Following his diagnosis, McNamara underwent surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation treatment. After spending five months in the hospital, McNamara is now recovering at home, in New Britain, Connecticut and going to Gaylord Hospital for physical therapy three times a week.

While at Providence College, McNamara was a music major specializing in the saxophone. He participated in numerous musical activities on campus, including the saxophone quartet, symphonic winds, pit orchestra, jazz big band, concert chorale, and Soul Explosion. He took private lessons for saxophone, piano composition, flute, and clarinet. McNamara was also a student teacher at South Kingstown High School and Waddington Elementary School. McNamara was the recipient of the Rev. Leo S. Cannon, O.P. Award from the Department of Music, an honor given to the senior most involved in the department during their four years at the College.

The benefit concert was organized by Jennifer Bill, Ph.D., of the Department of Music; Patricia Cichy, Ph.D., Cheryl Barry, administrative assistant in the Department of Music; the Smith Center for the Arts; Darby; and many others from the Department of Music. The organization of the benefit began about nine months ago. Cichy and Bill were both actively involved in McNamara's academics while he was at PC.

The concert, titled "Live With Passion," was highlighted with many performances by groups that McNamara was involved in while at PC. His extensive musical passion was exhibited at the concert. The individuals who performed were well acquainted with McNamara and each shared a memory they had of him before their performances.

"Mike was always sure to dance a little bit while he played his senior recital piece, Scaramouche," said Bill, before playing McNamara's senior recital piece on her saxophone. "I'll do my best with the dancing."

Along with Bill's performance were the Gil Evans Ensemble; the Gil Evans Combo; Kevin Black '09, who sang a medley of songs from musicals that McNamara performed in the pit orchestra; Christopher T. Kelton, Ph.D., of the Department of Music, who played some of McNamara's favorite jazz songs; Sean Wright '08; and Michael C. Kregler, of the Department of Music, who performed a piece specially composed for the concert for the Saxophone Quartet, and Soul Explosion.

Mike and his family attended the concert and were grateful for all the love and support. They enjoyed seeing friends from the Department of Music.

"This concert benefitted Mike in more way than one," said John McNamara, Mike's father, after the show. "The support he's received from his teachers, friends, and peers is outstanding. It was a great experience for him to be back here at PC. He was beaming the entire concert."

Bill and Cichy will both continue to accept donations for the Mike McNamara Benefit Fund. Checks should be made payable to the Mike McNamara Benefit Fund.