Due to an editing error, this story incorrectly attributed a statement from Stafford Wing to Terry Rhodes. The Daily Tar Heel apologizes for the error.
Current and former students of Stafford Wing will be celebrating the professor’s 40 years with the UNC Department of Music this weekend.
The department is planning a weekend of events starting Oct. 16 to honor Wing, who officially retired on June 1.
“I love working with students,” Wing said. “Preparing them for auditions … celebrating with them in their successes and lifting them up when they are discouraged.”
His colleagues said Wing spent much of his time with students and profoundly influenced their lives and music.
“He has always had such a wonderful relationship with his students,” said Terry Rhodes, chairwoman of the music department. “That has been his pride and joy through the years.”
Wing helped students to handle dreams, disappointments, discipline and repertoire, Rhodes said.
Wing said he challenged his students with strong life advice.
“Be the best you can be. Be disciplined in your art and enjoy singing and bring joy to others through your singing,” Wing said.
Highlights from Wing’s career include winning the Amoco Foundation Award and directing the UNC Chamber Singers. Wing also taught voice lessons and general music appreciation, lyric dictions and opera appreciation.
Wing’s current voice majors will perform at 8 p.m. tonight in Person Recital Hall as part of “An Evening of Song.”
Grammy-nominated metropolitan mezzo-soprano and former student Victoria Livengood will join the Wing Singers, a group named after Wing and composed of his students, on Saturday for “A Celebration in Song.”
Several soloists, as well as Wing and Rhodes, will perform a medley of pieces from “The Sound of Music” and close with audience participation in the performance of “You’ll Never Walk Alone,” a song from the Broadway show “Carousel.”
Wing joined UNC’s staff in 1969 after studying at Stetson University, Louisiana State University and the Vienna Academy of Music.
He has toured extensively throughout the U.S. and Canada with many high-profile companies.Wing also recorded as a soloist with the Vienna Symphony’s Chamber Orchestra.
“I wanted to have the experience of being a freelance professional singer,” Wing said. “I feel that my many years of professional singing days added a great deal to my teaching.”
Contact the Arts Editor at artsdesk@unc.edu.
ATTEND THE CONCERT
Time: 2 p.m. Saturday
Location: Hill Hall Auditorium
Info: www.music.unc.edu
