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Adam Whiting
Music
Adam Whiting studied music at Marylhurst since the age of five. Today, there's a waiting list to get into Marylhurst's Preparatory Music program.
At age 20, Adam earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Music with a performance concentration from Marylhurst University. He was immediately accepted at the Cleveland Institute of Music. In 2002, he began graduate studies in piano performance at one of the nation's leading music conservatories.
Cleveland was Adam's first choice, he said, because he felt the atmosphere there emphasized creativity, not competition – much like his experience at Marylhurst.
Nurturing, Supportive Environment
Adam described his Marylhurst music teachers not only as mentors but "long-term guides." The talented faculty, supportive environment and camaraderie between students are among the reasons Adam chose Marylhurst for his college education.
Individuals like Magdalen Fautch, composition and theory instructor, are what make Marylhurst special, Adam said. "She had a gift for knowing exactly how much you can do and expecting that much from you. Even though you think it's way more than you can do – she was always right," he said.
Unmatched Opportunities
Marylhurst attracts students of all ages, from a variety of backgrounds, and that diversity appealed to Adam. "The friends I've made have such colorful personalities and great life experience," he said.
These connections provided Adam with many opportunities. One example: Working with fellow Marylhurst music student Thara Memory.
Thara, a well-known Portland jazz musician, earned a Marylhurst bachelor's degree in music composition in 2001. In their Music Technology class, Adam and Thara learned to notate music using computer software.
"Thara soon figured out that performing, making money, and paying someone else" to do notation was preferable to "working on the computer himself and hitting it until it blacked out," Adam said. Thara hired Adam to "deal with the computer" and key in compositions, including his symphonic work, "Middle Passage."
Adam also had the chance to perform with Thara and his band at Jimmie Mak's, a Portland nightclub.
At a school the size of Marylhurst, Adam found frequent performing opportunities. "Where else can you be a featured artist with a full orchestra, every year?" he asked, referring to the orchestra's annual Concerto Night event. Adam also accompanied many students in junior and senior recitals.
At his graduation in June 2002, Adam assured his friends he'd be back. "Marylhurst is family."
Postscript
Adam graduated from the Cleveland Institute of Music in 2005 with a double master's in piano performance and accompanying. As promised, he returned to Portland, organizing the Summer Chamber Music Concert Series featuring fellow music conservatory students and recent graduates. In Fall 2005, Adam returned to Cleveland Institute to serve as a staff accompanist.
