CLARITY JAMES SINGS TONIGHT IN RADFORD

                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: MONDAY, January 13, 1992                   TAG: 9201130017
SECTION: EXTRA                    PAGE: 4   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Donna Alvis-Banks
DATELINE: RADFORD                                LENGTH: Short
CLARITY JAMES SINGS TONIGHT IN RADFORD
Two years ago Clarity James brought opera - and her flair for it - to the New River Valley. The mezzo soprano joined the music faculty at Radford University in 1990 following an extensive professional career that had her trotting around the country.
"I'm here," she explains, "because this is a place where the trees outnumber the cars and people."
Tonight, James premieres a work by Radford professor of piano David Phillips titled "Going to the Mall." Composed especially for James' solo recital, the piece is a delightful look at the common experiences of everyone who has visited the shopping shrines.
"I absolutely had Clarity in mind when I wrote the song," Phillips said. "I found out in advance what her range was and, of course, she has such a wonderful personality and such a talent."
The concert is tonight at 8 in Radford's Preston Auditorium. Adults tickets are $3; children's tickets, $1. 831-5177.

by Archana Subramaniam by CNB