Alumnus returns to Radford for guitar performance

Radford alumnus and guitarist Ryan Book ’10 is returning to campus this September.

“I am incredibly excited to visit Radford University again,” said Book. “I have a deep nostalgia not only for the school, but also for the New River Valley. I spent the better part of seven years in Radford and consider it home. I developed in so many ways during that time in my life.”

Performing for current students is important to Book. It gives him “the chance to show students an important avenue of our profession that their degree is preparing them for.”

Radford University prepared Book for his career, something that he stresses to current students.

“Graduate school tested my ability to perform under pressure, communicate well with my superiors and manage my time in a way that allowed for me to complete all my tasks to the best of my ability,” Book said.

After completing graduate school at Radford University, Book became a full-time college instructor and, shortly thereafter, music department chair at Sandhills Community College.

Book has some advice for current Radford students.

“Exhaust all resources you have available to you during your time in school,” Book said. “Ask questions. Observe and emulate the professionalism of your professors, even if you don’t agree with all of them. Perform and participate in activities that will help you gain experience for the job or position you want.”

Book’s Guest Artist Recital is from 7:30-9:30 p.m. Sept. 15 at the Performance Hall in the Covington Center. His classical performance will feature works by Johann Kaspar Mertz, Napoleon Coste, Mauro Giuliani, Agustin Barrios Mangore and Manuel Maria Ponce. Admission to the event is free.

Book will host a Q/A session at 11 a.m. on Sept. 15 in the Performance Hall at Covington Center. The session is open to the entire Radford campus community.

For a list of events in the College of Visual and Performing Arts, check out their calendar.