A Sound Engineer's Journey to Television Hall of Fame
Work at Maryland Public Television
David Wainwright has dedicated an astonishing 37 years to Maryland Public Television. His work spans various projects, including documentaries, variety concerts, and nature shows. With 11 regional Emmy awards to his name, his talent in sound production is widely recognized. His career began with live television programming like news and comedy shows. For larger productions such as children's series and renowned plays like "Oedipus the King," he traveled far and wide, from Cincinnati to the Everglades, ensuring top-notch location sound. His expertise also extends to post-production audio and surround sound mixing. Currently, he holds the position of audio supervisor at MPT.His ability to bring life to projects through sound is truly remarkable. However, working with location sounds can be a challenging aspect as the environment cannot be controlled.
Bringing Sound to St. Bernardine
In 2019, Wainwright brought his talents to St. Bernardine. Alongside the parish IT coordinator, Valerie Anderson, he played a crucial role in giving the Baltimore parish an online presence by livestreaming Masses. He was already involved in managing the sound equipment at the parish. In the summer of 2019, he and Anderson approached the pastor, Monsignor Richard Bozzelli, with the idea of livestreaming Masses. Initially, the monsignor was hesitant, concerned that it might lead people to stay home instead of attending church in person.However, their response was twofold. Livestreaming would help parishioners who were homebound, traveling, or sick stay connected to the parish. It would also provide a window for young people to engage with the church, encouraging them to attend in person later. Monsignor Bozzelli eventually agreed, and by October 2019, the livestream was up and running. During the COVID pandemic, when businesses and gathering spaces across the country were shut down, the livestream became even more vital. "We did not miss a single weekend," Monsignor Bozzelli said. "It really allowed us to remain active and engaged, and we actually grew during COVID because of the livestream." Wainwright and Anderson "saved our parish," according to the monsignor, as they kept the parish connected.
Beyond Livestreaming
In addition to his work with livestreaming, Wainwright is actively involved in creating videos, serving on the finance committee, and serving as a corporator for the West Baltimore parish. He takes great pride in using his experience and skills in sound mixing to enhance the worship experience at the church."I just like using what I have to make it a better worship experience," he said. His dedication and faithfulness to the Catholic faith are evident in his work, and he firmly believes in the role of the church and the need to keep evangelizing and spreading the Good News.