Emmy-winning Catholic sound engineer inducted into honor society

David Wainwright, a sound engineer and parishioner of St. Bernardine, was inducted into the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences National Capital Chesapeake Bay Chapter’s (NATAS-NCCB) prestigious Silver Circle this fall in Baltimore.

The Silver Circle honors individuals who have made significant contributions to the broadcast or cable industry for at least 25 years, while the Gold Circle honors individuals with contributions for 50 years or more. The Gold and Silver Circles are referred to as the Academy’s “Hall of Fame.”

Wainwright was one of eight television industry professionals who entered the Silver Circle as part of the class of 2024. His career in sound production spans nearly 40 years and includes 11 regional Emmy awards for various projects such as documentaries, variety concerts and nature shows. His work can be heard in award-winning specials from Maryland Public Television (MPT) such as Maryland Vietnam War Stories and Chesapeake Bay By Air.

Wainwright has worked at MPT for 37 years. He started working on live television such as news programming and comedy shows. For larger productions, such as a children’s series or a well-known play like “Oedipus the King,” Wainwright has traveled near and far, including Cincinnati and the Everglades for location sound. His experience also includes post-production audio and surround sound mixing. He is currently the audio supervisor for MPT.

Even though most people focus on other careers in the entertainment industry, such as producers, directors or cameramen, sound is “a very broad craft to be involved in,” said Wainwright.

Post-production combines his favorite and most challenging aspects of his job. While he enjoys bringing life to a project through sound, it can be challenging to work with location sounds because the environment can’t be controlled.

In 2019, Wainwright brought his talents to St. Bernardine. Alongside the parish IT coordinator, Valerie Anderson, he helped give the Baltimore parish an online presence by livestreaming Masses.

Wainwright was already helping to manage the sound equipment at St. Bernardine. In the summer of 2019, he and Anderson approached the pastor, Monsignor Richard Bozzelli, about livestreaming Masses. At first, Monsignor Bozzelli was hesitant about livestream – concerned that it would make it easier for people to stay home instead of come to church.

Their response was twofold, explained the monsignor. It would help parishioners who are either homebound, traveling or sick to stay connected to the parish and give young people a window into the church, encouraging them to attend in person later on.

Monsignor Bozzelli agreed to livestreaming, and it was up and running by October. 2019. About five months later, the COVID pandemic would shut down businesses, gathering spaces and parishes all across the country.

“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,” Monsignor Bozzelli said, because they “kept us connected.”

“David is a very faithful Catholic,” the priest said. “He firmly believes in the faith and the role of the church, and the fact that we have to keep evangelizing, we have to keep spreading the Good News.”

In addition to helping with the livestream, Wainwright helps create videos, serves on the finance committee and is a corporator for the West Baltimore parish. He enjoys bringing his experience and gifts in sound mixing to help the church. 

“I just like using what I have to make it a better worship experience,” he said.

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