Contact: School of Music Director Roger Stephens, (740) 593-4244

ATHENS, Ohio (April 26, 2000) -- Community members can participate in a masters class on American song literature taught by renowned composer Richard Hundley May 3 and 4 in the Music Building. The class is being presented in conjunction with the Ohio University School of Music's celebration of "The American Spirit."

Hundley will lecture on his own art songs as well as American composers since 1950 and critique students as they perform a sample of the compositions discussed in the lecture.

Best known for his concert works, Hundley has composed songs for generations of famous and rising vocal artists, including Frederica von Stade, Marilyn Horne, Renee Fleming, William Warfield and David Daniels. Horne recently commissioned Hundley to compose a song that she premiered in January at Carnegie Hall.

Hundley was one of 12 composers recognized as a "standard American composer for vocalists" at the International American Music Competition sponsored by Carnegie Hall and the Rockefeller Foundation. Hundley's works are part of the vocal repertory in every major music school in the United States.

Born in Cincinnati and raised in Kentucky, Hundley attended the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music. He continued his studies in New York with Israel Citkowitz, William Flanagan and Virgil Thomson.

Hundley will be a guest on WOUB-FM with Jan Sole between 11 a.m. and noon May 3 to discuss his visit to the university. The classes will be held at 7 p.m. May 3 and 10 a.m. to noon and 1 to 3 p.m. May 4. The classes are open to the public at no cost.