10/5/99

Contact: Gail Berenson, 593-4244

ATHENS, Ohio -- The first events in the Ohio University College of Fine Arts "Celebrate the American Spirit" initiative are benefit concerts by the School of Music's keyboard division at 8 p.m. Oct. 8 and 9 in the Recital Hall of the Music Building.

"Throughout the 1999-2000 academic year, the College of Fine Arts will have a series of performances, exhibitions and screenings that will celebrate our common culture in the century past and the new millennium," said College of Fine Arts Dean Raymond-Tymas Jones. The celebration was prompted by President Clinton's challenge to those in the arts and humanities to join with others in 2000 in a celebration of the American spirit.

For the upcoming concerts, five faculty members from the School of Music -- harpsichordist Paul Barte and pianists Gail Berenson, Alejandro Cremaschi, Sylvia Reynolds Henry and Richard Syracuse -- will present a variety of light classical American music. The program will include compositions by Samuel Barber and Wendell Keeney, some of George Gershwin best-known songs arranged for piano and a few Rags by Scott Joplin.

Proceeds from the concert will be used to purchase new practice room pianos for students.

"My colleagues and I are particularly excited about these benefit concerts," Berenson said. "We love to perform and are eager to share this music with the public. However, it is a special pleasure to perform a recital when we know that the income generated will go toward improving the practice conditions for our students. We hope to get some new pianos in place before the end of this school year."

Tickets are $20 for general admission and $5 for students and are available at the College of Fine Arts Ticket Office in Kantner Hall, (740) 593-4800. A reception will follow each of the concerts.