Give to the American Red Cross

September 27, 2005-

The Oberlin Conservatory of Music at Oberlin College will host a benefit concert for Hurricane Katrina relief, the proceeds of which will go to the American Red Cross. The concert, which will feature the Oberlin Chamber Orchestra, the Oberlin Musical Union, and student jazz ensembles performing the music of New Orleans, will take place on Monday, October 3, at 8 p.m. in Finney Chapel and will be broadcast live on 104.9 FM-WCLV, Cleveland’s classical music radio station, and simulcast on www.wclv.com.

Finney Chapel is located on the southwest corner of Route 511 (Lorain Street) and North Professor Street, and free parking is available throughout the campus. Seating is general admission.

Although admission to the concert is free, audience members will be encouraged to make a donation to the Red Cross. Oberlin volunteers will staff tables in the Finney Chapel lobby and can accept contributions made by check, cash, or credit card. Patrons will also be able to make donations to the Red Cross via a link from the College’s web site (www.oberlin.edu).

“As a community, Oberlin College has long been committed to assisting those in need,” says Dean of the Conservatory David H. Stull. “All of us are deeply saddened by the loss of life and the destruction wrought by Hurricane Katrina. The Oberlin Conservatory hopes to reach out to our neighbors in northern Ohio to join us in offering assistance in the most effective and meaningful way that we can. There is tremendous power in music and its ability to sustain and uplift us in times of tragedy. I am hopeful that this benefit concert, with proceeds going to the American Red Cross, will enable us to generously contribute to the relief efforts.”

The program for the evening features Gardner Professor of Music Timothy Weiss conducting the Oberlin Chamber Orchestra in movements from Hector Berlioz’s Romeo and Juliet and Igor Stravinsky’s Song of the Nightingale; Associate Professor of Choral Conducting Hugh Floyd will conduct the Oberlin Musical Union in the Lacrymosa movement from Mozart’s Requiem, K. 626; and the Oberlin Jazz Septet will perform Stars Fell on Alabama, by Mitchell Parish and Frank Perkins; Do You Know What it Means to Miss New Orleans, by Eddie Delange and Loise Alter and featuring Nina Moffett on vocals; and Thelonius Monk’s Bright Mississippi.