Birth of an Answer celebrates 100 years of African American creative and critical responses to "Birth of a Nation."

The event features a screening of African American pioneer filmmaker Oscar Micheaux's silent classic, "Within Our Gates" (1919), accompanied by a live performance of a contemporary film score composed by Adolphus Hailstork that places these two eras in conversation with one another. In 1992, "Within Our Gates" was selected by the Library of Congress for preservation in the United States National Film Registry as being "culturally, historically, and aesthetically significant". Audience members will be transported back a century to experience what it was like to visit the cinema in Norfolk 100 years ago. The score will be performed by the Harlem Quartet and guests and the I. Sherman Greene Chorale under the direction of conductor Michael Morgan. There are two opportunities to see this performance: on Friday, September 18 (7:30PM) at the Attucks Theatre and on Monday, September 21 (8:00PM) at Chandler Hall.

The event also features the world premiere of the short fiction film "Our Nation" (2015), produced by the Old Dominion University Film Program, directed by Derrick Borte, written by David P. Mallin, and starring Connor Berry, Marsha Stephanie Blake and Derrick Baskin. "Our Nation" tells the story of the Norfolk response to "Birth of a Nation" in 1915 through the eyes of Douglas, a young African American boy and budding cinephile.

The Attucks performance concludes with an open conversation with filmmakers Melvin Van Peebles, Zeinabu Irene Davis, Tim Reid, and Michael Swanson, moderated by film critic Mike Sargent.

The Chandler performance includes a pre-concert discussion with Adolphus Hailstork and David P. Mallin at 7:30PM. Light refreshments will be served following the concert.

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Four time Grammy award winner, Glen Velez is considered the founding Father of the modern frame drum movement, and is regarded as a legendary figure among musicians and audiences world-wide. Maintaining an international touring schedule with Konnakol vocalist Loire Cotler, their ensemble, TA KA DI MI, has garnered critical and audience acclaim worldwide.

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Soprano Measha Brueggergosman has emerged as one of the most magnificent performers and vibrant personalities of the day. Her critical acclaim earned her the Opening Ceremonies of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. Her first recording for DG, Surprise, was released in 2007 and garnered a Juno Award for Classical Album of the Year. She currently tours with collaborative pianist Justus Zeyen.

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Jim Walker was named associate principal flute in the Pittsburgh Symphony after a stint playing in the U.S. Military Academy's West Point Band. Eight years later, he was appointed to the principal flute position in the Los Angeles Philharmonic. Walker had seven successful seasons performing, recording and touring with the Los Angeles Philharmonic and briefly with the New York Philharmonic as principal flute. He eventually left the orchestra for a career of jazz, studio recording and teaching. Dynamic soloist, legendary orchestral and studio musician, celebrated jazz flutist, and an inspiration to countless students worldwide; Jim Walker is living proof that with enough creativity and determination, one can reach the stars. He is a living legend, and true Renaissance man of the flute.

Few other flutists in history have made such indelible marks in so many musical circles. From jazz to pop to classical, television to film to the concert hall, Jim Walker is renowned for his "stand and deliver" performances.

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The Harlem Quartet, praised for its "panache" by The New York Times, is "bringing a new attitude to classical music, one that is fresh, bracing and intelligent," says the Cincinnati Enquirer. The quartet's mission is to advance diversity in classical music, engaging young and new audiences through the discovery and presentation of varied repertoire that includes works by minority composers. Joining them for the F. Ludwig Diehn Concert is Ida Kavafian. She has electrified stages earning her an international reputation as one of the most versatile musicians performing today.

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Internationally acclaimed as one of America's master performers on historical keyboard instruments, Penelope Crawford will perform with Soprano Martha Guth, first prize winner of the 2007 Wigmore Hall International Song Competition in London, U.K, as part of the F. Ludwig Diehn Concert Series. This concert is held in conjunction with the 29th Harold Protsman Classical Period Piano Competition.

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April 14

• 3 p.m., Clinic. Diehn 1201.
• 4:30 p.m., Open rehearsal with the ODU Jazz Orchestra. Diehn 1105.

April 15

• 10 a.m., Clinic. Diehn 1201.
• 1 p.m., Open rehearsal with the ODU Jazz Choir. Chandler Recital Hall.

April 17

• 4 p.m., Concert with the ODU Jazz Choir and Jazz Orchestra. Chandler Recital Hall.

April 18

• 1 p.m., Clinic. Diehn 1201.

The above events are free and open to the public.

• 8 p.m., Kenny Washington and the John Toomey Trio in concert. Chandler Recital Hall.

Recently dubbed "the Superman of the Bay Area jazz scene" by the San Francisco Chronicle, Kenny Washington is a jazz virtuoso. His free, playful approach over a four-octave range emulates the classic styles of Ella Fitzgerald and Sarah Vaughan while infusing colors of Stevie Wonder and Donny Hathaway.

Washington is the featured vocalist on Michael O'Neill's CDs "The Long and the Short of It" and "Still Dancin'," recorded on Jazzmo records. He is also one of the featured vocalists on the "Slammin' All Body Band" CD with Keith Terry.

Joining the honorary U.S. Navy Band in 1986, Washington performed and toured nationally and internationally throughout the U.S., Asia, Russia and Australia. After nine years as a musician in the U.S. Navy, he made his home in the San Francisco Bay Area, performing and recording in various jazz clubs with other well-known artists. He was the featured vocalist at the world famous Mark Hopkins Intercontinental Hotel's "Top of the Mark" in San Francisco for eight years.

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The Baltimore Consort tours throughout the United States and frequently in Europe. Its members have held residencies at the Walter Art Gallery and the Peobody Conservatory of Music in Baltimore. The ensemble's arrangements of early music from England, Scotland, France, Italy and Spain speak to the heart as well as the mind.

The Apple Hill String Quartet has earned accolades from around the world for its interpretive mastery of such traditional repertoire as Haydn, Mozart, Schuberts, and Beethoven - along with special dedication to seldom heard masterworks and contemporary music. Having performed all over the world as part of their innovative Playing for Peace program, the quartet believes education is an integral part of their mission and hold residencies in embassies all over the world.

The legendary Norwegian tubist Øystein Baadsvik reunites with Andrey Kasparov and Oksana Lutsyshyn to perform works by Back, Grieg, Kraft, and some of Baadsvik's original works. As he only tuba virtuoso to make a career exclusively as a soloist, his multifaceted music has taken him all over the world.

This concert is in conjunction with the Hampton Roads Flute Faire

Dynamic soloist, legendary orchestral and studio musician, celebrated jazz flutist, and an inspiration to countless students worldwide Jim Walker is a living legend and true Renaissance man of the flute. Few other flutist in history have made such indelible marks in so many musical circles ranging from jazz to pop to classical, television to film to the concert halls.

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This concert is in conjunction with the Harold Protsman Classical period Piano Competition.

Through a career as pianist, orchestral soloist, chamber player and teacher, Edmund Battersby has earned the highest praise in his field. He has played recitals worldwide and has been a frequent performing guest at the U.S. Library of Congress. Edmund Battersby serves as the artistic director of Harbor Music.

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Distinguished jazz trumpeter, composer and educator, John D'earth and Glenn Wilson, a renowned jazz saxophonist for 35 years, join with John Toomey for a one of kind Jazz concert featuring original and known works.

April 9-13 free residency and additional concerts.

April 9, 3pm clinic and 4:30pm rehearsal with the Big Band, 1105 Diehn

April 10, 10 a.m. clinic, 1201 Diehn; and April 13, 11 a.m. clinic in 1201 DiehnDistinguished jazz trumpeter, composer and educator, John D'earth and Glenn Wilson, a renowned jazz saxophonist for 35 years, join with John Toomey for a one of kind Jazz concert featuring original and known works.

April 9-13 free residency and additional concerts.

April 9, 3pm clinic and 4:30pm rehearsal with the Big Band, 1105 Diehn

April 10, 10 a.m. clinic, 1201 Diehn; and April 13, 11 a.m. clinic in 1201 Diehn.