COMPOSERS CONFERENCE FEATURES FIVE FREE CONCERTS THIS WEEKEND

Old Dominion University's Department of Music and Diehn Composers Room will host the Society of Composers Inc. Region III Conference Jan. 19-20, an annual event that will showcase the works of 28 composers from as far away as Hawaii and Hong Kong.

The conference program includes five concerts of new music by composer members. The free performances, to be given in Chandler Recital Hall of the Diehn Fine and Performing Arts Center, are scheduled for 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. Jan. 19, and 9 a.m., 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Jan. 20.

The performances will include works by several local composers. New works by Andrey Kasparov of Old Dominion and Harvey Stokes of Hampton University will be featured. Also, John Winsor, of the Hardwick Chamber Ensemble, will perform his "Sonata" with his wife, Jeannette Winsor. Newport News composer and educator Jeraldine Herbison will be represented with a choral piece directed by Nancy Klein of the Old Dominion music department.

Other Virginia composers to be featured are Frances Thompson McKay, Alicyn Warren, Eric Stem, John Hilliard and Jennifer Barker, recently of Christopher Newport University.

Many faculty members and students from the Old Dominion music department will be among the featured musicians. Gerald Errante will reprise his interpretation of "Michal," a work by Kasparov first heard locally in September.

The annual conference offers an opportunity for audiences to hear new music, for musicians to find new music to add to their repertoire, and for composers to have their works performed and to exchange ideas. It will feature a rich variety of musical instruments and a musical mix, from lighthearted art songs to serious, contemplative works.

For more information call Karen Meizner, special projects librarian for the Diehn Fine and Performing Arts Center, weekday mornings at 484-7131.