Distinguished Brass Soloist Visits ODU Today

Brass soloist David Vining will offer a master class with the Old Dominion University Brass Choir today at noon, give a "body mapping" clinic at 3 p.m. and perform in a solo recital with Oksana Lutsyshyn this evening at 7:30 p.m. All events, to be held in Chandler Recital Hall of the Diehn Fine and Performing Arts Center, are free and open to the public.

Vining, a dynamic teacher and performer who has delivered hundreds of recitals and master classes nationwide to critical acclaim, is a former trombone professor with the Cincinnati Conservatory and currently teaches at Northern Arizona University. He also is a certified member of Andover Educators, a consortium of music educators dedicated to preserving and enhancing the careers of musicians through accurate anatomical information and somatic awareness as applied to music making.

Several years ago, Vining was disabled by focal dystonia, a neurological condition affecting the muscles and a common affliction of musicians. Using the Alexander Technique and body mapping, two methods designed to eliminate body tension through conscious mental and physical manipulation of the body alignment, Vining was able to overcome his ailment and now offers clinics to encourage other musicians to use healthy performance techniques.

Vining's visit and performance are sponsored by ODU's music department and the Virginia Governor's School for the Arts. For more information call 683-4061.