Diehn Composers Room

Friday, December 4, 2009

"December Jazz"

The Old Dominion University Libraries presented its 6th annual student concert, “December Jazz,” featuring the ODU Jazz Choir and Jazz Combo under the direction of John Toomey, on Thursday, December 3, 2009 from 12:30-1:15pm in the Diehn Composers Room.

The series was created by the Library to provide students with the opportunity to perform for the University community and to celebrate 20th century composition.

The Jazz Choir performed songs such as Exactly Like You, Just Squeeze Me, Embraceable You, So Danco Samba, Silent Night, and a Christmas Medley. Works were also performed by the Jazz Combo.

A well-known keyboardist and leader of the John Toomey Trio, Toomey is associate professor of jazz studies and music technology at ODU and the recipient of a 2000 SCHEV Outstanding Faculty Award. Prior to joining Old Dominion, he was keyboardist and music director for jazz legend Maynard Ferguson, with whom he recorded several compact discs. Toomey has traveled the globe to perform at such venues as the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland and the Berlin Jazz Festival.

The student performers were Andrew Bohnert, Christopher Burnette, Elizabeth Duncan, Rebecca Garber, Brent Hartigan, Dale Paul Lazar, Rachel Mackey, Jessica Metcalf, Robyn Nadolny, Ryan Smith, Kelly Soprano, John Kidd, and Steve Lazar. John Toomey provided the piano accompaniment for the works presented and Professor David Walker provided the percussion accompaniment. There were 62 audience members in attendance for the concert. ODU Faculty present included Chandra de Silva, Dean of Arts and Letters, Dr. Nancy Klein, Dr. Alfred Townsend, Lee Teply, and Dennis Zeisler.

Ann Pettingill, Associate University Librarian, welcomed the audience members to the event. Elizabeth Hogue, Instruction and Music Collections Librarian, introduced the Diehn Composers Room Team and the current exhibit. Programs were also designed, printed and distributed to the audience.

At the end of the performance, Elizabeth Hogue presented a Certificate of Appreciation to all student performers and John Toomey in recognition of their participation. A reception of cookies, hot chocolate, and punch allowed audience members to linger and speak to student performers following the concert. This year the Team secured the services of a student of Steve Latham, the Music Department’s recording engineer, to record the event for us.

The event was very successful for a sixth year in a row. It is another tribute to the hard work of the DCR Team and the collaboration of John Toomey, the student performers, Steve Latham, and the Music Department.

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

FREE concert: "DECEMBER JAZZ" December 3

The Old Dominion University Libraries presents its 6th annual student concert, “December Jazz,” featuring the ODU Jazz Choir and Jazz Combo under the direction of John Toomey, on Thursday, December 3, 2009 from 12:30-1:15pm in the Diehn Composers Room.

The series was created by the Library to provide students with the opportunity to perform for the University community and to celebrate 20th century composition.
The Jazz Choir will perform songs such as Exactly Like You, Just Squeeze Me, Embraceable You, So Danco Samba, Silent Night, and a Christmas Medley. Works will also be performed by the Jazz Combo.

A well-known keyboardist and leader of the John Toomey Trio, Toomey is associate professor of jazz studies and music technology at ODU and the recipient of a 2000 SCHEV Outstanding Faculty Award. Prior to joining Old Dominion, he was keyboardist and music director for jazz legend Maynard Ferguson, with whom he recorded several compact discs. Toomey has traveled the globe to perform at such venues as the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland and the Berlin Jazz Festival.

The University Libraries’ Diehn Composers Room is located in Room 189 of the Diehn Fine and Performing Arts Center. This event is free and open to the public and is made possible by a grant from the F. Ludwig Diehn Music Fund of the Norfolk Foundation.

For more information, please contact Jessica Mirasol, Librarian Archivist for Music Collections, at 683-4175.

Friday, October 9, 2009

“Free Movie Night at the Diehn Composers Room: Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho”

To coincide with our exhibit Scoring for Suspense: Music for the Movies, the Diehn Composers Room is hosting a free movie night on Monday October, 26, 2009. A short program about the use of music in suspense films will be presented by Jessica Mirasol, Music Archivist, prior to the start of the movie.

Popcorn, candy, soda, and water will be served.

Seating is limited. This is an informal event where use of the floor space is encouraged. You are welcome to bring pillows and blankets to sit on the floor. Halloween costumes are also encouraged, but not necessary.

189 Diehn Fine and Performing Arts Center

Monday, October 26, 2009

7:00pm-9:00pm

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

New Materials!

We have received several new items! Below are just a few interesting items to check out.

Mary Poppins: The New Musical (Vocal Selections)

M1508. S54 M37 2007

Julia Fisher & Daniel Muller-Schott: Brahms Violin Concerto in D and Double Concerto in A minor

M1012. B77 op. 77 K74

Jubilate volume 1
Jubilate volume 2
Jubliate volume 3

M14.3 J83 2007 vol. 1

Mendelssohn Lieder for high and medium voice (urtext)

M1620. M46 L54 2008

Shostakovich: Symphony No. 13 (Mariss Jansons)

M1001. S56 op.113 2005

Tchaikovsky: Vespers & Three Sacred Choruses (Russian Chamber Chorus of New York)

M2015. C43 V482 2004

Helen Callus: A Portrait of the Viola

M224. C35 P67 2002

Northern Cree: Red Rock

M1669. N67 R43 2008

Monday, June 1, 2009

Scoring for Suspense

In support of the fifth annual John Duffy Composers Institute sponsored by the Virginia Arts Festival, an exhibit will be available for public viewing at the Diehn Composers Room, 189 Diehn Fine and Performing Arts Center, through November 1, 2009 (8am-5pm, Monday-Friday). Funding for this exhibit is provided by a grant from the Norfolk Foundation. For more information, contact Jessica Mirasol, Librarian Archivist for Music Collections, at 757-683-4175.