Music News

Lloyd Butler, music director of the Ohio Northern University Symphony Orchestra, has been invited to guest conduct the Julian Carillos Symphony Orchestra in San Luis Potosi, Mexico, on Nov. 7, 2009.

The Ohio Northern University Wind Orchestra presents "Wind Music of Yesterday and Today" at the Freed Center for Performing Arts on Saturday, Nov. 7, at 8 p.m. A pre-show discussion is at 7:15 p.m.

"Wind Music of Yesterday and Today" includes works of the early 20th-century British masters Gordon Jacob and Percy Grainger, along with contemporary works by Philip Sparkes and Richard Rodney Bennett.

The Ohio Northern University music department presents the Marching Band-O-Rama 2009 in the Freed Center for the Performing Arts on Sunday, Nov. 8, at 4 p.m.

Known as the "Star of Northwest Ohio, " the marching band will perform music from their 2009 programs, "That 60s, 70s, and 80s Show" and "Sketches of Spain." "That 60s, 70s, and 80s Show" includes music from the movies "Rocky" and "Back to the Future." The show also includes music from the late Michael Jackson.

Ohio Northern University's University Singers kick off their annual fall tour in Lima, Ohio, on Sunday, Oct. 25. The tour will conclude with a home concert at Ohio Northern's Presser Hall on Sunday, Nov. 1, at 7 p.m.

This 50-voice choir is lead by Dennis L. Kratzer, director of choral activities and professor of music at ONU.

As part of Homecoming 2009, Ohio Northern University presents "An Evening of Beach Music and Classic Rock featuring Papa Doo Run Run and the Ohio Northern University Symphony" at the Freed Center for the Performing Arts on Saturday, Oct. 10, at 8 p.m.

Ohio Northern University welcomes high school seniors to campus for a series of three October open houses beginning on Oct. 3. Prospective students will learn about specific Ohio Northern programs, meet with current students, faculty and staff, and attend informational admissions and financial aid sessions. A complimentary lunch and campus tour will also be provided.

On Oct. 3, The T.J. Smull College of Engineering will hold open houses along with the ONU Performing and Visual Arts Open House. Registration for all events begins at 9 a.m.

Ohio Northern University's Sigma chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi garnered the prestigious "Governor's Cup" award at the North Central District Convention, held March 27-29 in Toledo, Ohio.

This the first time the Sigma chapter has won the Governor's Cup, the highest honor that Kappa Kappa Psi, a national honorary band fraternity, gives to its chapters. It is awarded based on the strength of a presentation, plus the completeness of a binder and extensive questionnaire. ONU's Sigma chapter competed against 30 other district chapters to win the award.

Ohio Northern's Gamma Mu Chapter of Tau Beta Sigma National Honorary Band Sorority has been selected by the organization's national council as a chapter leadership finalist for the 2007-2009 biennium. The honor also makes the chapter a nominee for the Grace and A. Frank Martin Chapter Leadership Award, which will be presented at the 2009 national convention.

Jenny Zavicar, a senior in accounting from Onsted, Mich., is chapter president. Stacey Ward, BSBA '95, is the chapter sponsor.

John R. and Karen Zika, of Statesville, N.C., and Susan (Zika) Warmsby, of Atlanta, Ga., have donated a 19th-century violin to Ohio Northern University. The Zika family presented the instrument to Tom Hunt, chairman of the ONU music department, on Nov. 19.

The violin has been in the Zika family since 1933. Charles Zika, who owned the violin, is the father of John, Susan and longtime ONU professor Rosemary (Zika) Williams, who passed away in 2007.

The Ohio Northern University departments of theatre and music will present the 14th annual ONU Holiday Spectacular at the Freed Center for the Performing Arts. Performances are Friday, Dec. 5, at 8 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 6, at 2 and 8 p.m.; and Sunday, Dec. 7, at 2 p.m. The show also will be presented at the Veterans Memorial Civic and Convention Center in Lima on Friday, Dec. 12, at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 13, at 2 and 7:30 p.m.; and Sunday, Dec. 14, at 2 p.m.