FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 16, 2007

Contact: K.E. Schwab  

724-738-2199

 karl.schwab@sru.edu

Musicians salute those who work with children of war in concert at SRU   

SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. – A host of musicians will honor Liz Shropshire, 20-year composer and music teacher and recent founder of the Shropshire Music Foundation, which provides music to children of war in Kosovo, Uganda and Northern Ireland, with a 7:30 p.m. May 21 concert at Slippery Rock University.

           The free concert will be in Swope Music Hall. Donations will be accepted.

           Joining the salute will be Nanette Kaplan Solomon, SRU professor of music, on piano, and Jim DiSpirito, former percussionist with both the SRU Jazz Ensemble and Rusted Root, on tabla. DiSpirito is now recording on his own.

           SRU students participating are Nicole Roth, of Pittsburgh, on flute; Jonathan Crissman, of Windbur, on guitar; Sam Eisenreich, of Cranberry Township, on saxophone; Scott Dawson, of Pittsburgh, on bass; and Justin Chesarek, of Renfrew, on drums.

           The program will offer classics and jazz selections. Shropshire will offer details of her foundation’s work during the past eight years to spotlight the effect consistent violence and war have on children. Those affected often tend to either be demoralized by, or to perpetuate that which they have experienced, Shropshire said. By providing music education to children in war-torn countries, volunteers in the organization hope to foster a healing influence.

           Shropshire visited SRU’s music department last year and invited Stacey Steele, assistant professor of music, to join her in Kosovo later this year to see first hand the organization’s progress. Steele is organizing the upcoming campus concert.

           As part of her area visit, Shropshire will offer details of her experiences at 7:30 p.m. May 20 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Slippery Rock. She will also be on hand for a 7 p.m.
May 22 informational meeting in the Community Room of the Nextel Bank Building in Slippery Rock.

           Additional details about the foundation are available at: http://www.shropshirefoundation.org/index.html

           Slippery Rock University is Pennsylvania’s premier public residential university. Slippery Rock University provides students with a comprehensive learning experience that intentionally combines academic instruction with enhanced educational and learning opportunities that make a positive difference in their lives.

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