DETROIT, MI (October 7, 2002) - Wayne State University Department of Music is proud to present renowned harpist and teacher, Lucile Lawrence on Friday, October 18, 2002. Lawrence will be hosting a discussion on her career and a lecture on harp methods as part of the Department's 2002 Professional Artists Concert and Lecture Series. Ms. Lawrence's discussion will take place from 11:45 AM to 12:50 PM and her lecture will begin at 2 PM. Both events will be held in the Schaver Music Recital Hall, located in the Old Main Building at 4841 Cass Ave. at Hancock. There will be a post lecture reception sponsored by Lyon and Healy Harps. For more information, call (313) 577-1795.

Lucile Lawrence has been a dominating force in the harp world for over three-quarters of a century. At eighteen, Lucile embarked on a tour with mezzo-soprano Edna Thomas and before she was twenty completed a world concert tour. Soon after her return, Ms. Lawrence became an Associate Harp Professor at the Curtis Institute of Music. Lucile, a New Orleans native, was born into a family of four generation harpists. She began playing harp at the age of six. "You see, the harp has been our family instrument for four generations," states Ms. Lawrence. "The first picture I can remember is the portrait of my great-grandmother at her harp."

In 1932, Radio City Music Hall opened its doors in New York City and Lucile Lawrence was hired as the first harpist. She retired 8 years later from Radio City and became one of New York's leading freelance harpists. Lucile studied with renowned harpist and teacher, Carlos Salzedo and together they published the Method for Harp that is still a standard text to this day for harp study. Ms. Lawrence has made many appearances including concerts and recordings for NBC, Leonard Bernstein, Leopold Stokowski's RCA Victor Series and received many invitations to perform with various orchestras and chamber groups throughout the country. Ms. Lawrence has been a faculty member at Mannes College, Manhattan School of Music and Boston University. In 1992, she was elected to Pi Kappa Lambda, National Music Honor Society. Her most recent distinction is the dedication of Music for Solo Harp and Chamber Ensemble by John Lessard. Even though Lucile is no longer performing publicly, she still enthusiastically teaches and writes new method books.

Wayne State University Department of Music is celebrating 84 years of artistic and academic excellence. The Department's faculty includes renowned jazz artists, composers and members of the internationally acclaimed Detroit Symphony Orchestra. WSU alumni have gone on to careers in distinguished orchestras, ensembles and as soloists and music educators the world over. For more information on the Department of Music, call 313.577.1795 or visit the WSU Department of Music on the web at www.music.wayne.edu.