DETROIT, MI (December 10, 2003) - Wayne State Music's 2004 Season will open with the annual African American Composers Concert on Monday, January 19. This concert, featuring works by African American composers, is presented in celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Special guests include MET tenor George Shirley, and others. The concert is being held at 3 p.m. in the Schaver Music Recital Hall, located at 480 W. Hancock in the Old Main Building. Admission to this performance is free and open to the public. For a complete list of Winter 2004 Concerts and Events, please visit Department of Music or call (313) 577-1795.

Wayne State Music is presenting a diverse and distinguished line-up of guest artists on their Winter 2004 Professional Artists Concert/Lecture Series. In January the Department will present the Dearborn Traditional Ensemble (Jan. 30, 11:45 a.m.). The month of February will feature guest speaker Robert Jones, discussing American Root Music in honor of Black History Month (Feb. 6, 11:45 a.m.) and a tribute to Clifford Brown with special guest Maurice Davis, jazz trumpet (Feb. 13, 11:45 a.m.).

Visiting campus in March will be Professor M. Cammarota from Rome Italy to discuss "Italian Music from 1875-1925" (Mar. 31, 9:30 a.m.). During the month of April, the Department will present guest artist Art Van Damme, bayan (Apr. 5, 7:30 p.m.) and guest speaker Dr. Cristina Jackson-Menaldi (Apr. 23, 11:45 a.m.), discussing "Vocal Health for Professional Voice Users". Also in April 2004 the WSU Department of Music will be presenting their 85th Anniversary Benefit Concert at Orchestra Hall. Guest artists include the John Trudell Big Band, George Shirley and others. This special fundraiser will directly support the Department's talented students, faculty and diverse music programs. The concert is being held at 7:30 p.m. For more information or to purchase tickets call (313) 577-1795.

For more information on admission charges and concert/event venues, please visit Department of Music or call (313) 577-1795.

Wayne State University Department of Music is celebrating 85 years of artistic and academic excellence. The Department's faculty includes renowned jazz artists, composers, scholars, educators 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.