Thursday, May 13, 2010

SUPERstition

On May 1st, I had the unique and amazing opportunity to hear the great Stevie Wonder perform here on Oberlin College's campus in beautiful Finney Chapel.  Wonder's concert was the official dedication and opening of our new jazz studies building, the Kohl Building.

The day before, Bill and Camille Cosby were also on campus to celebrate the new building.  All three received honorary Oberlin College Doctorates for their contributions in music and philanthropic causes.

While the Oberlin College Jazz Studies Department has been in need of their own building for quite some time (they've been practicing in an old gym since 1972), the country has an ever-increasing need for "green" buildings. Environmental stewardship is central to Oberlin College's mission and the Kohl Building's goal is to be the first LEED Gold rated music building in the country.

The building will also be home to the country's largest privately held jazz collection.  And to honor Oberlin's newest PhD in music, the Kohl Building's piano recording studio will be named after Stevie Wonder.

Read a recap of the events from the Oberlin Review, the Cleveland Plain Dealer, and the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram.



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