Westminster College music faculty performed Rhapsody, a composition for violin, clarinet, and piano written by Dr. Daniel Perttu, Westminster assistant professor of music, at the College Music Society Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference March 20 at George Mason University in Fairfax, Va.

Dr. Nancy DeSalvo, associate professor and chair of Westminster's Department of Music, played piano; James Flowers, adjunct music faculty, was on clarinet; and Jonathan Moser, instructor and director of orchestras, played violin.

Rhapsody was selected for inclusion in the program through a peer-review process that accepted only 27 percent of submissions.

"This was a great opportunity for music faculty members to collaborate on a project and to gain recognition in the area," Perttu said. "I enjoyed working with Nancy, Jim, and Jonathan, particularly since we could work closely together at Westminster to prepare a high quality performance."

Founded in 1947, the College Music Society promotes music teaching and learning; musical creativity and expression; research and dialogue; and diversity and interdisciplinary interaction. A consortium of college, conservatory, university, and independent musicians and scholars interested in all disciplines of music, the society provides leadership and serves as an agent of change by addressing concerns facing music in higher education.

Perttu, who joined the Westminster faculty in 2008, is the music theory program coordinator. He earned an undergraduate degree from Williams College, two masters from Kent State University, and doctorate from Ohio State University. His compositions have been performed in 19 states and China, and he was recently commissioned by the Johnstone Fund for New Music at the Columbus Foundation to compose for the Johnstone Woodwind Master Series at Ohio State University.

Contact Perttu at (724) 946-7024 or e-mail perttude@westminster.edu for additional information.

James Flowers, Dr. Nancy DeSalvo, Jonathan Moser, Dr. Daniel Perttu