Book fair benefits Southeast Missouri Music Academy

Literature, art and music converge under one roof at the Southeast Missouri Music Academy's Book Drive at Barnes & Noble. The "Give the Gift of Music" book drive will be from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday. By mentioning the music academy, part of the proceeds from purchases will be directed back to the academy for scholarships and programs.

Music academy students will play from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The music academy at Southeast Missouri State University provides non-credit hour music lessons to children and adults in private and group instruction.

A collection of books designed by Southeast students enrolled in the "Artist as Citizen in Contemporary Society" program will be on display.

The exhibition, "The Artist Book," was an exercise in creative thinking for students.

Carol McDowell, Southeast professor of music education, will sign her book "History of the Band Program at Jackson High School, Jackson, Missouri, 1920-1998." The book details the formation of the Jackson band program and the band festival.

For more information, visit www.semomusicacademy.org or call 651-2378.