NORWEGIAN COMPOSER TO CONDUCT `OLD-TYME CONCERT'

Norwegian composer Geir Knutson, who is rapidly gaining the reputation as "Norway's John Philip Sousa", will be the featured conductor to present several of his marches April 28 at an "Olde-Tyme" band concert.

The concert, scheduled for 7:30 p.m. at the University Center Ballroom, will be presented by the Southeast Symphonic Wind Ensemble.

The event will be presented in the style of the band-in-the-park concerts presented earlier in the century and will include an overture by Russian composer Dimitri Kabalevsky, a suite by English composer Gordon Jacob, and an old-fashioned cornet trio.

Another highlight of the evening's performance will be the appearance of Southeast faculty members Dr. Louisa Panou-Takahashi, soprano, and Dr. Christopher Goeke, tenor, in selections from Andrew Lloyd Webber's "Phantom of the Opera."

One of Knutson's marches is dedicated to the city of Hamar, Norway, which was in the limelight recently during the Winter Olympics. Another of his marches is dedicated to the Southeast Wind Ensemble and is titled "Cape Girardeau".

Because of Knutson's dedication in 1990, Cape Girardeau Mayor Gene Rhodes bestowed upon Knutson the title of "Admiral in the Cape Girardeau Navy."

During his two-week visit to the United States, Knutson will also conduct his marches with students in the Cape Girardeau Central Senior High School and Jackson High School bands.

Parking for the concert will be available in lot No. 18 on Henderson Street with street-level access. University students, staff and faculty will be admitted to the concert free with university identification.

Admission is $4 for adults and $2 for non-university students who are 12 and older and for senior citizens.