VALLEY CITY, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – The Barnes County Historical Society Lecture Series Season 23 Presents: Ozzie Johnson (VCSU) “Treasures of the Past, Gifts for the Future” 7PM Thursday, April 18th at the Barnes County Museum. (315 Central Ave N. Valley City, ND)
Our 1860s Arlington Square Grand Piano (Boston) was owned by Lura Livonia Perrine and brought to Valley City in the 1890s when she came to teach at the new college (today’s VCSU). One of the first objects donated to the museum when it was founded in 1930 is a predecessor of the modern piano with a slightly different sound and feel. (It was made long before the modern A440 Standard Pitch.) Due to its unique design and construction, it was deemed not tunable or properly playable. Lance Hites has done his best to bring it back to playable condition after over 100 years of silence said Steve King, Barnes County Historical Society board president.
Dr. Ozzie Johnson arrived at VCSU from Virginia but was no stranger to the Peace Garden State, having grown up visiting his extended family in Eastern North Dakota on summer and holiday breaks. At VCSU, Dr. Johnson instructs the applied piano studio, teaches piano pedagogy as well as the class piano sequence for music majors, coordinates collaborative piano duties, and directs the jazz ensemble. In addition to these duties, Dr. Johnson has a deep interest in composition and music theory. His culminating doctoral project was a multi-movement work for piano which he not only composed and performed but also recorded and mastered. Dr. Johnson is highly active within the piano community in North Dakota, serving as a member of NDMTA and hosting MTNA competitions. He continues to perform as a soloist and artistic collaborator throughout the region. Dr. Johnson received a DA in Piano Performance from Ball State University and holds a MM in Piano Performance and Pedagogy from Ohio University, as well as a BM in Piano Performance from Wheaton College.
Join us on April 18th to help build awareness of the importance of preserving our history. Together, let’s pen the next chapter in our shared story of preservation and progress. Save the date and be a part of this unique blend of history, music, and community support. Together, let’s ensure that our heritage endures for generations to come.
During the event, you’ll have the chance to hear from the Sheyenne Valley Community Foundation and President of the Barnes County Historical Society, Steve King, as they share insights on how you can contribute to our legacy by supporting our Endowment Fund, echoing the remarkable generosity of Charlotte Van Houten.
The growth of our Endowment Fund ensures the continued thriving of our heritage for years to come. King said your support, whether through attendance at our event or through thoughtful consideration of leaving a legacy, is paramount to the ongoing success of the Barnes County Historical Society.
All Lectures are at the Barnes County Historical Society Museum and held in conjunction with Valley City State University. They are free and open to the public
For more information contact Wes Anderson at 701-845-0966.