FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (3/06)
Contact: Lynn Stewart or Kelsey Johnson, Centenary News Service, 318-841-7265

Disciplines of Science, Music and History Fuse for April 4 Convocation on Stradivarius Violins at Centenary

SHREVEPORT, LA — Violin maker Dr. Joseph Nagyvary will present a talk on “The Chemistry Behind Stradivarius Violins” Tuesday, April 4, at Centenary College. The event, which is free and open to the public, will be held from 11:10 a.m.-noon in the Hurley Music Building's Anderson Auditorium.
 
Dr. Nagyvary is a retired professor of biochemistry, who has made and played violins for many years. He has worked to understand why violins made by Italian luthier Antonio Stradivari are such quality instruments, drawing from varied disciplines including music, history, physics and chemistry. Dr. Nagyvary believes he has uncovered one of Stradivari's secrets and has incorporated this discovery into the instruments he constructs. He will be assisted in the presentation by Kermit Poling, resident conductor of the Shreveport Symphony Orchestra, who will play on several instruments to demonstrate their tonal qualities.

The Northwest Louisiana Section of the American Chemical Society has helped fund Dr. Nagyvary's visit.

For more information, contact Convocations Coordinator Dr. Lisa Nicoletti at 318-869-5261.

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