Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra’s first CD will be released on Thursday, December 17, from 5 to 7 pm at the lobby of Michigan Theater. They will be celebrating on the said date and everyone is welcome. The album has already been available digitally since September.

The Orchestra’s CD is distributed under the Naxos label. Three works by American composer Paul Fetler are in the recording. Live performances by the A2SO were featured.Fetler will sign copies on Thursday. He will be joined by A2SO’s music director, Maestro Arie Lipsky, concertmaster Aaron Berofsky who is the soloist in Violin Concerto No.2. Ann Arbor poet and attornet Thomas Blaske, narrator of “3 Poems by Walt Whitman” will also be there. CDs will be on sale at the event, courtesy of Borders.

“To work with Aaron, Tom and Arie was a pleasure,” Fetler said in a press release. “We understood each other in every aspect — and the audience was with us. Small details and adjustments were made in the rehearsals, resulting in a moving and memorable performance.”

The suggested retail price for the CD is $10.99, and starting today it should be available for purchase at Borders, Barnes & Noble and the A2SO office, 220 East Huron, Suite 470.

This is the first CD devoted exclusively to Fetler’s music. The composer, after spending his early years in Europe, trained in the U.S. and currently holds the position of professor emeritus at the University of Minnesota.

Find an Ann Arbor Music in the Directory of Ann Arbor, MI.

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Reggae artists have been almost forgotten but it is true that they have contributed in a most important way to the reggae organization and they definitely deserve recognition and respect. The impact of the music along with its touching lyrics and the sound system produced by these artists is unforgettable. Ten of the greatest artists have been recognized and listed here.

Bob Marley, born on February 6, 1945 and had started learning and playing music from his early teenage time. He was a drop out from school and devoted his full time and life to music. He died of cancer on May 11, 1981. The second artist, Peter Tosh was born on October 9, 1944 and died on September 11, 1987. He was a guitarist, a reggae musician and the leader of the Rastafari movement. Tosh’s height was 6 feet 4 inches and it was always surrounded with one problem or the other because of his short temperedness and unveiled sarcastic way of talking. May be the reason behind his death also might be such rivalry because he was murdered in his own house.

Dennis Brown, born on February 01, 1957 and was one of the most adored and creative artists and his career span of 30 years left behind a rich musical heritage. Jimmy Cliff, born on April 1, 1948 is a Jamaican SKA and a reggae musician and gave some most popular songs too. Sizzla, born on April 17, 1976 created his own gig and earned fame as a performer and gave remarkable songs to the audience. Marcia Griffiths is considered as the biggest and well-known female vocalist.

Yellowman, stage name of Winston Foster was one of the leading reggae stars of 80s. U-Roy was the first musician to shake the country by giving a new and unique style to music. Mutabaruka used to write poems and offered a new genre in music world. Garnett Silk was well known for his silky voice full of emotion and power.

Those of you who are interested to join the contest can either choose to sign up online or through mail. It is open to songwriters of all ages. Winners will also get to keep all rights to their original songs. This is going to be an interesting contest as grand winner will be able to take home $2,000 cash, tuition, a 3 day weekend songwriting retreat and headliner spot at the contest’s annual Winner’s Concert in February 2009. A combined value of prizes about $10,000 will be given to 10 other winners.

Past contestants who have won this contest includes a retired Marine Corps, a former child actress who came all the way from New York City, while the rest are mostly high school and college students. The type of songs that they have chose to play ranged from R&B, hard rock instrumentals, jazz, country and many more.

Contestants can pick any category for their songs, although every song is judge based on its own merits. Songs are not judge by how well it conforms to the conventions to the genre of music. You can find more information about the rules as well as entry forms at GreatLakesSongs.com