The Conservatory has recently been in flux with a number of new changes and exciting events. A popular conversation topic has been the new jazz building. Architects’ sketches for the facility are on display in the Con lounge. The wall is covered with plans in muted colors, depicting various angles and cross sections of the structure. The design will reorganize and enhance the Conservatory’s existing resources while adding on other elements, such as a state-of-the-art recording studio.

But before the Con breaks ground for construction, HIV/ AIDS awareness will expand its efforts next week on campus, with a series of events sponsored by the Robert James Frascino, OC ’74, AIDS Foundation.

On Sunday at 8 p.m., pianist Barbara Nissman will perform Argentinian composer Alberto Ginastera’s Piano Concerto No. 1 Op. 28 with the Oberlin Chamber Orchestra under the baton of Bridget-Michaele Reischl in Finney Chapel. Although the AIDS Memorial Quilt will be on display during the concert, it will move to Wilder for the remainder of the week.

Next Friday, Oct. 5, at 8 p.m., United Nations Goodwill Ambassador for HIV/AIDS Salman Ahmad of Pakistani band Junoon will give a concert in Warner Concert Hall. Ahmad is a singer, guitarist, composer, storyteller, HIV/AIDS activist and a filmmaker. He will screen his film, Islamabad Rock City (2001), which is about Junoon. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 1 million Americans are living with HIV, and approximately 25 percent of those are not aware of their status. About 40,000 new HIV infections occur annually in America, with half of those in people under the age of 25. More than 40 million people in the world live with HIV.

Assisting with the Con’s exciting endeavors is Gloria Kim, OC ’02, who has recently begun her appointment as Assistant Dean for Artistic Programming and Operations at the Conservatory. She will manage the Artist Recital Series, the Conservatory’s concert tours and various other performance events.

Prior to returning to Oberlin, Kim worked as the manager of the Annual Fund for the Los Angeles Philharmonic Association in California. She has also worked with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and the Aspen Music Festival and School. Kim studied Piano Performance in the Conservatory and Arts Administration in the College.

Another addition supplementing the stellar staff is David Bowlin, OC ’00, who joined the faculty this year as Assistant Professor of Violin. He is a founding member of the International Contemporary Ensemble and has performed in Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall. Bowlin is the first-prize winner in violin at the 2003 Washington International Competition for Strings.

After graduating from Oberlin, he earned a master’s degree from the Juilliard School in 2002, where he also served as a teaching assistant to Ronald Copes, OC ’71. Bowlin is currently a doctoral candidate at New York’s Stony Brook University.

Saddled alongside its awardwinning faculty comes the Master of Music Teaching program, anticipated to be a breakthrough in the world of music education. The program is aimed at students who have “the desire to pursue a performance career, a dedication to investing in and improving local communities and a passion for spreading the joy of music through teaching.” The five-year program will train students in both performance and pedagogy in either the instrumental or choral/ vocal categories.

Such changes will hopefully prove to be instrumental in enriching the Conservatory and its offerings as the year continues to unfold.