10/31 Last day. Took down the Victory Over Violence Exhibit. Octubafest concert presented a newly written piece dedicated to Daniel Pearl. Dr. Pearl wrote that we are the most enlightened ones ever to participate in Daniel Pearl Music Days, that he and his wife no longer wish to retire, and that in Pakistan someday people will look forward to October when there will be 10,000 concerts dedicated to “that journalist - what was his name……”

10/30 Wind Symphony Concert

10/29 Afro-Cuban Ensembled Concert

10/28 Night of Percussion and Canticum Novum concerts

10/27 VOV Exhibit re-installed in CoM Common Area

10/26
VOV exhibit returns to CoM from Addison.

10/25
Wrote to Dr. Pearl because I realized that UNT’s concerts had put Daniel Pearl Music Days over the 1000-mark. Who knows how long that would have taken otherwise.

10/24
Wrote to ask if Scott Cantrell had been given the opportunity to write an article about Daniel Pearl
Music Days or if this had just been an idea that had not yet found voice. Seems he has been given the idea. What now, contact his editor? Took down VOV for the weekend. Copy Room guys are helping us.

10/22
Music students started signing up for times to watch the VOV exhibit.

10/21
Unpleasant review by Scott Cantrell of the organ inaugural concert. No mention of Judea Pearl’s presence. Other articles did come out about his speech but no mention of the dedication of so many concerts by UNT. The one paper that actually captured the connection was our own little UNT Daily, the student paper. I am proud of them. Put up Victory Over Violence Exhibit in the Common Area of the CoM building. Luckily, no parts got lost in the move.

10/20
A peaceful day. At 4:45, I went to the Diamond Eagle Suite to meet Kristi. She had so many things to do, so asked me to meet Dr. Pearl in her place. He arrived right at 5:00. He wanted to remember what I had sung at Stanford. I reminded him about the Respighi and he remembered that. I told him that I had seen and loved The Journalist and the Jihadi and that it has struck me that the difference between Daniel and Omar was the presence vs. the absence of music and joy. Dr. Pearl was struck by that and mentioned that in Omar’s world, young people are also not allowed to date.

The reception was well attended. The President and Provost came. Also Dean Scott and his wife, Robert Golden, Chair of Jewish Studies, Melinda Levin, Chair of RTVF, and Mitch Land, Chair of UNT’s Journalism School. A few other administrators were there, also press from Dallas and Ft. Worth. Melinda showed me a small blurb about the events from USA Today. Student government representatives were at the receptions, also the students who had mounted the Victory Over Violence Exhibit and College of Music students and staff who had worked on Daniel Pearl Days. I had the pleasure of explaining to the Ft. Worth journalist that it was not possible to be a professor of musical performance at UNT without being a professional musician oneself. This arose from his interest in the new organ.

Dr. Pearl’s speech was also very well attended. There were 2 questions that expressed negative opinions of Israel and a somewhat dismissive attitude toward what happened to Daniel Pearl. Dr. Pearl talked about his open dialogues with Akmed Ahmar, and about the difference between trying to maximize violence and trying to minimize it. He signed many books and we had photos with the students who worked on VOV. Dr. Pearl wanted to have the email addresses of everyone who attended the reception.

Kristi, Dr. Pearl and I took a golf cart to Winspear and made it on time. I asked Dr. Pearl if the point he is trying to make is that one needs to take responsibility for not only the pain one experiences but also the pain one causes. He liked that expression. The Provost and the President were already there. Dean Scott, in his opening remarks, honored Dr. Pearl by announcing his presence at the concert. He thanked me. I had mixed feelings about that. It’s so easy for things to tip too far but I do want people to know they can come to me with questions so in the end I was glad.

During the intermission I talked to Dr. Pearl about music. I said that musicians, like journalists, want to tell a big, serious story sometimes and not just appear on the fashion pages. I also told him that Music is a demonstration of the concepts of “truth” and “agreement” - that something is in tune or not, together or not, and that Music thus enables human beings to know that there is such a thing as truth. He listened very intently. He told me that, now that he and his wife are in their 70’s, they are looking for a “home” for Daniel Pearl Music Days, and that he wanted to talk to Dean Scott about this. He said he was also talking about it with USC.

At the reception afterward, it was a pleasure to introduce him to many UNT and visiting faculty musicians, including Lynn Eustis, who sang, Lyle Nordstrom, and Jesse Eschbach who organized the whole 3-day celebration of the new organ. Dean Scott and Dr. Pearl finally had a chance to talk briefly.

At the end, I learned from Mrs. Scott that some attendees at his speech thought he ‘became angry and took sides.’ I think it is to be expected that Dr. Pearl considers his message urgent. Also that it would be unrealistic to expect someone whose child was beheaded and cut into 10 pieces not to be angry. I also wrote that he loves Israel—he was born there. What is significant is that he does not let his anger lead him in the direction of seeking revenge, but rather in the direction of creating dialogue with members of the Moslem world, including those with grievances.

10/19
Judea Pearl is in Austin for an event involving Ian Stewart, the recent high school winner of the Daniel Pearl Memorial Violin. He comes up tomorrow. Last night at the opera gala Dean Scott announced the Daniel Pearl dedication to all the patrons who came for dinner. One glitch—a patron later discovered that the dedication had been left out of the program. Oops. I asked to have that corrected at least for Judea Pearl’s visit on Monday.

10/18

8:00 Opera Gala at Winspear.

10/17

Took CoM programs and CDs to Kristi Easley to be given as a gift to Judea Pearl by UNT President Gretchen Bataille on Monday.

10/16

Met with Distinguished Lecture Series Committee. Mariane Pearl is on the list of potential speakers for Spring 2009 as a possible backup for Christiane Amanpour. Students who sat with VOV exhibit gave an update to Exhibit sponsors after which I followed up with an explanation of the link to Daniel Pearl through Mariane Pearl’s. One person linked to one other, then to another. More media coming Ellen Rossetti reports.

Messiaen concert at 8:00. 

10/15

Slide show from concerts added to this blog by Brad Haefner and Scott Thurman. More to come.

10/14

The Journalist and the Jihadi screening at 6:00 in the Lyceum. Very moving film comparing Daniel Pearl’s life and that of Omar Sheikh, who organized his killing. Present in Daniel’s life are Music and Joy. Music and Joy are absent in Omar Sheikh’s, replaced by his increasing adoption of violence as a way of life. Maybe violence allows a release that it’s practitioners use as a substitute for actual joy. Robert Golden from Jewish Studies gave an opening address-very powerful.

10/13

Joe Rinaldi and I worked on “Transformations of the Heart” Voice Departmental, theme dedicated to Daniel Pearl Music Days. Ellen Rosetti has heard from quite a few Media organizations who are coming to Judea Pearl’s speech.

10/12
Concert: Lynn Eustis with visiting jazz pianist Dan Tepfer - great!

10/11
Talked with Associate Dean Warren Henry about the evolution of Daniel Pearl Music Days at UNT. He was curious to know whether the Music Days at UNT preceeded or followed plans to bring Judea Pearl to campus. It’s time to finally write the blog diary so people can see how it all happened!

10/10
Daniel Pearl’s 45th birthday. UNT Collegium Concert. I sang Handel arias from Old Testament settings. The Collegium Chorus and Orchestra performed a concerto grosso, an organ concerto and excerpts from Saul. Dean Scott announced a special dedication to Daniel Pearl from the stage. Talked with Pat Nordstrom about Daniel Pearl events after the concert and let her know that all October faculty performers would be invited to Judea Pearl’s reception. Wrote to music.everyone to let faculty know that students are invited to rehearse in the Union courtyard. Also wrote to Pamela Stephens in the Union Scheduling Office to thank her and to let her know that more students may contact her about playing in the Courtyard. She responded enthusiastically.

10/9
Did an Interview for NTTV. Spoke with a journalism student. She was happy that others outside of the Journalism Dept. knew about Daniel Pearl and cared. She took close-up shots of the CoM’s Concert Calendar, the EncoUNTers flyer announcing Judea Pearl’s visit and documentary screening, and the Victory Over Violence pledge to ‘honor one’s own life, respect the lives of others, and to encourage someone every day.’ We also talked about the “great good” that the Pearl family is doing in response to the “great evil” of Daniel Pearl’s murder. I invited the interviewer to visit the College of Music and encouraged viewers to seek out the students’ concerts in particular, that the big events would have an audience but that the student concerts would be very interesting and quite diverse. Sent Mignon a guest list and met with her to work on it.

10/8
Kristi Easley wrote to ask about the CoM’s guest list for the Judea Pearl reception. I let Mignon Wendover know that perhaps this list should start with all who are performing in October. I let the VOV Exhibit sponsors know that the exhibit is displayed in the same place as the EncoUNTers banner for Judea Pearl’s visit and that the 2 efforts’ relation to each other is becoming ever more clear to people. Sent a message to Richard Wells, former chair of the Journalism Dept. at UNT. He wrote back to let me know that in 2002 UNT had given Daniel Pearl a posthumous journalism award and that he had spoken with Judea Pearl at that time.
Concert: Concert Band

10/7
Sent summary about VOV Exhibit and people’s reactions to it. Student club members finding it exhilarating to have so much trust and responsibility given to them. The students manning the exhibit wanted the sponsors to know that they felt honored by this trust. Have heard from Voice faculty colleagues about October 21st departmental recital: Transformations of the Heart. Several faculty will sing, as will students from the various vocal studios.

10/6
Called Hailey’s and left a message for Ray to ask if Hailey’s was still planning to dedicate events to Daniel Pearl. Received a message from
Judea Pearl noting that 76 concerts had been entered on a single day onto the Pearl Foundation web site, “a record not likely to be broken
anytime soon.” He asked that I follow up to make sure Dan’s Silverleaf concerts were also registered, offering assistance from the Pearl
Foundation. Dan and I spoke and Dan’s concerts are now also registered.
2 concerts given: Messiaen concert and Trombone faculty recital.

10/3
Attended Fine Art Series (FAS) meeting, of which I am a committee member. Announced Daniel Pearl Music Days and Judea Pearl’s upcoming visit and speech. Also the screening on 10/14 of The Journalist and the Jihadi, a documentary about Daniel Pearl. FAS Chair Mark Tucker mentioned that these events were “really taking on a life of their own.” Ellen Rossetti was also there as a new member of the committee. The committee worked on ideas to get more student input about the Series.

10/2
Sat with VOV exhibit for an hour. Met students who had already seen it but wanted buttons to wear. Also spoke with a Kuwaiti student who said: “this is what we really need.” He went on to tell me about an uncle who was physically abusing his wife, this student’s aunt, and that his father had put a stop to it. He told me the family had 4 boys. We talked about his father’s courage in showing the boys that this behavior was not normal and not to be emulated.  Wrote to David Lewis about entering UNT’s concerts onto the Pearl Website. David entered 76 concerts onto the website and these did not even include the departmental recitals.

10/1
First concert of Daniel Pearl Music Days: UNT Orchestra - debut of David Itkin. I sang Berlioz’ song cycle: Les Nuits d’Été—6 songs which trace love from its beginnings in springtime, through the death of the beloved and back to hope in the future and new attempts to love. Also on the program: Barber and Dvorak symphonic works. VP Gilda Garcia came and left a message that she loved the concert. Received message from Judea Pearl reminding me to register all the concerts onto www.danielpearlmusicdays.org

9/30
Second screening of A Mighty Heart. VP Gilda Garcia attended. We talked about the background of how Daniel Pearl Music Days at UNT came about and the necessity for things like this to be disseminated in the right order as much as possible. Go Ochiai attended a dinner given for all the UNT student club presidents and passed out materials announcing VOV and Daniel Pearl Music Days. Attended Distinguished Lecture Series (DLS) meeting. Announced Daniel Pearl Music Days and let the committee know that steps had been taken toward bringing Mariane Pearl to UNT. The committee decided to make her a back-up candidate for spring ‘09 semester.

9/29
It was determined that a competition for ‘most concerts attended’ woudn’t be workable at the present time. First day of Victory Over Violence (VOV) Exhibit at the Union. Realized we could store the panels at night so no need for a security guard. Wrote to Gilda Garcia to let her know money was no longer needed. Ellen Rossetti wrote to let me know that Daniel Pearl Music Days and Judea Pearl’s visit were announced on the UNT web site home page. Also that the events were featured in the UNT online and printed newsletter.

9/26-27
Sang Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony in Tyler, TX. Spoke with Art & Seek interviewer Steven about Daniel Pearl Music Days. He offered us to upload all of the CoM’s concerts onto the Art & Seek web calendar of events. Wrote to Ellen Rossetti about that. Ellen arranged for a student assistant to enter this data. Steven mentioned checking in again with me later in the month. Tossed back and forth an idea of a competition for whoever attended the most concerts given by the CoM. Prize to be invitation to Judea Pearl reception. Steven at Art & Seek offered to announce this competition on air.

9/25
First CoM screening of A Mighty Heart: Recital Hall 5:00 pm. Jeff Bradetich attended. Everyone there was deeply moved. Conference call with Robin Mowrer, other SGI-USA local leaders and UNT club president Go Ochiai about manning the Exhibit.  Wrote to Gilda Garcia, who had offered help with the events, about possibly helping to sponsor a security guard for the exhibit during the very early hours the Union is open in order to spare the students some stress.

9/24/2008
Attended Interfaith dinner, announced Daniel Pearl Music Days, Judea Pearl’s upcoming visit, and spoke briefly with VP Gilda Garcia. Members of my table were really excited to hear about Daniel Pearl Music Days and Judea Pearl’s visit.

9/23/2008
Met briefly with Aaron, David and Brad to start the blog. Also Scott Thurman, grad student from RTVF who will photograph events for the blog. Will use this diary as a start. Honors College held screening of A Mighty Heart in the Common Room.

9/21/2008
Visted my mother in hospital in Colorado. While she slept, I wrote a summary of all that was coming together so far for Judea Pearl, cc’ing everyone involved.

9/20/2008
Got a phone message from Dan at Dan’s Silverleaf that he had contacted Rubber Gloves. Left number for me to call Josh Baisch.

9/19/2008
Asked 2 of my students, Aaron Harp and David Lewis, to work on a blog for the web pages.  Spoke with Jerome Weeks of “Think” about Judea Pearl’s visit. Jerome wanted to know how UNT and Denton’s celebration of Daniel Pearl Music Days took shape and how it is reaching beyond UNT.

9/18/2008
Had interview about Daniel Pearl Music Days and October 1st concert with David Itkin for UNT’s Radio Station. Brad sent me the new web page URL. Met with my grad students at The Greenhouse Restaurant. Told a Greenhouse staff member afterwards about Daniel Pearl Music Days and left a flyer inviting them to join in. Then went to Abbey Inn. Told Abbey Inn owner about Daniel Pearl Music Days. He gave me his email address. Sent email flyer and invited Abbey to join in and to spread the word.

9/17/2008
Addressed Ana Alonzo-Minutti’s other M1600 class. Also Thomas Sovik’s Music and Society class. Later visited Art Six. Gave the Art Six staff info about Daniel Pearl Music Days and sent an email flyer to their music coordinator.

9/16/2008
Addressed Jamey Wintle’s M1600 class, passed out bookmarks and flyers. Met with Kristi Easley about next steps. We talked with Brad Haefner about creating a web page with various links. Kristi liked Brad’s design and asked if she could use Brad’s flyer as a template for the EncoUNTers flyer.

9/15/2008
Addressed both Ana Alonzo-Minutti’s and Deanna Bush’s M1600 classes, handed out Daniel Pearl flyers announcing A Mighty Heart screenings, also VOV buttons and bookmarks. Rode bike to Hailey’s. Ray not in. Left flyer with note inviting Hailey’s to join in celebrating Daniel Pearl Music Days.

9/14/2008
Spoke with Karrell Johnson about Westlake High School in Austin where Ian Stewart attends. He had good things to say about the orchestra director there. Also expressed enthusiasm for Daniel Pearl Music Days and how much what we are teaching is really about “how to live.”

9/13/2008
Went to Hailey’s to hear a band play, the members of which are friends of students I know. Great club, good bands. Told the sound man about Daniel Pearl Music Days. He advised me to speak with Ray, club manager, in the afternoons.

9/12/2008
Met with Ellen Rossetti and Pam King in my office. Pam suggested we approach Scott Cantrell to write an article. We realized that we also need Kristi to work with us on strategizing a media plan and to check with Judea Pearl’s agent as to his availability for interviews.

9/11/2008
Met Dan at Dan’s Silverleaf again. Showed him the message I had sent to Dr. Pearl and the dedicatory paragraph Linda Strube prepared for all the College of Music concert programs. Dan again offered to contacting the other club owners in Denton (Hailey’s, Rubber Gloves, etc.). I also talked to Dan about the possibility of bringing Ian Stewart, current recipient of Pearl violin, up from Austin. We looked at the Pearl website and at Ian’s myspace. Maybe possible to present Ian’s bluegrass band at Dan’s Silverleaf on October 21st - Dan is looking into it. I loaned Dan a copy of A Mighty Heart.

9/10/2008
Followed up with Kathy Nichols on letter to Senate. At invitation of Don Taylor, gave buttons and bookmarks to the NTSME (music education) students (~200) and announced Daniel Pearl Music Days and the VOV exhibit.

9/9/2008
Dean’s Annual Dinner for all the faculty and staff. Dean Scott gave an announcement about Daniel Pearl Music Days at the dinner. Received buttons and bookmarks for VOV exhibit later that evening from club president Go Ochiai. At the request of Kathy Nichols wrote description of Daniel Pearl Music Days collaborations to be presented to the Senate the next day.

9/8/2008
Heard from Kristi Easley that  Judea Pearl would definitely be coming to UNT to speak as part of the EncoUNTers Series and that Provost Wilkins was very supportive. Judea Pearl also wrote me to let me know that he was pleased to be coming to UNT. I wrote to him about all the variety in the concerts that would be presented at UNT in October.

9/5/2008
Am in NY. Brought a long telephone and email contact list. Spoke with: Nadia Maldonado, Alpha Sigma Iota music sorority; Margaret Chalfant, Greater Denton Arts Council; Gloria Cox, Honors College; Mariane Pearl’s agent. Sent Pearl letter to Karrell Johnson, Tommy Rose, Terri Sundberg, Mitch Land, Richard Golden. Lots of correspondence with Kristi Easley, Dean Scott, Ellen Rosetti, Melinda Levin, Phyllis Slocum, Sue Parks. During our conversation, Gloria Cox decided on the spot to sponsor a screening of A Mighty Heart at Honors College. Margaret Chalfant offered to dedicate Arts Council events to Daniel Pearl Music Days. Nadia volunteered the Sigma Alpha Iota to help guard the VOV exhibit when it is at UNT and help organize students to play in the Union courtyard.

9/3/2008
At Dean Scott’s request, I made announcement about Daniel Pearl Music Days to entire faculty at the annual CoM faculty meeting, pointing out that this is a big “WE” that has room for al the “ME’s”. Dean Scott also pointed out that Daniel Pearl Music Days draws upon and celebrates what all of us musicians are already doing every day of our lives, and that part of what makes it so significant for us.

9/2/2008
Met with Dean Scott, Kristi Easley, and VP Earl Gibbons in the morning. Things had been arranged so quickly over Labor Day Weekend that Dean Scott hadn’t yet seen the messages! Fortunately he was in his office and could come to meet with us. Everyone excited and favorable. Also some discussion of International efforts UNT is making in Thailand and Korea. Later that day gave copies of the Daniel Pearl letter to CoM chairs and made an announcement at Chairs meeting, invited by John Murphy.

8/31/2008
Day before Labor Day. I labored - wrote 2 more drafts of white paper. Melinda edited. Then went to a picnic.

8/30/2008
Visited Jim in KY. Wrote white paper first draft. Contacted former Music Dept. Chair Jonathan Berger at Stanford to get Judea Pearl’s email address. Wrote to Judea Pearl, mentioning the time we’d met after one of the Stanford concerts and told him about the many concerts UNT’s College of Music was dedicating to Daniel Pearl Music Days. I wrote that UNT very much wanted him to come. As it happens, I had to purchase cell phone charger because I’d lost the one I usually carry. This was an adventure because my cell phone is not a current model. After quite a bit of searching, one minute after the phone was plugged in, it vibrated and Judea Pearl was on the line, very excited about what UNT and Texas in general have been doing for Daniel Pearl Music Days. He told me about the Daniel Pearl Memorial Violin and informed me that the past 3 winners were from Austin, TX - high school students who serve as ambassadors for the ideals of the Pearl Foundation. He also mentioned that he was to be in Austin on October 19th, making a visit to UNT possible. I wrote in capital letters to Kristi: GUESS WHAT!?-JUDEA PEARL JUST CALLED ME! Kristi and I wrote back and forth to set up a meeting with Dr. Earl Gibbons, Dean Scott, and the 2 of us.

8/29/2008
Had received an EncoUNTers Series email flyer for Speaker Jerry Smith, Nobel Prize Winner. Called the number and spoke to Kristi Easley. Told her about Daniel Pearl Music Days and asked about the possibility of bringing a Pearl family member (or the whole family!) to UNT. She was very enthusiastic about the possibility and engaged with the idea on a personal level as well. I forwarded to her the letter explaining what the CoM was doing for Daniel Pearl Music Days. She wrote back encouraging me to make the first contact with Pearl family members about coming to UNT.

8/28/2008
Meeting at CoM: Dean Scott, Jeff Cochran, Coleen Conlon, Melinda Levin, Phyllis Slocum, Ben Levin to strategize what to do next. Dean Scott asked me to prepare a “white paper” for him to give the Provost. Drafts to be sent to him and to Melinda Levin. Dean Scott gave me the go ahead to now meet with Ellen Rossetti-UNT publicist. Jeff suggested we prepare something for the Murchison Lobby Loop. Phyllis asked that we push Paramount to upgrade the broadcast to a “public release” - something simple and fast to be sent to UNT’s Legal Dept. asap. Colleen gave me a copy of the Promo List that was given to University Administrators at a recent meeting.
After meeting, met briefly with Linda Strube about the program template dedication paragraph and asked her to save copies of everything for the Pearl Foundation. Also met with Elida and Pam in the development office. Pam wants to get this out to greater Dallas-Ft. Worth area. Both excited about the “WE” aspect of this enterprise.

8/27/2008
Met Dan at Dan’s Silverleaf. He decided to join with UNT and make dedicatory announcements from the club’s sound booth.

8/25/2008
Spoke with Robin Mowrer at SGI-USA about Victory Over Violence Exhibit logistics of delivery and set up

8/13-24/2008
Directed Acis & Galatea and performed in 4 concerts at the Staunton Festival. Reached Brenda Ciccone at Paramount who was moved by what UNT is trying to do and offered to help us secure the rights to broadcast the film on NTTV. Lots of conversations subsequent with Paramount Vantage and Swank, the owners and licensers of the film. Answer: not yet, because cable has paid 100’s of thousands of $$ for the rights and has not yet broadcast it. If they do, NTTV might get to air it for a reasonable price. If NTTV had been closed circuit, it would have been okay but NTTV broadcasts beyond the campus. Screenings are okay-small licensing fee.
Also exchanged messages with Dan of Dan’s Silverleaf. Forgot to bring concert attire because so immersed in preparing to direct Acis and drafting letters re: Daniel Pearl. Borrowed dresses and shoes from Mary Baldwin College costume shop (which was providing the Acis costumes)-good idea for future

8/12/2008
Spoke with Phyllis Slocum about possibly broadcasting A Mighty Heart on NTTV. Also met again with Dean Scott to shape up a plan. Dean Scott told me that he’d given materials to Provost Wendy Wilkins. In our discussion, I told him that the film A Mighty Heart made clear that Daniel Pearl was proud of his Jewish heritage (and died undefeated in that respect), while at the same time believing in the possibility of being a global citizen. That he was both of a particular identity and of the world is the whole point.
That night I wrote letters to as many people I could think of on campus who would be interested in joining with the CoM in celebrating Daniel Pearl Music days, starting with all the people that had been suggested to me by Dean Scott, Jeff Cochran and Melinda Levin.

8/9-11/2008
Attended a 3-day spiritual/philosophical retreat made up of academics (university), educators (K-12), legal professionals, and healing arts professionals to prepare myself internally for the effort required to bring UNT’s Daniel Pearl Music Days to the best possible life and to overcome any lack of confidence about it. I was also just about to direct and opera and sing 4 concerts in Staunton, all within a week and a half. Determining that these 2 demanding efforts would be accomplished reached a state of solidity for me at this retreat.

8/6/2008
Met with Melinda Levin (RTVF Chair) at the Union. In mulling the potential impact of Daniel Pearl Music Days on UNT, I had begun to realize that the Pearl Foundation, through honoring Daniel, had discovered the message of music and its tremendous importance to world peace, and that it recognizes and celebrates what musicians do every day of our lives. Also that peace is a dynamic state, not a state of rest. Rather like going camping and lying down in the “peace” of the forest only to then hear the buzz of life that is there and that this reminded me of what it’s like to walk through the College of Music. Melinda liked that image.

Melinda advised that I contact Jewish Studies, Peace Studies, Journalism and especially Phyllis Slocum who directs NTTV. I had already spoken with Sue Parks at the media library to learn that UNT did have a copy of A Mighty Heart and could order a 2nd copy after 9/1/2008.
I sent both Melinda and Dean Scott summaries of the conversations with Melinda and Jeff Cochran for their guidance as to what was next and to be sure I’d understood correctly their advice. Both Melinda and Dean Scott were immediately responsive and seemed very comfortable with receiving email cc’s and updates.

7/15/2008
Met with Jeff Cochran and Rebecca Poanelli. We talked about screening the 2007 film A Mighty Heart, starring Angelina Jolie. Also about making a composite CD from the October concerts to be uploaded onto the Pearl Website. Discussed “public domain” issues. Jeff suggested that I contact Gilda Garcia, VP for Equity and Diversity, also Jazz faculty John Murphy and Craig Marshall as well as Ellen Rossetti, UNT publicist. Jeff also suggested that I report to the Pearl Foundation and that maybe Dean Scott could send a message to musiceveryone about Daniel Pearl Music Days. Jeff also suggested that I contact Margaret Chalfant of the Greater Denton Arts Council; Tommy Rose at Art Six; Elizabeth With, Vhair of the Distinguished Lecture Series Committee; and Mark Packer, chair of the Fine Arts Series Committee (on both of which committees I am presently serving).

7/9-11/2008
Contacted both UNT’s Radio Television and Film (RTVF) Dept. and Murchison staff members Jeff Cochran and Rebecca Poanelli. RTVF’s new chair is Melinda Levin who immediately responded with interest. She gave me NTTV director Phyllis Slocum’s contact info and offered to meet with me when she returned from Thailand.

7/8/2008
Met with Dean Scott to discuss general shape of event. Both of us had revisited the Pearl Foundation website and were surprised to find that Daniel Pearl Music Days had expanded to include all of October. Dean scott had already placed a paragraph, taken from the Pearl website, into the CoM’s concert calendar:

October 1-31, 2008
Inspired by the legacy of journalist and musician Daniel Pearl, several UNT departments will collaborate on presentations which promote international friendship by dedicating events this October as part of the Harmony for Humanity celebration. For more information consult the eStage online gallery at:  www.danielpearlmusicdays.org which showcases original music, lyrics, poetry, stories, art, and photography by all participants.
I realized at this meeting that the CoM’s concert calendar already had 22 concerts on it and this did not even include the large number of student concerts that would take place in the CoM during October. UNT might easily be dedicating 100 concerts to Daniel Pearl Music Days! I mentioned to Dean Scott that I didn’t think any one institution had ever offered so much and that this should not go unnoticed!
Dean Scott gave me some names to contact: RTVF Chair Alan Albarran, Jeff Cochran at Murchison, Dennis Fisher, Rebecca Poanelli, David Bithel, who is part of one of UNT’s new “Clusters.”

May-June/2008
Thinking about Daniel Pearl Music Days off and on. Organize what?! Is there anything to organize? What should it be? Do we need a grant? One big 24-hour-long “day” of music? Several concerts? A cluster of events? Seems something bigger than just a single dedicated concert, as befits a program of the CoM’s size and impact. What should it be? What do I need to do to start?

April 24- May 5, 2008
Trip to Bolivia and Peru with Collegium. Mentioned to Lyle Nordstrom that our planned concert on October 10th, 2008 happened to be Daniel Pearl’s birthday and that Dean Scott had told me he wanted to celebrate Daniel Pearl Music Day(s)

4/14/2008
Ran into Dean Scott at Avesta Restaurant at the Student Union. I invited Dean Scott to visit an exhibit the World Buddhist Revolution student club at UNT had sponsored, which was just below in the One O’Clock Lounge. Exhibit was called “Gandhi, King, Ikeda—Building a Legacy of Peace”.
At the exhibit, seeing pictures of Martin Luther King, Mahatma Gandhi and Daisaku Ikeda, all of whom had worked very hard within their diverse religious traditions and national circumstances to build peace and justice out of very hard times, Dean Scott mentioned that he grew up in Atlanta, GA and that segregation was so profound that he was almost unaware of it. He said that later he experienced coming “full circle” as a university dean when he was invited to speak at Martin Luther King’s alma mater, Morehouse College. This had been a very moving experience for him.
Dean Scott decided on the spot that he wanted UNT to do something for Daniel Pearl Music Days and that he would like me to organize it because of my involvement in Stanford’s Daniel Pearl Music Days concerts.  I was excited and agreed. We talked about it on the way back to the COM. I had mentioned Daniel Pearl Music Days to Dean Scott in fall of ‘07 and was surprised that he remembered.