RELEASE ON RECEIPT



                         "MUSIC IN THE AGE OF JEFFERSON"

        CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA., Oct. 16 -- Thomas Jefferson began collecting 
music in his student days and it is from the inventory of his 1783 collection 
of music that a CD, "Music in the Age of Jefferson" evolved.
        The idea for the CD grew from the 1993 "Music in the Age of Jefferson" 
concert organized and performed by Rob Turner in late March of that year for 
a National Public Radio celebration of Jefferson's 250th birthday on April 13.
        Using Jefferson's collection of music in the University of Virginia's 
Special Collections located in Alderman Library, Turner, instructor in 
baroque flute and recorder at U.Va.'s McIntire Department of Music, organized 
chamber music pieces by Haydn, Corelli, Delusse, Mozart and Stamitz.
        Three years later, the music was recorded in the Dome Room of the 
Rotunda, a perfect venue, according to Turner. "I had played in the Dome Room 
many times, and knowing that music was one of Jefferson's intended uses for 
the Rotunda, and knowing how lovely the space and its acoustics were, it 
seemed especially fitting to record there."
        The music was performed by Turner,on flute; Kevin Bushee, who 
specializes in 17th and 18th century violin repertoire on period instruments, 
and is a founding member of The Governor's Musick, ensemble-in-residence at 
Colonial Williamsburg, on violin; and Lynanne Wilson, a member of the 
Charlottesville and University Symphony Orchestra, on cello.
        In addition to being a performer and scholar, Turner makes 
historical-model flutes and recorders based on those in European and 
American museums and private collections. He has made musical instruments for 
more than 25 years and maintains a workshop at McGuffey Art Center where he 
specializes in flutes. On the CD, Turner plays a flute he crafted, based on 
one by the 18th century English flutemaker, Thomas Stanesby Jr. -- the 
"Stradivarius" of flutemakers.
        The recording has received nationwide attention. It was featured as 
part of Monticello's exhibit Jefferson and Lafayette: "A Sincere Friendship".  
Also, it was used as the opening and closing theme on "The Jefferson Debate," 
a PBS panel discussion on Jefferson which aired following the Ken Burns 
documentary earlier this year. The University of Nevada Reno, has used it 
more than once on its nationally syndicated radio program, "The Thomas 
Jefferson Hour."
        The recording is available at numerous historical and retail 
locations throughout the country. It is available at Newcomb Hall Bookstore 
(800-759-4667.) Since its release earlier this year, "Music in the Age of 
Jefferson"  has sold more than 3,000 CDs and tapes. A portion of the proceeds 
are designated for the University's funding campaign to preserve and restore 
the Academical Village. "We are grateful to Rob Turner for recognizing the 
importance of historic preservation at the University and for his part in 
nurturing a very successful collaboration,"  Heather M. Thomas, special 
projects officer for Historic Preservation said.
        The music will be featured on Oct. 18 at a private black tie dinner 
in the Dome Room recognizing past donors to historic preservation as well as 
recognizing and honoring the William R. Kenan Jr. Charitable Trust $1 million 
challenge gift to support the restoration of Pavilion VII, the oldest building 
on the Lawn. In addition, the trust is contributing a $500,000 challenge to 
create an endowment for educational programs related to Thomas Jefferson's 
Academical Village.

                                       ###
                                                          October 15, 1997


        For more information, contact Rob Turner at (804) 977-1513 or 
(804) 293-5883.  Heather Thomas can be reached at (804) 924-7612.  
Television  reporters should contact our TV News Office at (804) 924-7550.