David Key performs locally

(Onslow County)  Onslow County Public Library will host vocalist and multi-instrumentalist David Key  in Sound Medicine as part of "Catch the Reading Bug", Onslow County Public Library's summer-long family reading program featuring programs, events, and prize giveaways for infants, children, teens, and adults. Sound Medicine concerts will be held on Tuesday, July 29 at 6:30 pm at the Swansboro Branch Library; on Thursday, July 31 at 6:30 pm at the pavilion at the Sneads Ferry Community Center (please bring a lawn chair); and on Saturday, August 2 at 10:30 am at the Richlands Branch Library and 3 pm at the Main Library in Jacksonville.

David Key, a resident of Hampstead, NC, is a Sound Artist, creating original works in the medium of sound. David is a vocalist and multi-instrumentalist, performing on a variety of wooden flutes, frame drum, keyboards, and soprano saxophone.

A classically trained saxophonist with a Master's degree in music, David has been creative as a teacher of music, nurturing young musicians from kindergarten through college. Along the way, he wrote a textbook published by Prentice Hall, "The Creation and Re-Creation of Music." He has created improvised chamber music in the duo Starling, performed original Latin-influenced jazz in the Joe Parillo Ensemble, and done a concert tour of South Korea performing with the Rhode Island Saxophone Quartet.

David has spent the last 18 years exploring world music, wooden flutes, sound and healing, meditation, and Native American spirituality. The music he creates combines drumming heartbeats, powerful wooden flute melodies, field recordings of wind, rain, peeper frogs, and ocean waves, and any sounds that feel like they fit, no matter how unusual.

A 2004 Fulbright Memorial Fund Scholar, David traveled to Japan to study the culture and educational system of that country. While there, he re-connected with his long-held desire to learn the shakuhachi bamboo flute. David uses the shakuhachi, along with vocals and a variety of other instruments, to create beautiful soundscapes.

David performs as a soloist at libraries, yoga centers, art galleries, and workshops, at concert venues, and for weddings and other ceremonies. His original compositions leave his listeners relaxed and energized at the same time, and his welcoming style helps his audiences have fun with new sounds and new experiences.

Onslow County Public Library's Summer Reading Program, Catch the Reading Bug, runs through August 15, 2008 featuring programs, events and prize giveaways for infants, children, teens and adults. Registration is open and ongoing throughout the summer. Participants must be registered to be eligible to win prizes.  Every year, Onslow County Public Library hosts summer reading programs with the goal of helping children and teens continue to hone their reading skills; to introduce the very young to the joy of reading; to encourage families to make reading and learning a total family experience; to encourage the entire community to help foster positive reading habits; and to ensure kids have fun!  Last year, over 550 Onslow County children and teens participated in Summer Reading and were eligible to win grand prizes like a laptop computer, iPod, PSP, digital cameras, bikes, and much more. This year OCPL has added infant and adult programs and has extended programs and events to all library branches. All Summer Reading programs and events are free and open to the public. For more information, please call Onslow County Public Library's Youth Services Department at 910.455.7350, ext. 231 or your local branch library.