On Monday, April 9th, beginning at 7:00 p.m. in the PSU Theater, students and faculty will join in an evening of readings from the forthcoming book anthology, Living Ozarks: The Ecology and Culture of a Natural Place, a publication of the Ozarks Studies Institute, an initiative of the MSU Libraries. Selections will highlight the region’s rich 200-year history of nature-themed writing. The Ozarks has inspired an equally rich, 150-year history of music, much of it nature-themed, for piano and voice. Under the direction of Music Professor Ann Marie Daehn, students will perform pieces by Rose O’Neill, Will James, James Fahy, and other talented Ozarkians. Since most of this music has not been heard for a half-century or more, the evening’s performance will serve as a 21^st century premiere. Shun-Yeen Hoi, Chase Phillips, and Faith Morgan are featured musicians.  Books will be available for purchase and contributing authors on hand to sign copies. This event, part of the annual Public Affairs Conference, is free and open to the public.