| San Jose Schools Join San Jose State University's Ira | | | | complimentary copies of his book and speak at the |
| F. Brilliant Center for Beethoven Studies in Birthday | | | | event. Everyone at this event will receive a private |
| Celebration | | | | tour of the San Jose State University's Ira F. Brilliant |
| San Jose State University's Ira F. Brilliant Center for | | | | Center for Beethoven Studies, which has in its |
| Beethoven Studies and the San Jose Jewish Film | | | | collection numerous personal letters and musical |
| Festival have teamed up with the San Jose Schools in | | | | compositions written by Beethoven along with the |
| an event to celebrate the San Jose State University's | | | | previously mentioned lock of hair clipped right from |
| Ira F. Brilliant Center for Beethoven Studies twenty | | | | his head. |
| first year. The celebration event also includes the | | | | San Jose Schools Beethoven Essay Contest |
| premiere of the film "Beethoven's Hair" at the San | | | | For its part in the birthday celebration event, the San |
| Jose Jewish Film Festival. This will be an event for the | | | | Jose Schools have created a special essay |
| whole community held in downtown San Jose in | | | | competition. The person behind the essay contest is |
| October. | | | | the Assistant Superintendent of San Jose Schools, Dr. |
| The 2006 San Jose Jewish Film Festival will be the | | | | Dr. Bill Erlendson. Dr. Erlendson believes that music |
| central event and is where the film "Beethoven's Hair" | | | | appreciation is an important facet in the education of |
| will be shown. This film follows the perilous journey | | | | all San Jose Schools' students. The essay contest will |
| across 179 and two continents of a lock of | | | | be open to almost 30,000 students in grades fourth |
| Beethoven's hair. In 1827, a lock of hair was clipped | | | | through twelfth. The main idea behind the essay is |
| from Beethoven on his deathbed. This lock of hair | | | | that Beethoven had a huge impact on the musical |
| can now be found in the San Jose State University's | | | | world and hopefully this essay contest will help to |
| Ira F. Brilliant Center for Beethoven Studies. The film | | | | raise the students' awareness about the importance |
| "Beethoven's Hair" examines how the lock of hair | | | | of music in their lives. |
| was passed from generation to generation and how | | | | For the San Jose Schools' Beethoven Essay Contest |
| it survived the Holocaust and World War II. | | | | participating students must write at least 250 words |
| The San Jose Jewish Film Festival will host a | | | | about one of four topics. The four choices are: 1. |
| fundraiser and celebration event near the end of | | | | What important lessons did Beethoven's life teach |
| October. At this event, which will be held at the | | | | us? |
| Martin Luther King Jr. library, all participants will screen | | | | 2. How did Beethoven change music history? |
| a private viewing of the film "Beethoven's Hair" and | | | | 3. How was Beethoven's life different from/the same |
| meet the director Larry Weinstein for a question and | | | | as Mozart's? |
| answer discussion about the film. The author of the | | | | 4. Beethoven was inspired by nature and social |
| original book "Beethoven's Hair", the source for the | | | | events. What things inspireyou to do a better job? |
| film, will also be in attendance. Russell Martin will sign | | | | |