Hundreds of people turned out for Old Dominion University's celebration of the 50th anniversary of the moon landing on July 20.
The event featured planetarium shows, games and science activities for people of all ages. The highlight was a concert by the Virginia Symphony Orchestra, which performed a selection of space-themed pieces on Kaufman Lawn. Among them was "From the Earth to the Moon and Beyond," a composition, with narration and imagery to commemorate the Apollo 11 moon landing in 1969, that was written by Indiana composer James Beckel.
It was performed for the first time in Virginia, and ODU President John R. Broderick provided the narration.
The event was made possible by contributions from ODU's College of Arts and Letters, Strome College of Business, Darden College of Education and Professional Studies, Batten College of Engineering and Technology, College of Health Sciences, College of Sciences, Graduate School, Pretlow Planetarium, Alumni Association, Office of Development, Student Engagement and Enrollment Services, Office of Community Engagement, Webb University Center, Center for Educational Partnerships and Aramark. The Slover Library, Town-N-Gown and the Virginia Symphony Orchestra also made contributions.
