Dr. Robertson has enjoyed a distinguished career as a concert pianist and conductor, beginning with his debut as a pianist at the age of nine. The holder of several piano performance degrees from the Juilliard School of Music, he also studied choral conducting at the prestigious school, and orchestral conducting at the New England Conservatory.

Later, he travelled to Sweden and East Germany to further his conducting studies under maestro Herbert Blomstedt.

Career highlights include the roles of conductor and musical director with orchestras in the US and Scandinavia, and guest conducting appearances in China, Sweden, Cairo, and Armenia.

Dr. Robertson has served on several US arts and orchestral councils, as well as on orchestral and arts boards. He is currently chair of the UCLA Department of Music.

The artist-in-residence programme will begin with an ecumenical hymn festival in partnership with the Anglican Cathedral on Sunday, November 12, beginning at 6 p.m.

Thereafter, workshops will take place as follows: Monday -- The Bermuda Philharmonic chorus; Tuesday -- WORD, Wednesday -- Church music directors, Friday -- Department of Education music teachers.

The residency programme will end with a concert at the Ruth Seaton James Centre for the Performing Arts on Saturday, November 18 directed by Dr.

Robertson.

For further information, telephone Dr. Gary Burgess at 292-9447.

Best-selling author Anita Shreve will be the guest speaker at the Friends of the Bermuda National Library 's first annual Author's Luncheon at La Coquille restaurant on November 17.

Miss Shreve teaches writing at Amherst College, and her book, The Pilot's Wife, was Oprah Winfrey's Book Club selection in April, 1999. Her other novels, Eden Close, Strange Fits of Passion, Where or When, Resistance, The Weight of Water, and most recently, Fortune's Rocks, have also been well received.

A film based on Weight of Water, starring Sean Penn and Elizabeth Hurley, premiered in Toronto in September.

The luncheon and lecture will begin at 12 noon, with book signings and purchases taking place from 11.30 a.m. to 12 noon, and also after the luncheon.

A $40 donation to Friends of the Bermuda National Library will include the book signing, luncheon and membership in the organisation. Tickets are limited and will be sold on a first come, first served basis at the Library on Queen Street, Tuesdays through Thursdays between 11.30 a.m. and 2 p.m.

A Poetry in the Park event is planned for Sunday, November 12 on the verandah of the Bermuda National Library from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Rock Fever Poetry Reading will feature a number of poets from the popular Flow Sundays open mike sessions in the Rock Room of the Oasis night club, and also Nino Letu (Swahili for "our voice'') at Hubie's Bar on Angle Street. Among the poets already signed up are Alan Smith, Laurel Monkman, Vejay Steede, Lauren Francis, and Andra Smith. To facilitate limited seating arrangements, a phone in/walk in sign-up sheet is available at the Library's front desk.

Admission is free, but donations to benefit various Library projects will be welcomed by Friends of the Bermuda National Library . For further information telephone 295-2905.

Bermudian jazz singer Patricia Nicholas, who enjoys a thriving career in the United States and also won the 1999 Dakota Staton award for Most Promising New Artist, is returning home to headline the second of two ABLI and JCM -promoted nights of entertainment at the Clay House Inn on Sunday, November 12.

Mrs. Nicholas regularly performs at upper Manhattan's Cobi's Place and the Esplanade Gardens, and recently appeared in a Dakota Staton benefit concert along with guest vocalists Gloria Lynn and Etta James, among others.

Tempo will open Sunday night's show, which begins at 10 p.m. Tickets ($20) are available at 27th Century Boutique, and will also be sold at the door.

Proceeds will benefit the Bermuda TB, Cancer & Health Association 's capital campaign for the new Cancer Resource Centre.

The first show, on Friday, November 10, also at the Clay House and promoted by ACLI and JCM , will feature a host of Bermudian talent, including poets, singers and musicians.

Entitled OS 2000, in addition to the entertainment, it will include the presentation of the first annual Bermuda Inspiration Awards to such honorees as June Caisey and Hubert Smith, Sr., plus a surprise winner.

Big Daddy Gates will emcee, and at midnight DJ Dewitt Thomas will play music from the '60s, '70s and early '80s. Guests are urged to turn up in clothes of those eras, and prizes will be awarded for who best remembers the dances of those times.

Food prepared by Nell of St. George's Cricket Club and sister Bootsie of the Belco canteen, will be served.

OS 2000 will begin at 10 p.m. and end at 3 a.m. Tickets ($20 advance, $25 at the door) are available from: 27th Century Boutique, New Woody's Drive-in, Caesar's Pharmacy, Nell at St. George's Cricket Club, Rocky at Hamilton Parish Workmen's Club, Darlene at St. David's Cricket Club, and also from Amsterdam.