More than 20 of the most prominent viola players in the Midwest will gather at DePaul University's School of Music April 9 to teach master classes, lecture and present a recital concert.

     "The Real World" Viola Seminar is sponsored by the Chicago Viola Society and hosted by DePaul Music Professor Rami Solomonow , violist with the Chicago String Quartet, which is in residence at DePaul. Atar Arad of the Cleveland Quartet, Simon Roland-Jones of the Chilingirian Quartet, Richard Young of the Vermeer Quartet and members from the Chicago Symphony and Lyric Opera orchestras will participate, as well as music educators from the Oberlin Conservatory, Cleveland Institute, University of Michigan, and Northwestern and Indiana universities. Solomonow said this is the first time in 10 years that such an array of Midwest viola talent has come together in Chicago to offer the seminar.

     The artists will teach master classes for regional viola students and prospective students, hold mock auditions for viola musicians and lead panel discussions about careers in chamber music, orchestras and teaching.

     The culmination of the event will be a free public recital at 5 p.m. in the DePaul Concert Hall, 800 W. Belden Ave. "The concert will be a real treat because the entire program features unusual pieces for viola," Solomonow said. He will perform "Serenade #1 for Wind Ensemble and Viola" by composer George Perle, a DePaul alumnus. Arad, Roland-Jones and Young also will perform.

     For more information about the Viola Seminar, call the Chicago Viola Society at 312/409-6609 or the DePaul School of Music, 773/325-7260.