On Thursday, Feb. 24, American music pioneer Dean Shostak will play a seldom heard early American musical instrument - the glass armonica - at two performances at Berea College's Union Church.

At 3 p.m, Shostak will present "The Art and Mystery of the Glass Armonica," and at 8 p.m. he will perform a concert titled "Celtic Crystal," playing melodies of Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Accompanying him on keyboard and guitar will be Kelly Kennedy.

The concert is part of the 1999-2000 Stephenson Memorial Concert Series.

America's first musical instrument, the glass armonica consists of tuned glass bowls mounted on a spindle. The glasses are made to spin using a flywheel attached to a foot treadle. Sound is created by applying moistened fingers to the rims of the glass bowls as they turn. The instrument was invented by Benjamin Franklin in 1761. Shostak will comment on the instrument's development and history and introduce the audience to its haunting sounds.

Along with Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, Mozart, Beethoven and Mesmer were some of the other famous people associated with the armonica.

Due to mysterious health problems that were attributed to the instrument, people began to fear the armonica, and by 1830, the instrument was all but extinct. It was only revived in 1984 by master glass blower Gerhard Finkenbeiner, who uses pure quartz to create the glass bowls. Shostak added the flywheel to the instrument.

Shostak has been a performing musician for the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation since 1979. His concerts combine history and humor with period and original compositions and include performances on the hurdy-gurdy and the violin, in addition to the glass armonica.

He has a B.A. in music from the University of Virginia, and also composes original music scores for historic films and videos.

The performer tours the U.S. extensively, appearing in concert halls, festivals, schools and universities. His national appearances have included performances on National Public Radio's "All Things Considered," the CBS "Hallmark Hall of Fame," The Weather Channel and the BBC's "Good Morning TV."

"Celtic Crystal," is the name of Shostak's latest recording, dedicated to Ben Franklin's original wish to use the armonica for Scotch and Irish music. His two other recordings are "Crystal Carols" and "Revolutions."

Admission to the programs is free and open to the public.