Briefs: Psychology deadline

Beginning this fall, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science will offer a master's degree in psychology clinical counseling. The two-year program is for students who know they are interested in working as therapists rather than researchers and offers a more expeditious path to a career. The program will accept its first 25 students for classes beginning this August and includes 700 hours of field training experience and internships. The deadline for applications for August admission is April 1, 2008. For more information, contact Pat Rigwood at (847) 578-3305 or visit www.rosalindfranklin.edu/srhs/psychology

Saturn and moon viewing

Budding astronomers are invited to stop by the Ela Area Public Library for a viewing of Saturn and the moon from 7:30 to 9 p.m. April 9, weather permitting. The Lake County Astronomical Society will be on hand with binoculars and telescopes in the library's parking lot for participants to catch a glimpse of Saturn's rings. Saturn's rings will not be visible again until 2011. Free astronomy stickers and glow bracelets will be given to children. For more information, call (847) 438-3433.

Violinist wins honor

Buffalo Grove violinist Susie Koh, 13, was one of three to win top honors in the 2008 Chicago Symphony Orchestra Youth Auditions for Strings. Koh was awarded second alternate for her performance of Maurice Ravel's Tzigane. She came in behind cellist Gabriel Cabezas, 15, of Winnetka, and violist Matthew Lipman, 16, of University Park. Koh began studying violin at age 3½ with Sara Arnold in Jerusalem and had her debut as a soloist with the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra at age 7. She has performed at Carnegie Hall and appeared on Israeli national television. Violinist Laura Park of Palatine and violinist Crystal Qi of Barrington were among the seven Illinois finalists out of 42 people in the competition. All five are students at Music Institute of Chicago.