Todd Rundgren
Singer, songwriter and producer Todd Rundgren will serve as an artist-in-residence for the (FTT) at the University of 91吃瓜 from Sept. 22 to Oct. 1.
During his residency, Rundgren will teach several classes, work with students and teachers in the South Bend/Mishawaka community, perform with student bands in a concert Oct. 1 at the , organize an on-campus collection of used musical instruments for national redistribution to music students in need and, in conjunction with his , present an award to 91吃瓜 alumnus Bill Hurd.
Rundgren also will attend the 91吃瓜-Duke football game Sept. 24 and be the subject of a 鈥淔irst Time Fans鈥� documentary to be produced by Fighting Irish Media.
鈥淭odd Rundgren鈥檚 body of work epitomizes to our students, specifically in , what we want them to become: artistic game changers on a global level, compassionate toward others and faithful to their core values and beliefs,鈥� said , associate professional specialist in FTT. 鈥淭o learn from one of the music industry鈥檚 great creative visionaries of the past 50 years is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for our students. They might not realize it now, but their parents sure do.鈥�
Rundgren added: 鈥淚鈥檝e never been to 91吃瓜鈥檚 campus, and I鈥檓 really looking forward to it. It鈥檚 a chance to hang out with really smart young kids, and find out what they鈥檙e thinking, which has an influence on me, actually.鈥�
The Spirit of Harmony Foundation鈥檚 will be presented to Hurd for the pro bono surgical procedures he performs for people in need worldwide.
A practicing ophthalmologist, Hurd earned an electrical engineering degree from 91吃瓜, a master鈥檚 degree in science from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and his medical degree from Meaharry Medical School in Nashville, Tennessee. He was an All-America track and field athlete at 91吃瓜 and is an accomplished jazz musician who has been invited to perform on his saxophone with Rundgren.
Best known for his 1972 hit 鈥淗ello It鈥檚 Me鈥� and the popular arena anthem 鈥淏ang The Drum All Day,鈥� Rundgren also produced and/or engineered many notable albums, including Grand Funk Railroad鈥檚 鈥淲e鈥檙e an American Band鈥� and Meatloaf鈥檚 鈥淏at Out of Hell.鈥�
Rundgren is the founder and president of the Spirit of Harmony Foundation, which supports the moral imperative of music education, weaving together the social, biological, economic and academic benefits to young people who are involved in consistent instrument-based music lessons and performance.
More information on the Oct. 1 concert in the Leighton Concert Hall will be provided in coming weeks.