Todd Rundgren Coming to Notre Dame

SOUTH BEND, Ind. - Sept. 16, 2016 - PRLog -- Legendary music veteran Todd Rundgren will bring his 50 years of experience at the cutting edge of the music industry and his Spirit of Harmony Foundation, which he founded and serves as President, to the Notre Dame community September 22–October 1.

Rundgren will kick off the visit by participating in a number of activities in conjunction with the September 24 football game vs Duke, including appearing on "The Brian Kelly Radio Show," performing a duet with Student Government President Corey Robinson as well as performing at Friday evening's Pep Rally, accompanied by a band comprised of student athletes and coaches.

The following week, hosted by the Department of Film, Television and Theatre, as an Artist-In-Residence, Rundgren will present in an interdisciplinary class "Exploring the Creative Muse: Art, Business, Technology, and Rock n' Roll." Throughout the week, he will work with a wide range of students and faculty engaged in film, music, digital arts, and athletics. The week will culminate with an October 1 concert at the DeBartolo Performing Arts Center (DPAC), accompanied by student musicians as well as Dr. Bill Hurd '69, who will be presented with the Foundation's "Singring" Award.

Through the Spirit of Harmony Foundation, Rundgren advocates for what he calls "the moral imperative of music education" by supporting youth music programs throughout the nation.  Teaming up with the Play Like a Champion Today Character Education through Sports Program, the Spirit of Harmony Foundation brings new meaning to the iconic slogan "Play Like a Champion Today." Together the Foundation and Play Like a Champion Today will explore the developmental benefits and life skills that children acquire by active participation in music and/or athletics and identify ways of including children of all ability levels and economic circumstances.

To accelerate participation in music education, The Spirit of Harmony has organized an on-campus collection of used musical instruments (9/23–24) that will then be donated to children who want to play music, yet do not have an instrument. People are being asked to bring instruments, which will be collected at Joyce Center – North Dome.

"Play Like A Champion Today" will now include a musical component as ND's non-profit PLACT Foundation is partnering with the Spirit of Harmony, launching a music program for the children who reside at The South Bend's Center For The Homeless on October 1.

ND's "First Time Fans" series will capture and produce a documentary encompassing the entire 11 days of activities and initiatives.

Rundgren is a musician, songwriter, and record producer, whose musical career began at the age of 17 in the Philadelphia area. He has produced an abundant and diverse range of recordings, as a solo artist, as a member of the band Utopia and various collaborations including Ringo Starr's All-Starr Band. He is a video pioneer, has been prolific as a producer and engineer on the recorded work of other musicians, and has a large and dedicated fan base across the globe. In recent years, he has been Artist In Residence at Columbia College in Chicago, DePauw University, University of Colorado, and others.

Concert with Notre Dame Students, Saturday, October 1, 7 p.m. (Tickets available through DPAC)
On the final evening of the residency, Rundgren will perform with student bands and ensembles for a one-of-a-kind concert. The concert with also feature the presentation of the Spirit of Harmony Foundation's annual "Singring" Award for Music Education to Dr. Bill Hurd, musician, athlete, and philanthropist. Dr. Hurd has been invited to bring his saxophone.

This is the second time the Spirit of Harmony Foundation has presented the "Singring" Award. The first was presented in 2015 to President Bill Clinton to recognize his lifetime commitment to the arts in children's education.

Todd Talk, Friday, 9/30, evening, 9–10:30 p.m (Tickets available through DPAC)
One of the sessions of Rundgren's Interdisciplinary Class will be free and open to the public. "Todd Rundgren: Giving You the Business of Rock 'n Roll" From vinyl to digital, from The Nazz to Runddans, a conversation and Q&A about the business of music.

Football Weekend Instrument Drive
While Rundgren will be experiencing the full campus line-up of pre-game Pep Rally and tailgating, his Spirit of Harmony Foundation is organizing an on-campus collection of used musical instruments with Hungry for Music, a national charitable organization that collects, reconditions, and distributes quality musical instruments to underserved children with willing instructors and a hunger to play.

COLLECTION TIMES AND LOCATIONS: Friday afternoon through Saturday. (Closes 3:00 p.m Saturday prior to kickoff).  Look for the Hungry For Music/Spirit of Harmony booth at FanFest inside Joyce Center – North Dome.

Jeff Campbell, Founder of Hungry for Music explains: "We accept music instrument donations in any condition. We usually do not accept upright pianos/organs. While we prefer instruments in playable condition, we do have luthiers who can repair instruments to give them new life. Instruments that have seen their last days are sent to Landfill Harmonic for parts/overhaul or given to artists to create musical instrument art. These are auctioned at an event called Musical Visions: Live Music & Art Auction."

Workshop for South Bend Area Elementary School Teachers, Wednesday, September 28, 2016 4:00 p.m. (Tickets available through DPAC)
Engage Now + Kennedy Center Partners in Education Workshop, integrating music into curriculum. Integrating the arts into curriculum for educators of grades K–4.

In conjunction with Todd Rundgren's Spirit of Harmony Foundation, presenter Sheela Das will help educators' lessons hit home by using the arts to incorporate subjects including science, language arts and social studies. Teachers from all disciplines can use this interdisciplinary approach to connect their lessons with the core curriculum.

Teachers will receive numerous examples of teaching songs and also participate in a group ukulele workshop and song writing process. This is a fun and informational approach to creating a successful classroom learning environment and inspired lessons.

South Bend Center for the Homeless
In cooperation with the University of Notre Dame and the Center for the Homeless, the Spirit of Harmony Foundation is establishing a brand-new ongoing music program for the children of the families who are guests at the Center.

Rundgren Fans and music fans from across the country will join us at the Center to host a luncheon for the Center guests/residents and staff, provide entertainment, and celebrate the Grand Opening of a brand-new music program: an all-ukulele band. Rundgren will be handing out the instruments to their new little owners.

For more information about this service project, visit: http://spiritofharmony.org/notredame/ Registration required.

The Spirit of Harmony Foundation 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. Our organization focuses on networking, as we help match the practical and varied needs of music education programs with the resources that will help them excel.

The Foundation believes in providing opportunities for personal development and self-expression through the support of music and music education for young people regardless of socioeconomic status, geographic location, or ability.

Approved Media Assets (photos/video) are available to review and download at: http://spiritofharmony.org/media/