'The Seasons of Being' Premieres at the Ware Center Tonight

The Arts at Millersville University welcomes pianist/composer Andy Milne performing the World Premiere of "The Seasons of Being" at the Ware Center stage tonight, September 25 at 7:30 pm.

The 60-minute suite, composed for 10 musicians, is set around Milne's genre-bending quintet, Dapp Theory, and special guests. "The Seasons of Being" is a collection of musical compositions that reflect Milne's positive personal experiences with classical homeopathic healing. This ambitious project utilizes Milne's model for identifying human behavioral patterns (pathologies) through understanding how one's subconscious preferences for music or sound are connected to their pathology. "The Seasons of Being" was awarded Chamber Music America's New Jazz Works Commission and is funded by The Doris Duke Foundation. The September 25 performance will also be recorded for Yamaha Piano's Diskclavier TV series. The Ware Center is located at 42 N. Prince Street, Lancaster.

Dapp Theory is a quintet that, according to LA Weekly, blends "contemporary funk, groove and hip-hop into jazz with such seamless, casual precision it's almost freaky." Milne formed the band in 1998 as a vehicle to "tell passionate stories, promote peace and inspire collective responsibility towards uplifting the human spiritual condition." Since that time, the band has evolved, blending influences ranging from Joni Mitchell and KRS One to Thelonious Monk and Van Halen. Their music is indefinable yet highly recognizable, intersecting lyrical jazz piano, funkified polyrhythmic exploration, and spoken word poeticism. Combined are the talents of percussive poet John Moon, saxophonist Aaron Kruziki, bassist Chris Tordini and drummer Kenny Grohowski, helping to re-draw and extend the boundaries of jazz. Joining the band are five diverse, top-notch improvisers from the New York creative music scene. Special guests include: Ralph Alessi (trumpet); Ben Monder (guitar); La Tanya Hall (vocals & narration); Michael Attias (baritone saxophone); Christopher Hoffman (cello).

Tickets are $15 reserved seating, $12 senior, and $5 student and can be purchased online by visiting ArtsMU.com or by calling 717-871-7600. Tickets can also be purchased in person at the Ticket Office located in the Student Memorial Center on Millersville's campus, or the Ware Center, located at 42 N. Prince Street, in Lancaster. Doors open one hour before each show for ticket sales, subject to availability.

The Millersville University Visual and Performing Arts Season is made possible by support from Season Platinum Partner Rodgers & Associates and Gold Season Sponsors Aussie and the Fox and Hagelgans & Veronis, and Silver Season Sponsors Clipper Magazine, The Hotel Lancaster, 12:34 MicroTechnologies, and Weber Advertising. First Friday Music Stage is sponsored by Fine Living Lancaster. This season's Luminary Donors include Ann Barshinger, John & Susan Garofola, Mary Burton & Laurent Horne, Linda Holman Marcks, William McIlwaine, Peggy Neff, Mary Kearns & Jon Walker, and Paul & Judy Ware.

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