Todd Rundgren
Singer, songwriter and producer Todd Rundgren will serve as an artist-in-residence for the Department of Film, Television and Theatre (FTT) at the University of Notre Dame 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 DeBartolo Performing Arts Center, organize an on-campus collection of used musical instruments for national redistribution to music students in need and, in conjunction with his Spirit of Harmony Foundation, present an award to Notre Dame alumnus Bill Hurd.
Rundgren also will attend the Notre Dame-Duke football game Sept. 24 and be the subject of a “First Time Fans” documentary to be produced by Fighting Irish Media.
“Todd Rundgren’s body of work epitomizes to our students, specifically in Arts and Letters, what we want them to become: artistic game changers on a global level, compassionate toward others and faithful to their core values and beliefs,” said Ted Mandell, associate professional specialist in FTT. “To learn from one of the music industry’s 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.”
Rundgren added: “I’ve never been to Notre Dame’s campus, and I’m really looking forward to it. It’s a chance to hang out with really smart young kids, and find out what they’re thinking, which has an influence on me, actually.”
The Spirit of Harmony Foundation’s Singring Award 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 Notre Dame, a master’s 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 Notre Dame and is an accomplished jazz musician who has been invited to perform on his saxophone with Rundgren.
Best known for his 1972 hit “Hello It’s Me” and the popular arena anthem “Bang The Drum All Day,” Rundgren also produced and/or engineered many notable albums, including Grand Funk Railroad’s “We’re an American Band” and Meatloaf’s “Bat Out of Hell.”
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.