Lecture and Performance from Musical Innovator Tim Donahue

The Music Department is hosting two lectures and a unique performance by composer and musician Tim Donahue, Saturday, October 27, in Rockwell Hall 107.

A 10:00 a.m. lecture will focus on composing music for film, while a 12:30 p.m. talk will cover techniques for playing a fretless electric harp-guitar, an instrument that Donahue has developed.

Both lectures are 45 minutes long. A 30-minute concert and demonstration of the electric harp-guitar will take place at 2:00 p.m. All events are free and open to the public.

A native of Niagara Falls, NY, Donahue, is a world-renowned musical innovator with several recordings to his credit.

After graduating from Berklee College of Music, Donahue moved to Japan where he has worked as a performer, educator, and composer of film scores. His original music encompasses ambient, orchestral, jazz fusion, and hard rock sounds.

Donahue’s recordings have enjoyed international distribution, earned high critical praise, and featured some of rock’s most revered vocalists (including James LaBrie of Dream Theater and Paul Rodgers of Free, Bad Company, and Queen).

Donahue’s creation of a fretless electric harp-guitar has provided a modern update to the centuries-old string instrument. "The harp-guitar truly opens up a new world of sonic possibilities," said J. Thomás Henriques, assistant professor of music.

The musician’s lecture and performance offers a rare opportunity to see this uncommon instrument played by a master craftsman.

This event is sponsored by Buffalo State’s digital music production minor.