Millersville University to Host Caribbean & West African Percussion Concert, 10/11

Millersville University instructor and internationally accomplished percussionist James Armstrong will perform Caribbean and West African influenced repertoire at the Winter Center on Sunday October 11, 7:30 PM. He will be joined by regional artists Danny Stuber (piano), Mike Vitale (bass) and John Peifer (drums) in this presentation of latin and jazz standards and arrangements. Extensive fieldwork and collaboration with local musician masters in West Africa, Puerto Rico, Brazil, and the United States have rendered Armstrong a specialist in Haitian, Cuban, and West African based folkloric drumming. The Winter Center is located at 60 W. Cottage Avenue, Millersville.

James Armstrong has performed and taught on five continents as solo artist and clinician for Yamaha, Sabian, Vic Firth, and Latin Percussion companies, as well as a member of the internationally acclaimed MARASSA DUO, the ROBERT HOHNER PERCUSSION ENSEMBLE and several other notable artists. He has recorded on the RCA/DMP, Albany Records, Tinkle Tone, I-Town, and C.Alan record labels and is a published composer and author through Drop6 Media, Carl Fischer Publications, and House Panther Press. Armstrong earned a BME from Central Michigan University and a MM in Percussion Performance (Ethnomusicology and Jazz emphasis) from Bowling Green State University and is a highly respected performer, teacher, and author on the subjects of West African and Caribbean sacred and secular music.

James Armstrong is currently Instructor of Percussion at Millersville University where he teaches applied percussion, directs the Millersville University Percussion Ensemble, teaches percussion education classes, teaches West African Music and Dance, coordinates the Millersville and Music For Everyone "Music in the Schools" program, and serves as Artistic Director for the MU Summer Music Camps. James is also President of the Percussive Arts Society Pennsylvania State Chapter, and remains extremely active as a freelance percussionist throughout the greater Philadelphia and New York City Regions. Hobbies include coaching and playing hockey, photography, and spending time with his son Steven.

Tickets are $10 general admission 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. Student tickets (MU or otherwise) are free with a valid ID at a ticket office location or at the door. 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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