Jordan Rudess, the keyboardist and multi-instrumentalist for the Grammy Award-winning progressive rock band Dream Theater, will conduct a three-day residency at Gettysburg College from Tuesday, March 24, through Thursday, March 26.
Supported by the Ann McIlhenny Harward Interdisciplinary Program for Culture and Music, the event will explore the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on creativity, knowledge, and the human experience through a combination of workshops, jam sessions, classroom discussions, and a free public concert at the Majestic Theater at 7:30 p.m. on March 26.
“AI is transforming the cultural landscape in real time. As educators and artists, we believe it is essential to engage this transformation thoughtfully,” said Music Prof. César Leal, who is serving as co-chair of the program alongside Africana Studies and History Prof. Scott Hancock. “The Harward Interdisciplinary Program creates a space where students and community members can critically examine how artificial intelligence intersects with creativity, ethics, and human expression.”
Rudess is a classical prodigy who began studying at The Juilliard School at age nine. He is known for seamlessly blending virtuosic classical technique with modern rock, fusion, and cutting-edge technology. Rudess is currently the MIT Distinguished Visiting Artist, collaborating with Professor Joe Paradiso and the Media Lab’s Responsive Environments Group to develop Jam-Bot. This AI-driven musical partner improvises live in duet with a human performer.
In addition to his work with Dream Theater and a prolific solo career, Rudess has collaborated with a wide range of artists, including David Bowie, Deep Purple, Steven Wilson, Jan Hammer, Tony Levin, Mike Portnoy, Marco Minnemann, Rod Morgenstein, Annie Haslam, Aviv Geffen, and the Dixie Dregs, as well as the supergroups Liquid Tension Experiment and LMR. He is also the founder of Wizdom Music and the author of two books on keyboard technique.
The Harward Program honors the life and legacy of Ann McIlhenny Harward P’86, P’92, a native of Gettysburg and daughter of longtime Gettysburg Times editor Hugh McIlhenny ’32. An accomplished musician at an early age, Ann understood the power of music to transform and inspire. Now in its third year serving the community, the Harward Program leverages the rich interplay of culture and music in a liberal arts education where learning happens across disciplines and through unique and transformative experiences. Shaped and guided by the vision of her husband Donald W. Harward, the program is made possible through support from the Endeavor Foundation and sponsored by Gettysburg College’s Office of the Provost.
Tickets to the public concert are free, but reservations are required. Tickets will be available beginning at 3 p.m. on March 2 at the Majestic Theater Box Office, 25 Carlisle St., Gettysburg, or by phone at 717-337-8200.
For ticket information, please contact:
Gettysburg College’s Majestic Theater
Email: boxofficeinfo@gettysburg.edu
Phone: 717-337-8200
For all other inquiries, please contact:
Suzanne Gockowski
Email: sgockows@gettysburg.edu
Phone: 717-337-6796
