Saturday 4/18 at 7:00PM Come to The State for 'Rock Out For Reading'

This Saturday 4/18 at 7:00 PM The State is proud to welcome the benefit event entitled 'Rock Out For Reading.' Below you will find in depth info about the show in which tickets are only going for $7!

The students of English 202 Honors are proud to host a variety of local artists in the State Theatre’s attic to benefit CIU #10 Development Center for Adults. All proceeds will go towards their graduation ceremony in May, purchasing academic regalia and sponsoring scholarships for the graduates.

Paul Barsom
Paul Barsom is both a performer/songwriter and a composer of concert music. Barsom’s songs are rooted in pop and progressive rock and rely upon poetry, lyrical melody and multiple influences for their effect. At first a rock bassist, he began writing songs as a teenage band member. The discovery of Igor Stravinsky’s Petrushka in his grandmother’s record collection at age 15 led him to the world of classical concert music and his eventual profession as a university professor. After a twenty-year absence from songwriting, he wrote two dozen while on sabbatical leave and is currently arranging, performing and recording them.
As a classical composer, his music is performed throughout the United States and abroad. He holds graduate degrees in composition from the Eastman School of Music and his composition teachers include Joseph Schwantner, Christopher Rouse, Warren Benson, John Corigliano, Jacob Druckman, Robert Morris, Robert Muczynski and Samuel Adler. His composition output includes orchestral, choral and chamber music. He is the recipient of awards, grants and fellowships from such organizations as Meet the Composer, ASCAP, The Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, The National Association of Composers USA, The American Music Center, Alea III and the Eastman School of Music. He teaches composition and electronic music at The Pennsylvania State University and his interests include all genres of popular and world music, which figure prominently in his composition and teaching. His works are published by Ringing Change Music and by Lyceum Press.

http://www.myspace.com/barsomusic

Joel Dobbins
Joel Dobbins is an eclectic artist who balances simple, substantial lyrics with catchy, well-crafted music, resulting in a fresh listening experience song after song. His most recent album "Unreal" from November 2008 is for sale online and wherever he happens to be playing, and his next album is due to be released digitally this month. His favorite instruments to perform with are his acoustic guitar and occasionally piano. Dobbins already has a repertoire of about 150 songs but his favorite part about being a musician isn’t writing songs but performing live.

http://www.joeldobbins.com

The Whatleys (acoustic)
Lead Guitar/Vocals: Eddie Fraud
Bass/Screams: Steve LP
Drums: Jim Whatley
Guitar/Vocals: TJ Fadehawk
Rhythm Guitar/Vocals: Hiro McWhatley

Ready to perform anywhere, The Whatleys leave the half-stacks at home and grab acoustic guitars for more intimate venues.
The Whatleys have created a fusion of hardcore and raucous punk rock that recalls the energy and simplicity of old school punk. The band has combined amped-up arrangements of traditional hardcore folk songs including ‘Nervous Breakdown (Black Flag)’ and ‘We’re Only Gonna Die (Bad Religion)’ with anthemic original compositions such as ‘Doug’s Not a Cop’ and ‘When You’re Gone' from their debut album “Re-Inventing Whatley Crue.” Their songs bristle with the power of overdriven electric guitars, the beauty of three part harmonies and the sparkle of broken guitars all layered on top of thumping drums and booming bass.

http://www.myspace.com/whatleyspunk


Tyler Wagner
http://www.myspace.com/boyandthebandwagner

'Rock Out For Rock' is this Saturday 4/18 at 7:00 PM and tickets are going for only $7, and are available for purchase both ONLINE and at The State Theatre Box Office. See you there!