(Posted April 1, 2003)

HUNTINGDON, Pa. -- The groundbreaking musical styles and musical influences of the Beatles will be the topic of a lecture by a Juniata College music professor as part of the Bookend Seminar lecture series at 4:30 p.m., Wednesday, April 9 in the Neff Lecture Hall in the von Liebig Center for Science.

The lecture is free and open to the public. The Bookend Seminar series features afternoon lectures each month by Juniata College faculty.

James Latten, assistant professor of music, will present the whimsically titled talk "Structural Asymmetry, Mathematical and Temporal Manipulation, Melting Pot and Historical Influences, and Text-Painting Practices of Migratory Native British Beatles."

Latten will discuss examples from Beatles songs, including many from the group's acclaimed "Sgt. Pepper and the Lonely Hearts Club Band" album. He will talk about how the Beatles used multiple meters, asymmetric phrasing and international influences to create their music.

Specifically, he will talk about "Good Morning, Good Morning," "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds," and "When I'm Sixty Four." Latten also will compare the Beatles work to other musical genres.

Latten joined the Juniata faculty in 1997 as adjunct instructor of percussion. In 2002, he was named a full-time professor and director of the Juniata College Wind Symphony. He conducts the percussion ensemble, teaches studio percussion, and instructs academic music courses. From 2000-2002 Latten served as assistant professor of music at The University of Dayton.

Latten earned a bachelor's degree in music from Mansfield University of Pennsylvania. He earned a master's degree in music education from Indiana University in Bloomington, Ind.

Contact April Feagley at feaglea@juniata.edu or (814) 641-3131 for more information.