(Posted April 10, 2006)

HUNTINGDON, Pa. -- James Latten, assistant professor of music at Juniata College, will give a talk on "Exploration of a Sequence for Optimum Training of Musical Instrument Intonation Management Ability" as part of the college's Bookend Lecture series at 4:30 p.m., Wednesday, April 12 in Neff Lecture Hall in the von Liebig Center for Science.

The lecture is free and open to the public. The lecture is part of the Bookend Seminar Lecture Series, which features afternoon lectures each month by Juniata faculty.

At the start of every concert, be it classical or jazz, the players spend a few minutes playing a single note, a process known as "tuning up." Latten will talk about how playing in tunes is not a natural talent that only a chosen few can master.

"Many listeners, parents of musicians and unfortunately some music educators accept the notion that learning to play an instrument in tune is an un-trainable skill," Latten says. In his lecture, Latten will talk about how a proper sequence of training for tuning skills will allow beginning and intermediate musicians to master intonation skills.

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.