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DFT Communications returns for a sixth season as the title sponsor of the pops series at Rockefeller Arts Center. Taking part in the presentation of a sponsorship check are, from left, and Jefferson Westwood, director of Rockefeller Arts Center; Kurt Maytum, president and chief technical officer for DFT Communications; Dan Siracuse, marketing and public relations manager for DFT Communications and Tim Murphy, director of development for the Fredonia College Foundation.

DFT Communications has returned for its sixth season as the sponsor of the flagship entertainment series at SUNY Fredonia’s Rockefeller Arts Center.

The DFT Communications Pops Series features a mix of popular musical styles including everything from light classics, jazz and Dixieland to show tunes and big band. Artists who have appeared in the series include Roger Williams, Dave Brubeck, the Four Freshmen and The Three Irish Tenors.

“DFT Communications has been a long-time supporter of our programs,” said Rockefeller Arts Center Director Jefferson Westwood. “We are very happy to welcome them back as our pops series sponsor.”

The 2012-13 series will feature three concerts as part of the Lake Shore Savings Season. It opens Saturday with The Hit Men at 7:30 p.m. in King Concert Hall.

The Hit Men are comprised of six musicians who have been described as “amazing performers, superior vocalists, great arrangers and creative composers.” The group includes original performing members of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons and Tommy James and the Shondells and two founding members of The Critters. The band members have also played with Jim Croce, Cat Stevens, Carly Simon and other mega-star acts.

In concert, The Hit Men perform hits that they helped make famous – including “Oh What a Night,” “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” “Rag Doll” “Mony, Mony,” “Hanky Panky,” “Peace Train,” “Bad, Bad Leroy Brown,” “You’re So Vain,” “You Belong To Me” and “Younger Girl.”

Other concerts in the series include:

• “Big Band Christmas Spectacular” on Thursday, Dec. 6 at 7:30 p.m. in King Concert Hall. SUNY Fredonia’s talented student singers and dancers join with the all-professional Little Apple Big Band for a concert of of Christmas classics from the big band era. This show will be a mixture of instrumental numbers, vocal solos, special group numbers and dance routines. The program features everything from “It’s Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas” to a jazz version of “The Nutcracker Suite” to favorites like “White Christmas.”
   
• Commencement Eve Pops: “The Great American Songbook, Part One” on Friday, May 17 at 7:30 p.m. in King Concert Hall. The commencement eve pops tradition continues for a 22nd season as Maestro Glen Cortese leads the Western New York Chamber Orchestra and a cast of student performers in a concert featuring some of the greatest pop songs from American songwriters. Planned as a multi-year project, this first installment features music by Cole Porter, Irving Berlin and Rodgers and Hammerstein.

Tickets to events in the DFT Communications Pops Series are available through the SUNY Fredonia Ticket Office in the Williams Center (673-3501 or ).