Kenneth G. Mills facts for kids

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Kenneth George Mills
Born	(1923-01-25)January 25, 1923 St. Stephen, New Brunswick, Canada
Died	October 8, 2004(2004-10-08) (aged 81) Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Kenneth George Mills (born January 25, 1923 – died October 8, 2004) was a Canadian speaker and author. He shared his ideas about deep questions in life, often called metaphysical or philosophical topics. For over 37 years, he gave many spontaneous talks and read poetry.

Kenneth Mills was also a talented musician. He was known for leading a singing group called The Star-Scape Singers. He also created his own music, painted many pictures, and designed clothes. Many people saw him as a creative person with many different talents.

Life and Early Talents

Kenneth Mills was born in St. Stephen, New Brunswick, Canada, in January 1923. He later went to Mount Allison University. He started learning music at age 7 and became a skilled concert pianist. He performed in Toronto in 1952 and New York City in 1961.

In 1963, he stopped performing as a concert pianist. Instead, he taught piano and judged young musicians for ten more years. While living in Toronto, people started asking him to share his thoughts. He then began giving many talks on deep life questions.

Expanding His Artistic Journey

In 1976, Kenneth Mills started a singing group called The Star-Scape Singers. This group sang without instruments, known as a cappella. Mills and his singers performed concerts across Europe and the United States.

He also composed music for choirs and orchestras. In 1993, he even created his own line of fancy haute couture fashions. He painted more than 200 large pictures, showing his artistic range. Mills also helped and guided many other artists. He continued to mentor and give talks until he passed away in October 2004.

Spontaneous Speaking and Poetry

In 1964, Kenneth Mills felt he should share his inner thoughts. He decided to speak only if people asked him to. Soon, many people came to him, asking about their deepest questions. Mills found himself speaking freely and without planning.

When too many people came, he started giving public talks. He called this spontaneous speaking Unfoldment. He described it as sharing "divine ideas" that help people think about life in new ways. He also spoke often in poetry, creating about 3,000 poems during his life.

Published Works and Performances

Many of Mills’ spontaneous talks were recorded and written down. Some were published as books or audio recordings. Reviewers said his ideas were "provocative and deeply inspiring." One reviewer noted that his poems focused on "wonder, light and love."

His talks and books offered a wide view on problems people face today. In 1989, a group called the Earth-Stage Actors began performing parts of his writings. Critics called these shows "a theatre of philosophy" and compared them to modern-day Shakespeare.

Music and Choral Art

Kenneth Mills believed that music helps people feel connected to a state of harmony. In 1976, three singers asked him for help with their voices. Soon, he was back in the world of concerts. The three singers were joined by seven others, forming The Star-Scape Singers. This group became famous for their beautiful choral music.

Star-Scape Singers' Performances

The Star-Scape Singers first performed in America at Carnegie Hall in 1981. They gave seven concerts there between 1981 and 1986. Critics praised them as a "vocal ensemble of rare distinction." In 1983, the Singers toured Europe, performing at many festivals and famous halls. A critic in Munich called their work with Mills "phenomenal."

Mills and the group completed seven long tours in Europe and the Soviet Union. In 1984, they recorded for Vatican Radio, starting the World Year of Music in 1985. Their major work, The Fire Mass, was broadcast nationwide in Canada in 1988. In 1991, they led the first non-military Victory Day Parade in Moscow.

Composing and Orchestral Works

Kenneth Mills helped create over 150 pieces for the Star-Scape Singers. He worked with composer Christopher Dedrick. In 1996, Mills began composing spontaneous orchestral music. He used MIDI keyboards to capture his instant compositions.

Critics said he blended classical and new age music styles. He aimed to make the keyboards sound like real instruments. In 2002, a CD of his orchestral music, Majestic Tonescape, was released. Musicians from the Toronto Symphony Orchestra performed on it.

Other Creative Pursuits

In February 1993, Kenneth Mills started drawing and painting. He quickly became a very active painter, creating over 200 large pictures in less than three years. Most of his paintings show huge flowers or dreamlike landscapes. They are known for their bold colors and energy. His paintings have been shown in Canada and the U.S.

Fashion Design

Mills also explored fashion design. He created a stylish line of haute couture clothes called Moulins Originales. Many of these designs were shown in a fashion show called The Integrity of Elegance. This show was recorded in high-definition television in New York City in 1993. Another show of his designs took place in Toronto in 1997.

Awards and Support for Arts

In 1992, Kenneth Mills received a Special Recognition Award. This was for the "outstanding healing power of his art," especially his music. This award came from MedArt International, a group of doctors and artists who use art in medicine.

Mills always supported the arts. In 1980, he started Patrons of Wisdom, a non-profit group. This organization helped and encouraged young classical musicians and artists. In 1997, he was named Honorary PRIME Mentor of Canada. This was for his continuous support and for being a great role model.

In 1998, Mills received an honorary doctorate degree in Humanities. That same year, the Senate of Canada gave him an Award of Excellence. This award recognized his amazing achievements in humanity, education, philosophy, and the arts.

Works by Kenneth G. Mills

Lectures (Books)

Question and Answer Encounters with Kenneth G. Mills (2008) ISBN: 978-0-919842-70-0
The Candy Maker's Son: the memoirs of Kenneth G. Mills (2007) ISBN: 978-0-919842-69-4
The Cornucopia of Substance (2004) ISBN: 978-0-919842-60-1
Change Your Standpoint ~ Change Your World (1996) ISBN: 978-0-919842-21-2
Tyranny of Love (1995) ISBN: 978-0-919842-17-5
The Key: Identity (1994) ISBN: 978-0-919842-18-2
The Golden Nail (1993) ISBN: 978-0-919842-13-7
A Word Fitly Spoken (1980)
The New Land! Conscious Experience Beyond Horizons (1978) ISBN: 978-0-919842-01-4
Given to Praise! An Array of Provocative Metaphysical-Philosophical Utterances (1976) ISBN: 978-0-919842-00-7

Lectures (Recordings)

Renaissance Man Kenneth G. Mills (2009)
The Key: Identity (2006– )
The Golden Nail (2003–2005)
Change Your Standpoint ~ Change Your World (2001–2003) ISBN: 978-91-984234-8-8
The New Land! (2001)
Freedom Is Found (1991) ISBN: 978-0-919842-12-0
The Quickening Spirit of Radiance (1990) ISBN: 978-0-919842-10-6
Near to the Fire (1979)
The Seal of Approval (1979) ISBN: 978-0-919842-03-8
The Newness of the Unchanging (1978) ISBN: 978-0-919842-02-1
The Beauty Unfoldment (1977)
Given to Praise! (1976)

Aphorisms (Short Sayings)

Food for No Thought, Vols. I and II (1999, 2000) ISBN: 978-0-919842-26-7, ISBN: 978-0-919842-29-8

Poetry

Words of Adjustment (1998) ISBN: 978-0-919842-09-0
The Tonal Garment of the Word (recording) (1995, 2002) ISBN: 978-0-919842-24-3
Embellishments (1986) ISBN: 978-0-919842-08-3
Anticipations (1980) ISBN: 978-0-919842-07-6
Surprises (1980)
Flame on the Hearth (recording) (1978, 2001)
Given to Praise: The Spontaneous Poetry of Kenneth G. Mills (recording) (1976)

Music (Instrumental Compositions)

Majestic ToneScape (2002)
Promethean Fire (2000)
Arrival of the Unexpected (1998)
Let Robots Melt (1997)

Music (Dianne Forsyth)

Lady on the Landing (1982)

Drama (Earth-Stage Actors)

Coat of Many Colors (1996)
What If You Decided to Be Real? (1989)

Documentaries

The Rapture of Being (1997)
Did You Feel It? (1993)

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