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American Indianist and Africanist Movements in Late 19th Century/Early 20th Century Classical Music   
Instructor: Duncan MacMillan

2076   Eckerd College, Roberts Music Center
Fridays, October 31 and November 7
10:00 am - Noon

2077   Palm Harbor/Dunedin
Tuesdays, October 28 and November 4
10:00 am - Noon

A fascinating yet neglected chapter of Western music is found in both the American Indianist School of Composers and works by black Canadian, American, and English composers. A music publishing enterprise - the Wa-Wan Press - was even started up to disseminate art music based on Native American music! This class will acquaint you with such composers as Edward MacDowell, Harvey Loomis, Arthur Foote, Arthur Farwell, Nathaniel Dett, Samuel Coleridge-Taylor, Cecil Burleigh, Charles Cadman, William Grant Still, and many, many other classical composers who drew their inspiration from Native and black American musical culture.  In-class listening will include live piano performances and recorded performances of chamber music and large-scale symphonic works. 

Member: $29; Non-member: $39

Stephen Sondheim

2054   Continuing Education Center
Thursday, October 16, 1:00 - 4:00 pm

2055   Palm Harbor/Dunedin
Friday, October 17, 1:00 - 4:00 pm

Kander, Ebb, and All That Jazz
2059   First Presbyterian Church
Wednesday, December 3, 1:00 - 4:00 pm

2060   Continuing Education Center
Monday, December 1, 1:00 - 4:00 pm

2061   Palm Harbor/Dunedin
Tuesday, December 2, 1:00 - 4:00 pm

Three Opera Love Stories in Three Weeks
Instructor: Roy Dutweiller

2016   Continuing Education Center
Thursdays, November 6, 13 and 20, 10:00 am - Noon

2017   First Presbyterian Church
Thursdays, November 6, 13 and 20, 2:00 - 4:00 pm

Home Sweet Home: America’s Musical Legacy
Instructor: Joy Katzen-Guthrie

1881   First Presbyterian Church
Mondays, October 13, 20, and 27, l:30 - 3:30 pm

1882   Continuing Education Center
Tuesdays, October l4, 21, and 28, l:00 - 3:00 pm

1883   Palm Harbor/Dunedin
Wednesdays, October 15, 22, and 29, l:30 - 3:30 pm

Join us for an American History Lesson presented through the works of American writers who created every sort of music – from folk songs to hymns, patriotism to protest, social issues to civil rights, spirituals to swing, traditional to moog to motion picture scores. All the way from America’s early music to its gifted contemporary writers, we’ll experience the creativity and conscience of our nation through its diverse songs. These compositions will provide an experience of America’s history and values, its social conscience, causes, and character. From the folk songs of our ancestors to the earliest notable productions of the 18th century, and on into the ballads, marches, hymns, songs of stage and film, and popular music of later eras, we will take a journey through our country’s history by way of its music. The course will include historic recordings, video, and live performance.

Member: $39; Non-member: $59

Introduction to Opera
Instructor: Roy Duttweiler

1884   Continuing Education Center
          Thursdays, October 2, 9, and 16, 10:00 am - Noon

1885   First Presbyterian Church
          Thursdays, October 2, 9, and 16, 1:30 - 3:30 pm

The blending of voice with musical instruments adds a new dimension to the music alone, one which expands the appreciation of the piece being performed. Opera is an example of this unique type of classical music; it is a play set to music as opposed to a play conceived musically. Some may find opera difficult to understand and appreciate, but this course will surely open your eyes and ears to this fabulous art form.

There is no longer any need to be baffled by operas in a foreign language now that most theaters provide supertitles which project a translation of the text being sung onto a screen. More important, though, is the need to become familiar with this art form and to be able to sit back and enjoy the performance.

In this class, we will review the history of opera from its beginnings in the sixteenth century to the present day, including the various periods such as Baroque, Classical, Bel Canto, Romantic, Verismo, and Contemporary. We will also discuss vocal ranges from Soprano to Bass, and the variations in each. The class will include examples from current and historical CD’s.

Join with us and explore the world of Grand Opera. You will become a convert!

Member: $39; Non-member: $59

Musical Traditions 
Instructor: Joan Epstein
Thursdays, December 4, 11 and 18, 1:00 - 3:00 pm

Perhaps you’ve seen their names in the Hebrew Bible: tof, kinnor, nevel, ugav, shofar, chalel. These and other musical instruments described in ancient Near Eastern texts and depicted on old coins have evolved somewhat, but they are still in use today, not only in the Mediterranean world but also in northern European and as far east as Japan. In fact, nearly all the instruments of the modern symphony orchestra and most of the folk and classical instruments of Europe and Asia can be traced to Middle Eastern models. The traditional uses for these instruments have also endured, as you’ll discover through recordings and video documentaries.

Session 1 will introduce the instruments and explore their connection to sacred and secular dance. Session 2 will focus on their use with solo singing, both simple folk singing and elaborate narrative and court poetry presentations. Session 3 will consider how Middle Eastern music for worship and dramatic performance evolved into European and Asian classical music traditions. Expect a hands-on experience with some of the instruments, lots of interesting listening, and even the opportunity to dance.

Location: Continuing Education Center
Member: $39; Non-member: $59

Instructor: Judith Alstadter        

1875   Palm Harbor/Dunedin
Tuesdays, October 21, 28, and
November 11
1:30 - 3:30 pm

1876   Allegro at College Harbor
Thursdays, October 23, 30, and November 6
10:00 am - Noon

1877   First Presbyterian Church
Thursdays, October 23, 30, and November 6
2:00 - 4:00 pm

In nineteenth century Europe, two inter-related factors encouraged the growth of musical nationalism. Both had to do with freedom: one was related to history and political conditions and the struggles for independence in certain nations (for example, the Poles from Russia, Czechs against Austria); the other had to do with artistic freedom from prior musical traditions and vocabulary (predominantly Austro/German in symphonic and instrumental music, and Italian in vocal music), and a desire to express the individuality and national heritage of a people and nation.

Throughout Europe, people became more conscious of their history and destiny, their national character, and their individual artistic heritage. In music, this was characterized by the incorporation of national folk elements into concert works, operas, songs, and symphonic poems. Some composers based their music on songs and dances of the people (for example, Chopin in his Mazurkas and Polonaises, Liszt in the Hungarian Rhapsodies, Grieg in the Norwegian Dances); some wrote dramatic works based on historical figures or folklore (such as Russian operas by Tchaikovsky, Borodin, and Mouussorgsky); others wrote symphonic poems celebrating the scenic beauty of their country (Smetana’s “The Moldau,” about the river in Bohemia).

Some composers were able to incorporate the “flavor” of their county’s music in a broader manner, and their works are considered more universal than specialized (Tchaikovsky symphonies and piano works of Chopin and such Spanish composers as Albeniz, Granados, and de Falla). This music stirred emotions and often served as a rallying call at home, fostered national pride, developed genuinely new musical styles, and served as ambassador beyond the country’s borders. Nationalism was an important characteristic and major trend of much music of the Romantic Period.

In this course, we will examine the historical and political scenarios of a variety of countries and hear the music of composers who sought to express their love of country and to incorporate the intrinsic folk characteristics into their music.

Member: $39; Non-member: $59

2006   Classical Music Tasting
lnstructor: Bob Teares
Thursdays, October 16, 23, November 6, and 20, 10:00 am - Noon

You’ve experienced wine tasting – now experience classical music tasting! In the concert hall, even with its irreplaceable acoustics, and even on our best FM radio, we only have an opportunity to hear whole works. Rarely, if ever, do we get a chance to appreciate the choices a conductor or a soloist or even a composer is making. Also, classical music is dense; the melody retreats into a tangle of music, and much passes us by – a forest seen from a car. We often need to slow down and hear it again.

In this era of CD’s and the issuing and reissuing of many great performances from the past 70 years, it is possible to listen to short segments of a piece and then to repeat them so that differences of style and playing become apparent in the listening. By contrasting and comparing different renditions of the same themes and verses, and by proceeding at a leisurely pace, we will be able to hear aspects of the music that were just “background” before.

In this gathering for classical music friends and fans, we are going to listen to whole movements, too – as the composer intended. The works which are chosen will be familiar to many. The list includes such pieces as Beethoven’s Waldstein Sonata, Mozart’s Requiem, Bach’s Goldberg Variations, Debussy’s La Mer, Mahler’s Fifth Symphony, and more. We are going to explore just enough (jargon-free) musicology and historical background to make the music more accessible and understandable. Join us.

Location: Palm Harbor/Dunedin
Member: $39; Non-member: $59

2083   Masterworks Program
Instructor: David Irwin
Wednesdays, October 22, November 5, November 19, and December 10, 2:00 - 3:30 pm

Here is an invitation to considerably increase your concert-going pleasure. Join Eckerd College instructor David Irwin for a guided musical preview each Wednesday before four Florida Orchestra Masterworks programs. The lectures will be illustrated with musical excerpts, photos, and handouts. The concerts offer a varied list of composers including Bach, Haydn, Beethoven, Brahms, Debussy, Berg, Copland, Barber, and Corigliano.

Location: Continuing Education Center
Member: $39; Non-member: $59