A Celebration of Classical Music
Course Description: This course provides an engaging and informative overview of classical music from the Renaissance Period to the present day. From household names such as Johann Sebastian Bach, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Ludwig van Beethoven, and Johannes Brahms to numerous less well-known, yet also highly influential composers, we will explore the music, history, composers, legacy, and broader significance of classical music.
History of the Guitar
Course Description: The guitar is one of the most popular musical instruments in the world, yet is rarely the subject of extensive historical study. In this course, the history of the guitar will be traced from its varied origins to the developments and innovations that enabled the guitar to become what it is today. The guitar boasts a rich and multifaceted history, from guitarists and composers such as Gaspar Sanz, Mauro Giuliani, Fernando Sor, Francisco Tárrega, and Andrés Segovia to luthiers Louis Panormo, Georg Staufer, Antonio de Torres, C. F. Martin, and numerous others.
Music of the Classical Period
Course Description: This course provides an engaging and informative overview of the Classical Period in music history. The Classical Period boasts some of the most famous names in classical music, including Franz Joseph Haydn, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, and Ludwig van Beethoven. In this course, we will explore the lives, music, and legacy of these composers, as well as other perhaps less familiar, yet also highly influential composers and musicians. Learn about the history, music, performance practices, and broader significance of this important period in music history.
The Beatles and Beyond: Exploring the Music, Influence, and Legacy of an Iconic Band
Course Description: The Beatles need no introduction. More than 1 billion records sold, 19 No. 1 albums on the Billboard 200 chart, their albums have stayed at No. 1 for a total of over 300 weeks in the United States and the United Kingdom combined, and that’s just scratching the surface. As Billboard writer Keith Caulfield states, “there are The Beatles… and then there’s everybody else.” In this course, we will explore and analyze the music of The Beatles, with a focus on how they revolutionized and expanded notions of what pop and rock music could be, paving the way for today’s artists. As we will see, The Beatles also made numerous innovations in songwriting and recording technology, drawing from a wide range of musical cultures and traditions to create their singular sound. Learn about the music, achievements, and enduring influence of The Beatles!
Theory of Rock
Course Description: Have you ever wanted to know why your favorite rock songs sound the way they do or how they were constructed? If so, you’ve come to the right course! In this course, we will explore and analyze rock music by a variety of iconic rock bands including The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, The Rolling Stones, Queen, and Pink Floyd (to name a few). Along the way, we will learn about composition, music theory, music history, orchestration, form, and instrumentation, and how to apply these concepts to gain a better understanding of the rock songs we know and love.