Advantages of In-Person
Here are a few advantages of attending the in-person music listening courses I teach:
- In addition to more well-known music, there are beautiful and accessible pieces of music we listen to that you are unlikely to ever hear performed in a live concert. Why? There aren't enough performers or concerts to cover all the great music that has been written, so the "standard repertoire" is only a subset of all music that deserves to be played regularly.
- That said, I strongly encourage course participants to attend live music performances whenever possible, as I myself do. This is the best way to support our classical musicians, and there is no substitute for the rich experience of a live performance. I always include information about upcoming concerts featuring music of the composer we are learning about. I'm hoping my courses will lead to greater (and more frequent) attendance at live orchestral and chamber music performances in our community and beyond.
- I have a lifetime of experience curating the best recorded performances of the pieces we listen to in class. Many of these performances and recordings are better than what you will find on YouTube, or randomly through streaming sites.
- We journey through each composer's life and music chronologically, giving you an uncommon and deeper perspective into their musical development and the life events that influenced their work.
- We listen to about 45-50 minutes of music during each 90-minute class, with presentation and discussion filling out the remainder.
- Professional (and amateur) musicians are busy people, performing and preparing to perform. I guess you could call me a highly experienced listener, and in class we listen to wonderful music that includes some great pieces you have never heard—even if you are a professional musician. There is something for everyone in these classes, whether you are a casual listener, a professional musician, or somewhere in between.
- I encourage class participation, and each time a class member shares additional information with us (or asks a question), it enhances the class experience for all of us, including the instructor.
- We listen to entire movements or sections of a work, and sometimes the entire work. No short audio snippets here!
- In addition to listening to music on a high-quality stereo system, I show presentation slides, play video clips, and provide handouts in class. I also send out detailed weekly emails to the class.
- These courses are a great opportunity in our increasingly isolated, superficial, and dehumanized society to meet other wonderful people with whom you will discover many shared interests. And, for those who have the time and inclination, we often go out after class to a nearby restaurant for food and conversation.
