|
- Advanced Songwriting – Online
-
Item Number: W25ARTS287
Dates: 1/14/2025 - 3/4/2025
Times: 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM
Days: Tu
Sessions: 8
Maximum Enrollment: 8
Building: Online
Room: (Zoom)
Instructor: Denny Caraher
This course is for students who have some experience with creative writing, whether it be songs, poetry, or journaling. Regardless of whether you’ve written scores of songs or have never dabbled in this unique art form, you will find support, guidance, and inspiration in these eight sessions. Each week we will take a listen to a song that is well-crafted and talk about why it works (or doesn’t). Most of each class will be given over to writing for short periods of time from prompts that will be provided. From these writings, a song will emerge, and over the week before the next class, we will share these songs with one another in a relaxed and supportive atmosphere. It is not about writing a perfect or even a “good” song. The purpose of these sessions will be to open up our creative selves and let go of the internal editor that tells us our work is not ready to share. It will be really fun and amazing to see what we create!
|
- Beginning Guitar: Chords – In-Person
-
This beginning guitar course will concentrate on chords. Each session will include learning the chords for a few easy songs, and perhaps, time permitting, some more advanced songs. Students will have the option of learning at least one song of their choice. Instruction will include the parts of the guitar, including string names, how to tune a guitar, and how to play the basic scale and basic chords. The course will include workshop sessions for individual instruction and will end with an opportunity for all students to play one song they have learned for the group.
NOTE: Students must have their own guitar and a music stand for reading music while practicing the guitar. The instructor will recommend a reference book on guitar chords.
|
- Musical Scales and Modes – In-Person
-
Item Number: W25ARTS320A
Dates: 1/27/2025 - 2/24/2025
Times: 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM
Days: M
Sessions: 5
Maximum Enrollment: 78
Building: Campbell Center
Room: Room E
Instructor: John Johnson
How do you recognize Middle Eastern music as Middle Eastern, Chinese music as Chinese, Flamenco music as Flamenco, and so on? Classical and popular music compositions have different, distinct sounds. You can easily recognize the “major” (Ionian) and “minor” (Aeolian) modes, but composers have used other scales and modes. The best way to feel these modes is to hum or sing the scales and chords, and you will have the opportunity to do this in unison with your classmates. The singing-impaired are encouraged to sign up. Musicians are also encouraged to sign up, but be warned you may be bored silly when the course covers some basic ideas and the instructor co-opts you when he needs help. The course will consist mainly of lectures using PowerPoint presentations, supplemented with sounds from the piano, computer files, and illustrations of modes and scales from the internet. Questions are always encouraged at any time!
|
- Social Singing – In-Person
-
Item Number: W25ARTS318A
Dates: 2/5/2025 - 3/12/2025
Times: 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Days: W
Sessions: 6
Maximum Enrollment: 34
Building: Campbell Center
Room: Room A
Instructor: Brooke Friendly
Singing together is one of the more joyful things in life. Come sing in an informal and interactive session, no matter your experience or skill. We’ll sing traditional songs with fine choruses and refrains — sea songs, work songs, drinking songs, love songs, shanties, silly songs, and easy rounds from the U.S., Canada, and England. Chorus tunes will be taught by ear, and all singing will be done acapella. Most chorus words will be provided.
|
- The Music of Béla Bartók – In-Person
-
Item Number: W25ARTS121A
Dates: 2/11/2025 - 3/11/2025
Times: 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Days: Tu
Sessions: 5
Maximum Enrollment: 63
Building: Campbell Center
Room: Room E
Instructor: Tony Davis
Béla Bartók (1881-1945), whose symphonic and chamber music is still widely performed, was a leading composer of the first half of the 20th century. A convinced modernist, his musical inspiration nonetheless stems equally from the vanishing world of traditional Balkan folk music--which he was one of the first to document for the wider world. In the five sessions of this course, we’ll explore his lyrical and original voice as expressed in works such as Concerto for Orchestra, “Music for Strings, Percussion, and Celesta,” his piano concertos, and his six masterful string quartets.
NOTE: Listening to some of the music outside of class is encouraged but not required. Chamber Music Concerts in Ashland is presenting Bartók’s String Quartet No. 3 in 2025. Some online videos are available to enhance class sessions as well. Familiarity with classical music and its terminology will be helpful but is not necessary.
|
- The Music of J. S. Bach: The Cantatas – Online
-
Item Number: W25ARTS329
Dates: 2/13/2025 - 3/13/2025
Times: 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM
Days: Th
Sessions: 5
Maximum Enrollment: 299
Building: Online
Room: (Zoom)
Instructor: Peggy Evans
This is the second in a series of courses on the music of J.S. Bach, this time focusing on the nearly 200 extant cantatas, usually sacred works for choir, soloist or soloists, plus orchestra. The course will examine Bach’s life and background, and characteristics of the Baroque period. The role which the cantatas played in church services will be looked at. No previous experience is necessary. PowerPoint with YouTube examples will be used.
|
