David is offering online music classes for grown-ups, including:
Title: Ancient & Early Music Traditions
Description: We will explore a wide range of musical traditions which extend way back in history, spanning from about 60,000 BCE to 1600 CE, including music & instruments of China, Europe (Medieval/Renaissance), Greece, India, Indonesia, Japan, the Middle East, North & South America, West Africa and more. We will look at historical and cultural context, style features, and melodic, rhythmic, harmonic and formal characteristics. The class will also provide an overview of important events in world history.
8 Wednesdays: 2/21, 2/28, 3/13, 3/20, 4/3, 4/10, 5/1, 5/8
7:00 to 8:30 pm ET – video links provided to students who can’t attend at the scheduled time
Virtual via Zoom – Cheltenham Township Adult School (CTAS)
Registration/Info: https://cheltenhamtownshipadultschool.org/2023/product/ancient-early-music-traditions/
Title: 33 Revolutions per MInute: Music & Social Issues (Profiles Series)
Description: We will explore connections between music and political issues & movements for social change, and we will think critically about the varying effectiveness of political music. This is a new class with the focus on individual artists (and groups) who have created a significant body of work related to social justice and political protest, including Woody Guthrie, Paul Robeson, Pete Seeger, Nina Simone. Fela Kuti, Linton Kwesi Johnson, The Clash, Leon Rosselson, and Alphabet Rockers. The class will include a powerpoint, and in addition to recorded examples, David will also play his guitar and sing some of the songs for the class.
8 Tuesdays: 3/5, 3/12, 3/19, 3/26, 4/2, 4/9, 4/16, 4/30
7:00 to 8:30 pm ET – video links provided to students who can’t attend at the scheduled time
Virtual via Zoom – Cheltenham Township Adult School (CTAS)
Registration/Info: https://cheltenhamtownshipadultschool.org/2023/product/new-33-revolutions-per-minute-music-social-issues/
Title: Puccini’s Madame Butterfly
Description: Learn about Puccini’s opera Madame Butterfly, including biographical and historical context, story synopsis, structure, dramatic and musical highlights, and more. This opera will be performed live by Opera Philadelphia at the end of April & beginning of May, and we may be able to get discounted tickets if there is enough interest. The opera will also be shown as part of The Met in HD series in movie theaters on May 11. Learning about the opera in advance will increase your appreciation and enjoyment of the opera in performance.
1 Wednesday, 4/17
7:00 to 8:30 pm ET – video link provided to students who can’t attend at the scheduled time
Virtual via Zoom – Cheltenham Township Adult School (CTAS)
Registration/Info: https://cheltenhamtownshipadultschool.org/2023/product/new-puccinis-madame-butterfly/
Testimonials:
“Not only does he know the music inside-out, but he links it effectively to the relevant historical moment. The result is thought provoking and engaging for participants. David delivers for students with a sharp intelligence and a quiet passion for the world of music.” – Stephen Strahs
“I just want to thank you for an incredible experience, educationally and pedagogically, and in terms of the content. I can only imagine how many hours it took you to get those clips together. Your encyclopedic knowledge of the subject is just extraordinary. Every session was a delight and a pleasure. You are a marvelous teacher and affable, wonderful person, and I really look forward to studying further with you. So I want to thank you for just a wonderful experience in the last 8 weeks.” – Steven Brown
“You really put your heart and soul into the preparation of each class. Your presentation is clear and carefully considered. As holds true of your other courses I have taken, I have learned so much from you. Your music expertise shines through.” – Adrienne Borton
“David is a teacher par excellence! He is incredibly knowledgeable . Information just flows from him and you hang on his every word. A true master teacher has knowledge about all components of his topic and weaves it into one story or in his case one song. This is what David does! His pleasant demeanor makes you just want to learn more! I’m looking forward to my third course with him. If you are interested in a topic he is teaching… take it! You won’t be sorry!!” – Debbie Neibauer
“I have taken several courses with David ranging from Classical Music to “pop” music of the sixties. I cannot say enough about his mastery of his subjects, enthusiasm, ability to convey concepts, and to make students comfortable with questions and responses. He is truly an incredible teacher and musician.” – Natalie Simon
