Verbatim quotes from evaluations of their Fall 2014 Skirball course (all ratings 4 & 5 out of 5):
“I looked forward to you every week. I want to sign up again!”
”I sat there smiling or singing for 360+ minutes over the 4 classes – even learned some things.”
"Informal, informative, fun."
"The course was fun, and I learned so much. It’s clear that the instructors love what they’re teaching.”
“I liked that they let us participate."
“Hope they teach other classes soon.”
“What I liked most was the knowledge, talent, and sense of humor of the instructors.”
The Heritage of the American Songbook
This multimedia course uses lectures, live piano artistry, videos, photos, and sing-alongs to bring alive the music that is at the root of the American Songbook. Meet the pioneers of Tin Pan Alley, that iconic turn-of-the-century New York phenomenon that was more than real-estate – it was the birthplace of a style of song we know and love: short-and-sweet, with a simple musical story that’s easy to remember and easy to sing and play. Explore golden folk music and the fascinating life and charming music of the first professional American songwriter, Stephen Foster. Ask and discover ‘”Where in the world did that American popular song come from?” – it may have been England, Germany, Italy, France, Sweden, Israel, Armenia, Russia, or the Caribbean. Uncover the Latin roots of popular American hits – sambas, rhumbas, bassa novas and other romance rhythms from Mexico, Cuba, Brazil, and Spain that were popularized by Sinatra, Day, Bing, the Dorsey brothers, and other top entertainers. Hear how pieces by Chopin, Mozart, Tchaikovsky, Liszt, and other classical masterworks entered the mainstream of American popular music – as they were reborn through the talents of Disney, Jolson, Presley, Diamond, and other show biz greats and made their way into our movies, TV shows, record collections, and everyday lives. Delight in the re-birth of blues and jazz after its origins in spirituals and work songs and emergence in New Orleans after the Spanish-American war -- as W. C. Handy, Ella, Louis, Cab, Duke, Count, Lady Day, and other legends broke new ground and influenced artists like Frank Sinatra and Peggy Lee to carry on that rich heritage.
SKIRBALL CULTURAL CENTER LEARNING FOR LIFE
2701 North Sepulveda Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90049
Wednesdays, Six 90-minute multimedia sessions
April 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 & May 6, 1:30-3:30PM
$150 General, $120 Skirball Members
REGISTATION NOW OPEN ONLINE: - Look under "EDUCATION" and then "LEARNING FOR LIFE"
-or- PHONE: (310) 440-4500 ext. 2