Vocal Appreciation Classes 2017-18
REGISTER HERE
Wednesdays
March 7, 14, & 21 • 7:30 - 9:00 pm
Lincoln Hall Room 225, PSU
$40 for all three classes
Door Price: $18 per class
WHAT’S IN A SONG?
A class for all kinds of vocal chamber music enthusiasts. No prior knowledge required!
More About the Class
Opera for the Hesitant’s Founder Theresa Koon will delve into vocal chamber music encompassing the startling contrast of musical styles included in Lawrence Brownlee’s FOCM concert. The moving, self-reflective poetry of Heinrich Heine’s early period will be featured in Dichterliebe, (A Poet’s Love), by Robert Schumann. Composed in 1840 during Schumann’s glorious Year of Song, this cycle represents the height of the Romantic Movement in music and poetry—despite Heine’s eventual rejection of that style. From Dichterliebe we will move on to the powerfully creative music of Tyshawn Sorey. His newest vocal work, “Cycles of My Being”, was composed for Lawrence Brownee using a text by poet Terrence Hayes. This work will receive it’s world premiere one week prior to Brownlee’s concert in Portland. Dr. Sorey’s compositions draw on a variety of influences from Jazz to World Music to delicate improvisation, venturing beyond all of them to a world of his own. The class will include performances by mezzo-soprano Hannah Penn, bass-baritone Damien Geter and pianist Susan McDaniel—who will help introduce us to the contrasting sound-scape of Lawrence Brownlee’s concert.
Raves for the Class!
Here are a few of the many comments we have received from past attendees of the class:
“Ms. Koon’s ability to express her thoughts both orally and vocally made the class a delight.”
“I learned so much that I had not heard about before in my long musical life.”
“The quality of the performances, and the way Theresa made it all so accessible were wonderful.”
“Having Theresa’s lecture supplemented by the artists’ performances and comments made each class a wonderful experience.”
“Theresa is so knowledgeable and so skilled at drawing out comments from the audience.”
