Quick Classes for Teens & Adults

The Conservatory offers several concert-themed mini-courses each semester! Each class explores a particular concert, composer or era which is being presented by Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, the Florentine Opera, or the Conservatory. These classes meet for 1-2 weeks and include a ticket to a concert or production. Conservatory Quick Classes give students the opportunity to explore and learn about a wide variety of musical styles in classes that run from 2 to 6 weeks.

Johannes Brahms: Ein Deutsches Requiem & Igor Stravinsky: Symphony of Psalms $33

Johannes Brahms’s German Requiem is his largest work in any genre, predating his First Symphony by several years. More concerned with comforting the bereaved than praying for the dead, Brahms—with his wide knowledge and profound appreciation of the Bible—chose his own texts from Martin Luther’s translation. This deeply moving work is loved by choruses, orchestras, and audiences the world over.

Igor Stravinsky’s Symphony of Psalms is one of the great works of the 20th century, in any genre. Commissioned by the Boston Symphony in 1930, its conception and scoring—for mixed chorus and an orchestra with no violins, no violas, and no clarinets—are unlike a symphony in the conventional sense. In it, the composer achieves the exemplary balance of intellect and clear eyed emotion that marks his best works. Tuition includes a ticket to the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra performance on Friday, April 30, 2010 at 8:00pm. 2 wks.

Prospect Ave. • FRI. 12-12:55pm • 4/23 & 4/30/10
7661 Instructor: J. Mark Baker

Listening to New Music $35

(Present Music Ticket Holders $20) Present Music’s Artistic Director, Kevin Stalheim, and Third Coast Digest Arts Reporter Tom Strini team-up to share how they listen to new music. Learn about young composers that most of the world is just finding out about, and take a deeper look at the music of one of America’s leading living composers, John Adams. Tuition includes a ticket to Present Music’s concert, Omnivorous Furniture, at 7:30pm on 3/27/10

Prospect Ave. • WED. 6:00-7pm • 3/17 & 3/24/10
Instructors: Kevin Stalheim 3/17; Tom Strini 3/24

Giuseppe Verdi: RIGOLETTO $33

Rigoletto, the first of Verdi’s operas to indicate the range of his lyric genius, was also the first to occupy a permanent place in the repertory of every opera house. A tale of violence illuminated by a father’s love for his daughter, through an endless progression of lyric beauty including one of the most brilliant coloratura arias and one of the greatest vocal quartets ever written. Tuition includes a ticket to the Florentine Opera performance on Friday, May 21, 2010 at 7:30pm. Box lunch available for $6. 2 wks.

Prospect Ave. • FRI. 12-12:55pm • 5/14 & 5/21/10
7662 Instructor: Phillip Pearl

Gustav Mahler: Symphony No. 3 in D minor $33

Gustav Mahler’s monumental Symphony No. 3 is a colossal apotheosis of nature. Its unique scoring calls for a symphony orchestra, solo mezzo soprano, children’s choir, and chorus of women’s voices. From its substantial, tempestuous first movement to the cosmic serenity of the closing sixth, Mahler conjures up nature imagery, both in its visible beauties and in the symbolic manifestation of humanity’s inner earthiness. Tuition includes a ticket to the Milwaukee Symphony performance on Friday, June 4, 2010 at 8:00pm. 2 wks.

Prospect Ave. • FRI. 12-12:55pm • 5/28 & 6/4/10
7663 Instructor: J. Mark Baker

Predecessors of the Guitar $60

Quick Class! Discover the roots of the Guitar! This class will survey the music and study the tablatures of the lute, vihuela, and baroque guitar. Recently built instruments based on historic designs will be used along with recordings to demonstrate how the music actually sounded. Students will have an opportunity to play from the various tablatures on their own instruments. 6 wks.

Prospect Ave. • THU. 7-7:55pm • Starts 2/11/10
7920 Instructor: George Lindquist

Listening to Jazz: The Music of Blue Note Records $60

Quick Class! An astounding array of great figures in jazz made their mark on Blue Note Records, a label founded and run with a passion and reverence for the music. We’ll explore the tremendous variety of standard-setting recordings in their catalog, from early success with traditional master Sidney Bechet, through the bop and hard-bop of Thelonious Monk, Miles Davis, Art Blakey, and Horace Silver, the modernistic milestones of Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, and Joe Henderson, to the contemporary sounds of John Scofield, Norah Jones, and others. 6 wks.

Prospect Ave. • TUE. 7-7:55pm • Starts 2/9/10
7923 Instructor: Paul Silbergleit

Listening to Jazz: Great Vocal-Instrumental Partnerships $60

Quick Class! Many a prominent jazz singer has shared the stage or studio with an outstanding instrumentalist as their counterpart in song, giving us such pairings as Billie Holiday with Lester Young, Nancy Wilson with Cannonball Adderley, and Johnny Hartman with John Coltrane (not to mention the likes of Chet Baker with himself). Come hear how these and other voice-instrument duos entwine their sounds in classic performances. 6 wks.

Prospect Ave. • TUE. 7-7:55pm • Starts 3/23/10
7924 Instructor: Paul Silbergleit

Turntablism 101 $60

Quick Class!
Here’s a workshop for the person who has never stepped in front of a turntable and wants to learn the basics. Turntablism 101 is a combination of lecture, demonstration and hands on experience. It is ideal for people who are interested in becoming DJs, as well as for those looking for a new hobby. Students will learn equipment set up and break down, practice basic hand to record and cross fader techniques, mixing and scratching. Hip Hop and turntablism history and the application of basic music theory are also included. Equipment and records will be provided. 2 wks.

Prospect Ave. • SAT. 10am-12:55pm • 2/20 & 2/27/10
7943 Instructor: Jordan Lee “DJ Madhatter of the Rusty P’s”

Prospect Ave. • SAT. 10am-12:55pm • 4/24 & 5/1/10
7944 Instructor: Jordan Lee “DJ Madhatter of the Rusty P’s”