MUSIC
AMERICANA: THE 20TH CENTURY
Rod
MacDonald
DESCRIPTION: In
addition to the wars, booms, depressions, celebrations, innovations,
new freedoms and social changes of a historic time, popular music—and
especially American
popular music—emerged as an important part of modern culture in the
20th century.
From the origins
of jazz as dance, to Otis Blackwell, whose tunes made Elvis famous; from
the Andrews Sisters’ vocal acrobatics to the quiet musings of Simon & Garfunkel;
from Otis
Redding’s “Dock of the Bay” to the Africa of Disney’s
Lion King, great artists create the sound
of their times. Whether from songs for dancing, working, singing along,
falling in love or making
history, they weave a world that sings through the years. This series will
examine the work,
biographies and enduring importance of these legendary musical artists,
and attempt to sort
myth from reality with videos, excerpts from feature films, live performances,
and a few surprises.
EIGHT LECTURES:
- The Beginning: Scott Joplin; Fats Waller; Paul Whiteman
- The Songwriters: Irving Berlin; Arlen & Mercer;
Otis Blackwell
- The Voices: Andrews Sisters; Mills Brothers; Ink
Spots
- The Singers: Sarah Vaughn; Mel Torme; KD Lang
- Another America: Chet Atkins; BB King; Otis Redding
- The Modern Vocalist: Whitney Houston; Mariah Carey
- In the Fields of Gold: Simon & Garfunkel;
Sting
- The Music of Disney: Fantasia;
Mary Poppins; The Lion King
[Please note: The order and selection of films are subject to change.]
BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION:
Rod MacDonald began his singing career in the
nightclubs and coffeehouses of Greenwich Village and other areas in New York
City before
moving to Florida in 1995. Named “Best Local Acoustic Performer” by
New Times and one of “
Ten Magnificent Musicians of Palm Beach County” by the Palm Beach
Post,
he is regularly
heard on WLRN’s Folk & Acoustic Music. He performs in Florida and
throughout North America
and Europe. An LLS instructor since 2006, his previous courses include Folk
Singing in Modern
Times, The Great American Songbook, and The Roots of Rock and Roll.
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Time:
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3:45
- 5:30 pm
Thursdays, January 12, 19, 26; February 2, 9, 16, 23; March 1
Barry and Florence Friedberg Auditorium, Boca Raton Campus
$68 member/$88 non-member
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