In this 3-week music appreciation lecture series and Great Lakes Chamber Orchestra’s “Violins of Hope” concert attendence, participants will survey the music of Jewish classical composers throughout history and explore the elements of Hebrew folk music traditions that have found their way into classical, popular and jazz styles.
Each week's lecture will culminate in a discussion of the specific pieces of music to be featured in the Great Lakes Chamber Orchestra’s “Violins of Hope” concert. Course registration will include tickets to the Orchestra’s concert on April 25th, 2026. Class will have reserved seats together. To see concert description Click here.
April 6th Lecture - A survey of Jewish composers in Western Music
From Felix Mendelssohn to Gustav Mahler and Arnold Schoenberg; from George Gershwin to Aaron Copland and Leonard Bernstein; from Irving Berlin to Carole King and Paul Simon, some of our most beloved, innovative and inspirational music has been created by composers raised in the Jewish faith, and steeped in its musical traditions. Participants will listen to and discuss musical excerpts.
April 13th Lecture - An exploration of Hebrew Musical Traits
Many musical stylistic characteristics, as well as specific scales, structural forms and genres, such as Klezmer, have Hebraic origins. Course attendees will examine these characteristics through recorded excerpts.
April 20th Lecture - Violins of Hope
The Great Lakes Chamber Orchestra concert on April 25th will feature works by Dmitri Shostakovich, Marcus Paus, Noah Bendix-Balgley and John Williams. This lecture will include musical excerpts of the specific works to be performed, with emphasis and musical characteristics and historical context. Familiarity with these pieces’ style and substance will enhance participants’ experience of the upcoming concert, allowing them to more fully enter into the musical worlds conveyed.
April 25th Performance night - "Violins of Hope"
(Tickets included in course registration fee)
Time: 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Location:
Great Lakes Center for the Arts
800 Bay Harbor Dr.
Petoskey, Michigan
***Course registration cancellations are non-refundable within 2 weeks of class start date***
Owen James is a vocalist, guitarist, pianist and music instructor, with over 30 years of performing and teaching experience. In addition to performing in cafés, clubs and concert halls across the U.S., he has offered private and group lessons in voice, guitar and jazz improvisation. No matter the setting, his chief goals are to educate and inspire those around him, to share the love of music and to create opportunities, through music, for personal growth, self-expression and communication.
