Introduction to musicals

City Lit

Course

In London

£ 99 VAT inc.

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Description

  • Type

    Course

  • Location

    London

  • Start date

    Different dates available

Singing, dancing, acting, comedy, tragedy and sentiment: musicals have all these elements wrapped up in the popular styles of their time. Starting in the 1920s and focusing on stage musicals, we will look at representative shows defined by their stylistic innovations and lasting appeal. We will discover how various famous writing partnerships worked, and how some shows transcend being ‘just’ glorious entertainment and provide a touch of humanity and morality in their narrative and outcome. Tutor: Pauline Greene [external website].

Facilities

Location

Start date

London
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Keeley Street, Covent Garden, WC2B 4BA

Start date

Different dates availableEnrolment now open

About this course

- identify several key musicals as examples of their age
- discuss the use of music, lyrics, staging and singing style and how they create an effect
- compare several key musicals from different periods
- reflect on the place of the stage musical in popular culture.

- Please bring a notebook and pen.
- You may wish to buy some of the music, books or DVDs recommended in class.

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Course programme

- a brief overview of stage musicals from the 1920s
- different ways of gaining effect from music and lyrics
- musicals as escapist entertainment in their time
- changing intentions in the mid-C20th with more serious topics
- popular culture and its impact.

You will be taught using a range of techniques including short lectures, slide shows and discussions, practical demonstrations on the piano and guided listening sessions. Courses use a variety of materials including YouTube clips. Links to these are given on handouts so that further exploration may take place between classes if you wish. Occasional short preparation tasks, such as listening to a piece or reading a review, may be set from time to time. Listening and reading outside class is encouraged and once enrolled, further online resources will be available via Google Classroom.

Additional information

City Lit offers a wide range of music appreciation classes, as well as related courses in history, art history and philosophy. Next term Pauline will be teaching a course focusing on opera, Opera studies 2: Literature into Libretto (MD998), on Monday afternoons, as well as Introduction to Musical Analysis: Module 1 (MD643A) on Monday mornings. There will be further Analysis and Opera classes in the Summer Term, and one on the life and shows of Cole Porter. To find out more about music appreciation classes and to read some of our recommendations, please see the blog post Music history and appreciation: the 2018/19 programme which lists our full programme of classes listed by term, and by day of the week. You may then click on each title to read the full course outline. General information and advice on courses at City Lit is available from the Student Centre and Library on Monday to Friday from 12:00 – 19:00. See the course guide for term dates and further details

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Introduction to musicals

£ 99 VAT inc.

The best Music courses

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