How to Listen
A guide to understanding—and enjoying—your concert experience.
This course is intended for lifelong learners (high school age and older). No previous musical experience is necessary.
Taught by Oberlin Conservatory faculty
Beginning February 24, 2022
Registration now closed

Course Description
Through presentations and discussions followed by livestreamed concert experiences, you will gain an increased understanding and appreciation for the music you are hearing. Music discussed and performed during the course encompasses a wide diversity of composers, styles, time periods, and countries of origin—from a world premiere by Jesse Jones to Mozart's masterful Symphony No. 35.
This course is team-taught by Oberlin Conservatory faculty with concerts presented on the conservatory's Fridays at Finney series, featuring the Oberlin Orchestra and the Contemporary Music Ensemble.
CEU/Hours of Engagement: 1 CEU/10+ hours of engagement*
Course Fee: $250
Meeting Times
Classes meet on six Thursday evenings from 8:00-9:00 p.m., with concert experiences on the following six Friday evenings. Livestreamed concerts from Oberlin's Finney Chapel begin at 7:30 p.m. and are roughly 75 minutes long.
Sessions
February 24 and 25 with Michael Frazier, Visiting Assistant Professor of Composition
Jesse Jones: Wires and Wood (world premiere)
Michael Frazier: blackportrait
March 3 and 4 with Charles McGuire, Professor of Musicology
Samuel Coleridge-Taylor: Violin Concerto
with soloist Francesca dePasquale, Assistant Professor of Violin
March 17 and 18 with Joseph Lubben, Associate Professor of Music Theory
Roberto Sierra : Cancionero Sefardí
Sylvestre Revueltas: Ocho por radio
March 31 and April 1 with Andrew Pau, Associate Professor of Music Theory
John Adams: Doctor Atomic Symphony
April 28 and 29 with Jan Miyake, Associate Professor of Music Theory
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Symphony No. 35, K. 385
May 19 and 20 with Charles McGuire
Edward Elgar: "Enigma Variations," Op. 36
*Oberlin Conservatory Global does not grant CEUs but does provide verification of course content, participant attendance and hours of engagement. Participants are responsible for conveying this information to their Local Professional Development Committee in a manner consistent with their local guidelines.