Music Appreciation and Performance
Rod MacDonald began his career as a singer/songwriter in Greenwich Village, NY in 1973. He has 21 songs in the Smithsonian Folkways collection and has released 12 CDs of his own songs, including 2018’s “Beginning Again” and three CDs with the Palm Beach County band Big Brass Bed. He performs in festivals, clubs and concerts locally and throughout North America and Europe and was named “Best Local Acoustic Performer” in Broward and Palm Beach counties by the New Times and “one of the ten magnificent musicians of Palm Beach County” by the Palm Beach Post. An instructor with Osher LLI at Florida Atlantic University since 2006, his previous series include Music Americana, The Great American Songbook and The Roots of Rock and Roll.
Learn more about Rod at www.rodmacdonald.net.
Music Americana: In Search of Greatness 4
From sheer talent, pioneering a new direction, or
outselling all their rivals, a few artists are widely
regarded as foremost practitioners of their art. Their
songs are legendary through the years, their styles are
imitated, but never surpassed, and their triumphs
and losses are brilliantly conveyed through their
music. From the exuberance of Sammy Davis to the
glamour of Bette Midler, from the power of Pavarotti
to the poetry of John Lennon, from the September 11
shock of "Come From Away" to George Martin’s quiet
work of recording historic music, great musical artists
inspire us in our time, and set the standard for future
generations of musical performers.
This course will examine the work, biographies and
enduring importance of these musical artists and
attempt to sort myth from reality, using updated
videos and excerpts from feature films, live
performances and a few surprises.
Eight Lectures
- Song and Dance Men - Al Jolson, Sammy Davis, Jr.
- Unforgettable Voices - Judy Garland, Miriam Makeba
- The New Classical Music - Luciano Pavarotti, Yo Yo Ma
- The Art of Rock & Roll Guitar - Chuck Berry, Keith Richards
- The New Broadway Musical - Hello Dolly, Come From Away
- Truth to Power - Pete Seeger, John Lennon
- Dueling Divas - Bette Midler, Renee Fleming
- The Producers - Phil Spector, George Martin
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| Course # W8T4 — Full 8 Weeks
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| Place: | Auditorium, Lifelong Learning Complex, Jupiter Campus |
| Dates: | Tuesdays, January 15, 22, 29; February 5, 12, 19, 26; March 5 2019 |
| Time: | 3:45 - 5:15 PM |
| Fee: | $80 / member; $110 / non-member |
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Register Now
Music Americana: The Songs of Johnny Mercer
The favorite songwriter of John Lennon, Johnny Mercer
wrote some of the greatest lyrics sung by Louis Armstrong,
Frank Sinatra, Judy Garland, Hoagy Carmichael and many
others, winning four Academy Awards. From the dreamy
images of “Lazybones” to the wordplay of “Jeepers
Creepers,” from the barstool weariness of “One For My
Baby” to the wary manifesto “That’s Life,” he topped the
charts and radio waves with witty, soulful and insightful
lyrics co-written with top composers of his time. Today, the
Songwriters Hall of Fame calls its top honor The Johnny
Mercer Award, remembering the “Man of a Thousand
Songs,” his work as popular as ever.
Join Rod MacDonald & The Humdingers for a fun and low-decibel tour through the lives, music and genius of these unique artists, as told in their songs.
About the band:
- Rod MacDonald, guitar, has 12 CDs of his songs,
including 2018’s “Beginning Again,” heard on WLRN’s
Folk and Acoustic Music. He performs frequently in
South Florida and throughout North America and Europe
and is a lifelong devotee of popular song. He has been an
instructor with Osher LLI since 2006.
- Bill Meredith, drums, is the backbone of several Palm
Beach County rock and roll bands, including Big Brass
Bed and Illumination. He has toured throughout the U.S.
and Canada, and appears on more than a dozen CDs.
- Brad Keller, keyboards, has performed at the Montreux
Jazz Festival and with Maynard Ferguson and the Ink
Spots. He is the jazz piano instructor at Palm Beach State
College and has taught music in Palm Beach County
public schools for 20 years. He is also the co-author of the
“Jazz Cats” books used internationally to introduce
young students to jazz.
- Doug Lindsey, bass and vocals, has been playing in south
Florida bands for 30 years.
- John Smotherman, lead guitar, plays with Big Brass Bed,
solo, and with several Palm Beach County bands. His
exquisite solos caused the
Palm Beach Post
to label him one
of the "ten magnificent musicians of Palm Beach County."
Register Early! There is a $5 charge for registering on the day of a one-time lecture or event.
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| Course # W1R4 — One Time Event
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| Place: | Auditorium, Lifelong Learning Complex, Jupiter Campus |
| Dates: | Thursday, January 17 2019 |
| Time: | 7 - 8:30 PM |
| Fee: | $25 / member; $35 / non-member |
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Register Now
