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The Joy of Choral Music

1 day, 9:30 am - 4:30 pm, or 4 weeks x 1.5 hours

choir

From Handel’s Messiah to Orff’s Carmina Burana, choral music has always thrilled and inspired us. We sing in choirs for important occasions, for celebrations and mourning, and when we want to speak together with one voice. This music appreciation course provides a guide to understanding and enjoying Western choral music in all its glory, with a look at its most common forms, including the Mass, the Requiem, the oratorio and the cantata. We will also explore the history and development of choral music, from Medieval Gregorian chant to the haunting beauty of Arvo Pärt. For beginners and experienced listeners alike.

Course Outline

Session 1

  • An introduction to choral music
  • Choral voice types
  • Texture in choral music: How the voice types work together in four-part harmony
  • Choral music in the Middle Ages
  • Gregorian chant and the Medieval Modes

Session 2

  • Choral music in the Renaissance
  • The music of Palestrina
  • The Mass
  • Choral music in the Baroque Period
  • Vivaldi: Gloria
  • Bach: Mass in B minor, Matthew Passion
  • Handel: Messiah

Session 3

  • Choral music in the Classical Period
  • Mozart: Coronation Mass
  • Interlude: The Oratorio
  • Haydn: The Creation
  • Beethoven: Choral Symphony, Ode to Joy
  • Choral music in the Romantic Period
  • Mendelssohn: Elijah
  • Brahms: The German Requiem

Session 4

  • The Requiem
  • Mozart, Verdi and Faure Requiems
  • Choral music in the Twentieth Century
  • Elgar: The Dream of Gerontius
  • Mahler: Symphony of a Thousand
  • Walton: Belshazzar’s Feast
  • The choral music of Benjamin Britten
  • The Cantata
  • Orff: Carmina Burana

Music we will listen to includes

  • Bach: Mass in B minor, Matthew Passion
  • Mozart: Requiem, Coronation Mass
  • Handel: Messiah
  • Part: Berliner Messe
  • Orff: Carmina Burana
  • Vivaldi: Gloria
  • Haydn: The Creation
  • The music of Palestrina
  • Beethoven: Choral Symphony, Ode to Joy
  • Brahms: The German Requiem
  • Elgar: The Dream of Gerontius
  • Mahler: Symphony of a Thousand
  • Walton: Belshazzar’s Feast
  • The choral music of Benjamin Britten
  • Faure: Requiem
  • Verdi: Requiem
  • Mendelssohn: Elijah
Book cover, The Joy of Choral Music

Buy the course notes for this class

In hard copy book form, through Lulu Press
$22 + postage

Comments

“Delightfully animated, non-snobby and pleasantly flexible presentation. Excellent management of breaks also, and approachability much appreciated.”

“I enjoyed the day immensely, finding that the information given was interesting for those already knowledgeable, but not leaving the novices confused. I would look for a similar day in another area of music.”

“Tutor was excellent – knowledgeable, enthusiastic, clear. Lots of well-chosen musical examples. Good handout. She encouraged us to ask questions and answered them all patiently.”

“Great to participate with a sharing of ideas”

“Perfect – or as-good-as-possible teaching”

About Susan Deas

Susan Deas is a professional musician, lecturer and teacher. She has been teaching music appreciation courses for more than twenty years, through Sydney University’s Centre for Continuing Education, WEA Sydney and at other venues. Her training includes a Bachelor of Music with a major in Performance (Piano) and Musicology, a Master of Music Studies (Studio Pedagogy), a Bachelor of Arts (Communications), and an A.Mus.A in Musicianship. Susan teaches piano and music theory to adults and children, and plays piano and organ at various venues around Sydney. Susan is an Accredited Member of the Music Teachers’ Association of NSW.

More about Susan’s qualifications

Read what people have said about Susan’s other courses

Susan’s other music courses