Course Description:
In today’s busy world, music can sometimes simply become background sound to accompany whatever we happen to be doing at the moment. But by learning to listen to music more actively and consciously, we can develop a greater appreciation for this art form when we begin to hear the ‘story’ the music is telling us.
Suitable for beginners as well as those who already have some familiarity but are looking for a better understanding of classical music, the class will take an informal and interactive discussion approach. We will introduce some basic concepts and tools for listening, and then choose different pieces each week and begin to explore them together in detail.
For this semester's classes, Tom will take us inside performances being presented in the northern New Mexico area (Albuquerque, Santa Fe, and our own village of Placitas). Tom will make the selections for the first class session; then all those attending the course will participate with Tom in choosing the pieces for the remaining sessions. Participants will be asked to listen to each piece several times during the week and come to class with some familiarity with the work.
Facilitator Biography: Tom Field received his undergraduate degree in music with a specialty in classical piano performance and concert music of the 19th and 20th centuries. Although eventually pursuing a career in healthcare administration, he has continued his studies of music throughout his life. He has a passion for hearing new compositions for the first time, as well as for re-examining familiar works in order to discover new things in the masterpieces of the classical music tradition.