Ballet Appreciation - All year

Course Leader
Joe Scoglio 5472 2396

Course Outline
This course is an introduction to the world of ballet. In the first semester we will look at the lives and careers of Margot Fonteyn and Rudolf Nureyev. In the second semester we will be comparing different choreographers’ versions of well-known ballets.

Entry Criterion
None. Openness to asking questions and sharing observations.

Meeting Time
1.30 pm to 3 pm third Thursday monthly, commencing 16 February.

Venue
Private residence – contact course leader.

 

Music Appreciation - All year

Course Leader
Bruce Baud 5472 4574

Course Outline
This is primarily about listening to music rather than discussion; the music is the thing! If you like listening to a variety of Baroque, Classical and Romantic music, please join our group and hear a fine selection chosen by Bruce Baud.

Entry Criterion
Willingness to just listen to music.

Meeting Time
9.30 am to 11.30 am first Wednesday monthly (including 15 minutes tea/ coffee break), commencing 7 March.

Venue
Private residence – contact course leader.

 

Opera: Occasional Series - All year

Course Leader
Felicity & Vic Say 5472 1841

Course Outline
We will listen to full operas. After hearing complete works, we discuss and compare highlights from other performances that participants have brought. Words are available in the language sung as well as in English.

Entry Criterion
None.

Meeting Time
7 pm first Friday monthly (session length 3-5 hours). Commencing 3 February.

Venue
Private residence – contact course leader.

 

Requiem ... and then - All year

Course Leader
Vic Say 5472 1841

Course Outline
A year-long meditation on a theme that takes us on a journey through the broadest possible variety of musical styles: Gregorian Chants from 1,000 AD and before, through to works composed as late as 2008.
During four years we have listened to 17 pre-Mozart requiems, 13 works from Mozart to the mid twentieth century and 12 modern works. Some explore and push the limits of the interaction between the liturgy, human emotions of grief, fear and doubt, notions of judgement and transcendence, and the interplay between these factors, the orchestral forces, the choral forces and vocal virtuosity. Others are a calm, even joyful meditation on faith and hope.

Entry Criterion
None.

Meeting Time
1.30 pm to 3.30 pm first & third Fridays monthly commencing 3 February.

Venue
Private residence – contact course leader.

 

Singing Together - All year

Course Leader
Rae Hawkins 5472 3446

Course Outline
This is for people who enjoy singing together. Learn as you go! A wide variety of music will be provided. There is no audition – just come along and see if it suits you.

Entry Criterion
None.

Meeting Time
3.30 pm to 5.30 pm Tuesdays weekly, commencing 7 February.

Venue
Salvation Army Hall, Kennedy St, adjacent railway station.

 

Ukulele for Beginners - All year

Course Leader
Annie Wiltshire 5473 4563

Course Outline
Participants will go through basic chords, different strums and picking, and enjoy playing a range of enjoyable songs as a group. The class will be limited to six/eight participants. If a participant has to leave the class, the place will be offered to other members of U3A.

Entry Criterion
To have a ukulele for practice during the week. The class leader will advise on this. The instrument can be bought locally at a very reasonable cost. A willingness to practice and to attend classes regularly so that all members keep up with the progress of the class.
There is a cost of $5 per session to cover venue and song sheet costs.

Meeting Time
3 pm to 4.15 pm Tuesdays weekly, commencing 7 February.

Venue
Guildford Hotel, Midland Highway, Guildford.

 

Understanding Opera - All year

Course Leader
Peter Morris 5470 6593

Course Outline
An on-going class in which participants enjoy listening to extracts from opera and are informed by brief explanations of the lives and idiosyncrasies of the composers and the performers. We hope to organise a visit to a live performance.

Entry Criterion
None.

Meeting Time
2 pm to 4 pm second Monday monthly, commencing 13 February.

Venue
Private residence – contact course leader.

 

Wagner’s Ring Cycle - All year

Course Leader
Peter Morris, Felicity & Vic Say 5470 6593

Course Outline
Wagner’s ‘Ring’ will be performed in Melbourne in 2013. We will repeat many of the session shared during 2011 when we got to know the first two operas of the cycle and will get to know the other two during 2012. We will listen to CDs with libretto available to follow the words in German and English, and will watch DVDs and listen to other programs so we will be able to enjoy their dramatic complexity and musical riches live.

Entry Criterion
None.

Meeting Time
7 pm third Friday monthly (session length 3 to 5 hours). Commencing 17 February.

Venue
Private residence – contact course leader.