In light of the unexpected loss of our friend and colleague, Bruce, we will not be holding a Comenius Music Academy class this week. We will resume next week on Thursday, August 15, with an updated schedule.
Thank you for the outpouring of support and prayers. We are immensely grateful.
Classes at the Archie K Davis Center “>Directions>
History of Western Music
Classes for all ages by Christopher Ogburn, PhD, the Director of Programming and Resident Musicologist of the Moravian Music Foundation
Everyone is welcome!
As always, Comenius Music classes are free; donations accepted.
In-Person classes do NOT have a remote option.
Classical
Aug 1 – 29, 2024
A History of Western Music; The Classical Period
Approx. yrs 1750 to 1820
When: Thursdays (1:00pm)
5 weeks; 5 classes
Where: Archie K. Davis Center, 457 S Church St. Winston-Salem, NC
Please Sign Up below
In-Person Class
Romantic
Sept 19 – Oct 17, 2024
A History of Western Music; The Romantic Period
Approx. yrs 1820 to 1910
When: Thursdays (1:00pm)
5 weeks; 5 classes
Where: Archie K. Davis Center, 457 S Church St. Winston-Salem, NC
Please Sign Up below
In-Person Class
Modern
Nov 7 – Dec 12, 2024
A History of Western Music; The Modern Period
Approx. 1890 to 1975
but also encompasses what we often group as 20th century music. This may include subcategories:
Impressionism
Expressionism
Modernism
Post-Modernism
Contemporary
When: Thursdays (1:00pm)
5 weeks; 5 classes
Where: Archie K. Davis Center, 457 S Church St. Winston-Salem, NC
Please Sign Up below
In-Person Class
Comenius Music Academy
Music Theory & Composition
Music Theory 101: An Introduction
8 Classes
Every other Tuesday at 1:00 pm at the AKD Center (Winston-Salem, NC)
IN-PERSON
In this course, we will be learning the basics of music theory. No prior experience required! Some of the topics that we will cover include how to read different clefs, rhythm, key signatures, intervals, major and minor scales, and simple/compound time signatures. Classes:
- 9/3
- 9/17
- 10/1
- 10/15
- 10/29
- 11/12
- 11/26
- 12/10
As always, Comenius Music Academy courses are FREE and open to all.
Sept 3 – Dec 10, 2024
Introduction to Part Writing: Finding our Compositional Voice
8 Classes
Every other Tuesday at 1:00 pm at the AKD Center (Winston-Salem, NC)
IN-PERSON
This course will serve as an introduction to learning how to compose. We will cover the rules of part writing and begin the process of writing our own music. Along the way we will explore the following topics: harmonic progressions, inversions, and cadences. Classes:
- 9/10
- 9/24
- 10/8
- 10/22
- 11/5
- 11/19
- 12/3
- 12/17
The course is open to all, although you should be able to read music prior to enrolling. As always, Comenius Music Academy courses are FREE and open to all.
Sept 10 – Dec 17, 2024
Comenius Music Academy ONLINE
To reach those who can’t come to the AKD Center in Winston-Salem, we are excited to offer virtual versions of our classes. These courses will be offered live on Zoom and will cover a range of topics. ONLINE classes are LIVE but do NOT have an in-person option.
ONLINE Class
The Medieval Period
Mondays at noon (EST).
Come spend your lunchtime learning about music!
History of Western Music; Medieval
Beginning on September 16, we will kick off our virtual academy with a 4-part course on music in the medieval period! Although frequently maligned and often misunderstood, the medieval period laid the foundation upon which all subsequent music stands. As we delve into this period, we will discuss the invention of music notation, Notre Dame polyphony, and the place of music within its social, political, and cultural contexts. Please join us as we uncover the origins of the music we know and love today.
This course is the first part of a series exploring the history of Western music. Upcoming courses will focus on the Renaissance, Baroque, Classical, Romantic, and Modern periods. As always, Comenius Music Academy courses are FREE and open to all.
Sept 16 – Oct 7, 2024
ONLINE Class
The Renaissance Period
Mondays at noon (EST).
Come spend your lunchtime learning about music!
History of Western Music; Renaissance
Continuing with our series exploring the history of Western music, we will be turning towards music during the Renaissance. Consciously looking back to the Classical world, while simultaneously rejecting art of the medieval period, the Renaissance opened new pathways for music. Over the 4-week class, we will be examining the impact of the printing press, the birth of the Protestant Reformation, and the role of Humanism in shaping how we still think about music today.
Please note that attending the medieval course is NOT a requirement. All are welcome to come and join us whenever they can!
This course is the second part of a series exploring the history of Western music. Upcoming courses will focus on the Baroque, Classical, Romantic, and Modern periods. As always, Comenius Music Academy courses are FREE and open to all.
Nov. 4 – 25, 2024
Who: The courses will be taught by Christopher Ogburn, PhD, the Director of Programming and Resident Musicologist of the Moravian Music Foundation (MMF). Prior to coming to the MMF, Ogburn taught and lectured at Manhattan College and LaGuardia Community College, before joining the faculty of Central Piedmont Community College, Charlotte, NC as Instructor of Music. He has over a decade of experience teaching courses in both music history and theory.
Classes at the Archie K Davis Center
Generous Support for MMF Education
is provided by
Mark & Heather Johnson
Jan Amos Comenius
John Amos Comenius (1592–1670) was a Czech educational reformer and religious leader connected to the Unitas Fratrum (considered the spiritual ancestors of the Moravian Church). Known as the father of modern education, he is remembered today for his innovative teaching methods as well as his passionate advocacy for universal education. The Comenius Music Academy pays homage to the legacy of learning in the Moravian Church and the championing of education for all.
PAST CLASSES:
Music Theory 1 (intermediate)
When: Tuesdays (1:00pm) for 10 weeks.
Where: Archie K. Davis Center, 457 S Church St. Winston-Salem, NC 27101
10-week class on Tuesdays at 1:00 pm (AKD Center) Jan. 23 – June, 2024
Topics covered include:
• Intro to Triads and Seventh Chords
• Diatonic Chords in Major/Minor Keys
• Voice Leading
• Harmonic Progressions
• Triad Inversions
• Music Forms
PLEASE NOTE: you can join us in this class whether you took the Introduction to Music Theory class offered in Fall 2023 or not. That was not a prerequisite. To get the most out of this class, you should be able to read music. Topics that were covered in the Introduction to Music Theory course that you may want to review include: key signatures, intervals, major and minor scales, and simple/compound time signatures.
To register, please complete the following form:
History of Western Music; The Baroque Period
When: Thursdays (1:00pm)
Where: Archie K. Davis Center, 457 S Church St. Winston-Salem, NC 27101
5-week class
May 2 – 30, 2024
Explore the history and literature and music during the Baroque (1600–1750) period. Although derided by later historians, the Baroque period was a time of immense change that laid the foundation for music as we know it today. After all, this was the time of Bach, Vivaldi, and Handel. Join us over the next 5 weeks as we examine the birth of brand-new genres, the emergence of modern tonality, the rise of instrumental music, and new ideas about the possibilities of music as an art form.
All are welcome; there are no prerequisites.
As always, Comenius Music Academy courses are FREE and open to all.
To register, please complete the following simple sign-up form:
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