(336) 725-0651

(610) 866-3340

info@moravianmusic.org

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Moravian Music Foundation

Preserving, Sharing, and Celebrating Moravian Musical Culture

Classes at the Archie K Davis Center Directions>

Classes In-Person

Classes are participatory and for youth and adults by Kyle Johnston
West Side Moravian Church
402 3rd Ave, Bethlehem, PA

Moravian Chants

CANCELLED

June 28, 2025
1:00pm – 3:00pm

Class Details

Included in earlier Moravian hymnals and tunebooks are “Chants for the Litany” – come learn about this specific style of chant, the Moravians that practiced (and who may still practice it) and try it out for yourself! Music will be provided.

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Free; registration required.

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Moravian Chorales, Old and New

In-Person

July 26, 2025
1:00pm – 3:00pm

Class Details

We are all familiar with the tradition of Moravian Chorales, but did you know that there are far more Moravian Chorales that exist that don’t appear in our Chorale books today? Come join us in playing familiar Moravian Chorales, and exploring chorales pulled from historic Moravian sources. All instruments are welcome! Please specify your instrument during registration so we can have music for you!

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Free; registration required.

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Moravian Tunebooks

In-Person

August 23, 2025
1:00pm – 3:00pm

Class Details

Most Moravians will recognize the name Christian Gregor and his Choralbuch which is where much of the Moravian music tradition is pulled from, but did you know there have been more Moravian tunebooks since then? Peter Wolle in America, and Christian LaTrobe in Britain, both published their own tunebooks, building on Gregor’s foundation.  For this program we will be joined by singers from the Lehigh Valley Shape-Note singers, who will help us in singing from these tunebooks in the American Tunebook style. Come and experience Moravian music in a new way! Music will be provided.

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Free, registration required.

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Upcoming Classes

Registration is not yet active, but here are some dates to save in your calendar.

September 26 – Intro to Music Theory
(Kyle Johnston)

October 24 – Phonetic Alphabet
(Kyle Johnston)

November 21 – Hymnwriting
(Kyle Johnston)

Music History

Classes for all ages by Christopher Ogburn, PhD, Executive Director and Staff Musicologist of the Moravian Music Foundation. Read more…
Everyone is welcome! Comenius Music classes are free; donations accepted.
ONLINE classes are LIVE but do NOT have an in-person option.

ONLINE Class
Reading Music

Tuesdays at 12:00pm(EDT) ZOOM
Spend your lunchtime learning about music!
Please sign up to receive the Zoom link.

September 2 – 23, 2025
4 Classes

Zoom Class Details

Country Music: A History

Reading and writing basic music notation. Fundamentals of tonal music, including key signatures, scales, circle of fifths, modes, rhythm, intervals, and chords. Emphasizes terminology and basic musical concepts.

Sept 2
Sept 9
Sept 16
Sept 23  

When: Tuesdays (12:00pm)
4 weeks; 4 classes
Where: on Zoom

Classes are FREE and open to all.

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ONLINE Class
The Romantic Period

Tuesdays at noon (EDT) ZOOM
Spend your lunchtime learning about music!
Please sign up to receive the Zoom link.

Sept 17 – Oct 15, 2025
5 Classes

Zoom Class Details

History of Western Music; Classical

For this course, we will be examining the music of the Romantic Period, approx. yrs 1820 to 1910. Romantic composers sought to create music that was individualistic, emotional, dramatic, and often programmatic; reflecting broader trends within the movements of Romantic literature, poetry, art, and philosophy.

Sept 17
Sept 24
Oct 1
Oct 8
Oct 15

When: Wednesdays (12:00pm)
5 weeks; 5 classes
Where: on Zoom

Classes are FREE and open to all.

Sign Up for Classes >>

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.

Music Theory: An Introduction to Triads and Seventh Chords

4 Classes
Tuesdays at 1:00 pm at the AKD Center (Winston-Salem, NC)
IN-PERSON

Class Details

In this course, we will examine the triad: what it is, how it is constructed, and what is its purpose. If you have ever wondered why certain notes sound nice together and others do not, what major or minor refers to, or what people mean when they talk about “harmony” then this course is for you. NOTE: This class is a continuation of the Music Theory 101 course taught in Fall 2024; however, you do not need to have attended that class to participate in this one. You should be able to read music but otherwise do not need any additional theory background. 
Classes:
2/18 ; 2/25 ; 3/4 ; 3/11

As always, Comenius Music Academy courses are FREE and open to all.

Feb. 18 – March 11, 2025

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Music Theory: An Introduction to Chord Progressions

4 Classes
Tuesdays at 1:00 pm at the AKD Center (Winston-Salem, NC)
IN-PERSON

Class Details

In this course, we will explore how chords follow one another. This is a crucial step in the process of learning how composers construct their music, while also preparing us for writing our own compositions. While you do not need to have taken any of our previous theory courses to attend, you should be able to read music and have familiarity with triads, major and minor scales, and roman numeral analysis.
Classes:
3/25 ; 4/1 ; 4/8 ; 4/15

As always, Comenius Music Academy courses are FREE and open to all.

March 25 – April 15, 2025

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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.

Modern

November 7 – Dec 12, 2024

Class Details

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

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In-Person Class

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Romantic

Completed for 2024

Class Details

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

Classical

Completed for 2024

Class Details

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

ONLINE Class
The Renaissance Period

Mondays at noon (EST).
Come spend your lunchtime learning about music!

ZOOM Class Details

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.

November 4 – 25, 2024

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ONLINE Class
The Medieval Period

Mondays at noon (EST).
Come spend your lunchtime learning about music!

ZOOM Class Details

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 14, 2024
Completed for 2024

Classes at the Archie K Davis Center

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Introduction to Hymn-writing

ONLINE
May 9, 2025 – 12:00pm
Free, registration required

Moravians published the first hymnals and have been writing hymns in countless languages for centuries. This course will introduce the class to basic elements you need to consider as you write your text or music.

Sign-Up to Receive the Zoom Link

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Classes Online

Classes for all ages by Kyle Johnston, Associate Director, Bethlehem Office

Free; Everyone is welcome!
Please sign up to receive the Zoom links.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Who organizes programming for the Winston Salem branch of your group? I would love to connect with that person to discuss an idea.

    Reply

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