The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at the University of Connecticut is an academic cooperative that provides mature adults with opportunities for intellectual development, cultural stimulation and social interaction. Programs are centered around classes developed and taught by members who volunteer their time and talents to share their knowledge and interests with other members. The OLLI program also sponsors special events featuring noted authors, scholars and experts in respected professional fields.

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The History and Development of the Orchestra

September 19, 26, October 3, 10

Course Description

This course will explore aspects of the orchestra’s historical development, the instruments and instrumental families, the acoustical properties of the instruments and how composers use color for effect, particularly in program music. The course will include attendance at a WSO concert or rehearsal (with no additional charge).

Sept. 19 – The historical development of the orchestra from the Renaissance, Baroque to the Classical period, Some terminology – tutti/ concertino/ solo / concerto grosso / continuo, Introduction to the instrument families and their role in the orchestra

Sept, 26 – Development of the orchestra through the Romantic period, and into the twentieth century, the role of the conductor, intro to music on the Sept 27th concert program

Oct. 3 – Meet a musician from the WSO, including a brief performance, A musician’s life, Brief history of orchestras in the US, organizational structure of typical US orchestras, how the organization works, how programs are planned and executed

Oct. 10 – 20th  and 21st century composers - color, instrumentation, avant-garde techniques, video game music, new trends,  introduction to works by Stravinsky, Bartok, Ives, Adams and Corigliano, Pops concerts – Boston Pops, Leroy Anderson, movie music, new innovations, Current trends and beyond – the future of symphonic music

Instructors

Leif Bjaland
Currently Waterbury Symphony Orchestra Music Director and Artistic Director and Conductor of the Florida West Coast Symphony, Leif has previously served as Assistant Conductor of the San Francisco Symphony and Resident Conductor of the New World Symphony. He began his musical career as a Professor of Music at Yale University, where he served as music director of the Yale Symphony Orchestra.  Maestro Bjaland received his Master’s Degree in Music from the University of Michigan.

Fran Goldman
Fran Goldman is the Executive Director of the Waterbury Symphony Orchestra and previously held a similar position with the Jackson (TN) Symphony. She has performed as a clarinetist with the Richmond (VA) Symphony, the US Army Band of New England and Young Audiences of Virginia. She has taught music in public and private schools and at Hampton University and for three years was the Conductor of the Williamsburg Youth Orchestra. Goldman holds degrees in woodwind performance from Boston University and Norfolk State University and in Secondary Education from Old Dominion University.

Alyce Cognetta Bertz
Alyce Cognetta Bertz  enjoys being the concertmaster of the Waterbury Symphony Orchestra. Her role as the lead violinist enables her to have input into the artistic development of the strings in the Symphony. She performs chamber music in addition to her solo concerts  throughout the USA and Europe. Alyce also loves teaching young violinists in her geodesic dome in Southbury, CT.