ADULT LEARNERS
Lifelong learning for the music lover is a goal the Conservatory embraces. Adult novices and pre-professionals may sign up for lessons in any department offering individual instruction. In addition, some departments offer class and group instruction designed specifically for the adult learner.
The Pasadena Conservatory of Music is offering an exciting and eclectic mix of music history and music theory classes for lifelong learners who want to increase their knowledge of classical and jazz music, enhance their listening skills and experience the power of music to bring joy to their lives. Enrollment in Music Theory is on an annual basis. Enrollment in Music History Courses is on a quarterly basis.
Click here to download a registration form
or register in person, 100 North Hill Ave. Pasadena, CA 91106.
Music History for Adults
History of Jazz in Los Angeles
Instructor: Ray Briggs
Tuesdays, March 19-May 21; 7-9 p.m. Fridays, March 15-May 17; 10 a.m.-12:15 p.m. This class meets weekly; students may sign up for either Tuesdays or Fridays
Los Angeles jazz is often overlooked on a national level, narrowly perceived as nothing more than the West-Coast cool style of the 1950s, but it has a longstanding history that is as rich and diverse as the ethnic population of the city itself. The jazz scene in L.A. dates back to the early twentieth century, when musicians from around the country flocked to Los Angeles and joined forces with a burgeoning community of homegrown talent. Taught by Dr. Ray Briggs—musician, ethnomusicologist, teacher, and Pasadena Conservatory of Music’s jazz department chair—this course will uncover the fascinating story of jazz in the City of Angels, by charting the regional development of the music with an emphasis on the significant styles, venues, and individuals who shaped its evolution, including legendary musicians such as Jelly Roll Morton, Kid Ory, Lionel Hampton, Duke Ellington, Benny Goodman, Charles Mingus, Buddy Collette, Eric Dolphy, Chico Hamilton, Art Pepper, Chet Baker, Gerry Mulligan, Gerald Wilson, and Ray Brown. Students will explore the early contributions of New Orleans migrants, the emergence of a thriving jazz scene in the heart of the African American community along Central Avenue in the 1920s, the halcyon era of cool jazz at the Lighthouse Café in Hermosa Beach in the 1950s, and the avant-garde period of the 1960s and beyond. In addition to a survey of the music and the people who made it, this course will consider the ways in which jazz history interweaves with the social and political history of the city, through lectures and discussions, guided listening activities, literature, and a guest performance from an L.A. jazz icon. Quarterly Price: $275/$250*
The Intimate Art of Chamber Music
Instructor: Priscilla Pawlicki
Tuesdays, April 2-June 4; 10 a.m.-12:15 p.m.
For centuries, the intimate nature of chamber music has consistently inspired our greatest composers to produce some of their finest efforts. From the duo sonatas of Bach to the remarkable string quartets, quintets, piano trios, and other chamber works of Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, Brahms, Dvorak, Bartók, Schoenberg, Shostakovich, Golijov, and Carter, we find some of the most profound and moving works in the entire literature of music. Topics include the origins and development of chamber music in the Baroque, the development of the string quartet and piano trio in the Classical period, and the diversity of styles and instrumental combinations in the chamber works from the Romantic and contemporary periods. Quarterly Price: $275/ $250*
Human Harmony: A Choral Music Sampler
Instructor: Kimberlea Daggy
Wednesdays, May 1,8,15, and 22; 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. This class meets weekly; students may sign up for either the afternoon or evening session
Choral music is a genre steeped in tradition that distills the many voices of a community into one. It has deep liturgical roots but isn’t confined to worship spaces—cities and towns all around the globe embrace choral singing, and some of the greatest composers of all time, including Felix Mendelssohn, Johannes Brahms and Edward Elgar, have written pieces for community choruses, many of which are still giving concerts. Taught by classical-music radio host Kimberlea Daggy, creator of Soul Music, the highly popular choral music radio show on KUSC, this four-week survey of choral music history will span English cathedral music, popular music in worship, community choruses, and opera choruses. Daggy will lead a comprehensive review of the genre through recordings, lectures, and even a little singing. Quarterly Price: $110/ $100* Registration deadline: April 24
*Price for students who are concurrently enrolled in another class and/ or individual instruction
Music Theory for Adults
Fundamentals of Music
Instructor: Priscilla Pawlicki
Mondays, 10 AM - 12:15, September 10 - November 26, (12 weeks)
The first in a three-course series, the class introduces students to the principles of notation, scale construction, circle of fifths, intervals, triads, seventh chords, harmonic function, simple and compound meters, musicianship skills and analysis of musical works. This course is designed to enhance the student's understanding of the language of music and is recommended for the general listener as well as those involved in instrumental and vocal study.
Harmony and Musicianship I & II
Instructor: Priscilla Pawlicki
Mondays, 10 AM - 12:15, December 3 - March 4 & March 12 - June 10 (24 weeks)
The second and third in a three-course series presents the study of harmony and musical analysis, including all scale types, chord progressions, four-part harmonization and voice-leading, cadences, non-harmonic tones, secondary dominants, figured bass, modulation and harmonization of melodies. Practical application is achieved through written assignments, analysis of music from different periods and the development of ear-training skills.
Annual Fee for Fundamentals of Music and Harmony & Musicianship (36 weeks): $990/900*
Musical Form and Analysis I, II & III
Instructor: Priscilla Pawlicki
Wednesdays, 10 AM - 11:30, September 12 - November 14, January 9 - March 13;
April 3 - June 5 (30 weeks)
Designed for students with music theory background, Musical Form and Analysis offers a study of the stylistic elements (melody, harmony, rhythm, texture), formal structures and compositional techniques in works from the Middle Ages to the present. Students will examine works from each period with most emphasis placed on compositions from the Baroque to the present. This is a three-quarter class with works of increasing complexity from all historical periods presented each quarter.
Annual Fee (30 weeks): $825/750*
*Students concurrently enrolled in individual instruction at PCM pay the reduced fee.
Individual instruction is available in the following departments:
