A reader asked me to compare our 2011 Exploring America’s Musical Heritage program (2 DVDs) with the on-line course America’s Artistic Legacy. In terms of chronological scope, both programs cover approximately the same time period: 1600 to c. 1950. Beyond that, they are quite different … Read more
This is my third tour in the past year as Study Leader on an intense, rewarding Smithsonian Journey called “Old World Europe.” Out my window shimmers the fairy-tale façade of the Hungarian Parliament, casting its reflection upon the dark waters of the Danube. The Margarite … Read more
I was joined by Dr. Jean Rioux, professor of philosophy at Benedictine College, for a discussion of Ancient Greece and how its philosophy and culture affected the Early Christian Church. The session is part of our course on Early Sacred Music available in the Circle … Read more
I will be at the Great Homeschool Convention in Cincinnati April 24-26. All of us in the Classical Consortium will be located in one spot around our special Reading Nook where visitors can sit, relax, and converse. I hope to see you there! THE CLASSICAL … Read more
We begin the second semester of our America’s Artistic Legacy course with a general discussion of American arts entering the world stage. The video below is a supplement to the course and concerns Unit 13. The second semester of the course in American music and … Read more
A Tribute to Dr. Mary Berry 1917-2008. Sometimes you get lucky. At the beginning of the 1980s while living in Portland Oregon, I saw a notice for a two-day “chant-workshop” directed by Dr. Mary Berry. In musicology courses at the University of North Carolina, I’d … Read more
We begin our Early Sacred Music course with a general discussion of Gregorian Chant. How did the chant arise and become the standard for Christian worship in the Middle Ages? The video below is a supplement to the course and concerns Unit 1. The Early … Read more
When I saw that headline, I assumed the story would be about cats in paintings. I was pretty excited, since lots of dogs appear in masterwork paintings. But cats? The beauty of a headline is just that: it’s a headline, designed to grab attention. Somewhere … Read more
Watching the opening extravaganza at the Sochi Winter Olympics, we experienced the combination of two things not often combined in our modern culture. We saw the most opulent display of technology one can imagine used to enhance the most opulent music and dance found in … Read more
Course Announcement concerning: Early Sacred Music America’s Artistic Legacy (Semester 2) The Hangouts scheduled for Monday, February 3, will not take place because of an ice and snow storm. Our friends in Minnesota or Wyoming can laugh at how little it takes to incapacitate Texas,but we … Read more