MUS B67 - Rhapsody in George Gershwin

Course Description

George Gershwin set the bar for the best of American music. By looking at the range of his work: popular songs, to music for stage and screen, to compositions for the concert hall and opera, we will try to gain an understanding of his musical genius. The class will view videos, consult audio archives, and refer to texts for historical context and to show the impact of his work. We will also explore his identity and the challenges he faced as a wellspring for his incredible creative drive that transformed our cultural landscape and expanded “the American Songbook.” Taught by David Y. Chack, a theatre professor at The Theatre School at DePaul University and a proud longtime instructor at Oakton’s Alliance for Lifelong Learning.