Courses and Workshops

Like all of us, composers are affected by their experiences as human beings. Some are inspired by love, others by drugs, and more still by war — always a part of human existence but never on the monumental scale as in the 20th century. How have some of the world's greatest composers absorbed, responded to, and uniquely expressed the human condition? That's what this class will explore.

Members will have weekly listening assignments and learn to articulate their emotional reactions to the music.

Faculty Bio

Stephen Schultz is Teaching Professor of Music History at Carnegie Mellon University. He is principal flute with the Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra and Musica Angelica and performs with other leading Early music groups such as Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra, Apollo's Fire, Portland Baroque Orchestra, Wiener Akademie, and Chatham Baroque. Concert tours have taken him throughout Europe and North and South America with featured appearances at the Musikverein in Vienna, Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles, Royal Albert Hall in London, Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, Teatro Colón in Buenos Aires, Carnegie Hall, and the Library of Congress.

This is a Livestreamed + Recorded Course

• Classes will stream live on the scheduled day and time.
• Classes will also be video recorded.
• You must be a current OLLI @Berkeley member to register. Learn about membership, including our fee assistance program.

Schedule Highlights

• Course starts on Monday, April 1, and ends on Monday, May 13
• Classes meet for 6 weeks, 1.5 hours per session (1:00 - 2:30 PM)
• There is no class on Monday, April 29.
• Videos will post on Fridays in Member Dashboards
• All course materials, including videos, will remain available to view and enjoy through May 31

Member Praise for Stephen Schultz

As a true beginner I was delighted that this instructor made everything understandable and relatable.His lectures were wonderful, full of interesting biographical details about the composers that helped me visualize the work being played. 

Great music accompanied by wonderful history and commentary.

Faculty Q&A

• Read an interview with Stephen Schultz from our archive.