EVDOL 38 - Analyzing the Great American Songbook (Part 1)

Sean Smither
What makes the works of George Gershwin, Richard Rodgers, Jerome Kern, Irving Berlin, Cole Porter, and Harold Arlen so enduring? This repertoire, which has taken a central place in jazz and musical theater, features a distinctive blend of clever wordplay and text setting, twisting harmonic progressions, and confounding departures from conventional forms. Each week, students will take apart one of the many classics of the so-called Great American Songbook to see what has made them so compelling to audiences across generations. Through hands-on study of these works, students will develop a variety of analytical tools that they can use to sharpen their performance and appreciation of these celebrated songs.

Biography: Sean Smither

This course is offered in two parts, which can be taken separately or together as a one-year course.

One Section Available | 6 Classes Total | Extension Holiday Schedule

Thursdays 6–8pm ET

November 13–December 18 (No Class on 11/27. Make up session to be scheduled by Faculty upon start of class)

In Person Only

$420

Register by Phone: (212) 799-5000 ext. 273

Our phone line is open Monday–Friday (excluding holidays), 9:00 am–5:00 pm ET.