Wildacres-ETSU Lifelong Learning
August 29 - September 2
$245 for four nights lodging and 11 meals
Includes: Program fees, four nights lodging, eleven meals and socials.
Baroque Opera: Beauty amid Distortion and Excess An informative and entertaining program led by Lewis and Marcia Songer.
Topics:
• Harmonics and Acoustics: an Introduction to How Music Works
• What is Baroque Opera?
• The Phenomenon of the Castrato
• Beverle Graves Myers’ Tito Amato books
• Deus ex Machina: the Castrato, Rather than God, in a Machine
Lewis Songer holds a doctorate in composition from the University of Missouri at Kansas City. He has many compositions, performances, and publications to his credit. Dr. Songer came to Johnson City in 1968 to teach music theory and composition at East Tennessee State University. During his 30 years there he also taught music history, acoustics and horn and served as assistant director of bands. In 1992 he spent a month in Italy and England researching castrati.
Marcia Songer holds a Bachelor of Science in Education degree from Southern Illinois University and a Master of Arts degree from ETSU. She recently retired from a thirty year career in the Department of English at ETSU. Her publications include Garrison Keillor: a Critical Companion plus numerous articles and book chapters. Recently accepted for publication is a chapter on Tito Amato entitled “For There Were Eunuchs: a Venetian Castrato as Sleuth.”
The lectures will feature historical mystery novels by Beverle Graves Myers set in eighteenth-century Venetian Opera. Lewis and Marcia will bring these stories to life for you.
Suggested advance readings: (These are all light reading. Marcia suggests that if you can read only one, that it be Interrupted Aria. Some titles are available as eBooks.)
—. Interrupted Aria. Scottsdale: Poisoned Pen Press, 2004
—. Painted Veil. Scottsdale: Poisoned Pen Press, 2005.
—. Cruel Music. Scottsdale: Poisoned Pen Press, 2006.
—. The Iron Tongue of Midnight. Scottsdale: Poisoned Pen Press, 2008.
—. Her Deadly Mischief. Scottsdale: Poisoned Pen Press, 2009.
More info: www.beverlegravesmyers.com/
What To Expect at Wildacres:
The emphasis at Wildacres is on relaxation and enjoyment.
In addition to morning and afternoon sessions with this year’s program leaders, Lewis and Marcia Songer, there are many choices to fill periods of free time: a well stocked library, hiking trails, board games, crafts, and lots of rocking chairs for quiet conversation or just gazing at the surrounding mountains. During ample free time participants may visit other nearby attractions on the Blue Ridge Parkway such as Linville Falls, Mt. Mitchell State Park, one of the nearby crafts shops, museums, or the historic orchard at Altapass.
Retreat attendees are housed in clean, comfortably furnished rooms with private baths. Towels and linens are provided. There are no televisions, phones, radios or alarm clocks in the rooms. All meals at Wildacres are served family style and the food is delicious and plentiful. The kitchen staff provides a vegetarian alternative at each meal and is good at helping others with special dietary requirements.
The traditional ACL auction, conducted by our host, Mike House, is an evening of entertainment and fun. Bring something great, silly, or just odd to be auctioned. Proceeds from the auction benefit the non-profit Wildacres Retreat Foundation.
For further information contact Wildacres at 828-756-4573 or e-mail wildacres@wildacres.org.
Fill out this form and send your check to Wildacres Retreat PO Box 280, Little Switzerland, NC 28749.
To register for this program fill out the form below and mail it along with your check to:
Wildacres Retreat, PO Box 280, Little Switzerland, NC 28749
Name__________________________________________________
Address________________________________________________
Roomate________________________________________________
Email address_____________________________________________
Special Dietary Needs________________________
Special Room Needs______________________
|
