The North Carolina Symphony is presenting a series of classes this fall as part of Duke University’s Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, a program for retirees in Durham, where Duke is based. Through the institute, founded in 1977, retirees may participate in activities, social events, and take classes in a variety of subjects for an annual membership fee of $35. The orchestra classes take place on eleven Mondays from September 13 to December 6, with the theme of “How a Symphony Works: The Mechanism Behind the Music.” Instructors are conductors, staffers, and instrumentalists from the orchestra. In a recent session, Deborah Nelson, the orchestra’s principal librarian, took class members behind the scenes to learn about her work; the orchestra reports that the interest level was high enough that participants kept Nelson for 30 minutes after the class ended. The symphonic series at the institute is organized by North Carolina Symphony Director of Artistic Programs and Partnerships Amy Russell, who says the orchestra plans to cover “what it takes to run the North Carolina Symphony” and “relevant topics throughout the orchestra industry today.”
Posted October 12, 2010
