lectureslist

Here is a list of lectures Rod MacDonald has given for "Music Americana" and "Folksinging In Modern Times" at Osher/FAU Lifelong Learning Society (LLS) and the Wolfsonian Museum. Each presentation includes edited videos, research materials, and in some cases, live singing. As lectures have been updated, these titles represent the latest versions of each topic, with higher quality videos.

--In Search Of Greatness (Winter 2024)
1. The Great Songwriters: Irving Berlin, Carole King
2. American Classics: Aaron Copeland, The Kronos Quartet
3. Historic Voices: Billy Holiday, Judy Collins
4. Curtain Call: Harry Belefonte, Gordon Lightfoot
5. Sixty Years Ago: The Beatles, Louie Louie & The Kinks
6. Diversity On Broadway: South Pacific, Kimberly Akimbo
7. The Beauty Of Music: Burt Bachrach, Silk Road Ensemble
8. The Spectacular: Elton John, Taylor Swift

--The Birth Of Rock & Roll (Fall 2023)
1. Fats Domino, Little Rifhard, Jerry Lee Lewis
2. Bill Haley, Chuck Berry, Buddy Holly
3. Elvis Presley, Roy Orbison
4. Doo Wop, The Every Bros, Connie Francis

--Old & New Favorites (Winter 2023)
1. Virtuosity: Joshua Heifetz, Martha Argerich
2. Birth Of The Blues: Ethel Waters, Etta James, Amy Winehouse
3. When Swing Was King: Duke Ellington, Artie Shaw
4. Folk Then & Now: Leadbelly, Josh White, Rhiannon Giddens
5. Britain On Broadway: My Fair Lady, Six
6. The Art Of Novelty Songs: Roger Miller, Ray Stevens, Weird Al
7. Love, Marriage & Pop Music: Fleetwood Mac, Abba
8. The Golden Voice: Jose Carreras, Leonard Cohen

--The New 21st Century Music (Fall 2022)
1. Keepers Of The Flame: Neil Young, Dave Grohl
2. The Beauty of Harmony: Celtic Women, Pentatonix
3. Young Guys With Old Songs: Michael Buble, John Legend
4. The Modern Guitarist: John Pizzarelli, Tommy Immanuel

--The New Golden Age (Winter 2022)
1. The Russians Are Coming: Pyotr Tchaikovsky, Anna Federova
2. The Singing Cowboys: Gene Autry, Roy Rogers, Ian Tyson
3. Blondes Of Jazz: Peggy Lee, Diana Krall
4. A History of Doo-Wop: The Orioles, The Moonglows, Dion
5. Classic Rock: Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd
6. Storytellers: Jimmy Buffett, Garth Brooks
7. The New Broadway Musical: Moulin Rouge, Ain't Too Proud
8. Simply The Best: Aretha Franklin, Tina Turner

--Roots & Acoustic Music (Fall 2021)
1.Rhythm & Pop: Ben E King, The Drifters, Lieber & Stoller
2.Folksingers Then & Now: Buffy Saint Marie, Muddy Waters
3.Guitar Gods: Chet Atkins, Mark Knopfler
3.Living Legends: Dolly Parton, The Band

--Music For The Ages (Winter 2021)

1.The Russians Are Coming: Sergei Rachmaninoff, Igor Stravinsky
2.Blues And The Opera: Porgy & Bess, Ella Fitzgerald
3.The Art Of Confession: Edith Piaf, Joni Mitchell
4.The Swingers: Frank Sinatra, Harry Connick, Jr
5.The Horn Section: Miles Davis, Branford & Wynton Marsalis
6.Smart Guys With Guitars: Buddy Holly, Paul Simon
7.The New Broadway Musical: The Producers, The Band’s Visit
8.The Legacy: Joan Baez, Bruce Springsteen

-- The Music Of Modern Times (Fall 2020)

1.The Wisdom: Leonard Bernstein, Arlo Guthrie
2.The Motown Women: The Marvelettes, Supremes, Martha & Gladys
3.The Wordsmiths: Stephen Sondheim, Jackson Brown
4.The Next Wave: Andrea Bocelli, Shakira, Ariana Grande

--A Lifetime Of Song (Winter 2020)

1. More Than A Song: Paul Robeson, Dimitri Shostakovich
2. Historic Voices: Marian Anderson, Maria Callas
3. The Words Of Poets: Woody Guthrie, Bob Dylan
4. The Great Story: A Star Is Born, Bohemian Rhapsody
5. Genius At Work: Ray Charles, Stevie Wonder
6. The Sweetest Sound: Crosby Stills & Nash, Rod Stewart
7. The New Broadway Musical: Bob Fosse/Gwen Verdon, Hadestown
8. No Time For Crying: Nina Simone, Mavis Staples

--The Music Of Modern Life (Fall 2019)

1. The Big Easy: Louis Armstrong, The Neville Brothers
2. The Fabulous: Carol Channing, Jackie Wilson
3. The Wordsmiths: Tim Rice, John Prine
4. The Exotics: The Gypsy Kings, Peter Gabriel

--In Search Of Greatness 4 (Winter 2019)

1. Song & Dance Men: Al Jolson, Sammy Davis, Jr.
2. Unforgettable Voices: Judy Garland, Miriam Makeba
3. The New Classical Music: Luciano Pavarotti, Yo Yo Ma
4. The Art Of Rock & Roll Guitar: Chuck Berry, Keith Richards
5. The New Broadway Musical: Hello Dolly, Come From Away
6. Truth To Power: Pete Seeger, John Lennon
7. Dueling Divas: Bette Midler, Renee Fleming
8. The Producers: Phil Spector, George Martin

--The Gift Of Popular Music (Fall 2018)

1. At The Keys: Fats Domino, Dave Brubeck
2. The Singers: Gene Kelly, Dinah Washington
3. Blow That Horn: John Coltrane, Chet Baker, Thelonius Monk
4. At The Podium: Bernard Herrman, T-Bone Burnett
5. The Golden Voices: Roy Orbison, Linda Ronstadt
6. The New Broadway Musical: Kander and Ebb, Dear Evan Hansen
7. Keepers Of The Flame: Billy Joel, Tom Petty
8. The Cutting Edge: Philip Glass, Laurie Anderson

--In Search Of Greatness 3 (Winter 2018)

1. By Request: Duke Ellington, Eddie Cantor, Jimmy Durante
2. The Giants: Andres Segovia, Vladimir Horowitz
3. Classic Voices: Sarah Vaughn, Johnny Mathis
4. Truth To Power: Peter Paul & Mary, Harry Chapin
5. How Can I Keep From Singing: Barbra Streisand, Carly Simon
6. Into The Mystic: George Harrison, Van Morrison
7. Religion On Broadway: Fiddler On The Roof, Book Of Mormon
8. Poets And Muses: Leonard Cohen, Alicia Keys

--Music Americana: Pioneers Of Popular Music (Fall 2017)

1. The Art Of Jazz: Stan Kenton, Modern Jazz Quartet
2. The Voices: Jo Stafford, Shirley Jones, Anne Murray
3. The Vocal Art: Lambert Hendricks & Ross, 4 Seasons, Jersey Boys
4. Guitar Gods: Jeff Beck, George Benson, Leo Kottke
5. The Art Of Rock Singing: Cher, Joe Cocker, Madonna
6. To Jam Or Not To Jam: The Allman Brothers, Steely Dan
7. The New Broadway Musical: Stephen Schwartz, Kinky Boots
8. The New Golden Age: Paul Winter, Carlos Nakai, Enya, Tommy Immanuel

--Music Americana: In Search Of Greatness 2 (Winter 2017)
1. The Legacy: Ella Fitzgerald, Nat King Cole, Natalie Cole
2. The Songwriters: Johnny Mercer, Paul McCartney
3. The Legends: Sam Cooke, Jimi Hendrix, Prince
4. The New Classical Music: Pierre Boulez, Seiji Ozawa
5. Truth To Power: Joan Baez, Cat Stevens, U2
6. Women On Top: Tina Turner, Adele
7. The Whole Story: Amadeus, Hamilton (The Musical)
8. The Survivors: Bruce Springsteen, The Beach Boys

--Music Americana: The Gift Of Popular Music (Fall 2016)
1. The Rock Of Ages: Jerry Lee Lewis, Leon Russell
2. The Singers: Marilyn Monroe, Patti Page, Christina Aguilera
3. Sound The Trumpets: Dizzy Gillespie, Maynard Ferguson, Chris Botti
4. Behind The Curtain: The Wrecking Crew, Muscle Shoals
5. The Songwriters: Gordon Lightfoot, Neil Young
6. In Search Of Modern Man: David Bowie, Sting
7. New Stars Of Broadway: Audra McDonald, Kristen Chenoweth, Kelli O’Hara
8. Guitar Gods & Goddesses: Santana, Bonnie Raitt

--Music Americana: In Search Of Greatness (Winter 2016)
1.    The Golden Voice: Frank Sinatra, Frankie Laine
2.    The Art Of Confession: Edith Piaf, Joni Mitchell
3.    The Kings Of Rock & Pop: Elvis Presley, Michael Jackson
4.    The Queens Of Blues & Soul: Bessie Smith, Aretha Franklin, Beyonce
5.    The Jokers: Groucho Marx, Allen Sherman, Mel Brooks
6.    The Great Bands: The Rolling Stones, The Eagles
7.    Shoot Out The Lights Part 2: Stephen Sondheim, Andrew Lloyd Webber
8.    Still On Top: Willie Nelson, James Taylor

--Music Americana: The Art Of Popular Music (Fall 2015)
1. Behind The Song: Cahn & Van Huesen, Jim Webb
2. Women Who Sing: Doris Day, Dinah Shore, Lesley Gore
3. The Super Conductors: Leonard Bernstein, John Williams
4. The Decision Makers: Mitch Miller, Clive Davis
5. Women Who Rock: Janis Joplin, Laura Nyro, Linda Ronstadt
6. The Vocal Instrument: Placido Domingo, Bobby McFerrin
7. Women On The Verge: Idina Menzel, Jesse Mueller, Jackie Evancho
8. The Beautiful Sound: Itzhak Perlman, Bill Evans, Astor Piazzolla

--Music Americana: The Legacy Of Popular Music (Winter 2015)
Hit Songs From Film--Harry Warren, Yip Harburg, Henry Mancini
To Jazz Or Not To Jazz— Lena Horne, Nina Simone, Diana Krall
Let It Be Love--Everly Brothers, Carole King
Songwriting Singers--Donovan, Van Morrison, Rod Stewart
Behind The Curtain--Julie Andrews, Marni Nixon, Alison Krause
The Art Of Reinvention--Tony Bennett, Elton John
The Cutting Edge--Pat Metheny, Yo Yo Ma, Lady Gaga
The Rebirth Of Disney--The Little Mermaid, Aladdin, Frozen

--Music Americana: The Search For Inspiration (Fall 2014)
The First British Invasion: Jule Styne, George Shearing
The Gracious Host: Sammy Davis Jr, Andy Williams
The Hit Songwriters: Weil & Mann, Marilyn & Alan Bergman
At the Piano: Oscar Peterson, Herbie Hancock
The Sound Of Love: Darlene Love, Dionne Warwick, Bernadette Peters
Guitar Heroes: Glenn Campbell, Mark Knopfler & Dire Straits
The Modern Musical: Hair, Les Miserables
The 21st Century: Josh Groban, Mumford & Sons

--Music Americana: Rediscovering Music On Film (Spring 2014)
1. The Songs of Jerry Herman: Mame, Oh Dolly, La Cage Aux Folles.
2. Behind The Scenes: All My Loving, Charlie Is My Darling, Monterey Pop. Acclaimed 1960s documentaries on the Beatles, Rolling Stones, Janis Joplin.
3. T Bone Burnett: Producing Music for O Brother, Cold Mountain, Walk The Line, Inside Llewelyn Davis and other films.
4. Rediscovering The Lost: Buena Vista Social Club, Searching For Sugarman.

--Music Americana: A Century In Song (Winter 2014)
The New Century: Gilbert & Sullivan, Rogers & Hart
American Classics: George Gershwin, Aaron Copeland
The Voices: Boswell Sisters, Anita O'Day, Roberta Flack
The Liberation Of Soul: Ray Charles, Righteous Brothers
Leonard Bernstein Presents: Liberace, Glenn Gould, Dave Brubeck
For The Ages: Barbra Streisand, Eva Cassidy
Passing The Torch: Pete Seeger, Bob Dylan, Arlo Guthrie
Another World: Antonio Carlos Jobim, Leonard Cohen

--Music Americana: Studies In Popular Music (Fall 2013)
The Grand Tradition: Paul Whiteman, Branford & Wynton Marsalis
Birth Of The Blues: Ethel Waters, Dinah Washington, Etta James
From Broadway To The Brill Building: Frank Loesser, Lieber & Stoller
Love, Marriage & Pop Music: Fleetwood Mac, Abba
They Call It Country: Kenny Rogers, Garth Brooks, Martina McBride
Shootout On The Big Stage: Theo Bikel, Patti Lupone, Michael Crawford
Still Rockin’: Eric Clapton, Bruce Springsteen
The Next Generation: Liza Minelli. Natalie Cole, Norah Jones

--Music Americana: Legends Of Popular Music (Winter 2013)
When Jazz Was Pops: Louis Armstrong, Bing Crosby
The Beauty Of A Song: Cole Porter, Johnny Mercer, Hoagy Carmichael
Dueling Divas: Billie Holliday, Diana Ross, Lady Sings The Blues
Growing Pains: Bobby Darin, The Monkees
The Music Of Laughter: Victor Borge, Smothers Brothers, Steve Martin
Sunshine Supermen: The Beachboys, CSN & Y, The Eagles
Curtain Call: Andrew Lloyd Webber, Renee Fleming
After The Fall: Lennon, Harrison, Starr, McCartney

--Music Americana: Mastery Of The Art (LLS Fall 2012)
When Jazz Was King: Gene Krupa, Harry James, Helen Forrest
Unforgettable Voices: Ethel Merman, Nana Moskouri, Julio Iglesias
Writing For The Big Stage: Jerome Kern, Stephen Sondheim
The Art Of Singing: Johnny Mathis, Celine Dion
The British Invasion: Herman’s Hermits, The Moody Blues, The Bee Gees
Telling A Story: Jim Croce, Harry Chapin, Don McLean
The Piano Men: Randy Newman, Billy Joel
The New British Invasion: Adele, Amy Winehouse, Susan Boyle

--Music Americana: The Twentieth Century (LLS Winter 2012)
In The Beginning: Scott Joplin, Fats Waller, Paul Whiteman
The Songwriters: Irving Berlin, Arlen & Mercer, Otis Blackwell
The Voices: Andrews Sisters, Mills Brothers, Ink Spots
The Singers: Sarah Vaughn, Mel Torme, KD Lang
Another America: Chet Atkins, Otis Redding, BB King
The Modern Vocalist: Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey
In Fields Of Gold: Simon & Garfunkel, Sting
The World Of Disney: Fantasia, Mary Poppins, The Lion King

--Music Americana: The Enduring Magic Of Song (LLS Fall 2011)

Writing for the Stage: Gilbert and Sullivan; Lerner and Loewe
Singing for the World: Edith Piaf; Josephine Baker; Lena Horne
Smooth as Silk: Fred Astaire; Dean Martin
The Hit Makers: Neil Diamond; Rod Stewart; Sade
Mo’ Motown: the Temptations; the Supremes; Marvin Gaye
Genius at Work: Quincy Jones; David Foster
Keepers of the Flame: Michael Feinstein; Harry Connick, Jr.
Leave ’Em Wanting More: Marx Brothers; Mambo Kings

--Music Americana: The Roots Of Rock And Roll (LLS Fall 2008, LLS Winter 2011)

Jazz With a Kick--Count Basie, Glenn Miller, Cab Calloway
Vocalists With A Sweet Spot--Frank Sinatra, Moonglows, Big Mama Thornton
Rhthym, Blues & Race-- Fats Domino, Little Richard, Jerry Lee Lewis, Pat Boone
Guys With Guitars --Les Paul, Bill Haley & The Comets, Chuck Berry
Enter The King--Elvis Presley, Connie Francis
The Crooners--The Platters, Buddy Holly, Roy Orbison
The British Invasion--The Beatles, The Four Seasons
Folk Rock & Acoustic Rock--Bob Dylan, James Taylor, Eric Clapton

--Music Americana: Legends of American Music & More (LLS Fall 2010)

Begin With A Song--George & Ira Gershwin, Rogers & Hammerstein
Strike Up The Band--Dorsey Brothers, Artie Shaw, Leonard Bernstein
Click Your Heels--Judy Garland, Nat King Cole, Nina Simone
Jazz Goes Blonde--Peggy Lee, Rosemary Clooney, Diana Krall
Love’ll Keep Us Together---The Everly Brothers, Bachrach & David, Ike & Tina Turner
At Long Last Motown--Smokey & The Miracles, Stevie Wonder
The Greatest Show On Earth--James Brown, Elton John, Michael Jackson
Leave ‘Em Laughing--Spike Jones, Tom Lehrer, Michael Buble

--Music Americana: Selected Topics (LLS June 2010)
1. The Talent Scouts: John Hammond, Ahmet Ertugan
2. We’ll Sing In the Sunshine: Beach Boys, CSN & Y, The Eagles, Florida artists
3. Speaking Truth To Power: Bob Dylan, The Dixie Chicks, Bono, Live Aid
4. Folk Singing in the 21st Century: Dan Zanes, Bruce Springsteen, Taylor Swift

--Music Americana: Legends of American Music (LLS Winter 2010)
Making Jazz From Blues: Duke Ellington, Billy Strayhorn, Ella Fitzgerald
The Hot Stuff: Benny Goodman, Charlie “Bird” Parker, Louis Prima
The Old Heartland: Jimmie Rodgers, Hank Williams, Dolly Parton
Teenagers in Love: The Ronettes, Sonny & Cher, Carole King
Dueling Divas: Barbra Streisand, Bette Midler
The Great American Hero: Pete Seeger, Jimmy Buffett, Bob Marley
The Rise Of Pop Classical Music: Pavarotti, Andrea Bocelli, The Tenors
Woodstock Redux: The Who, Creedence Clearwater, Richie Havens

--Music Americana: The Great American Songbook (LLS Fall 2009)
Living Jazz & Blues: Louis Armstrong, Bing Crosby, Stormy Weather
The High Life: Cole Porter, Johnny Mercer, Hoagy Carmichael
Surviving Jazz: Miles Davis, Dave Brubeck, Round Midnight
Soul To Spare: Sam Cooke, Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin
Teen Idols Grow Up: Tony Bennett, Bobby Darin, Beyond The Sea
Straight From The Heart: Patsy Cline, Willie Nelson, Bonnie Raitt
On The Bus: Jefferson Airplane, The Doors, The Grateful Dead
Ladies & Gentlemen: The Rolling Stones, The Band, The Last Waltz

--Music Americana: Fim & American Music (LLS June 2009)
Lecture 1: Duel of the Divas: Billie Holliday, Diana Ross, “Lady Sings The Blues”
Lecture 2: Bob Dylan, Movie Star: “Don’t Look Back”, “I’m Not There”
Lecture 3: Roots Music In the Big Time: Muddy Waters, “Cadillac Records”
Lecture 4: The Beatles in the Movies: “Help”, “Hard Days’ Night”, “Yellow Submarine”

--Music Americana: Legends of American Music (LLS Winter 2009)
The Folk groups: The Kingston Trio, The Weavers, A Mighty Wind
The Songs: Harry Belafonte, John Jacob Niles, Songcatcher
The Roots: Josh White, Leadbelly, O Brother
The Hard Times: Ramblin’ Jack, Woody Guthrie, Bound For Glory
The Revival: Joan Baez, Peter, Paul & Mary.
The Songwriters: Simon & Garfunkel, Joni Mitchell
The Voice: Judy Collins, Leonard Cohen, John Denver
The Legacy: The Chieftains, Johnny Cash, Walk the Line

--Music Americana: The Roots Of Rock And Roll (LLS Fall 2008, LLS Winter 2011)

Jazz With a Kick--Count Basie, Glenn Miller, Cab Calloway
Vocalists With A Sweet Spot--Frank Sinatra, Moonglows, Big Mama Thornton
Rhthym, Blues & Race-- Fats Domino, Little Richard, Jerry Lee Lewis, Pat Boone
Guys With Guitars --Les Paul, Bill Haley & The Comets, Chuck Berry
Enter The King--Elvis Presley, Connie Francis
The Crooners--The Platters, Buddy Holly, Roy Orbison
The British Invasion--The Beatles, The Four Seasons
Folk Rock & Acoustic Rock--Bob Dylan, James Taylor, Eric Clapton

--Folksinging in Modern Times (LLS Winter 2008 Port St Lucie)
Lecture 1: Folk groups: The Weavers, the Kingston Trio.
Lecture 2: Folk in the 1950s: Harry Belafonte, Odetta.
Lecture 3: The new tradition: Joan Baez, Peter, Paul & Mary.
Lecture 4: The Songwriters: Buffy Saint-Marie, Bob Dylan, Donovan.
Lecture 5: The Poets: Phil Ochs, Simon & Garfunkel, Paul Simon.
Lecture 6: The Life & Times: Judy Collins, Leonard Cohen, John Denver.
Lecture 7: Up From The Delta: Robert Johnson, Mississippi John Hurt, and the blues.
Lecture 8: Carry It On: Richie Havens, Arlo Guthrie, Tradition in the 21st century.

--Folksinging in Modern Times III: Personal Journeys (LLS Winter 2007)
1. Welcome To The Music Business: Planet Of The Apes, John Hammond
2. The Greenwich Village Folksingers: the ‘60s, ‘80s and now
3. The Impact of Native American Music & Philosophy
4. Songs of War, Peace, and the aftermath of September 11, 2001
5. Performers as Political Spokespersons: Does It Work?
6. The UK, Italy and Eastern Europe: Clancy Brothers, The song "Auschwitz", Zalman a Spol
7. We’ll Sing In the Sunshine: Beach Boys, CSN & Y, The Eagles, Florida artists
8. The 21st Century Folk Revival: Bruce Springsteen, Old Time Music Redux

--Folksinging in Modern Times II: Film & Folk Music (LLS Fall 2006)

Lecture 1: Song Collecting in Appalachia: The Carter Family, John Jacob Niles, Songcatcher
Lecture 2: In The Tradition: Bill Monroe, Elizabeth Cotton, Leadbelly, O Brother Where Art Thou
Lecture 3: Road Warriors: Ramblin’ Jack Elliott, Tom Paxton, Bound For Glory
Lecture 4: Folk Groups Then & Now: Ian and Sylvia, The Highwaymen, The Weavers’ Wasn’t That A Time, A Mighty Wind
Lecture 5: It’s A Brave New World: Joe Hill, John Prine, Masked and Anonymous
Lecture 6: Women Speak Up: Joni Mitchell, Holly Near, Coal Miner’s Daughter
Lecture 7: Another World: The Chieftains, The Boys and Girl from County Clare, Genghis Blues
Lecture 8: Modern Troubadors: Townes Van Zandt, Johnny Cash, Heartworn Highways, Walk the Line

--Folksinging in Modern Times I (LLS Winter 2006)

1. Folk Groups: The Weavers, the Kingston Trio and Peter, Paul and Mary.
2. Folk in the 1950s: Harry Belafonte and Leadbelly, Odetta.
3. The New Tradition: Joan Baez, Buffy Saint-Marie and Bob Dylan.
4.  Up From the Delta ‘60s Style: Robert Johnson, Mississippi John Hurt and Dave Van Ronk.
5.  The Poets: Phil Ochs, Simon & Garfunkel, Paul Simon.
6. The New Interpreters: Tom Rush, Judy Collins and Don McLean.
7.  Freedom Across the Pond: The Clancy Brothers with Tommy Makem, Ewan McColl, Dougie MacLean and Zalman a Spol.
8. Later On: Judy Collins, Tom Paxton, John Prine and new artists of note.

Lectures For the Wolfsonian Museum, Miami Beach, FL
September 2008: Songs of Freedom, a performance lecture