Class Description
Could a 40,000-year-old bone flute reveal how Paleolithic humans thought and behaved? Why did Moroccan musicians play the banjo in 1970s protest music? In this online seminar, we explore musical instruments as windows into global history, culture, and creativity, from the prehistoric to the present. We examine the stunning artisanship of instruments like the North Indian taus and the complex ritual significance of the Shona mbira in Zimbabwe. We discuss the ivory, tortoiseshell, and endangered woods once used to manufacture many instruments—as well as the sustainable alternatives and international treaties they gave rise to. Finally, we follow the violin on a journey across Europe, the Middle East, North Africa, and India, analyzing routes of trade, conquest, and cultural encounter along the way.
All virtual classes are recorded and made available to participants registered in the class. These recordings are password-protected and available for up to two weeks after the class ends.
Brian Oberlander holds a PhD in Musicology. He has conducted research on music in France, Spain, and Morocco. He is co-editor of A Sea of Voices: Music and Encounter at the Mediterranean Crossroads (2022) and has offered courses in music history at the Newberry, Northwestern University, Johns Hopkins, and Columbia College Chicago.
What to Expect
Format: Virtual
Class Capacity: 18
Class Style: Mix of lecture and discussion; participation encouraged
Materials List
Required
- Digital Course Packet
- Other Instructor-Distributed Materials
First Reading
- Please read “Origins of Music” by Lois Svard in our digital course packet.
A Brief Syllabus
- Archaeology of Musical Instruments
- Construction and Ecology of Musical Instruments
- Ritual and Spiritual Significance of Musical Instruments
- Global Connections between Musical Instruments
Cost and Registration
4 Sessions, $175 ($157.50 for Newberry members, seniors, and students). Learn about becoming a member.
We offer our classes at three different price options: Regular ($175), Community Supported ($160), and Sponsor ($185). Following the models of other institutions, we want to ensure that our classes are accessible to a wider audience while continuing to support our instructors. You may choose the price that best fits your situation when registering through Learning Stream.
To register multiple people for this class, please go through the course calendar in Learning Stream, our registration platform. When you select the course and register, you’ll be prompted to add another registrant.
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