Chopin Life and Works
John Gibbons
Art Courses
Our art history courses take you on a journey through eras such as the Renaissance and the Baroque Period as you learn about the historical and social contexts that resulted in some of humanity’s towering achievements. Your instructor will encourage you to take a fresh look at well-known works and introduce you to compelling pieces you may have never seen before. Analyze the talent and inspiration that went into the paintings, sculptures, and architecture that have stood the test of time and continue to influence contemporary artists.
Music Courses
In the Graham School’s music classes, expert instructors provide insights into musical forms such as symphonies or operas as you listen closely to audio recordings for the nuances of melody, harmony, counterpoint, and dissonance. You’ll learn about the historical and cultural background that resulted in some of the most beloved and influential compositions ever written. With no need for any prior knowledge of music theory, you’ll gain a window into how a composer can move you and capture your imagination.
Art & Music Courses
Dvorák and the Rise of Musical Nationalism
John Gibbons
Italian opera from Barber to Turandot
John Gibbons
Mahler
John Gibbons
Mozart: The Immortal Mastepieces
John Gibbons
Northern Renaissance Art II
Sheryl Reiss
Unfamiliar Masterworks of Western Music
John Gibbons
How Art and Music Courses Enrich Your Life
Humans connect with art and music on multiple levels: We may appreciate a piece’s finely honed beauty, be inspired by the originality of a daring new idea, or analyze what a work has to say about its historical context. By approaching art and music from a liberal arts perspective, we can see how creative expression connects to many different areas of knowledge and human endeavor.
Though many people fall in love with music and the visual arts when they’re young, they also have the potential to greatly enrich the second half of your life by engaging your senses and your imagination. Whether you prefer classical or modern works, you can find joy and intellectual stimulation by analyzing a work and discussing it with others. Lifelong education in art and music offers powerful experiences that encourage self-discovery and that bring you closer to peers.
Graham School Art and Music Instructors
John Gibbons
Open Enrollment Instructor
Sheryl Reiss
Open Enrollment Instructor
A huge benefit of studying at the Graham School is that courses are always taught from an interdisciplinary perspective. We look at music and politics and government and history. We look at art, we look at things that are all tied together in an interdisciplinary way.
Jennifer Lind, MLA’22 Graham School instructor
Frequently Asked Questions
Learn more about the Graham School’s art and music courses.
In these courses would I make a piece of art, or learn to play a piece of music?
The art and music courses offered by Graham are focused on intellectual inquiry, including understanding and appreciating art and music, not practice. Our faculty and instructors provide in-depth explorations of great works, discussing what makes them special and how they emerged out of a specific historical and cultural context.
What types of art classes does the Graham School offer?
We primarily offer art history courses focused on various time periods, such as Baroque and Renaissance. Our offerings change each quarter, so we suggest checking back regularly to see what’s available.
What types of music classes does the Graham School offer?
These music classes teach students to understand and appreciate various forms of music, such as symphonies and operas. Our offerings change each quarter, so we suggest checking back regularly to see what’s available.
Do I need to be an expert in art or music to succeed in these courses?
Our art and music courses are designed to be accessible and engaging even if students have no prior knowledge of the pieces being discussed. These are interactive classes where you’re encouraged to ask questions.
Do we take assessments in these courses?
The majority of Graham’s offerings do not have assessments, quizzes, or grades. Students participate for their love of learning and eagerness to explore these topics.
Are these offerings online or in-person?
We offer both online and in-person class experiences. The description for each course specifies whether it will be offered online through Canvas or in person at the Gleacher Center in downtown Chicago.
How can I best prepare for class?
Complete any assigned reading and come prepared to participate actively in classroom discussion.
Do I have to complete an application for an open enrollment course?
No application is required for open enrollment courses.
Who is best suited to take art and music classes at the Graham School?
Anyone who is interested in immersing themselves in the history of art and music is welcome to take open enrollment courses through the Graham School.
UChicago has a reputation for academic rigor. Will I be able to meaningfully participate in the classroom discussions?
Yes. These non-credit courses are built for adults who have life experience and want to learn. Our instructors encourage all students to participate, regardless of their educational background, creating an inclusive learning environment with a collegial atmosphere.
What’s it like to take a course in a Socratic seminar format?
Students come to each session prepared to engage in lively, respectful discussions about the assigned reading. With a small group of peers and your instructor, you’ll examine fundamental questions through the lenses of multiple disciplines and lived experiences.
Art & Music News
Understanding World Poetry with Sascha Ebeling
In this conversation Sascha Ebeling introduced the rich tapestry of global poetry, spanning from classical eras to contemporary times.
The Art of Exhibition: A Conversation with Gloria Groom
In this conversation we discussed the principles of successful art exhibition.
Why the performing arts must survive in Chicago
How will the ever-fragile, cushion-free culture business, with its discretionary product requiring people to gather en masse at an agreed-upon place and time, survive?