Course detail: Aaron Copland, Leonard Bernstein & American Music

Aaron Copland (1900-1990) helped establish a recognizably American style of concert music, heard in symphonies, ballets, chamber music, film scores and other genres. One of his closest friends, Leonard Bernstein (1918-1990), was an internationally important conductor and composer who also wrote in a recognizably American style based on an eclectic mixture of influences from Stravinsky, Copland and such vernacular styles as blues and jazz. Bernstein wrote concert music, ballets and also Broadway musicals. We'll explore these two important figures in American music, their friendship and their careers.


Instructor Bio: Paul Laird is a professor emeritus of musicology who taught at the University of Kansas for 30 years. He has published widely on American musical theater and taught dozens of Osher courses over the last three decades.


An Osher membership fee of $25 is required to enroll in this class. If you have not paid your membership fee, please click on the blue link below under "course accessibility" to add the membership fee to your shopping cart. Then continue shopping to select your courses and/or events. If you have questions about whether or not you have paid your member fee, please call 785-864-6779.

Course Accessibility: Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to attend University of Kansas-sponsored events. If you require reasonable accommodations in order to participate in an event, please email jayhawkglobal@ku.edu or call 785-864-6779 at least three weeks before the first day of the event.

Course pre-requisites
(required) Osher Membership Fee

Available sessions

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