Arts & Entertainment courses

"Hamilton" and the Last Two Decades on Broadway

"Hamilton" (2015) by Lin-Manuel Miranda is remarkable for its score, statement about race, appeal to people from both sides of the political spectrum, and its ability to tell us about history and how we perceive it. We'll explore "Hamilton" and discuss other recent Broadway shows, including "Wicked," "Come from Away" and "Dear Evan Hansen." Instructor Bio: Paul Laird is professor emeritus of musicology who taught at the University of Kansas for 30 years. He is has published widely on the American musical theater and taught dozens of Osher courses over the last three decades.

December 1-15, 2026, Tallgrass Creek Retirement Community In Person

Jon Batiste: A "Genuine National Treasure"

We're celebrating the talents of Jon Batiste, a phenomenal multi-instrumentalist, singer, songwriter, bandleader, dancer, actor and television personality. Influenced by his New Orleans roots, Batiste creates genre-defying music by combining styles of classical, jazz, funk, R & B, gospel and soul. Experience the positive inclusivity and boundless joy of this electric-energy performer, whom Andrew Bruss (Boston Symphony Orchestra) recently described as "a genuine national treasure. Instructor Bio: Baroque recorder player Jean Hein is a retired clarinetist and arts administrator who teaches Osher classes and recorder classes for lifelong learners. Hein served on the board of directors for Early Music America and as director of Columbia Baroque. She holds music degrees from Oberlin Conservatory and Northwestern University.

November 7-14, 2026, Osher Institute, St. Andrews Office Facility and Online

New Carols for Christmas

Carols for Christmas was a well-enjoyed Osher class. Join us for our exploration of a new selection of carols. We'll begin with songs from the collection of "Carols for Christmas" by Sir David Willcocks, including gorgeous, digitized photos from the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Additionally, the class will include carols from around the world and popular Christmas songs. Join us for the musical wonders and delights of the Christmas season! Instructor Bio: Baroque recorder player Jean Hein is a retired clarinetist and arts administrator who teaches Osher classes and recorder classes for lifelong learners. Hein served on the board of directors for Early Music America and as director of Columbia Baroque. She holds music degrees from Oberlin Conservatory and Northwestern University.

Wednesday, December 2, 2026, St Andrews Classroom

"The Twilight Zone," "Bewitched" & "All in the Family"

Twitch your nose to join this course, which explores how classic television used entertainment to engage social issues. Focusing on "The Twilight Zone," "Bewitched" and "All in the Family," we'll examine how allegory, fantasy and realism each offered ways to address gender roles, politics, race and cultural change in the mid-century. Through guided discussion and close viewing, we'll consider how these shows helped audiences make sense of their world and why their social commentary still resonates today. Instructor Bio: Taylor Cole Miller is an associate professor of media studies at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse and co-editor of the academic collection, "The Golden Girls: Tales from the Lanai." He also makes TikToks about TV history under the handle @tvdoc.

October 26, 2026 to November 16, 2026, Online

What Makes Mozart Great?

Some of Western civilization's greatest musical figures are household names. Everyone knows them - by name, at least - and acclaims them as "great." But what makes them great? In any era, there are hundreds, if not thousands, of good composers. But only a few are great. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart undeniably was great. Can Mozart's greatness, or at least some of it, be explained to a person interested in knowing how he was great? Of course. Mozart's genius was astonishing, but not supernatural. His music is right there on paper. One can see, surprisingly clearly, a near-perfect unification of profound expressiveness and impeccable craftsmanship. We'll explore several representative instances from Mozart's oeuvre. The question we'll attempt to answer is, "What makes Mozart great?"Instructor Bio: Martin J. Bergee is a professor emeritus of music education at the University of Kansas. Prior to his appointment at KU, he taught at the University of Missouri. Before his years at MU, Dr. Bergee taught high school and middle school band in St. Joseph, Missouri. In higher education, he has taught undergraduate courses in instructional methods and graduate courses in educational foundations and research techniques. Dr. Bergee's research interests include the history of instrumental music in schools and music performance assessment.

November 2-16, 2026, KU Edwards Campus, 163 Regnier Hall, In-Person

Summers of Love: 1967 - 1969, Monterey, Woodstock, Altamont

Rock music during the 1967 - 1969 countercultural era started with the Summer of Love and ended tragically just two years later. We'll explore cultural and political events of the time from the Monterey International Pop Music Festival, through the Woodstock Music and Art Fair, and ending at the Altamont Speedway Festival. While Monterey introduced the world to many soon-to-be famous performers, Woodstock gave its name to a generation, and Altamont brought the era of love and trust to a sad end. Join the conversation as we recall this seminal time in American history.

Instructor bio: Steve Lopes, A.E., B.A., M.A., M. Ed., was an educator for 15 years prior to 30 years of advocating for teachers as a Kansas-NEA organizer. He enjoys researching rock 'n' roll history and sharing it with KU Osher participants.

November 3-17, 2026, Village Shalom in Person
November 5-19, 2026, Lawrence Presbyterian Manor - In Person

Osher Lifelong Learning Institute

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