Instructor: Paul Laird

No image available Biography:

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

Classes by this instructor


"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

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 was internationally important conductor and composer Leonard Bernstein (1918-1990). Bernstein wrote in a recognizably American style based on an eclectic mixture of influences including Stravinsky, Copland, and 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.
August 17-31, 2026, Osher Institute, St. Andrews Office Facility and Online

Broadway Musicals of the 1950s

The 1950s were a very special decade in the history of the musical with such figures as Rodgers and Hammerstein, Lerner and Loewe, Frank Loesser, Leonard Bernstein, and Jule Styne writing such shows as "The King and I," "The Sound of Music," "My Fair Lady," "Guys and Dolls," "West Side Story" and "Gypsy" for the Broadway stage. This will be survey of the decade's most popular shows, the people who wrote them and the stars who played in them. Instructor bio: Paul Laird is a professor emeritus of musicology who taught at KU for 30 years. He has published widely on the American musical theater and taught dozens of Osher courses over the last three decades.
September 15-29, 2026, Brewster Place Cultural Arts Center
October 1-15, 2026, Tallgrass Creek Retirement Community In Person