SONGS OF THE CINEMA/ MELODIES OF THE MOVIES PART 3 (30) Prestwick Chase, Congress Hall, 100 Saratoga Blvd., Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 April 9 (1st class)

Wednesdays, 11:30am-1:00pm, April 9, 16, 23, 30, May 14, 21 (no class May 7)

This lecture/discussion/ “live" performance course continues our examination of the music that has been an integral part of moviemaking since the introduction of “talkies” in 1927. It represents a wide range of musical genres including American songbook and “swing” tunes, rock, jazz, “pop”, synthetic, and classical music. Our discussion this term will begin with the music of the 1980’s and continue through the present day.

1.The 1980’s: Synthetic music became a staple of movie music-making, as well as grand anthems and the persistence of rock rhythms.

2.Approaching the Millennium/the 1990’s: Film scores became more emotional and sentimental in the films released leading up to the year 2000. In movies such as Titanic, Ghost and The Bodyguard, musical scores tugged at the heartstrings of audiences.

3.“Live”: Through discussion and “live” performance, we will review the best songs from 1980 through the year 2000. We will also anticipate the musical trends of the new millennium.

4. The 2000’s: In the early years of the new decade, the symphonic sound of movie music continued with epic films and sequels in the Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings series. There were fewer musicals, but two standouts: Moulin Rouge and All That Jazz.

5. The Teens/ 2010-2019: During a turbulent cultural period in America, music in the movies became a mixed bag of styles and genres. There were breakout hits from Disney films, James Bond films, remakes (A Star Is Born) and the jazzy nostalgia of La La Land.

6. Finale: We conclude the course with a “live” performance of some of the best songs from films since the start of the millennium. We will also discuss the major trends apparent so far in the music of the twenty-first century and speculate on what the future may hold.

Leader: Ken Blatt has pursued the study and practice of singing, playing the piano, songwriting, acting and lecturing for the past thirty-five years. He actively performs a wide variety of musical styles and genres to audiences throughout the Albany Capital District/Saratoga County area, as well as areas around New York State and Florida.  His passion for music spans the Great American Songbook, jazz and swing tunes, classic rock n roll, the music of Broadway and popular music from the 1960’s to the present day. Ken has taught on the faculty of various colleges and universities and has lectured and led discussion groups and workshops with students from every age group.