Adult Education Series
Join Monmouth University faculty and friends as they host courses exploring topics that blend leisure and learning.
Join Monmouth University faculty and friends as they host courses exploring topics that blend leisure and learning.
Adult Education Series
“On the one”—James Brown often defined funk as a groove, emphasizing the first beat, using the ‘one-two-three-four’ downbeat. However, as the Godfather of Soul would agree, funk encompasses more than just a rhythm: it’s about freedom, expression, and dance. If not for funk, disco would have never been born. How did the genre develop, and who were the central figures in the history of funk? This two-session virtual course taught by Kit O’Toole will trace funk through its blues, jazz, soul, New Orleans, and R&B roots. The class will culminate in discussing, among other funk pioneers, three of the music’s most important figures: Brown, Sly and the Family Stone, and George Clinton. The course includes multimedia presentations and class discussions.
Class Schedule: Thursdays - September 12 & 19 | 7:30 - 9:00 PM
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Adult Education Series
This two-session virtual course taught by Mike Farragher provides attendees with an introduction to basic modes for telling the stories of their lives. Working in a supportive workshop setting, students will enjoy engaging, wide-ranging discussion about the joys and challenges of bringing their memories to life. Instructor: Mike Farragher, Monmouth University alumnus and author of numerous works of fiction and memoir.
Class Schedule: Tuesday - Sept. 17 & 24 | 7:30 - 9:00 PM
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Adult Education Series
Based on his acclaimed podcast, Producing the Beatles, Jason Kruppa explores the music of the Fab Four from the perspective of the one person whose point of view has never been properly and thoroughly examined: their producer, George Martin. Using innovative techniques to break down their recordings, we’ll discover how the Beatles went from learning their way around the studio to becoming masters of the art of recording, with their producer working side by side with them each step of the way. And finally, with re-recordings and detailed recreations of Martin’s orchestral scores that allow us to hear individual instrument parts,, we’ll learn how his arrangements enhanced and shaped the Beatles’ music.
Class Schedule: Thursdays -October 10 & 17 | 7:30 - 9:00 PM
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Adult Education Series
In this two-session virtual course taught by Robert Rodriguez, students will learn how to produce a podcast from the planning stage to the final upload. The two sessions will focus on developing a concept, basic recording technology, post-production and launching onto Apple & Spotify. No previous podcasting experience is required.
Class Schedule: Thursdays - November 7 & 14 | 7:30 - 9:00 PM
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Adult Education Series
Words & Music
Monmouth University alumnus Stephen Friedland, known as Brute Force will perform a concert and participate in a Q & A with professor Ken Womack.
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Adult Education Series
Parliament/Funkadelic’s George Clinton declared “we want the funk,” and by the mid-70s the genre was in full swing. On the R&B and pop charts as well as on the dance floor, funk had officially taken over. This two-session virtual course taught by Kit O’Toole covers the peak of the genre, its eventual decline in popularity, and its continuing influence. Artists examined include the Ohio Players, Stevie Wonder, Average White Band, Kool and the Gang, Earth, Wind, and Fire, the Commodores, Cameo, Slave, Zapp and Roger, and many more. In addition, subgenres including go go, punk funk (coined by Rick James), funk rock, and Bay Area funk will be covered. The course includes multimedia presentations and class discussions.
Class Schedule: Thursdays - December 5 & 12 | 7:30 - 9:00 PM
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Adult Education Series
Gina Torello, a professor in the Art and Design Department at Monmouth University for 20 years, will guide you in this NEW one-of-a-kind workshop. She will be teaching a step-by-step guided oil painting course the neo-classical in Erlanger Gardens on the campus of Monmouth University. The class will cover compositional structure perspective, color theory, diverse application of materials and most of all the process of “capturing the LIGHT in the open air like the Impressionists.” New Wave Pochade Easels will be provided to all participants for use during your exclusive lesson, along with a comfortable pleinair chair to relax and paint at during the class. All levels of experience in oil painting are welcome. A detailed supply list will be provided prior to the course.
Please note this event has been CANCELLED
Past Event
Adult Education Series
Gina Torello, a professor in the Art and Design Department at Monmouth University for 20 years, will guide you in this NEW one-of-a-kind workshop. She will be teaching a step-by-step guided Academic Drawing Course in the neo-classical Erlanger Gardens on the campus of Monmouth University. The class will cover compositional structure perspective, diverse application of materials and most of all the process of “capturing the LIGHT in Black and White in the ChiaroScuro Technique in the open air like the Impressionists.” New Wave Pochade Easels will be provided to all participants for use during your exclusive lesson, along with a comfortable pleinair chair to relax and draw during the class. All levels of experience in Drawing are welcome. A detailed supply list will be provided prior to the course.
Please note this course has been cancelled
Past Event
Adult Education Series
This two-session virtual course taught by Kit O’Toole will survey some of the major artists of the Third Wave period, from the late 1970s through the 1980s and beyond. It will cover genres from punk through new wave, synth pop, rock, and much more. How does the Third Wave of the British Invasion continue to influence today’s music? The course will explore artists such as Duran Duran, Elvis Costello, the Cure, Depeche Mode, Dire Straits, Eurythmics, Psychedelic Furs, Human League, Nick Lowe, Madness, Joy Division, Howard Jones, Joe Jackson, New Order, Gary Numan, Pretenders, Style Council, and George Michael/Wham, and their impact on both British and American music. The role of MTV on the Third Wave of the British Invasion will also be discussed.
Class Schedule: Thursdays - May 9 & 16 | 7:30 - 9:00 PM
Past Event
Adult Education Series
This summer marks 60 years since the release of the Beatles’ first and best feature film, A Hard Day’s Night. Through interview clips, video and pictures, this 2-session virtual course taught by Scott McLaren will chronicle the Beatles’ rise to success in their hometown of Liverpool, the explosion of Beatlemania across Britain in 1963, their subsequent conquering of the US in early 1964, all leading to their critically acclaimed first film and soundtrack. We’ll see clips from those who were involved in the film including United Artists executives, the film Producer, Director, the Beatles and others within their inner circle. Lastly, we’ll discuss and listen to song excerpts from the exclusively Lennon-McCartney soundtrack. As most things Beatles, A Hard Day’s Night remains infectious, lasting and fun.
Class Schedule: April 30 and May 2 | 7:30 - 9:00 PM
Past Event
Adult Education Series
This two-session virtual course taught by Christy Schmidt, provides participants with a complete roadmap to guide them through the self-publishing process.
Class Schedule: Tuesdays - April 16 and 23, 2024 | 7:30 - 9:00 PM
Past Event
Adult Education Series
Come celebrate the spring at Monmouth University with this unique opportunity to learn the seasonal ancient art known as Pysanky. Pysanky, also known as Ukrainian eggs, is an ancient folk tradition that has been passed down for thousands of years. This meditative and communal experience is unlike any other art process and for many this workshop marks the beginning of a spring time family tradition that can be passed on and enjoyed for years to come. This tutorial will cover the history and traditions surrounding Pysanky, a demonstration, and independent practice session. The instructor will provide a variety of eggs, dyes, and tools. Participants will turn real eggs into works of art using a wax resist method similar to batik. A great deal of patience and concentration is required to complete a single egg, but it is very rewarding to reveal your hard work when the wax layers are taken off. In-person attendance will be extremely limited. No prerequisite skills are required. Please bring a container or old egg carton to take home your creation. ages 18+
Past Event