Professor Carol

Dr. Michael Dodds and Professor Carol were formerly colleagues at Southern Methodist University. Dr. Dodds is now professor of music history at University of North Carolina School of the Arts and a frequent contributor to Professor Carol's courses. In Part Two of this interview we have a wide-ranging discussion of Michael's work as a composer and conductor, the history of maps, composer David Maslanka, and more on C.S. Lewis.

Dr. Michael Dodds and Professor Carol were formerly colleagues at Southern Methodist University. Dr. Dodds is now professor of music history at University of North Carolina School of the Arts and a frequent contributor to Professor Carol's courses. In a conversation over dinner about childhood books, Michael raised some intriguing aspects of C.S. Lewis's The Chronicles of Narnia, and that prompted this interview. The discussion in this Part 1 focuses on Michael Ward's book Planet Narnia.

In Episode #2 of Encounters, we discuss significant events that changed or shaped our approach to music.

What are your top 10 selections of Classical Music? You really can't create good list that is so small, but Professor Carol and Hank can have fun trying. Our lists include some standards and some that may be a little off the beaten path. Your list would probably be quite different, but the discussion here may help you make some new discoveries. Or maybe it will help you think about the reasons you agree or disagree with our selections. And, particularly if you're new to Classical Music, we hope this gives you some new insights.

Gregory Wilbur is Chief Musician at Cornerstone Presbyterian Church in Franklin, TN, as well as Dean and Senior Fellow of New College Franklin—a Christian liberal arts college that he helped to start. He enjoys discipling students and walking them through classics of literature, film, and music. He earned his Masters in Music Composition at the University of Alabama. He is the author of Glory and Honor: The Music and Artistic Legacy of Johann Sebastian Bach and has released two CDs of his compositions of congregational psalms, hymns and service music. In addition, he writes for choir, orchestra, film and chamber ensembles. His wife, Sophia, homeschools their daughter, Eleanor, and they all enjoy reading, cooking, taking walks and enjoying life in middle Tennessee.    

The Russian Orthodox church in Weimar, Germany is so small it would fit inside a typical lecture room at a university. It was built in 1860 to be the burial site of the Grand Duchess Maria Pavlovna, a Russian princess, the granddaughter of Catherine the Great. Listen as Professor Carol explains how architecture tells an important story in the history of Weimar.

This is our 4th engaging talk with Art Historian and Museum Curator, Peter Mooz. Today we talk about Edward Hopper - the painter and his legacy. Why does his strong following endure? What is it about this exquisite renderer that people "get?" What did he focus on in his paintings?  View a video hangout with Dr. Mooz and Professor Carol here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLiZ7zVPiRc  

How do you foster a love for the arts in children? What if you do not live close to "big City" resources? Dr. Peter Mooz gives some practical pointers for building a rich appreciation for art and history.

Another fascinating discussion with art historian Dr. Peter Mooz. Dr. Mooz talks about the art of Edward Hopper and the impact it carries. For more on art history and culture, visit www.professorcarol.com. There you will find free courses, Art History forums, and premium courses for high school or continuing education.

Professor Carol speaks with Bloomberg journalist, Bill Arthur.

Is art an elective? Dr. Peter Mooz talks about the ways children come to know art. And he says no, rather than an elective, art is the greatest expression of a civilization. An artist uses his knowledge of technology, economics, philosophy, theology, and anatomy to tell us about his world. Children are able to put themselves in the viewer/artist relationship without any trouble and without any prejudices. Art helps children build up their visual muscles and develop their ability to discern as they view art.

Art Historian Peter Mooz discusses his new book “Religion in American Painting.” Although artists after the Renaissance gravitated to more secular themes, Dr. Mooz explains that American painters have been painting religion from the time of the first documented American painting in 1663 to today. Dr. Mooz explores the ways 19th-century artists like Thomas Cole, who founded the Hudson River School of painting, pursued religious themes of transcendentalism, and explains the religious symbols in the abstract-expressionist work of Mark Rothko.

Professor Carol speaks with Jim Weiss in Part 2 of their informal discussion from Jim Weiss' studio. 

Visiting Randy and Jim Weiss is always the best fun! This time I was able to join Jim in his studio to record two podcasts on storytelling and the arts. This is episode 1. More will be up on my website soon (at www. professorcaro.com). Meanwhile if you haven't stocked up on his wonderful CDs, you'll find them in a new place these days, at peacehillpress.com/jim-weiss . 

This series of brief clips will give you a flavor of Professor Carol's audio podcasts with Carol's unique perspective, interviews with composers and performers, and musical examples. 

Elliott’s Hardware, a favorite institution in Dallas and a long-time sponsor of The Dallas Wind Symphony, inspires people to create things.  Composer-in-Residence John Gibson is no exception.  His latest composition, “Man Dreams in Hardware,” is played on instruments constructed from items found on the shelves at Elliott’s.  Imagine the Sawsaphone, the Patuba and Batuba, and the PVCiccolo!  Join Professor Carol as she talks with Gibson about his sweeping theme: God, Man, and Hardware.

We take a journey through the Arabian Nights, visit the Roman Goddess of the Dawn, and thrill to the tragic fate of Spanish seductress Carmen.  

Let's get to know Jeff Hellmer, pianist and director for the Dallas Wind Symphony's annual Big Band Boogie concert.