Adult Enrichment
Whether your goal is getting deeper inside the music, watching students improve right before your eyes under the tutelage of master pianists, or grasping a better understanding of music, composers and artists, we strive to provide a variety of enrichment opportunities for adult music enthusiasts.
Lifelong Learning Academy
The Gilmore Keys to Education and Western Michigan University’s Lifelong Learning Academy (LLA) are pleased to announce a collaboration for the 2012 Gilmore Keyboard Festival.
During the Festival, six seminar and concert pairings will be offered through the LLA’s spring course schedule. Students will investigate and discuss the composers and music being presented that evening in addition to having an inside look at the concerts and festival by means of an opening reception for anyone enrolled. Individuals may enroll in a minimum of three and up to six packages of concerts offered, all under group rate discounts through The Gilmore. For more information and to register, visit Western Michigan University’s Lifelong Learning Academy.
Pre-Concert Talks
Designed not only for classical music devotees but also for newcomers looking to explore classical music in more detail, the 30-minute talks give audiences an expert’s take on the music they are about to hear. Given by musical scholars and musicians, talks may include musical samples or details of a composer’s life that may have influenced the creation of a particular piece. Experts share the revealing stories found “inside” the music.
Pre-Concert Talks are sponsored by Western Michigan University and begin one hour prior to performances at most Gilmore Festival concerts held at Chenery Auditorium and at Dalton Center Recital Hall. Talks are open to all ticket-holders at no extra charge. The 2012 Pre-Concert Talk schedule is listed below.
| April 27 | Andsnes/Goerne concert, Dalton Center Recital Hall, 7 PM |
| April 28 | Richard Goode concert, Chenery Auditorium, 7 PM |
| April 29 | Kirill Gerstein concert, Chenery Auditorium, 1 PM |
| May 2 | Kahane/CMS concert, Dalton Center Recital Hall, 7 PM |
| May 4 | Stephen Kovacevich concert, Dalton Center Recital Hall, 7 PM |
| May 6 | Gilmore Festival Chamber Orchestra concert, Chenery Auditorium, 2 PM |
| May 8 | Emanuel Ax concert, Chenery Auditorium, 7 PM |
| May 12 | Festival Finale concert, Chenery Auditorium, 7 PM |
Master Classes
Engaging master classes are held throughout each biennial Gilmore Festival and are free and open to the public. College and university piano students from throughout the Midwest are nominated by their professors to participate as a Gilmore Festival master class student. It is fascinating to observe world-class artists working one-on-one with young up and coming musicians sharing their insight and making an extraordinary impact on each student’s performance.
Concert Study Guides
Prior to each Piano Masters Series concert, we provide Concert Study Guides. These Guides shed light on the composers whose music will be played during the concert, give the background and context of each piece and provide insight into the concert program as a whole.