Music Appreciation Lectures and Performances
Kurt Loeffler presents music appreciation and "living history" lecture presentations and jazz ensemble performance at community centers, senior residences, libraries, etc., in person and online. His lectures feature components that broaden and deepen listeners' ability to understand jazz, classical, rock, latin and other styles of music. He also presents lectures on the lives of iconic musicians from a variety of genres whose music has been a voice in social political awareness and activism. His lectures include a listening and power point demonstration that is educational and entertaining while encouraging the audience to engage with questions, answers and personal stories in a "living history" manner.
Kurt also provides music performances in either a lecture-recital format or simply as entertainment for audiences. He regularly performs at many of the same places he presents the lectures. The repertoire for his various ensembles consists of standards, jazz, rock, latin and pop songs from "The Great America Songbook".
Click here to watch Kurt Loeffler Trio perform with Larry Combs - principal clarinetist with Chicago Symphony Orchestra (retired)
Click on the link for a description of each lecture presentation
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The Big Bands - 1925 - 1945 - The Popular Music of a Generation
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Part I - The Rise of the Crooners and Popular Vocalists
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Part II - Bebop - The New Jazz after the Big Bands
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Part III - The Latin and Caribbean Influence in the United States
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Part IV - Country Western swing influence in the United States
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Part IV - The Advent of Rhythm and Blues and Rock and Roll
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Classical Music - (500 - Present)- A four part lectures series looking at the origins of European classical music beginning in the Medieval period through the 20th century to the Modern art music of today.
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Part I - Medieval, Renaissance, Baroque and Classical Music
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Part II - The Romantic Period
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Part III - Impressionism, Expressionism and Neo-Classical Music
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Part IV - 20th Century Modern and Contemporary Music
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Motown - A three part series on the origin of the famous record label. We look at the musicians, songwriters and producers who coordinated together in an "assembly line" process to create such a distinctive sound in music.
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Part I - Assembly line hits - An overview of the Motown record company and its origins
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Part II - The Men of Motown
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Part III - The Women of Motown
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Johnny Cash
“Kurt is wonderful to work with, very professional and quick to respond! He provides monthly music history lectures for our seniors at Trulee Evanston and always has a full house. His topics are very appropriate, and his knowledge is endless. He is also a wonderful drummer and has performed live music for us on several occasions with his jazz trio and quartet! Our residents are always up dancing to their music and asking for them to come back before they even leave. Some of the best jazz music we have seen in Evanston!”
- Jessica Natale, Director of Community Engagement - Trulee Evanston - Solera Senior Living
"Kurt’s program was exciting and interesting. He was well researched and knew so much about the topic he presented. His fee is very reasonable as well. I can’t wait to hear more programs from him!"
- Casey Shipman, Virtual Program Coordinator, CJE SeniorLife - Deerfield, IL
"When Kurt Loeffler introduced his music appreciation lecture series to The Merion, I had no idea what to expect. The first series “The Music of The Big Band Era” was entertaining and engaging to say the least…Fantastic!! Kurt made it an interacting experience; everyone shared their personal stories. By the end of the program the residents were up on their feet dancing and grooving to sounds of The Music of The Big Band Era!!! We are looking forward to the next series “After The Big Bands.”
Thank you from the Merion Family."
- Tammy Potts - Social Director - The Merion - Evanston, IL