In Class

In What to Listen For in Music, Aaron Copland states that an instrument finds its way into music by being invented, perfected and mastered. We’ll investigate the clarinet’s path from discovery in 1690 to today and how it works. What are the clarinet’s timbre qualities and how do composers utilize its unique voice in their works? Who are some influential composers that have written great music for the clarinetist? The exploration will include a performance of Thomas Zugger’s “Alaskan Images for Solo Clarinet” composed in 2006 following Gail and Thomas’s honeymoon trip to Alaska. It showcases 4 stops along our journey in Anchorage and Sewell. The performance will include pictures from our trip to reflect the music played.

Sandra K-Horn’s book, Undercover: Becoming Street Smart in Central Ohio, is the chilling biography of two undercover officers' journeys from rookie cop to undercover officer. Mike Powell and Shawn Bain started their careers in the lower echelon of the Franklin County Sheriff's Department. They worked their way from beat cop to undercover drug enforcement. Powell commanded a nine-county bust operation that included a motorcycle gang and a web of traffickers and led to breaking up a conspiracy of Cuban Nationals. He assisted in bringing to justice individuals contributing to the operation of the Mexican Cartel that worked a network between New York, Columbus, Houston, Miami, and Los Angeles.

K-Horn will discuss Undercover and the five years during which she interviewed Powell and Bain to amass information for her book. She will be joined by Sargent Mike Powell (ret), who will answer questions about his time in the Franklin County Sheriff's Department and his work with the Drug Enforcement Administration.

For decades, Central Ohio was a popular destination for Appalachian residents searching for good paying jobs. Arriving from Kentucky, Tennessee, and the Virginias, they brought not only their families but also their love of mountain string music. After working all week in the factories on Columbus's southside, they would relax with food, drink, camaraderie, and the music they loved from back in the hills of home. Join Brent Davis and Rich Baker as they discuss how this traditional American music helped shape the culture of Columbus.

2026 marks the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Along with the National Semiquincentennial Commission established by Congress, each state has been charged with forming a commission to design a celebration that reflects its unique character and contributions to the nation over the last 250+ years. The America 250-Ohio Commission is leading Ohio's efforts to commemorate this significant milestone and is rolling out numerous programs, activities, and events now through 2026. Programs include the 4th Grade History Pass, Trails & Tales statewide driving tours, America 250-Ohio Communities, Ohio Goes to the Movies, monthly celebration themes for 2026, and many more! Come learn how you, your community, employer, neighborhood, and family can get involved.

Raqs al Assaya (“dance of the cane/stick” in Arabic), is an Egyptian folkloric dance that originated from the popular stick game, which is still played in some parts of Egypt, such as the Delta region, Western cities, and Upper Egypt, under the name of “Tahtib” folk game. Maria will walk us through the history of the dance, from ancient Egypt through its gain in popularity in Egypt and then how the dance won international renown. She will demonstrate some dance moves, present video examples the dance, and explain its unique movements, recognizable music, distinct instrumentation, and specific costuming.

Have you ever felt so mad you couldn’t think straight? Or found yourself endlessly scrolling on your phone after an overwhelming day at work? Does it feel like you’re on a rinse and repeat cycle with pressure building up around you? When we experience ongoing stress, our bodies react in ways that make it feel hard to get off this merry-go-round. Join Reverend Beth Turner for a 90-minute Reconnect for Better Days presentation to learn why this happens to us and, most importantly, what we can do about it. We’ll pull back the curtain on these difficult experiences and explain the science behind what goes on in our brains and bodies when we are stressed. When we understand what’s happening to us, we can learn to spot problems as they arise and use practical tools in the moment that help us feel better and experience better days.