Discover what makes the greatest Broadway musicals so special.  We will watch video excerpts from some of the top musicals of all time and discuss why these shows have captured the hearts and imagination of audiences for generations.  Each class will focus on one show with emphasis on understanding and more fully experiencing the music, lyrics, characters and plot lines.  Shows to be discussed in this course will be some of the longest running Broadway musicals, including: The Phantom of the Opera, Cabaret, Cats, West Side Story, The Producers and Fiddler on the Roof. Participants will learn some of the underlying literary, musical and lyrical innovations used as well as gain insight into the characters and plot lines of these great musicals. About the Instructor: After receiving a Master’s degree in composition, composer David M. Cohen worked and composed in New York City where his work was performed at various universities and at Lincoln Center. He then attended UCLA's film scoring program under the direction of CBS music supervisor Don Ray and studied "Hollywood" orchestration from the preeminent orchestrator, Dr. Albert Harris. David subsequently composed music for documentary features and written songs for film. In 2011, he was commissioned by the Cape Symphony to compose an original work, Cape Cod Impressions, to celebrate the orchestra's 50th anniversary. He also wrote arrangements for Siobhan Magnus' performance with the symphony in celebration of Barnstable's 375th anniversary and for the CSO's 2014 holiday concert. Classes are Thursdays, from 3-4:30pm, August 27 through October 1.