The Orchestra of Life is an immersive, experiential experience designed to nurture greater awareness in life through active and passive listening to orchestral masterpieces. As the name implies, this is about an enriched abundant life in harmony with the physical, emotional, and spiritual components of our human experience on earth. Because of the unique opportunities hearing a symphony orchestra provides, it becomes a microcosm that can be used for profound awareness experiences. From my own dedication to all things orchestra, I have created a menu of ways you can experience The Orchestra of Life!

You can experience The Orchestra of Life in person at Duke University as a member of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI at Duke). 

This course is an immersive exploration of the masterpieces of the symphony orchestra. Not your usual music appreciation class, this course will lead students through a series of activities designed to enhance their awareness of what they hear and how they experience music. Each class session will focus on one major orchestral work and one minor work — 20 pieces in all.

Students will discover how to develop their own music library and how to create playlists.

This journey will help students create a connection to music that can release stress, restore balance within the body, enhance creativity and promote productivity. Class activities will include lectures, visualizations, discussions and journaling. Students will be “conducted” as they sit in the places of orchestral musicians! Previous attendees of this course have described it as “life changing.” The course will be taught by Ben Wechsler through Lecture + Q&A, Facilitated discussion, and Active Skill Learning.

More details and enrollment information an be found at https://learnmore.duke.edu/olli

Length: 3 hours.

The foundations of The Orchestra of Life are taught virtually via Zoom. Students will receive the equivalent of the first two sessions of The Orchestra of Life – OLLI at Duke course listed above. You will learn the differences between active and passive listening, instrumentation, historical/cultural influences on the composer and composition, psychological and physiological implications in the music, and how to focus on the factors involved in the masterwork. Students will learn how to read concert programs, recording labels, and begin the path to creating their own playlists.

• Next scheduled Introduction to The Orchestras of Life will be in October, date to be announced.
• Details will be released 6 weeks in advance. Price $128 per person.

Length: 75 minutes.

The Orchestra of Life Master Class emulates the traditional model of master classes taught by musical artists and orchestral musicians.

Participants are guided through the listening of an orchestral work, followed by investigation of one or two aspects the piece offers the class for greater awareness and learning. Topics can include instrumentation, cultural and historical references, or even performance practice. Details about the recording, performers, and recording label are always given so that participants may develop their own playlists. Prior musical training is not required. Many participants express a greater focus, release of stress, and heightened energy at the end of the master class.

• Admission is $20 per session.
• You can enroll using the button below.

Length: 90 minutes.

Private Sessions are opportunities for personalized one-on-one instruction or coaching. These sessions can be virtual or in person (within the Research Triangle Park area of North Carolina – primarily Chapel Hill, Raleigh, Durham). Sessions can be tailored to individual needs for greater instruction in listening skills, creation of playlists, exploration of orchestral pieces that cannot be covered in larger sessions. This is an opportunity for you to create for yourself an Orchestra of Life experience!
The perfect gift for a special person in your life!

•  $128 per session.