Sounds of a Gregorian chant filled a Kellogg Center classroom Thursday night as an MSU Evening College class began a lecture on the beginning of classical scores.
About 20 people listened to MSU Community Musical School Lecturer Patricia Nultemeier during her "Music Appreciation for the Classics" course as she warned her musically inclined students their interests might change as they move into medieval, renaissance and contemporary songs.
"Your hunger for the great classics will grow," she told the class.
Some students enrolled in the MSU Evening College course because they said they felt an appreciation for classical arts is considered the mark of an educated person.
Others, such as East Lansing resident Jane Joyaux, signed up to learn more about the music they enjoy.
"I can sing the tunes and don't know what I'm singing," she said.
Joyaux is a 1947 MSU graduate and has continued her educational interests with 12 years of additional study through the MSU Evening College.
Joyaux said the professional instruction makes the courses worthwhile.
"It's a wonderful thing for people who want to study something of interest and that's a little bit more intellectual than, say, a couple of book clubs," she said. "You have a professor that's teaching and discussing this with you."
The Evening College has been a continuing education venue since 1951. About 65 courses are offered each fall and spring with roughly 25 new and different courses added to the curriculum each semester.
"We get many repeat students, that's why it's important to update their curriculum," Evening College Director Louise Cooley said. "We offer such a diverse program - we offer something for everyone here."
The courses are geared toward MSU alumni, who receive a $5-10 discount, but all courses are open to the public. Faculty, alumni, community members, retired professionals and current MSU students participate in the Evening College, Cooley said.
The courses vary from classrooms to kitchen settings.
Robert Nelson, a certified executive chef and culinary educator, will finish more than 20 years at MSU by hosting two of the best-of-the-best culinary arts Evening College courses.
Nelson, a member of the Hall of Fame of the American Academy of Chefs, said in his tenure, no dishes have been repeated and this spring's courses will give the long-term students a chance to savor favorites one last time.
"They come and sit down and enjoy a full meal with champagne and wine and get the recipes when they leave," Nelson said of the course.
"Then, they will come back and tell me they had a party or event and were very successful."
Evening College courses also offer an outlet for professors to become more informed on areas of interest.
Retired MSU Professor D. Gordon Rohman has taught at the Evening College since the early '60s. He continued evening instruction even after his 1994 retirement.
"I love teaching adults because they are interesting people," he said. "They are there because they want to be and have their own experience to contribute to the class."
For more information about the MSU Evening College, call 517-355-4562 or visit www.msualum.com.
