Here is a list of lectures Rod MacDonald has given for "Music Americana" and "Folksinging In Modern Times" at Osher/FAU Lifelong Learning Society (LLS) and the Wolfsonian Museum. As lectures have been updated, these titles represent the latest versions of each topic.

--Old & New Favorites (Winter 2023)
1. Virtuosity: Joshua Heifetz, Martha Argerich
2. Birth Of The Blues: Ethel Waters, Etta James, Amy Winehouse
3. When Swing Was King: Duke Ellington, Artie Shaw
4. Folk Then & Now: Leadbelly, Josh White, Rhiannon Giddens
5. Britain On Broadway: My Fair Lady, Six
6. The Art Of Novelty Songs: Roger Miller, Ray Stevens, Weird Al
7. Love, Marriage & Pop Music: Fleetwood Mac, Abba
8. The Golden Voice: Jose Carreras, Leonard Cohen

--The New 21st Century Music (Fall 2022)
1. Keepers Of The Flame: Neil Young, Dave Grohl
2. The Beauty of Harmony: Celtic Women, Pentatonix
3. Young Guys With Old Songs: Michael Buble, John Legend
4. The Modern Guitarist: John Pizzarelli, Tommy Immanuel

--The New Golden Age (Winter 2022)
1. The Russians Are Coming: Pyotr Tchaikovsky, Anna Federova
2. The Singing Cowboys: Gene Autry, Roy Rogers, Ian Tyson
3. Blondes Of Jazz: Peggy Lee, Diana Krall
4. A History of Doo-Wop: The Orioles, The Moonglows, Dion
5. Classic Rock: Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd
6. Storytellers: Jimmy Buffett, Garth Brooks
7. The New Broadway Musical: Moulin Rouge, Ain't Too Proud
8. Simply The Best: Aretha Franklin, Tina Turner

--Roots & Acoustic Music (Fall 2021)
1.Rhythm & Pop: Ben E King, The Drifters, Lieber & Stoller
2.Folksingers Then & Now: Buffy Saint Marie, Muddy Waters
3.Guitar Gods: Chet Atkins, Mark Knopfler
3.Living Legends: Dolly Parton, The Band

--Music For The Ages (Winter 2021)

1.The Russians Are Coming: Sergei Rachmaninoff, Igor Stravinsky
2.Blues And The Opera: Porgy & Bess, Ella Fitzgerald
3.The Art Of Confession: Edith Piaf, Joni Mitchell
4.The Swingers: Frank Sinatra, Harry Connick, Jr
5.The Horn Section: Miles Davis, Branford & Wynton Marsalis
6.Smart Guys With Guitars: Buddy Holly, Paul Simon
7.The New Broadway Musical: The Producers, The Band’s Visit
8.The Legacy: Joan Baez, Bruce Springsteen

-- The Music Of Modern Times (Fall 2020)

1.The Wisdom: Leonard Bernstein, Arlo Guthrie
2.The Motown Women: The Marvelettes, Supremes, Martha & Gladys
3.The Wordsmiths: Stephen Sondheim, Jackson Brown
4.The Next Wave: Andrea Bocelli, Shakira, Ariana Grande

--A Lifetime Of Song (Winter 2020)

1. More Than A Song: Paul Robeson, Dimitri Shostakovich
2. Historic Voices: Marian Anderson, Maria Callas
3. The Words Of Poets: Woody Guthrie, Bob Dylan
4. The Great Story: A Star Is Born, Bohemian Rhapsody
5. Genius At Work: Ray Charles, Stevie Wonder
6. The Sweetest Sound: Crosby Stills & Nash, Rod Stewart
7. The New Broadway Musical: Bob Fosse/Gwen Verdon, Hadestown
8. No Time For Crying: Nina Simone, Mavis Staples

 --The Music Of Modern Life (Fall 2019)

1. The Big Easy: Louis Armstrong, The Neville Brothers
2. The Fabulous: Carol Channing, Jackie Wilson
3. The Wordsmiths: Tim Rice, John Prine
4. The Exotics: The Gypsy Kings, Peter Gabriel

--In Search Of Greatness 4 (Winter 2019)

1. Song & Dance Men: Al Jolson, Sammy Davis, Jr.
2. Unforgettable Voices: Judy Garland, Miriam Makeba
3. The New Classical Music: Luciano Pavarotti, Yo Yo Ma
4. The Art Of Rock & Roll Guitar: Chuck Berry, Keith Richards
5. The New Broadway Musical: Hello Dolly, Come From Away
6. Truth To Power: Pete Seeger, John Lennon
7. Dueling Divas: Bette Midler, Renee Fleming
8. The Producers: Phil Spector, George Martin

--The Gift Of Popular Music (Fall 2018)

1. At The Keys: Fats Domino, Dave Brubeck
2. The Singers: Gene Kelly, Dinah Washington
3. Blow That Horn: John Coltrane, Chet Baker, Thelonius Monk
4. At The Podium: Bernard Herrman, T-Bone Burnett
5. The Golden Voices: Roy Orbison, Linda Ronstadt 
6. The New Broadway Musical: Kander and Ebb, Dear Evan Hansen
7. Keepers Of The Flame: Billy Joel, Tom Petty
8. The Cutting Edge: Philip Glass, Laurie Anderson

--In Search Of Greatness 3 (Winter 2018)

1. By Request: Duke Ellington, Eddie Cantor, Jimmy Durante
2. The Giants: Andres Segovia, Vladimir Horowitz
3. Classic Voices: Sarah Vaughn, Johnny Mathis
4. Truth To Power: Peter Paul & Mary, Harry Chapin
5. How Can I Keep From Singing: Barbra Streisand, Carly Simon
6. Into The Mystic: George Harrison, Van Morrison
7. Religion On Broadway: Fiddler On The Roof, Book Of Mormon
8. Poets And Muses: Leonard Cohen, Alicia Keys

--Music Americana: Pioneers Of Popular Music (Fall 2017)

1. The Art Of Jazz: Stan Kenton, Modern Jazz Quartet
2. The Voices: Jo Stafford, Shirley Jones, Anne Murray
3. The Vocal Art: Lambert Hendricks & Ross, 4 Seasons, Jersey Boys
4. Guitar Gods: Jeff Beck, George Benson, Leo Kottke
5. The Art Of Rock Singing: Cher, Joe Cocker, Madonna
6. To Jam Or Not To Jam: The Allman Brothers, Steely Dan
7. The New Broadway Musical: Stephen Schwartz, Kinky Boots
8. The New Golden Age: Paul Winter, Carlos Nakai, Enya, Tommy Immanuel

--Music Americana: In Search Of Greatness 2 (Winter 2017)
1. The Legacy: Ella Fitzgerald, Nat King Cole, Natalie Cole
2. The Songwriters: Johnny Mercer, Paul McCartney
3. The Legends: Sam Cooke, Jimi Hendrix, Prince
4. The New Classical Music: Pierre Boulez, Seiji Ozawa
5. Truth To Power: Joan Baez, Cat Stevens, U2
6. Women On Top: Tina Turner, Adele
7. The Whole Story: Amadeus, Hamilton (The Musical)
8. The Survivors: Bruce Springsteen, The Beach Boys

--Music Americana: The Gift Of Popular Music (Fall 2016)
1. The Rock Of Ages: Jerry Lee Lewis, Leon Russell
2. The Singers: Marilyn Monroe, Patti Page, Christina Aguilera
3. Sound The Trumpets: Dizzy Gillespie, Maynard Ferguson, Chris Botti
4. Behind The Curtain: The Wrecking Crew, Muscle Shoals
5. The Songwriters: Gordon Lightfoot, Neil Young
6. In Search Of Modern Man: David Bowie, Sting
7. New Stars Of Broadway: Audra McDonald, Kristen Chenoweth, Kelli O’Hara
8. Guitar Gods & Goddesses: Santana, Bonnie Raitt

--Music Americana: In Search Of Greatness (Winter 2016)
1.    The Golden Voice: Frank Sinatra, Frankie Laine
2.    The Art Of Confession: Edith Piaf, Joni Mitchell
3.    The Kings Of Rock & Pop: Elvis Presley, Michael Jackson
4.    The Queens Of Blues & Soul: Bessie Smith, Aretha Franklin, Beyonce
5.    The Jokers: Groucho Marx, Allen Sherman, Mel Brooks
6.    The Great Bands: The Rolling Stones, The Eagles
7.    Shoot Out The Lights Part 2: Stephen Sondheim, Andrew Lloyd Webber
8.    Still On Top: Willie Nelson, James Taylor

--Music Americana: The Art Of Popular Music (Fall 2015)
1. Behind The Song: Cahn & Van Huesen, Jim Webb
2. Women Who Sing: Doris Day, Dinah Shore, Lesley Gore
3. The Super Conductors: Leonard Bernstein, John Williams
4. The Decision Makers: Mitch Miller, Clive Davis
5. Women Who Rock: Janis Joplin, Laura Nyro, Linda Ronstadt
6. The Vocal Instrument: Placido Domingo, Bobby McFerrin
7. Women On The Verge: Idina Menzel, Jesse Mueller, Jackie Evancho
8. The Beautiful Sound: Itzhak Perlman, Bill Evans, Astor Piazzolla

--Music Americana: The Legacy Of Popular Music (Winter 2015)
Hit Songs From Film--Harry Warren, Yip Harburg, Henry Mancini
To Jazz Or Not To Jazz— Lena Horne, Nina Simone, Diana Krall
Let It Be Love--Everly Brothers, Carole King
Songwriting Singers--Donovan, Van Morrison, Rod Stewart
Behind The Curtain--Julie Andrews, Marni Nixon, Alison Krause
The Art Of Reinvention--Tony Bennett, Elton John
The Cutting Edge--Pat Metheny, Yo Yo Ma, Lady Gaga
The Rebirth Of Disney--The Little Mermaid, Aladdin, Frozen

--Music Americana: The Search For Inspiration (Fall 2014)
The First British Invasion: Jule Styne, George Shearing
The Gracious Host: Sammy Davis Jr, Andy Williams
The Hit Songwriters: Weil & Mann, Marilyn & Alan Bergman
At the Piano: Oscar Peterson, Herbie Hancock
The Sound Of Love: Darlene Love, Dionne Warwick, Bernadette Peters
Guitar Heroes: Glenn Campbell, Mark Knopfler & Dire Straits
The Modern Musical: Hair, Les Miserables
The 21st Century: Josh Groban, Mumford & Sons

--Music Americana: Rediscovering Music On Film (Spring 2014)
1. The Songs of Jerry Herman: Mame, Oh Dolly, La Cage Aux Folles.
2. Behind The Scenes: All My Loving, Charlie Is My Darling, Monterey Pop. Acclaimed 1960s documentaries on the Beatles, Rolling Stones, Janis Joplin.
3. T Bone Burnett: Producing Music for O Brother, Cold Mountain, Walk The Line, Inside Llewelyn Davis and other films.
4. Rediscovering The Lost: Buena Vista Social Club, Searching For Sugarman.

 --Music Americana: A Century In Song (Winter 2014) 
The New Century: Gilbert & Sullivan, Rogers & Hart
American Classics: George Gershwin, Aaron Copeland
The Voices: Boswell Sisters, Anita O'Day, Roberta Flack
The Liberation Of Soul: Ray Charles, Righteous Brothers
Leonard Bernstein Presents: Liberace, Glenn Gould, Dave Brubeck
For The Ages: Barbra Streisand, Eva Cassidy
Passing The Torch: Pete Seeger, Bob Dylan, Arlo Guthrie
Another World: Antonio Carlos Jobim, Leonard Cohen

--Music Americana: Studies In Popular Music (Fall 2013)
The Grand Tradition: Paul Whiteman, Branford & Wynton Marsalis
Birth Of The Blues: Ethel Waters, Dinah Washington, Etta James
From Broadway To The Brill Building: Frank Loesser, Lieber & Stoller
Love, Marriage & Pop Music: Fleetwood Mac, Abba
They Call It Country: Kenny Rogers, Garth Brooks, Martina McBride
Shootout On The Big Stage: Theo Bikel, Patti Lupone, Michael Crawford
Still Rockin’: Eric Clapton, Bruce Springsteen
The Next Generation: Liza Minelli. Natalie Cole, Norah Jones 

--Music Americana: Legends Of Popular Music (Winter 2013)
When Jazz Was Pops: Louis Armstrong, Bing Crosby
The Beauty Of A Song: Cole Porter, Johnny Mercer, Hoagy Carmichael
Dueling Divas: Billie Holliday, Diana Ross, Lady Sings The Blues
Growing Pains: Bobby Darin, The Monkees
The Music Of Laughter: Victor Borge, Smothers Brothers, Steve Martin
Sunshine Supermen: The Beachboys, CSN & Y, The Eagles
Curtain Call: Andrew Lloyd Webber, Renee Fleming
After The Fall: Lennon, Harrison, Starr, McCartney

--Music Americana: Mastery Of The Art (LLS Fall 2012)
When Jazz Was King: Gene Krupa, Harry James, Helen Forrest
Unforgettable Voices: Ethel Merman, Nana Moskouri, Julio Iglesias
Writing For The Big Stage: Jerome Kern, Stephen Sondheim
The Art Of Singing: Johnny Mathis, Celine Dion
The British Invasion: Herman’s Hermits, The Moody Blues, The Bee Gees
Telling A Story: Jim Croce, Harry Chapin, Don McLean
The Piano Men: Randy Newman, Billy Joel
The New British Invasion: Adele, Amy Winehouse, Susan Boyle

--Music Americana: The Twentieth Century (LLS Winter 2012)
In The Beginning: Scott Joplin, Fats Waller, Paul Whiteman
The Songwriters: Irving Berlin, Arlen & Mercer, Otis Blackwell
The Voices: Andrews Sisters, Mills Brothers, Ink Spots
The Singers: Sarah Vaughn, Mel Torme, KD Lang
Another America: Chet Atkins, Otis Redding, BB King
The Modern Vocalist: Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey
In Fields Of Gold: Simon & Garfunkel, Sting
The World Of Disney: Fantasia, Mary Poppins, The Lion King

--Music Americana: The Enduring Magic Of Song (LLS Fall 2011)

Writing for the Stage: Gilbert and Sullivan; Lerner and Loewe
Singing for the World: Edith Piaf; Josephine Baker; Lena Horne
Smooth as Silk: Fred Astaire; Dean Martin
The Hit Makers: Neil Diamond; Rod Stewart; Sade
Mo’ Motown: the Temptations; the Supremes; Marvin Gaye
Genius at Work: Quincy Jones; David Foster
Keepers of the Flame: Michael Feinstein; Harry Connick, Jr.
Leave ’Em Wanting More: Marx Brothers; Mambo Kings

--Music Americana: The Roots Of Rock And Roll (LLS Fall 2008, LLS Winter 2011)

Jazz With a Kick--Count Basie, Glenn Miller, Cab Calloway
Vocalists With A Sweet Spot--Frank Sinatra, Moonglows, Big Mama Thornton
Rhthym, Blues & Race-- Fats Domino, Little Richard, Jerry Lee Lewis, Pat Boone
Guys With Guitars --Les Paul, Bill Haley & The Comets, Chuck Berry
Enter The King--Elvis Presley, Connie Francis
The Crooners--The Platters, Buddy Holly, Roy Orbison
The British Invasion--The Beatles, The Four Seasons
Folk Rock & Acoustic Rock--Bob Dylan, James Taylor, Eric Clapton

--Music Americana: Legends of American Music & More (LLS Fall 2010)

Begin With A Song--George & Ira Gershwin, Rogers & Hammerstein
Strike Up The Band--Dorsey Brothers, Artie Shaw, Leonard Bernstein
Click Your Heels--Judy Garland, Nat King Cole, Nina Simone
Jazz Goes Blonde--Peggy Lee, Rosemary Clooney, Diana Krall
Love’ll Keep Us Together---The Everly Brothers, Bachrach & David, Ike & Tina Turner
At Long Last Motown--Smokey & The Miracles, Stevie Wonder
The Greatest Show On Earth--James Brown, Elton John, Michael Jackson
Leave ‘Em Laughing--Spike Jones, Tom Lehrer, Michael Buble

--Music Americana: Selected Topics (LLS June 2010)
1. The Talent Scouts: John Hammond, Ahmet Ertugan
2. We’ll Sing In the Sunshine: Beach Boys, CSN & Y, The Eagles, Florida artists
3. Speaking Truth To Power:  Bob Dylan, The Dixie Chicks, Bono, Live Aid
4. Folk Singing in the 21st Century: Dan Zanes, Bruce Springsteen, Taylor Swift

--Music Americana: Legends of American Music (LLS Winter 2010)
Making Jazz From Blues: Duke Ellington, Billy Strayhorn, Ella Fitzgerald
The Hot Stuff: Benny Goodman, Charlie “Bird” Parker, Louis Prima
The Old Heartland: Jimmie Rodgers, Hank Williams, Dolly Parton
Teenagers in Love: The Ronettes, Sonny & Cher, Carole King  
Dueling Divas: Barbra Streisand, Bette Midler   
The Great American Hero: Pete Seeger, Jimmy Buffett,  Bob Marley
The Rise Of Pop Classical Music: Pavarotti, Andrea Bocelli, The Tenors
Woodstock Redux: The Who, Creedence Clearwater, Richie Havens

--Music Americana: The Great American Songbook (LLS Fall 2009)
Living Jazz & Blues: Louis Armstrong, Bing Crosby, Stormy Weather
The High Life: Cole Porter, Johnny  Mercer, Hoagy Carmichael
Surviving Jazz: Miles Davis, Dave Brubeck, Round Midnight
Soul To Spare: Sam Cooke, Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin
Teen Idols Grow Up: Tony Bennett, Bobby Darin, Beyond The Sea
Straight From The Heart: Patsy Cline, Willie Nelson, Bonnie Raitt
On The Bus: Jefferson Airplane, The Doors, The Grateful Dead
Ladies & Gentlemen: The Rolling Stones, The Band, The Last Waltz

--Music Americana: Fim & American Music (LLS June 2009)
Lecture 1:  Duel of the Divas: Billie Holliday, Diana Ross, “Lady Sings The Blues”
Lecture 2:  Bob Dylan, Movie Star: “Don’t Look Back”, “I’m Not There”
Lecture 3:  Roots Music In the Big Time: Muddy Waters,  “Cadillac Records”
Lecture 4:  The Beatles in the Movies: “Help”, “Hard Days’ Night”, “Yellow Submarine”

--Music Americana: Legends of American Music (LLS Winter 2009)
The Folk groups: The Kingston Trio, The Weavers, A Mighty Wind
The Songs: Harry Belafonte, John Jacob Niles, Songcatcher
The Roots: Josh White, Leadbelly, O Brother 
The Hard Times: Ramblin’ Jack, Woody Guthrie, Bound For Glory
The Revival: Joan Baez, Peter, Paul & Mary.
The Songwriters: Simon & Garfunkel, Joni Mitchell
The Voice: Judy Collins, Leonard Cohen, John Denver
The Legacy: The Chieftains, Johnny Cash,  Walk the Line

--Music Americana: The Roots Of Rock And Roll (LLS Fall 2008, LLS Winter 2011)

Jazz With a Kick--Count Basie, Glenn Miller, Cab Calloway
Vocalists With A Sweet Spot--Frank Sinatra, Moonglows, Big Mama Thornton
Rhthym, Blues & Race-- Fats Domino, Little Richard, Jerry Lee Lewis, Pat Boone
Guys With Guitars --Les Paul, Bill Haley & The Comets, Chuck Berry
Enter The King--Elvis Presley, Connie Francis
The Crooners--The Platters, Buddy Holly, Roy Orbison
The British Invasion--The Beatles, The Four Seasons
Folk Rock & Acoustic Rock--Bob Dylan, James Taylor, Eric Clapton

--Folksinging in Modern Times (LLS Winter 2008 Port St Lucie)
Lecture 1: Folk groups: The Weavers, the Kingston Trio.
Lecture 2: Folk in the 1950s: Harry Belafonte, Odetta.
Lecture 3: The new tradition: Joan Baez, Peter, Paul & Mary.
Lecture 4: The Songwriters: Buffy Saint-Marie, Bob Dylan, Donovan.
Lecture 5: The Poets: Phil Ochs, Simon & Garfunkel, Paul Simon.
Lecture 6: The Life & Times: Judy Collins, Leonard Cohen, John Denver.
Lecture 7: Up From The Delta: Robert Johnson, Mississippi John Hurt, and the blues.
Lecture 8: Carry It On: Richie Havens, Arlo Guthrie, Tradition in the 21st century.

--Folksinging in Modern Times III: Personal Journeys (LLS Winter 2007) 
1. Welcome To The Music Business: Planet Of The Apes, John Hammond
2. The Greenwich Village Folksingers: the ‘60s, ‘80s and now
3. The Impact of Native American Music & Philosophy
4. Songs of War, Peace, and the aftermath of September 11, 2001
5. Performers as Political Spokespersons: Does It Work?
6. The UK, Italy and Eastern Europe: Clancy Brothers, The song "Auschwitz", Zalman a Spol
7. We’ll Sing In the Sunshine: Beach Boys, CSN & Y, The Eagles, Florida artists
8.  The 21st Century Folk Revival: Bruce Springsteen, Old Time Music Redux

--Folksinging in Modern Times II: Film & Folk Music (LLS Fall 2006)

Lecture 1: Song Collecting in Appalachia: The Carter Family, John Jacob Niles, Songcatcher
Lecture 2: In The Tradition: Bill Monroe,  Elizabeth Cotton, Leadbelly, O Brother Where Art Thou
Lecture 3: Road Warriors: Ramblin’ Jack Elliott, Tom Paxton, Bound For Glory
Lecture 4: Folk Groups Then & Now: Ian and Sylvia, The Highwaymen, The Weavers’ Wasn’t That A Time, A Mighty Wind
Lecture 5: It’s A Brave New World: Joe Hill, John Prine, Masked and Anonymous
Lecture 6: Women Speak Up: Joni Mitchell, Holly Near, Coal Miner’s Daughter
Lecture 7: Another World: The Chieftains, The Boys and Girl from County Clare, Genghis Blues
Lecture 8: Modern Troubadors: Townes Van Zandt, Johnny Cash,  Heartworn Highways, Walk the Line

--Folksinging in Modern Times I (LLS Winter 2006)

1.  Folk Groups: The Weavers, the Kingston Trio and Peter, Paul and Mary. 
2.  Folk in the 1950s: Harry Belafonte and Leadbelly, Odetta. 
3.  The New Tradition: Joan Baez, Buffy Saint-Marie and Bob Dylan. 
4.  Up From the Delta ‘60s Style: Robert Johnson, Mississippi John Hurt and Dave Van Ronk.
5.  The Poets: Phil Ochs, Simon & Garfunkel, Paul Simon. 
6.  The New Interpreters: Tom Rush, Judy Collins and Don McLean. 
7.  Freedom Across the Pond: The Clancy Brothers with Tommy Makem, Ewan McColl, Dougie MacLean and Zalman a Spol.
8.  Later On: Judy Collins, Tom Paxton, John Prine and new artists of note.

Lectures For the Wolfsonian Museum, Miami Beach, FL
September 2008: Songs of Freedom, a performance lecture