Enchanted: The Cosmic Success of Taylor Swift with Gil Harel

RESCHEDULED FROM 2/22 to 5/2.

Taylor Alison Swift has long transcended the title "singer-songwriter" - indeed, she is a pop-culture phenomenon whose success has few parallels in the history of the music business. This may seem hyperbolic until one begins to count the accolades, plaudits and achievements she has garnered. Among these: more than 200 millions records sold,117 Guinness World Records, countless music industry titles and awards, along with a bank account that requires 10 digits to render. Her personal life is perhaps nearly as sensational as her musical success, with endless streams of articles particularly focused on her romantic life and its connection to her songs. 

During this program, Professor Gil Harel will delve into Swift's story and take the audience inside the score of some of her most iconic works. From the piano, he will demonstrate how Swift's approach to songwriting is both conventional and unique, and how her steady evolution as an artist and entrepreneur has kept her popularity waxing throughout her career. 

Gil Harel (PhD, Brandeis University) is a musicologist and music theorist whose interests include styles ranging from western art music to contemporary musical theater. Previously, he served on the faculty at CUNY Baruch College (where he was awarded the prestigious "Presidential Excellence Award for Distinguished Teaching"). Currently, he is Full Professor of Music at CT State Naugatuck Valley, where he has been presented with the AFT "Merit Award for Exemplary Service to the College" for 6 consecutive years. In 2020, he was honored with the coveted Connecticut Board of Regents (BOR) Teaching Award. At NVCC, Dr. Harel conducts the college chorale, a cappella ensemble, teaches music history and theory, and serves as musical director of theater productions.