Alan Chapman marks a remarkable milestone this summer: his 41st year presenting the Masters Series at the Pasadena Senior Center since beginning in 1984.
Chapman, the familiar voice heard weekdays on Classical KUSC (91.5 FM), returns Thursday, Aug. 14, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. for “Musical Alphabet” — Episode 12, the fifth presentation in this summer’s six-week series.
The musicologist earned his Ph.D. in music theory from Yale University and undergraduate degree from MIT. He currently serves on the music theory faculty at the Colburn Conservatory and was previously a professor at Occidental College.
Beyond the classroom, Chapman produces and hosts “Modern Times” on Saturday nights and “A Musical Offering” on Sunday mornings on KUSC. His educational impact extends to the Los Angeles Philharmonic, where he developed the “Music 101” series for audiences.
Chapman’s creative work includes composing “Les Moose: The Operatic Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle,” a children’s opera commissioned by Los Angeles Opera. He’s married to soprano Karen Benjamin, and the husband-and-wife team has performed at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center and Town Hall.
According to promotional materials, “Alan kicks off the series with a new installment of his Musical Alphabet, a potpourri of topics. Along the way he’ll explore 19th-century concertos (with a special spotlight on Beethoven) and he’ll take you on musical journeys to France and Spain.”
The series features “multimedia presentations filled with musical examples and vibrant visuals” but will be in-person only and not recorded.
“Summer Masters Series: Allan Chapman Live” will run on Thursday, Aug. 14 at 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Pasadena Senior Center, 85 East Holly Street, in Pasadena. For more call (626) 795-4331 or visit https://www.pasadenaseniorcenter.org/activities-events/special-events/1902-summer-2025-masters-series-alan-chapman-live. Tickets: $18 for members, $20 for non-members; series tuition $90 for members, $108 for non-members.
