New music

Explore different strands of our varied contemporary musical culture: mainstream, minimalist, ‘crossover’ and complex. Improve your familiarity with recent music, listening to a variety of works and seeking the genuinely new.

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Key course information

Dates
20/04/12 - 29/06/12

Day(s)
Fri

Duration
10 weeks

Time
11:00 - 13:00

Fees
Full fee: £119
Senior fee: £67
Concession: £32

Venue
KS - Keeley Street

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Course code
MD037

Availability
This date is full

This course is full

Occasionally places may become available. You can add yourself to the waiting list.

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Course outline

What is the course about?

The course opens a window onto, and makes more accessible, the many styles of contemporary music available today, with a focus on British composers. We will explore the significant movements like the ‘Manchester School’ of Birtwistle, Maxwell Davies and Goehr, minimalism, ‘new complexity’ as well as the increasingly popular new works of Jonathan Harvey, Tavener and others. We will trace their impact on the next generation of composers, including George Benjamin, James Macmillan, Thomas Ades, Julian Anderson and many others.

What topics will we cover?

The course covers a variety of aspects of music such as style, structure and will introduce some accessible ways of listening to a variety of contemporary idioms. We will look at British new music in the context of the recent past, and ask how styles have evolved particularly in the last forty years. We will cover familiar names as well as new young talents, receiving commissions for the major festivals such as the BBC Proms. We will use some case studies to increase our knowledge of particular works and composers and ask how far there is an ‘avant garde’ and where the most exciting developments have been found in the last decade.

By the end of this course you should be able to:

- understand and be more familiar with the range of contemporary musical styles amongst British composers today;
- appreciate the place of British music in the wider Western and global music scene;
- feel confident about how to listen to contemporary music, and have an increased understanding of aspects of style and structure;
- be familiar with the main names in contemporary music and particularly British new music and of new young talents currently on the ascent.
- understand the new music industry in a broader sense, the role of the media and recording technologies and electronic and electro acoustic developments and the aesthetics of new music.

What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?

Experience of listening and enjoying music is preferable. You will need to follow written and verbal instructions in English, engage in class discussions and take notes in English.

How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?

Illustrated lectures with some DVD and CD and live demonstrations, as well as handouts for easy reference.

Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?

No.

Do I need to have an interview before I can enrol?

No.

What feedback will I get?

You will receive regular feedback from your tutor throughout the course, as and when appropriate. At the end of the course you and your tutor are asked to assess the progress you have made.

How will I be able to give my views on the course?

Please complete the evaluation form at the end of your course. These are monitored and help us to continually improve our courses.

How do I find out if I can get some support for my learning?

You may be interested in: education and careers advice; financial and childcare support; disability support; support for Deaf and hearing-impaired students; dyslexia support; English and maths support; counselling, and library services (supported learning centre). To find out what may be available to you, and how to apply, see page 213 of the 11/12 course guide, or visit www.citylit.ac.uk/students

When I've finished, what course can I do next?

General information and advice on courses at City Lit is available from the Information and Advice Shop, open Monday to Friday 12:00 – 19:00 during term time, and Monday to Friday 12:00 – 17:00 out of term time. See the course guide for term dates and further details.

Who can I contact for further information?

Tel: 020 7492 2630

music@citylit.ac.uk

Auditions and Advice Information

To enrol on a course, call 020 7831 7831.

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Music