Exploring classical music: module 2
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.
Choose a start date
- Course Code: MD020B
- Dates: 25/04/24 - 04/07/24
- Time: 16:00 - 17:30
- Taught: Thu, Daytime
- Duration: 10 sessions (over 11 weeks)
- Location: Online
- Tutor: Neil Luck
Course Code: MD020B
Choose a start date
Duration: 10 sessions (over 11 weeks)
Please note: We offer a wide variety of financial support to make courses affordable. Just visit our online Help Centre for more information on a range of topics including fees, online learning and FAQs.
What is the course about?
This classic music appreciation course will lead you on a fascinating journey through the history and development of classical music, guiding you through a selection of notable sacred and secular works and explaining key musical changes at each stage. This module is the one of three forming our beginners’ guide to Western Classical Music.
In module 2 we explore music and composers from the high baroque to the early Romantic period.
No previous musical knowledge is necessary.
This is a live online course. You will need:
- Internet connection. The classes work best with Chrome.
- A computer with microphone and camera is best (e.g. a PC/laptop/iMac/MacBook), or a tablet/iPad/smart phone/iPhone if you don't have a computer.
- Earphones/headphones/speakers.
We will contact you with joining instructions before your course starts.
What will we cover?
- A chronological survey of music from high baroque through the Eighteenth century
- the elements of music (melody, harmony, rhythm etc) and how they work
- the development of styles (Classical, Baroque etc) and genres (opera, sonata, oratorio, sacred and secular cantata, symphony, concerto etc)
- focus on certain key composers and their works including Bach’s Brandenburg concertos, opera and oratorio by Handel and Mozart and symphonies by Haydn and Beethoven.
What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...
- Have an overview of the development of classical music through the eighteenth century
- show an understanding of the elements of music (melody, harmony, rhythm etc.) and how they work
- have an understanding of the development of styles (Classical, early Baroque etc) and genres (Symphony, Cantata etc)
- show specific knowledge of certain key composers and their works.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This course is designed as an overview for absolute beginners. However, we will look at some music manuscripts and learn to identify key features of music notation (how many voices are singing, etc…) so this course will be most suitable for those who are curious and ambitious to learn.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
- Tutor presentation and explanation, including handouts
- Guided listening and watching of audio and audio-visual examples
- Class discussion and debate
- Course materials (handouts, scores, links to online videos) will be shared via google classroom.
- You will be encouraged to do extra reading outside class.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
Please bring a notebook and pen.
You may also wish to purchase some of the music books or recordings discussed in class, links to these materials will be available online after each session.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
This course continues with Exploring classical music - Module 3 (MD020C) in September.
To find out more about music history classes Music history courses in London and online which lists our full programme of classes ordered by term, and by day of the week. You may then click on each title to read the full course outline.
Neil Luck is a composer and researcher with a broad range of academic and practical experience in the field of classical music. He is based in London, and currently completing a PhD at the University of York. As a practising composer, his work has been presented internationally, at leading festivals and institutions including the BBC Proms and the Tate Modern. As a teacher and speaker he has given talks, classes and seminars at universities, schools, galleries, and conferences. He has also created and presented radio programmes for stations such as BBC Radio 3 and Resonance FM.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
