Do you want to know more about Western classical music? Explore selected topics and key works in Medieval to (early) Baroque music on this informative 10-week course. Ideal for people with no specialist knowledge. Break week: 26th Oct 2026
Learning modes and locations may be different depending on the course start date. Please check the location of your chosen course and read our guide to learning modes and locations to help you choose the right course for you.
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.
This course will lead you on a fascinating journey through the history and development of Western classical music, guiding you through a selection of sacred and secular styles and works, explaining key musical changes at each stage. In part 1 we explore why music was first notated, and how it changed from the Medieval to the early Baroque period. No previous musical knowledge is necessary.
What will we cover?
- chronological survey of Western music from Medieval to early Baroque periods - the fundamental elements of music (melody, harmony, rhythm, texture etc.) and how they work - the development of style and of genres (Christian sacred music such as Gregorian chant, Mass settings and sacred motets, and secular vocal and instrumental music from madrigals to trio sonatas and early opera) - key composers and works from the period, from Hildegard of Bingen and Perotin to Palestrina and Monteverdi - the social and historical context for key musical works
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
- Recognise key features of Medieval, Renaissance and early Baroque music - Understand fundamental elements of music (melody, harmony, rhythm etc.) and how they work - Understand the development of styles and genres in early Western music - Show specific knowledge of certain key composers and their works, in their social and historical context.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This course is an overview for absolute beginners. You do not need any previous knowledge of this topic. We may occasionally look at music manuscripts and point out 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. It is also ideal for gap-year students considering a music degree course in future who wish to study a chronological overview of Western classical music genres.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
Tutor presentation, guided listening, class discussion and debate, video and score study. Course materials will be shared via Google Classroom: handouts, scores, links to online audio and video, recommendations to encourage and support further reading and listening outside class.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
Please have a pen and notebook to make your own notes during class. You may wish to purchase some of the music books or recordings discussed in class; links to these materials will be available after each session. You may also wish to attend or take part in live performances.
We’re sorry. We don’t have a bio ready for the tutor of this class at the moment, but we’re working on it! Watch this space.
Neil LuckSee moreSee less
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.
product
https://www.citylit.ac.uk/exploring-classical-music-11184917Exploring classical music 1https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/Musicianship_for_singers-1024.jpg299299GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Performing arts/Courses/Performing arts/Music/Courses/Performing arts/Music/Music history/Courses/Courses for beginners228513141351136318391228513141351<p>Do you want to know more about Western classical music? Explore selected topics and key works in Medieval to (early) Baroque music on this informative 10-week course. Ideal for people with no specialist knowledge. <strong>Break week: 26th Oct 2026</strong></p>153034312Exploring classical music 1299299https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/Musicianship_for_singers-1024.jpgInStockDaytimeThuOnlineAvailable courses5-10 weeksWeekday2027-01-14T00:00:00+00:00BeginnersJan 2027Performing artsMD025A299299Exploring classical music 1299209299Neil Luckexploring-classical-music-1/md025a-2627<p>Do you want to know more about Western classical music? Explore selected topics and key works in Medieval to (early) Baroque music on this informative 10-week course. Ideal for people with no specialist knowledge. <strong>Break week: 26th Oct 2026</strong></p>0000-Available|2027-01-14 00:00:00<p>This course will lead you on a fascinating journey through the history and development of Western classical music, guiding you through a selection of sacred and secular styles and works, explaining key musical changes at each stage.<br/>In part 1 we explore why music was first notated, and how it changed from the Medieval to the early Baroque period. No previous musical knowledge is necessary.</p><p>Do you want to know more about Western classical music? Explore selected topics and key works in Medieval to (early) Baroque music on this informative 10-week course. Ideal for people with no specialist knowledge. <strong>Break week: 26th Oct 2026</strong></p><p>- chronological survey of Western music from Medieval to early Baroque periods<br/>- the fundamental elements of music (melody, harmony, rhythm, texture etc.) and how they work<br/>- the development of style and of genres (Christian sacred music such as Gregorian chant, Mass settings and sacred motets, and secular vocal and instrumental music from madrigals to trio sonatas and early opera)<br/>- key composers and works from the period, from Hildegard of Bingen and Perotin to Palestrina and Monteverdi<br/>- the social and historical context for key musical works</p>- Recognise key features of Medieval, Renaissance and early Baroque music<br/>- Understand fundamental elements of music (melody, harmony, rhythm etc.) and how they work <br/>- Understand the development of styles and genres in early Western music<br/>- Show specific knowledge of certain key composers and their works, in their social and historical context.<p>This course is an overview for absolute beginners. You do not need any previous knowledge of this topic. We may occasionally look at music manuscripts and point out 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. It is also ideal for gap-year students considering a music degree course in future who wish to study a chronological overview of Western classical music genres.</p>Tutor presentation, guided listening, class discussion and debate, video and score study.<br/>Course materials will be shared via Google Classroom: handouts, scores, links to online audio and video, recommendations to encourage and support further reading and listening outside class.Please have a pen and notebook to make your own notes during class.<br/>You may wish to purchase some of the music books or recordings discussed in class; links to these materials will be available after each session. You may also wish to attend or take part in live performances.<p>This course is followed by <a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/exploring-classical-music-2" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Exploring classical music 2</a>, but you may also be interested in Exploring Opera courses, or other topics in City Lit's wide range of <a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/performing-arts/music/music-history" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Music history courses</a>.</p><p>For more information, visit our <a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/blog/music-history-your-guide-our-programme" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Guide to the Music history programme</a>.</p>MusicMusic historyvirtual3034324Exploring classical music 1299299https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/Musicianship_for_singers-1024.jpgInStockDaytimeThuKeeley StreetAvailable courses5-10 weeksWeekday2026-09-24T00:00:00+00:00BeginnersSep 2026Performing artsMD030A299299Exploring classical music 1239209299Steven Robinsonexploring-classical-music-1/md030a-2627<p>Do you want to know more about Western classical music? Explore selected topics and key works in Medieval to (early) Baroque music on this informative 10-week course. Ideal for people with no specialist knowledge. <strong>Break week: 26th Oct 2026</strong></p>0000-Available|2026-09-24 00:00:00<p>This course will lead you on a fascinating journey through the history and development of Western classical music, guiding you through a selection of sacred and secular styles and works, explaining key musical changes at each stage.<br/>In part 1 we explore why music was first notated, and how it changed from the Medieval to the early Baroque period. No previous musical knowledge is necessary.</p><p>Do you want to know more about Western classical music? Explore selected topics and key works in Medieval to (early) Baroque music on this informative 10-week course. Ideal for people with no specialist knowledge. <strong>Break week: 26th Oct 2026</strong></p><p>- chronological survey of Western music from Medieval to early Baroque periods<br/>- the fundamental elements of music (melody, harmony, rhythm, texture etc.) and how they work<br/>- the development of style and of genres (Christian sacred music such as Gregorian chant, Mass settings and sacred motets, and secular vocal and instrumental music from madrigals to trio sonatas and early opera)<br/>- key composers and works from the period, from Hildegard of Bingen and Perotin to Palestrina and Monteverdi<br/>- the social and historical context for key musical works</p>- Recognise key features of Medieval, Renaissance and early Baroque music<br/>- Understand fundamental elements of music (melody, harmony, rhythm etc.) and how they work <br/>- Understand the development of styles and genres in early Western music<br/>- Show specific knowledge of certain key composers and their works, in their social and historical context.<p>This course is an overview for absolute beginners. You do not need any previous knowledge of this topic. We may occasionally look at music manuscripts and point out 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. It is also ideal for gap-year students considering a music degree course in future who wish to study a chronological overview of Western classical music genres.</p>Tutor presentation, guided listening, class discussion and debate, video and score study.<br/>Course materials will be shared via Google Classroom: handouts, scores, links to online audio and video, recommendations to encourage and support further reading and listening outside class.Please have a pen and notebook to make your own notes during class.<br/>You may wish to purchase some of the music books or recordings discussed in class; links to these materials will be available after each session. You may also wish to attend or take part in live performances.<p>This course is followed by <a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/exploring-classical-music-2" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Exploring classical music 2</a>, but you may also be interested in Exploring Opera courses, or other topics in City Lit's wide range of <a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/performing-arts/music/music-history" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Music history courses</a>.</p><p>For more information, visit our <a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/blog/music-history-your-guide-our-programme" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Guide to the Music history programme</a>.</p>MusicMusic historyvirtual299,239299209MD025A,MD030ANONEThu24/09/26 - 03/12/2610:45 - 12:4510:4512:4510 sessions (over 11 weeks)105-10 weeksDaytimeWeekdayKSOnline,Keeley StreetNeil Luck,Steven RobinsonBeginnersAvailable courses2027-01-14T00:00:00+00:00,2026-09-24T00:00:00+00:00Jan 2027,Sep 2026Performing arts299299Exploring classical music 1exploring-classical-music-1/md025a-2627,exploring-classical-music-1/md030a-2627<p>Do you want to know more about Western classical music? Explore selected topics and key works in Medieval to (early) Baroque music on this informative 10-week course. Ideal for people with no specialist knowledge. <strong>Break week: 26th Oct 2026</strong></p>0000-Available|2026-09-24 00:00:00<p>This course will lead you on a fascinating journey through the history and development of Western classical music, guiding you through a selection of sacred and secular styles and works, explaining key musical changes at each stage.<br/>In part 1 we explore why music was first notated, and how it changed from the Medieval to the early Baroque period. No previous musical knowledge is necessary.</p><p>Do you want to know more about Western classical music? Explore selected topics and key works in Medieval to (early) Baroque music on this informative 10-week course. Ideal for people with no specialist knowledge. <strong>Break week: 26th Oct 2026</strong></p><p>- chronological survey of Western music from Medieval to early Baroque periods<br/>- the fundamental elements of music (melody, harmony, rhythm, texture etc.) and how they work<br/>- the development of style and of genres (Christian sacred music such as Gregorian chant, Mass settings and sacred motets, and secular vocal and instrumental music from madrigals to trio sonatas and early opera)<br/>- key composers and works from the period, from Hildegard of Bingen and Perotin to Palestrina and Monteverdi<br/>- the social and historical context for key musical works</p>- Recognise key features of Medieval, Renaissance and early Baroque music<br/>- Understand fundamental elements of music (melody, harmony, rhythm etc.) and how they work <br/>- Understand the development of styles and genres in early Western music<br/>- Show specific knowledge of certain key composers and their works, in their social and historical context.<p>This course is an overview for absolute beginners. You do not need any previous knowledge of this topic. We may occasionally look at music manuscripts and point out 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. It is also ideal for gap-year students considering a music degree course in future who wish to study a chronological overview of Western classical music genres.</p>Tutor presentation, guided listening, class discussion and debate, video and score study.<br/>Course materials will be shared via Google Classroom: handouts, scores, links to online audio and video, recommendations to encourage and support further reading and listening outside class.Please have a pen and notebook to make your own notes during class.<br/>You may wish to purchase some of the music books or recordings discussed in class; links to these materials will be available after each session. You may also wish to attend or take part in live performances.<p>This course is followed by <a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/exploring-classical-music-2" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Exploring classical music 2</a>, but you may also be interested in Exploring Opera courses, or other topics in City Lit's wide range of <a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/performing-arts/music/music-history" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Music history courses</a>.</p><p>For more information, visit our <a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/blog/music-history-your-guide-our-programme" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Guide to the Music history programme</a>.</p>MusicMusic historyconfigurable
13631351Music historyhttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/performing-arts/music/music-history1/2/285/1314/1351/13631/Courses/Performing arts/Music/Music history
