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This four‑session course explores the emergence, development, and legacy of musical minimalism from the 1960s to the present day. We will examine the works of its pioneering composers—La Monte Young, Terry Riley, Steve Reich, and Philip Glass—as well as later figures who expanded the language of minimal and post‑minimal styles. Through guided listening and contextual study, the course traces how processes, repetition, phasing, and gradual change reshaped contemporary music and continue to influence composers, film soundtracks, electronic music, and beyond.
What will we cover?
The cultural context of 1960s America • La Monte Young and the origins of drone and “dream house” concepts • Terry Riley’s In C and the birth of process based composition • Early performance practices and experimental environments • Tape experiments (It’s Gonna Rain, Come Out) • Phasing in instrumental music (Piano Phase, Violin Phase) • Shifting patterns and rhythmic innovation • Reich’s influence on later ensembles and composers • Additive processes and early ensemble works • Music in Twelve Parts and the expansion of minimal texture • Operatic and theatrical innovations (Einstein on the Beach) • John Adams, Julia Wolfe, Michael Nyman, Arvo Pärt, and others
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
• Understand the historical and cultural foundations of musical minimalism • Identify the stylistic differences among major minimalist composers • Recognise key techniques such as phasing, additive processes, and repetitive structures • Appreciate how minimalism influenced later musical developments across genres
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
The course is suitable for learners at many levels, and no ability to read music is required. An interest in contemporary music, experimental practices, or the cultural history of the late 20th century will be helpful. Those already familiar with Reich or Glass may enjoy deeper analytical aspects. Absolute beginners to classical or contemporary music are welcome, but may benefit from introductory listening before the first session.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
Tutor presentation and explanation, including handouts, powerpoint slides or writing on a whiteboard Guided listening and watching of audio and audio-visual examples Class discussion and debate Listening and reading outside class is encouraged and once enrolled further online resources will be recommended.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
Please bring paper and writing implements to take notes. 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.
Edward is a composer who studied at Cambridge and Trinity Laban. He teaches composition and music history at City Lit, Morley College and Trinity Laban Junior Department, and writes about music for The Wire (UK) and Positionen (Germany). His latest work includes a commission for the London Contemporary Music Festival 2024. Previous significant work includes “Flower” (recorded by the BBC at the Aldeburgh Festival 2019 and broadcast on the New Music Show), “One Two” (Cologne 2022), Will (Oslo and Cambridge), “Hold” (Huddersfield 2017), and “Tape Piece” ( LCMF 2015). Since 2013 Ed has worked with Bastard Assignments curating, performing and contributing work to regular shows in London and internationally. Their performances at Southbank Centre (2016) and Wellcome Collection (2017) were broadcast live on BBC Radio 3, and they have featured in articles in the Guardian, Telegraph, Financial Times, Frieze, and Neue Zeitschrift für Musik. In 2024 a profile on the group, “Family Dynamics,” was broadcast in Germany. They have been commissioned for a large scale performance in Norway, Denmark and London in 2025 and 2026, and “House” for Musik Installationen Nürnberg in 2025.
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/minimalism-in-music174951Minimalism in musichttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/Exploring-opera-3-MD999-1024.jpg129129GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Performing arts/Courses/Performing arts/Music/Courses/Performing arts/Music/Music history22851314135113631228513141351<p>Discover the rise of one of the most influential musical movements of the 20th century.</p> Minimalist classical music is associated mainly with the New York composers Steve Reich and Philip Glass, but what influenced them? What other composers are interested in repetition, process and gradual change? We will explore earlier influences from Satie and John Cage, the Fluxus movement and links to performance art. We will explore lesser-known minimalist composers like Julius Eastman and electronic music pioneer Eliane Radigue. We will look at Pauline Oliveros’s “deep listening” practices and contemporary minimal movements like the work of the Wandelweiser collective. Tutor:<a href=" http://edward-henderson.com/ " target="_blank">Edward Henderson</a> [external website].003034369Minimalism in music129129https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/Exploring-opera-3-MD999-1024.jpgInStockDaytimeTueKeeley StreetAvailable courses1 to 4 weeksWeekday2027-06-08T00:00:00+00:00Beginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allJun 2027Performing artsMD041B129129Minimalism in music10390129Edward Hendersonminimalism-in-music/md041b-2627<p>Discover the rise of one of the most influential musical movements of the 20th century.</p>0000-Available|2027-06-08 00:00:00<p>This four‑session course explores the emergence, development, and legacy of musical minimalism from the 1960s to the present day. We will examine the works of its pioneering composers—La Monte Young, Terry Riley, Steve Reich, and Philip Glass—as well as later figures who expanded the language of minimal and post‑minimal styles. Through guided listening and contextual study, the course traces how processes, repetition, phasing, and gradual change reshaped contemporary music and continue to influence composers, film soundtracks, electronic music, and beyond.</p><p>Discover the rise of one of the most influential musical movements of the 20th century.</p><ul><li>The cultural context of 1960s America<br>• La Monte Young and the origins of drone and “dream house” concepts<br>• Terry Riley’s In C and the birth of process based composition<br>• Early performance practices and experimental environments<br>• Tape experiments (It’s Gonna Rain, Come Out)<br>• Phasing in instrumental music (Piano Phase, Violin Phase)<br>• Shifting patterns and rhythmic innovation<br>• Reich’s influence on later ensembles and composers<br>• Additive processes and early ensemble works<br>• Music in Twelve Parts and the expansion of minimal texture<br>• Operatic and theatrical innovations (Einstein on the Beach)<br>• John Adams, Julia Wolfe, Michael Nyman, Arvo Pärt, and others</li></ul><p>• Understand the historical and cultural foundations of musical minimalism<br>• Identify the stylistic differences among major minimalist composers<br>• Recognise key techniques such as phasing, additive processes, and repetitive structures<br>• Appreciate how minimalism influenced later musical developments across genres</p><p>The course is suitable for learners at many levels, and no ability to read music is required. An interest in contemporary music, experimental practices, or the cultural history of the late 20th century will be helpful. Those already familiar with Reich or Glass may enjoy deeper analytical aspects.<br>Absolute beginners to classical or contemporary music are welcome, but may benefit from introductory listening before the first session.</p>Tutor presentation and explanation, including handouts, powerpoint slides or writing on a whiteboard<br>Guided listening and watching of audio and audio-visual examples<br>Class discussion and debate<br>Listening and reading outside class is encouraged and once enrolled further online resources will be recommended.Please bring paper and writing implements to take notes. 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.<p>You may be interested in other <a href="https://https://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/performing-arts/music/music-history" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"> City Lit Music history courses</a>. See <a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/blog/music-history-your-guide-our-programme" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Music history: our guide to the programme</a> for a list by day, time, title and tutor.</p>MusicMusic historyvirtual10312990MD041BNONETue08/06/27 - 29/06/2713:30 - 15:3013:3015:304 sessions (over 4 weeks)41 to 4 weeksWeekdayKSKeeley StreetEdward HendersonBeginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allAvailable courses2027-06-08T00:00:00+00:00DaytimeJun 2027Performing arts129129Minimalism in musicminimalism-in-music/md041b-2627<p>Discover the rise of one of the most influential musical movements of the 20th century.</p>0000-Available|2027-06-08 00:00:00<p>This four‑session course explores the emergence, development, and legacy of musical minimalism from the 1960s to the present day. We will examine the works of its pioneering composers—La Monte Young, Terry Riley, Steve Reich, and Philip Glass—as well as later figures who expanded the language of minimal and post‑minimal styles. Through guided listening and contextual study, the course traces how processes, repetition, phasing, and gradual change reshaped contemporary music and continue to influence composers, film soundtracks, electronic music, and beyond.</p><p>Discover the rise of one of the most influential musical movements of the 20th century.</p><ul><li>The cultural context of 1960s America<br>•&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;La Monte Young and the origins of drone and “dream house” concepts<br>•&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Terry Riley’s In C and the birth of process based composition<br>•&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Early performance practices and experimental environments<br>•&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Tape experiments (It’s Gonna Rain, Come Out)<br>•&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Phasing in instrumental music (Piano Phase, Violin Phase)<br>•&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Shifting patterns and rhythmic innovation<br>•&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Reich’s influence on later ensembles and composers<br>•&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Additive processes and early ensemble works<br>•&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Music in Twelve Parts and the expansion of minimal texture<br>•&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Operatic and theatrical innovations (Einstein on the Beach)<br>•&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;John Adams, Julia Wolfe, Michael Nyman, Arvo Pärt, and others</li></ul><p>•&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Understand the historical and cultural foundations of musical minimalism<br>•&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Identify the stylistic differences among major minimalist composers<br>•&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Recognise key techniques such as phasing, additive processes, and repetitive structures<br>•&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Appreciate how minimalism influenced later musical developments across genres</p><p>The course is suitable for learners at many levels, and no ability to read music is required. An interest in contemporary music, experimental practices, or the cultural history of the late 20th century will be helpful. Those already familiar with Reich or Glass may enjoy deeper analytical aspects.<br>Absolute beginners to classical or contemporary music are welcome, but may benefit from introductory listening before the first session.</p>Tutor presentation and explanation, including handouts, powerpoint slides or writing on a whiteboard<br>Guided listening and watching of audio and audio-visual examples<br>Class discussion and debate<br>Listening and reading outside class is encouraged and once enrolled further online resources will be recommended.Please bring paper and writing implements to take notes. 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.<p>You may be interested in other <a href="https://https://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/performing-arts/music/music-history" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"> City Lit Music history courses</a>. See <a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/blog/music-history-your-guide-our-programme" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Music history: our guide to the programme</a> for a list by day, time, title and tutor.</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
