Discover the joy of making music with City Lit’s beginner-friendly music courses. Whether you’ve always wanted to learn an instrument, understand music theory, or find your singing voice, our courses offer the perfect starting point—no previous experience required.
Led by passionate and experienced tutors, you’ll explore the basics of musicality, rhythm, technique, and expression in a supportive and relaxed environment. From piano and guitar to singing, theory, and more, there's something for everyone—whatever your musical goals.
These courses are ideal for adults of all ages who want to explore their creativity, build confidence, and enjoy learning something new.
Explore our music courses for beginners and take your first step into the world of music.
- The essential history of jazz in 20 cutsCourse start date: Mon 12 Jan 2026
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Albi GravenerThrough a selection of 20 iconic albums, we will study the key figures, the innovators and the star soloists of 20th century jazz, as well as some important artists you might be less familiar with. Break week: 16 Feb 2026.Full fee £269.00 Senior fee £215.00 Concession £188.00 - Michael Tippett: an introduction to his musicCourse start date: Tue 13 Jan 2026
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Katy HamiltonMichael Tippett was a British composer like no other, with interests in everything from Purcell and Beethoven to rock music and American spirituals. Come and discover the life and works of this unusual, brilliant, witty and beautiful musician.
Full fee £149.00 Senior fee £119.00 Concession £104.00 - Listening to the 20th century 2Course start date: Tue 13 Jan 2026
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Edward HendersonUsing Alex Ross’s The Rest is Noise as a guide this course investigates art music in the second half of the twentieth century. This module covers the music of the Cold War culture wars, American experimental music, Minimalism and the use of technology. Break week: 17th February 2026.Full fee £269.00 Senior fee £215.00 Concession £188.00 - Symphonies in productionCourse start date: Wed 14 Jan 2026
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Pauline GreeneStudy symphonies coming up in the 2026–27 season, we will discuss their composition, context and style, and then hear a selection ofmusical examples. NB Break week: 30 May 2027.Full fee £269.00 Senior fee £215.00 Concession £188.00 - Beethoven's ViennaCourse start date: Wed 14 Jan 2026
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Katy HamiltonLudwig van Beethoven’s music has come to stand for the greatest and best-known aspects of the Western classical tradition. But who was he? And what exactly did he do? Come and discover more about this most famous Viennese composer.
Full fee £269.00 Senior fee £215.00 Concession £188.00 - Exploring classical music 3Course start date: Thu 15 Jan 2026 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Neil LuckDo you want to know more about Western classical music? Explore selected topics and key works in Romantic and modern music on this informative 10-week course. Ideal for people with no specialist knowledge. NB: Break week 19 Feb 2026.Full fee £219.00 Senior fee £175.00 Concession £153.00 - Florence Price: an introduction to her musicCourse start date: Tue 24 Feb 2026
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Katy HamiltonFlorence Price is one of the most important African-American composers of the early twentieth century. Come and explore the extraordinary life and musical legacy of this brilliant musician whose works are only just being ‘rediscovered’, 70 years after her death.
Full fee £149.00 Senior fee £119.00 Concession £104.00 - Great works: Arvo Pärt's PassioCourse start date: Mon 30 Mar 2026
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Edward BreenEstonian composer Arvo Pärt (b.1935) is one of the most frequently performed classical composers of our times. Explore his setting of St John’s passion and learn about his compositional techniques.Full fee £29.00 Senior fee £29.00 Concession £29.00 - Music in the Weimar republicCourse start date: Tue 21 Apr 2026
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Katy HomdenDiscover the colourful landscape of music in Germany between the wars. Break week: 26 May 26.Full fee £269.00 Senior fee £215.00 Concession £188.00 - Exploring classical music: module 3
Course start date: Mon 28 Apr 2025 (and 2 other dates)Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Edward BreenDo you want to know more about Western classical music? Explore selected topics and key works in Romantic and modern music on this informative 10-week course. Ideal for people with no specialist knowledge. NB: Break week 5 & 26 May 2025.Full fee £179.00 Senior fee £143.00 Concession £125.00 - Music in the 21st century: the first 25 years Course start date: Tue 29 Apr 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Edward HendersonWe are now 25 years into the 21st century. This course is a guide to concert music and new composition of the century so far.Full fee £99.00 Senior fee £99.00 Concession £99.00 - Exploring classical music: module 1 Course start date: Thu 1 May 2025
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Neil LuckDo 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. NB: Break week: 20 Feb 2025.
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