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Steve Reich is one of the most important composers of our time. In this course we will explore his whole career from his early experiments with tape in the 1960s, his development of process based techniques in his instrumental work, and his research in to Ghanaian music for Drumming. We look at significant pieces like Music for 18 Musicians, Different Trains and WTC 9/11.
What will we cover?
- biography
- socio/political context
- a general overview of minimalism in music
- a list of representative works
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
1. Develop some awareness of Reich’s biography 2. Understand Reich’s context in American postmodernism, experimentalism and minimalism. 3. Have some familiarity with Reich’s significant works and understand the techniques he uses to construct them
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
No prior knowledge of the subject is required. You do not need to read music to take this course (although we will look at music notation and scores occasionally). Some experience thinking and talking about movements in art and culture in 18th and 19th century would be useful but not necessary.
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/steve-reich-an-introduction-to-his-music2629752Steve Reich: an introduction to his musichttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/s/t/steve_reich_an_introduction_to_his_music_-_md041b-1080.jpg149149GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Performing arts/Courses/Performing arts/Music/Courses/Performing arts/Music/Music history22851314135113631228513141351<p>Explore the mesmeric music of Steve Reich and find out how he influenced others</p>002629260Steve Reich: an introduction to his music149149https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/s/t/steve_reich_an_introduction_to_his_music_-_md041b-1080_1.jpgInStockDaytimeTueKeeley StreetAvailable courses5-10 weeksWeekday2026-06-02T00:00:00+00:00Beginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allJun 2026Performing artsMD041B149149Steve Reich: an introduction to his music119104149Edward Hendersonsteve-reich-an-introduction-to-his-music/md041b-2526<p>Explore the mesmeric music of Steve Reich and find out how he influenced others</p>0000-Available|2026-06-02 00:00:00<p>Steve Reich is one of the most important composers of our time. In this course we will explore his whole career from his early experiments with tape in the 1960s, his development of process based techniques in his instrumental work, and his research in to Ghanaian music for Drumming. We look at significant pieces like Music for 18 Musicians, Different Trains and WTC 9/11. </p><p>Explore the mesmeric music of Steve Reich and find out how he influenced others</p><p>- biography</p><p>- socio/political context</p><p>- a general overview of minimalism in music</p><p>- a list of representative works</p><p>1. Develop some awareness of Reich’s biography<br/>2. Understand Reich’s context in American postmodernism, experimentalism and minimalism.<br/>3. Have some familiarity with Reich’s significant works and understand the techniques he uses to construct them</p>No prior knowledge of the subject is required. You do not need to read music to take this course (although we will look at music notation and scores occasionally). Some experience thinking and talking about movements in art and culture in 18th and 19th century would be useful but not necessary.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.You may be interested in other <a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/performing-arts/music/music-history"> City Lit Music history courses</a>. See <a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/blog/music-history-your-guide-our-programmetarget=_blank">Music history: our guide to the programme</a> for a list by day, time, title and tutor.MusicMusic historyvirtual119149104MD041BNONETue02/06/26 - 30/06/2613:30 - 15:3013:3015:305 sessions (over 5 weeks)55-10 weeksDaytimeWeekdayKSKeeley StreetEdward HendersonBeginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allAvailable courses2026-06-02T00:00:00+00:00Jun 2026Performing arts149149Steve Reich: an introduction to his musicsteve-reich-an-introduction-to-his-music/md041b-2526<p>Explore the mesmeric music of Steve Reich and find out how he influenced others</p>0000-Available|2026-06-02 00:00:00<p>Steve Reich is one of the most important composers of our time. In this course we will explore his whole career from his early experiments with tape in the 1960s, his development of process based techniques in his instrumental work, and his research in to Ghanaian music for Drumming. We look at significant pieces like Music for 18 Musicians, Different Trains and WTC 9/11. </p><p>Explore the mesmeric music of Steve Reich and find out how he influenced others</p><p>- biography</p><p>- socio/political context</p><p>- a general overview of minimalism in music</p><p>- a list of representative works</p><p>1. Develop some awareness of Reich’s biography<br/>2. Understand Reich’s context in American postmodernism, experimentalism and minimalism.<br/>3. Have some familiarity with Reich’s significant works and understand the techniques he uses to construct them</p>No prior knowledge of the subject is required. You do not need to read music to take this course (although we will look at music notation and scores occasionally). Some experience thinking and talking about movements in art and culture in 18th and 19th century would be useful but not necessary.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.You may be interested in other <a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/performing-arts/music/music-history"> City Lit Music history courses</a>. See <a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/blog/music-history-your-guide-our-programmetarget=_blank">Music history: our guide to the programme</a> for a list by day, time, title and tutor.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
