This is an in-person course which requires your attendance at the weekly meetings which take place in Oxford.
This course provides an an introduction to classical music through a series of five pivotal moments in its history. These include:
Each session will focus on one composer in a particular time, place and the circumstances around the composition of a major work.
Courses starts: 6 Nov 2025
Week 1: Claudio Monteverdi and the birth of opera
Week 2: The Rise of the Symphony: Haydn at Esterhazy and England
Week 3: Beethoven and revolution: Beethoven's Eroica symphony
Week 4: Wagner's Tristan and Isolde: The birth of modern music?
Week 5: Musical Uproar in Paris: Stravinsky and the Rite of Spring
All weekly class students may become borrowing members of the Rewley House Continuing Education Library for the duration of their course. Prospective students whose courses have not yet started are welcome to use the Library for reference. More information can be found on the Library website.
There is a Guide for Weekly Class students which will give you further information.
Preparatory reading
Digital badge
Upon successful completion of this course, you will be issued with an official digital badge from the Department for Continuing Education, University of Oxford. After the course, you will receive an email with a link and instructions on how to download your digital badge. You will be able to add your badge to your email signature and share it on social media if you choose to do so. In order to be issued with your badge, you will need to have attended at least 80% of the course.
| Description | Costs |
|---|---|
| Course fee | £180.00 |
If you are in receipt of a UK state benefit, you are a full-time student in the UK or a student on a low income, you may be eligible for a reduction of 50% of tuition fees. Please see the below link for full details:
Peter Copley D.Phil, MA, B.mus is a composer, cellist and pianist. He is a visiting lecturer at OUDCE, the University of Sussex and for the Open University, where he has been a Research Associate for the music faculty.
To provide an introduction to 'classical' music through a series of five pivotal 'moments' in its history
Course objectives:
By the end of the course, participants will have developed:
This course is non-accredited, so there are no assessments.
Please use the 'Book' or 'Apply' button on this page. Alternatively, please complete an Enrolment form for short courses | Oxford University Department for Continuing Education
No specialist musical knowledge is required for full participation in the course - just an interest in listening to music and finding out more about it.
