We will trace the main developments in early western music from about 1000 to 1600CE. Each session will be a 'snapshot' of a particular moment in the history of music. Topics will include: All kinds of chant, the birth of polyphony, medieval and renaissance instruments, church music, music for dancing, the songs of the Troubadours and Trouvères, early musical drama, the madrigal and as many more as time allows.
Discovering Early Music
This is an in-person course which requires your attendance at the weekly meetings which take place in Oxford.
Overview
Programme details
Courses starts: 22 Jan 2026
Week 1: Early Medieval Sacred Music
Week 2: Early Medieval Secular Music
Week 3: Mass settings from ‘Ars Nova’ to the early Renaissance
Week 4: Later Renaissance Vocal and Instrumental Music
Week 5: Virginal Music, Theatre Music, Music at Court, Lute Song
Recommended reading
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.
Certification
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.
Fees
| Description | Costs |
|---|---|
| Course fee | £180.00 |
Funding
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:
Tutor
Dr Peter Copley
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.
Course aims
To trace the main developments in western music from c1000 - 1600CE.
Course objectives:
- To provide an overview of music composed in Western Europe between c.1000 and c.1600 CE by means of musical examples, class discussions and mini lectures.
- To trace the evolution of musical styles and genres and how these were affected by historical events, such as the crusades, the Reformation etc.
- To outline how developments in musical notation influenced how musical genres evolved.
- To assess the impact that printing had on musical composition and performance.
Teaching methods
- Mini lectures
- Musical examples (both pre-recorded and live)
- Class discussions
Learning outcomes
By the end of the course, students will have:
- acquired a basic understanding of developments in Western art music from approximately the 10th to the 17th century CE.
- listened to a representative range of music composed during this period.
- been introduced to developments in the notating of music and the emergence of printing technology and will understand the impact that these had on how music was composed and disseminated.
Assessment methods
This course is non-accredited, so there are no assessments.
Application
Please use the 'Book now' button on this page. Alternatively, please complete an Enrolment form for short courses | Oxford University Department for Continuing Education
Level and demands
No previous knowledge of the subject is required, apart from an interest in listening to music and finding out more about it. Musical literacy is not required for full participation.
The Department's Weekly Classes are taught at first year undergraduate level.