The Story of Music, Howard Goodall

The non-fiction book The Story of Music covers the history of largely Western classical music from pre-history to 2012. The book is associated with the 2013 BBC2 documentary series Howard Goodall's Story of Music.

Available in the LRC.

Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Classical Music... But Were Too Afraid to Ask by Sam Jackson & Darren Henley

Darren Henley and Sam Jackson have set out to make the world of classical music accessible to all. Three sections steer you through the terminology and etiquette of classical music, open the fascinating history of the genre and its key figures over the last 1,000 years, and provide a detailed reference guide. 

Musical Theatre: A History by John Kenrick

Like every art form, musical theatre has been changing and evolving since its inception more than 2000 years ago. This book presents a history of stage musicals from the earliest accounts of the ancient Greeks and Romans, to Jacques Offenbach in Paris during the 1840s, to Gilbert and Sullivan in England, to the rise of music halls and vaudeville traditions in America, and eventually to "Broadway's Golden Age".

Available in the LRC.

Writing Better Lyrics: The Essential Guide to Powerful Songwriting by Pat Pattison

In a lighthearted, engaging way, Pat Pattison shows how a detailed songwriting process can become second nature, until every lyric you write is powerful and professional and has audiences clinging to your every word. You'll examine 17 extraordinary songs to discover what makes them so effective.

Choose from the following contemporary British composers and produce a short biography.

• Malcolm Arnold

• Benjamin Britten

• Peter Maxwell-Davies

• John Tavener 

Write an article about Mozart's life and key musical features of his style. 

Create a playlist for each area of study and musical style you are studying. 

Listen to Pie Jesu from Faure’s Requiem and compare it to Verdi’s Pie Jesu. 

Listen to the album, Supernatural by Santana 

Listen to Aaron Copland’s Fanfare for the Common Man. 

What is the most striking musical feature? 

Watch any of the Howard Goodall documentaries from his series 'The Story of Music'. 

Watch and then write a review of the 1984 version of the film musical 'Little Shop of Horrors'. 

Create a timeline of the main musical features of each historical period - Baroque, Classical, Romantic and Twentieth Century.

Research the differences between Latin musical dance styles - Tango, Salsa, Samba and Bossa Nova.

Go to a concert or workshop at the Royal Albert Hall, Southbank Centre or Barbican.

Write a song based on the topic you are currently studying. 

Compose a short minimalist piece in the style of John Adams or Steve Reich.

Audition for a County or Music School group or choir.

Enter the Cambridge composer, the Herts Songwriter, BBC Young Composer or the St Albans Young Musician of the year competition.