Music History & Appreciation Courses and Certifications

Introduction to Classical Music

25 ratings

Using a simple and enjoyable teaching style, this course introduces the novice listener to the wonders of classical music, from Bach fugues to Mozart symphonies to Puccini operas.

• Coursera
• 9 weeks, 7 hours a week
• Self-Paced
• Paid Course

• Best of All Time

Human connection over perfection: explore Yo-Yo Ma's approach to musical expression, creativity, and collaboration, with performances and interpretations of Bach's Sarabandes, whether or not you play.

• MasterClass
• 1 hour 55 minutes
• Self-Paced
• Free Trial Available

First Nights - Handel's Messiah and Baroque Oratorio

12 ratings at edX

Discover Handel's Messiah in this installment of First Nights, which will explore five masterpieces of western music.

• edX
• 2 weeks, 3-5 hours a week
• Self-Paced
• Free Online Course (Audit)

First Nights - Monteverdi’s L’Orfeo and the Birth of Opera

10 ratings at edX

Learn about Claudio Monteverdi's L'Orfeo , one of the first operas ever written.

• edX
• 3 weeks, 3-5 hours a week
• Self-Paced
• Free Online Course (Audit)

History of Rock, Part One

18 ratings

Trace rock from Tin Pan Alley to psychedelia: Elvis, Chuck Berry, the Beatles, Motown and Stax soul, and the business and technology shaping each style.

• Coursera
• 9 weeks, 2 hours a week
• Self-Paced
• Paid Course

So You Think You Know Tango?

111 ratings at Coursera

Explore the many dimensions of Argentine Tango: its origins, Golden Age popularization, spread abroad, instrumental performance practices, poetry, and basic dance gestures and steps.

• Coursera
• 2 weeks, 3 hours a week
• Self-Paced
• Paid Course

First Nights - Berlioz’s Symphonie Fantastique and Program Music in the 19th Century

6 ratings at edX

Learn about Hector Berlioz's Symphonie Fantastique , an iconic Romantic symphony that ushered in an era of narrative "program music."

• edX
• 3 weeks, 3-5 hours a week
• Self-Paced
• Free Online Course (Audit)

First Nights - Stravinsky’s Rite of Spring: Modernism, Ballet, and Riots

7 ratings at edX

Learn the fascinating history of Igor Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring , one of the most challenging and rewarding ballets ever written.

• edX
• 3 weeks, 3-5 hours a week
• Self-Paced
• Free Online Course (Audit)

Composing the Century: American Musical Modernism (Live Online)

34 ratings at CourseHorse

Look at how American composers shaped a distinct modern musical voice amid global cultural change.

• CourseHorse
• 12 hours
• Self-Paced
• $335.00

Adventures in Classical Music—Music Appreciation for All!

1161 ratings at Udemy

Understand and enjoy classical music at your own pace. A music history course, including a music theory introduction.

• Udemy
• 1 day 7 hours 11 minutes
• Self-Paced
• Paid Course

Gustav Mahler: Musical Contradictions (Live Online)

33 ratings at CourseHorse

Explore the haunting beauty and contradictions of Gustav Mahler’s music through his symphonies, song cycles, and the writings of admirers and critics alike.

• CourseHorse
• 12 hours
• Self-Paced
• $335.00

Korean Music, A Philosophical Exploration

11 ratings at Coursera

Explore Korean music through philosophy: trace K-pop back to Gukak, the Geomungo and Gayageum, Han and Heung, Confucian court music, and Jeonganbo notation.

• Coursera
• 7 weeks, 2 hours a week
• Self-Paced
• Paid Course

Music 101: Help and Review

Review introductory music topics through short lessons and quizzes: elements of music, opera and orchestral works, Medieval through Romantic periods, jazz, musical theater, and world music.

• Study.com
• 1 day 23 hours 20 minutes
• Self-Paced
• Paid Course

Intro to Music

Survey music history from the Medieval period through modern genres, including opera, jazz, popular music, rock, and world music.

• Study.com
• 10 hours 32 minutes
• Self-Paced
• Paid Course

Introduction to Music: Certificate Program

Survey major musical periods and genres, from medieval and Renaissance music through jazz, musical theater, popular music, and world music.

• Study.com
• 9 hours 52 minutes
• Self-Paced
• Paid Course