An Eight-Part Online Lecture Series with Ben England BEM
Music has the power to move us, to stir our emotions, to make us feel. But why? How do composers create such powerful effects with sound alone?
The answer lies at music’s ‘molecular level’. Just as everything in the world is made from physical elements, all music is built from eight essential musical elements – and understanding them opens the door to a whole new world of listening and appreciation.
This April to June, Choir of the Earth Events is delighted to present Around Sound: The Elements of Music – a vibrant, in-depth online lecture series that shines a light on the fundamental building blocks of music: Pitch, Harmony, Tonality, Rhythm, Form/Structure, Timbre, Texture, and Dynamics.
This is no dry theory course. Bursting with auditory colour, packed with vivid musical examples and full of fascinating insight, this engaging series will change the way you hear music forever. Whether you’re brand new to music theory, rekindling a musical passion, or building on years of experience, this course has something for you.
“Ben’s teaching is, as always, inspirational – I learned so much!”
With his trademark warmth, clarity, humour, and deep expertise, Ben England BEM will bring each element to life through:
🎵 Live demonstrations
🎵 Carefully curated video playlists
🎵 Animated scores and high-quality audio
🎵 Downloadable PDFs of scores and further reading
🎵 Personal stories and illuminating explanations
This is musical education for the 21st century – modern, accessible, and full of heart.
“Ben’s enthusiasm, amazing knowledge, and obvious love of the subject is wonderful!”
Course Details
📅 Tuesdays at 19:00 BST (UK time)
22 & 29 April, 6, 13 & 20 May, 3, 10 & 17 June 2025
🎥 Each session includes:
An 80-minute livestreamed lecture via YouTube
An informal Zoom discussion and Q&A with Ben immediately after
🧾 Recordings of both the lecture and Zoom will be available shortly after each session, so you can catch up anytime, anywhere in the world.
What’s included when you join:
📚 Weekly downloadable resource packs
Curated video playlists, key concepts, score PDFs, and recommended reading to deepen your understanding.
💬 Interactive Zoom discussions
A relaxed, friendly space to ask questions and share ideas after each session.
💡 Over 30 hours of content
With 16 hours of expert teaching and just as much again in musical resources – this course offers exceptional value.
🎟️ Course fee: £89
🌟 £75 for Choir of the Earth Members and Associate Members – please check your Note From COTE newsletter for your coupon code.
If you enjoyed Ben’s brilliant Around Sound: The Evolution of Classical Music last year (still available to purchase via our Library!), you’ll feel right at home. And if you’re new to this kind of course – a very warm welcome! No prior experience or musical knowledge is required.
Ready to explore music like never before? Around Sound: The Elements of Music is available to book via the Choir of the Earth Library on our sister website, choirlibrary.com - simply click the button below to visit the site and book your place.*
* Please note you need a choirlibrary.com account to make purchases there. You can’t use your choiroftheearth.com login but it’s free, quick and easy to create a new account.