The Sound of History: An introduction to the History of Western Classical Music
From 35.78 C$ /h
What makes Baroque music different from Romantic? How did Mozart, Beethoven, and Stravinsky change the sound of the world? In this course, we’ll explore the major eras of Western classical music, from the ornate harmonies of the Baroque to the bold, theory-breaking works of the 20th century. Each lesson focuses on a different time period or movement, introducing key composers, musical styles, and the historical and cultural forces that shaped the sound of each era.
This class is designed to be accessible and engaging, NOT theory heavy. No formal music training is required. We’ll focus on listening, storytelling, and historical context, helping you connect with music as both an art form and a reflection of its time. We’ll explore each period using musical excerpts, visual art, cultural history, and key ideas — with room for discussion, questions, and student interests.
Topics Included:
- Baroque Era: Bach, Vivaldi, sacred music, ornamentation, court life
- Classical Era: Mozart, Haydn, balance, Enlightenment ideals
- Romantic Era: Beethoven, Chopin, nationalism, emotion, revolution
- Impressionism & Modernism: Debussy, Stravinsky, fragmentation, innovation
- 20th Century and Beyond: Minimalism, film scores, electronic music, global voices
Learning Goals:
- How to identify musical styles and characteristics by era
- Key composers and the cultural movements they reflected
- How to listen critically and understand music’s relationship to its time
- Confidence discussing music without needing formal training or theory background
This class is perfect for music students, history lovers, or anyone curious about the evolution of classical music — and the stories it tells.
This class is designed to be accessible and engaging, NOT theory heavy. No formal music training is required. We’ll focus on listening, storytelling, and historical context, helping you connect with music as both an art form and a reflection of its time. We’ll explore each period using musical excerpts, visual art, cultural history, and key ideas — with room for discussion, questions, and student interests.
Topics Included:
- Baroque Era: Bach, Vivaldi, sacred music, ornamentation, court life
- Classical Era: Mozart, Haydn, balance, Enlightenment ideals
- Romantic Era: Beethoven, Chopin, nationalism, emotion, revolution
- Impressionism & Modernism: Debussy, Stravinsky, fragmentation, innovation
- 20th Century and Beyond: Minimalism, film scores, electronic music, global voices
Learning Goals:
- How to identify musical styles and characteristics by era
- Key composers and the cultural movements they reflected
- How to listen critically and understand music’s relationship to its time
- Confidence discussing music without needing formal training or theory background
This class is perfect for music students, history lovers, or anyone curious about the evolution of classical music — and the stories it tells.
Extra information
This is virtual lesson, so a device to connect may help! Something to take notes!
Location
Online from United States
About Me
Hello! I’m a passionate and experienced history and music educator. For history, I have a special focus on the history of science, medicine, and technology. In regards to music, I am trained in classical music history, but can branch out! Whether you're preparing for exams, exploring academic interests, or just love learning, my goal is to make the past come alive in ways that feel relevant, human, and inspiring.
History isn’t just about dates — it’s about people, ideas, and how we got to where we are today. If you’re curious, preparing for an academic goal, or want to dig into a specific topic, I’d love to work with you. Book a lesson and let’s explore history in a way that matters to you.
I hold a strong background in research and teaching, with particular expertise in topics like the Spanish Flu, Black Death, public health history, and the technologies that changed the world. If interested in how music plays a role in disease, I can add that to the lecture! My classes are interactive, discussion-based, and designed to be custom-tailored to your learning goals.
History isn’t just about dates — it’s about people, ideas, and how we got to where we are today. If you’re curious, preparing for an academic goal, or want to dig into a specific topic, I’d love to work with you. Book a lesson and let’s explore history in a way that matters to you.
I hold a strong background in research and teaching, with particular expertise in topics like the Spanish Flu, Black Death, public health history, and the technologies that changed the world. If interested in how music plays a role in disease, I can add that to the lecture! My classes are interactive, discussion-based, and designed to be custom-tailored to your learning goals.
Education
Illinois Wesleyan University ’25 – Bachelor of Arts in History and Music (3.5 GPA). Focus in the history of science, medicine, and public memory. Earned research honors for thesis.
Experience / Qualifications
Completed specialized coursework in:
• History of Disease
• History of Technology and Science
• History of Nursing
• An independent study on the Memory of the 1918 Spanish Flu, awarded research honors
• History of Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Modern music history
• History of Opera, Ballet, Musicals
- Recipient of research honors for original work in historical memory and public health history
- Interned with the University Archivist and Digital Librarian at Illinois Wesleyan University, preserving and curating historical collections
- Designed and produced interactive digital exhibits highlighting topics such as:
• The history of LGBTQIA+ student organizations
• The use of library spaces as sites of learning, access, and transformation
• Theatrical Design and Archives
- Experienced in 3D scanning, storytelling through visual history, and building accessible educational tools for a wide audience
- Skilled in working with students of all levels, from high schoolers prepping for exams to adults exploring personal interest topics
- Particularly passionate about science communication, historical storytelling, and using the past to better understand the present
• History of Disease
• History of Technology and Science
• History of Nursing
• An independent study on the Memory of the 1918 Spanish Flu, awarded research honors
• History of Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Modern music history
• History of Opera, Ballet, Musicals
- Recipient of research honors for original work in historical memory and public health history
- Interned with the University Archivist and Digital Librarian at Illinois Wesleyan University, preserving and curating historical collections
- Designed and produced interactive digital exhibits highlighting topics such as:
• The history of LGBTQIA+ student organizations
• The use of library spaces as sites of learning, access, and transformation
• Theatrical Design and Archives
- Experienced in 3D scanning, storytelling through visual history, and building accessible educational tools for a wide audience
- Skilled in working with students of all levels, from high schoolers prepping for exams to adults exploring personal interest topics
- Particularly passionate about science communication, historical storytelling, and using the past to better understand the present
Age
Teenagers (13-17 years old)
Adults (18-64 years old)
Seniors (65+ years old)
Student level
Beginner
Intermediate
Duration
60 minutes
The class is taught in
English
Skills
Availability of a typical week
(GMT -05:00)
New York
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Sun
00-04
04-08
08-12
12-16
16-20
20-24
From the Black Death to COVID-19, epidemics have done more than spread illness — they’ve reshaped societies, restructured power, accelerated science, and transformed how we live. In this personalized, one-on-one course, we’ll examine the global history of disease and uncover how outbreaks have built and broken systems across time.
Using primary sources, historical documents, visual media, propaganda, art, and medical texts, we’ll explore how different societies understood, feared, fought disease, and what those responses can teach us about the modern world.
Each lesson focuses on a specific disease or pandemic, such as:
- The Black Death and early public health
- The Spanish Flu and wartime censorship
- Cholera, sanitation, and the modern city
- Tuberculosis and the romanticization of illness
- HIV/AIDS, activism, and inequality
- COVID-19 in historical perspective
What you’ll gain:
- A deeper understanding of disease as a force in world history
- Tools to analyze historical sources and narratives
- Connections between past and present public health responses
- Insight into how memory, fear, and resilience shape our collective story
This course is ideal for students of history, public health, or anyone curious about how disease has helped build — and challenge — the modern world.
Using primary sources, historical documents, visual media, propaganda, art, and medical texts, we’ll explore how different societies understood, feared, fought disease, and what those responses can teach us about the modern world.
Each lesson focuses on a specific disease or pandemic, such as:
- The Black Death and early public health
- The Spanish Flu and wartime censorship
- Cholera, sanitation, and the modern city
- Tuberculosis and the romanticization of illness
- HIV/AIDS, activism, and inequality
- COVID-19 in historical perspective
What you’ll gain:
- A deeper understanding of disease as a force in world history
- Tools to analyze historical sources and narratives
- Connections between past and present public health responses
- Insight into how memory, fear, and resilience shape our collective story
This course is ideal for students of history, public health, or anyone curious about how disease has helped build — and challenge — the modern world.
Struggling with history or social studies classes? Want to boost your grades or prep for a big exam? This 1-on-1 tutoring course is designed just for high school students who want to get more confident, more capable, and maybe even learn to enjoy history along the way.
Whether you're taking World History, U.S. History, APUSH, AP World, or AP Euro, I tailor each session to your goals. We’ll go beyond memorizing dates, focusing instead on understanding historical arguments, writing clear essays, and analyzing sources like a pro.
This is a flexible support session; bring your assignments, readings, study guides, essays, or questions, and we’ll work through them together. Not sure where to start? I can also help you build foundational skills over time.
You’ll learn how to:
- Break down primary and secondary sources
- Write strong, structured essays
- Make connections between historical events and big themes
- Build better study strategies and review materials
- Prepare for tests with confidence and clarity
I hold a B.A. in History and Music with research honors, and I specialize in making complex topics clear, relevant, and student-friendly. Whether you need help on one assignment or ongoing support all semester, I’m here to help you succeed.
Whether you're taking World History, U.S. History, APUSH, AP World, or AP Euro, I tailor each session to your goals. We’ll go beyond memorizing dates, focusing instead on understanding historical arguments, writing clear essays, and analyzing sources like a pro.
This is a flexible support session; bring your assignments, readings, study guides, essays, or questions, and we’ll work through them together. Not sure where to start? I can also help you build foundational skills over time.
You’ll learn how to:
- Break down primary and secondary sources
- Write strong, structured essays
- Make connections between historical events and big themes
- Build better study strategies and review materials
- Prepare for tests with confidence and clarity
I hold a B.A. in History and Music with research honors, and I specialize in making complex topics clear, relevant, and student-friendly. Whether you need help on one assignment or ongoing support all semester, I’m here to help you succeed.
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