LET’S do it, let’s fall in love...while at the same time learning of the early career of American song-writing genius Cole Porter, who wrote this still swinging masterpiece in 1928.

A day school looking at the early lives and careers of Porter and fellow composer Irving Berlin will be held at the Quaker Meeting House in Friargate, York, on February 28. The two men defined 20th century American popular music with more than 1,000 songs each and musical shows that are still performed today.

The day school from 10am to 3pm will study the contrasting lives of the composers and how their backgrounds shaped the styles of their earliest work, as tutor and former history lecturer Brian Billcliff outlines.

“Porter was born into wealth and privilege but Berlin, the son of Jewish refugees, had to eke out a living the best way he could,” he says. “That’s what I find so absorbing about these two men.”

Mr Billcliff, whose enthusiasm for the two songwriters stemmed from the films, singers and shows of the era, stressed that no musical knowledge was necessary to enjoy the day. His presentation will include around 30 songs illustrating Porter and Berlin’s work from their earliest days to the mid-1930s.

The day school is organised by the York branch of the WEA, the Workers’ Educational Association. Britain’s largest voluntary sector provider of adult education. The branch delivers nearly 40 courses a year. ranging from classical and modern languages to painting and drawing, literature and local history.

Those wishing to enrol for the day school, or seeking further information, should phone 01904 627791.