Music Theory and Composition
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What Is Music Theory?
Music theory is the study of the building blocks of music. A knowledge of theory is an essential tool for all musicians providing them with a common technical language and a means of understanding the organization of music.Private lessons are offered in theory and composition. See Getting Started
Theory Placement Exams
New students are encouraged to attend a theory class that they think might be appropriate for them. During the first week of classes, each theory class will begin with an overview of that class (about 20 minutes) and then a general theory placement exam will be given to all new students in attendance. Once the placement exam is evaluated, the appropriate class for the new student will be confirmed.
Theory in Motion
Introductory Music Theory
Middle School; 4 units
Howard Spindler, Lynnann Wieringa, Instructors
Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. or
Saturdays at 9:30 a.m. orSaturdays at noon
A course in theoretical rudiments. Topics will include notation of pitches in the treble, bass and C clefs, major and minor scales, rhythmic notation in simple and compound meter, transposition, intervals and triads, with correlated ear training. Recommended as a preparation to the high school level courses. Class Details
Tuition: $272 per semester;
$245 or less per semester with lessons, plus materials fee.
Music Theory I: Theoretical Skills
High School; 4 units
Margaret Henry, Lynnann Wieringa, Instructors
Fridays at 5 p.m. orSaturdays at 10:30 a.m. or
Saturdays at 12:30 p.m.
A course in theoretical rudiments for high school students. Topics will include notation of pitches in the treble, bass and C clefs, scales and modes, rhythmic notation in simple and compound meter, transposition, intervals, triads and four-note chords and an introduction to first species counterpoint, with correlated ear training. Class Details
Tuition: $272 per semester;
$245 or less per semester with lessons, plus materials fee.
Advanced Placement (AP) Theory
High School & Adults; 4 units each
Margaret Henry, Instructor
Advanced Placement (AP) Theory curriculum is a demanding course of study for high school students in grades 10-12 who wish to complete the equivalent of first-year college theory. Students are required to take two hours of class each week for two years. This program, designed by instructor Margaret Henry, has demonstrated its effectiveness in the extraordinarily high grades earned by our graduates in the standardized AP examinations
Music Theory II: AP Aural Skills
Tuesdays at 5 p.m. or
Wednesdays at 5 p.m. or
Saturdays at 10:30 a.m.
An intensive ear training course devoted to the development of aural skills through the performance of rhythmic patterns in simple and compound meter, sight singing using solfege, conducting exercises, recognition of intervals, triads, and inversions of triads as well as rhythmic, melodic, and harmonic dictation. Prerequisite: Music Theory I or Introductory Music Theory A and B. Class Details
Tuition: $272 per semester;
$245 or less per semester with lessons, plus materials fee.
Music Theory III: AP Diatonic Harmony
Wednesdays at 6 p.m. or
Saturdays at 11:30 a.m.
Begins with an intensive study of Species Counterpoint leading to a study of the harmonic resources of the later 17th and 18th centuries, with an emphasis on the diatonic compositional practice from Bach through early Beethoven. Topics will include functional diatonic harmony, decorative (non-harmonic) tones and seventh chords, the Tonic-Predominant-Dominant-Tonic Phrase Model, including contrapuntal expansions and cadences. These skills will be developed through figured bass and melody harmonization in a four-part style and through analysis of a wide variety of literature. Prerequisite: Music Theory I or Introductory Music Theory A and B. Class Details
Tuition: $272 per semester;
$245 or less per semester with lessons, plus materials fee.
Music Theory IV: AP Advanced Aural Skills
Thursdays at 5 p.m.
Expands on the aural skills developed in AP Theory 1B including recognition of seventh chords and inversions and development of the ability to recognize the harmonic and formal resources studied in Music Theory II through aural identification in the literature, and melodic and harmonic dictation. Prerequisites: Music Theory II and III. Class Details
Tuition: $272 per semester;
$245 or less per semester with lessons, plus materials fee.
Music Theory V: AP Advanced Diatonic Harmony
Thursdays at 6 p.m.
Begins with a study of the formal procedures of the common practice period, including motivic, melodic and harmonic structure of the phrase, phrases in combination: the Period, Sentence Structure, the Double Period and the smaller forms: Binary and Ternary Form leading to a study of further harmonic resources of the common practice period, including applied chords, tonicization and pivot chord modulation. Emphasis in the final weeks of the course will be on preparation for the AP Examination in Music Theory. Prerequisites: Music Theory Ii and III. Class Details
Tuition: $272 per semester;
$245 or less per semester with lessons, plus materials fee.
Music Theory VI: Chromatic Harmony and Form
High School & Adults; 4 units
Margaret Henry, Instructor
Tuesdays at 6 p.m.Begins with a review of Period Structure and Binary and Ternary Form leading to a study of the larger forms: Composite Ternary, Rondo and Sonata Forms in conjunction with a study of the harmonic resources of the later 18th and 19th centuries, with an emphasis on the chromatic compositional practice from Beethoven through Brahms, Topics will include mixture, chromatic predominants, chromatic modulation and the 19th century processes of musical ambiguity and harmonic symmetry. Prerequisites: Music Theory IV and V Class Details
Tuition: $272 per semester;
$245 or less per semester with lessons, plus materials fee.
Music Theory VII: Counterpoint
High School & Adults; 4 units
Lynnann Wieringa, Instructor
Saturdays at 1 p.m.This course is an in-depth study of Counterpoint, and is divided into three parts: Strict Counterpoint, Modal Counterpoint, and Tonal Counterpoint. The student will do a number of compositions throughout the year, in addition to weekly contrapuntal exercises. Basic Counterpoint skills are an essential requirement for enrollment. Prerequisites: Music Theory IV and V Class Details
Tuition: $272 per semester;
Free! for students taking private lessons at ECMS
Theory Project
Half-hour private lesson; full year course. Class Details
Tuition: $513 per semester with instructor or $350 with intern.
Keyboard Theory for Pianists
High School & Adults; 4 units
Lynnann Wierenga, Teacher
Mondays at 6:30 p.m.This course is intended for piano students who have not yet taken nor wish to take AP Theory, but have completed Music Theory I, and for those who are working toward a 2-year diploma in piano. The student will learn techniques of score reading, sight-reading, basic accompaniment, and learn music aurally at the keyboard. Prerequisite: Music Theory I and fluent keyboard technique. Class Details
Tuition: $272 per semester;
$245 or less per semester with lessons, plus materials fee.
Transcribing Music
High School & Adults; 4 units
Paul Hofmann, Instructor
Full year course. Saturdays at 1 p.m.
Prerequisites: The ability to read music. This innovative course helps remove the mystery from musical notation, focusing on the interrelated functions of melody, chords and meter. Ear training becomes an integral part of the process, and musical styles from classical to jazz to pop become much more easily notated.
Tuition $272 per semester;$245 or less per semester with lessons.
Beginning Improvising Classical Music
High School & Adults; 4 units
Paul Hofmann, Instructor
Full year course. Saturdays at 3:30 p.m.
Enjoy learning the rudiments and mechanics of creative improvisation and expression with other talented musicians, professionals and amateurs alike. Each student's exploration of the joys of creating new and inventive musical phrases is encouraged and validated. For those whose playing ability is at least at an intermediate level. Vocalists welcome! Folk and classical styles the focus, with emphasis on Mozart. Twelve students maximum per class. No prior improvisation experience required.
Tuition $272 per semester;$245 or less per semester with lessons.
Last updated: April 30, 2012