Preparatory Studies: Creative Theory & Composition
2011-2012
Since its founding, the Longy School has maintained a tradition of excellence in the teaching of solfège and theory. An important foundation for the study and appreciation of music, Creative Music Theory classes are designed for students ages 8–18 who have completed at least one year of instrumental or vocal studies. (Ages and instrumental experience are a guideline. The instructor may determine readiness through a brief interview.) In our carefully sequenced curriculum, students learn scales, clefs, intervals, and conducting patterns. They also learn to sing using solfège syllables, compose melodies, and analyze harmonic progressions.
Click here for link to our Creative Music Theory Textbook online.
Fee for al levels of Creative Music Theory, Composition Seminars and History Classes:
$375/semester (including books and materials)
$340/ semester when concurrently enrolled in private lessons or performing ensemble.
All classes meet on Saturdays (15 sessions each semester)
Click here for link to our Creative Music Theory Textbook online.
Creative Music Theory Level I
Section I — Course: PY081-A
Instructor: Morrison
Meets: Saturdays, 9:00-9:55 AM
Section II — Course: PY081-B
Instructor: Aghababian
Meets: Saturdays, 10:00-10:55AM
Concepts such as rhythmic values, meter, major and minor intervals and chords are explored. Solfège syllables, sight-reading and conducting patterns are introduced. Ear-training exercises such as “melody conversations” and simple music dictations develop students’ aural skills and ability to read and understand musical language.
Creative Music Theory Level II
Section I — Course: PY082-A
Instructor: Aghababian
Meets: Saturdays, 8:00-8:55 AM
Section II — Course: PY082-B
Instructor: Romm
Meets: Saturdays, 12:00–12:55 PM
Concepts such as consonance, dissonance, sequence and antecedent-consequent phrases are explored through examples and short composition assignments. Syncopation and simple two-part rhythmic exercises are introduced.
Creative Music Theory Level III
Section I — Course: PY083-A
Instructor: Romm
Meets: Saturdays, 2:00-2:55 PM
Students continue working on intervals, scales, chords, rhythm and pitch, sight-singing and solfège, with increased emphasis on the abstract side of music theory. The function of chords in keys, simple dictation of melody and harmony, and phrase relationships are introduced.
Creative Music Theory Level IV
Section I — Course: PY084-A
Instructor: Romm
Meets: Saturdays, 8:00-8:55 AM
Section II — Course: PY134-B
Instructor: Aghababian
Meets: Saturdays, 1:00-1:55 PM
Students continue to build on skills learned in Level III and progress to functional harmony, part-writing, simple counterpoint and small musical forms.
Creative Music Theory Level V
Section I — Course: PY085-A
Instructor: Pailler
Meets: Saturdays, 9:00-9:55 AM
Section II — Course: PY085-B
Instructor: Aghababian
Meets: Saturdays, 2:00-2:55 PM
Students learn advanced solfège and singing from quartets and scores with alto and tenor clefs. Students sight-read complicated rhythmic patterns and chromatic melodies that modulate to distant keys. Students begin harmonic studies by learning voice-leading principles, analyzing chorale harmonizations, expanding their harmonic vocabulary and realizing figured bass progressions.
Creative Music Theory Level VI
Course PY086-A
Instructor: Romm
Meets: Saturdays,9:00-9:55 AM
Course PY086-B
Instructor: Romm
Meets: Saturdays, 11:00-11:55 AM
In this course, we introduce contrapuntal exercises and continue to expand students’ harmonic vocabulary through composition and the analysis of examples from the Romantic period.
Advanced Theory
Course PY087
Instructor: Aghababian
Meets: Saturdays, 9:00-9:55 AM
This course is a continuation and development of the skills learned in Level VI. Emphasis is placed on developing understanding of complex harmonies and counterpoint.
Teen Theory I & II
Year 1 Course: PY088-A
Instructor: Pailler
Meets: Saturdays, 10:00-10:55 AM
Year 2 Course: PY088-B
Prerequisite: Teen Theory 1
Instructor: Romm
Meets: Saturdays, 10:00-10:55 AM
Year 1 - An accelerated course for teenagers who are begginning theory studies, this is designed as a two-year course.By completion, students should be prepared to enter Level IV or V of the standard theory program, depending upon progress made and as advised by the theory faculty.
Year 2 - Designed foor students enrolled in Teen Theory the previous year.
Advanced Placement Theory - Teen Theory III
Course: Course PY089
Instructor: Morrison
Meets: Saturday,10:00-10:55 AM
This year-long course is for students who have completed Teen Theory II or Creative Music Theory Level V. By following published guidelines and sample tests from previous years, the class prepares students to succeed on the AP Music Theory test.
Composition Seminar
Fee: $375/semester (includes books and materials) $340/semester with enrollment in private lessons or ensembles
Course: PY078
Instructor: Morrison
Meets: Saturdays, 12:00-12:55PM
An innovative course for students interested in exploring the materials and methods of composition. Students will undertake composition projects for members of the seminar, and perform each other’s works. This is an elective course which, with the instructor’s permission, may be used to fulfill the Young Performers Creative Theory requirement. Full-year course.
Advanced Composition Seminar
Fee: $375/semester (includes books and materials) $340/semester with enrollment in private lessons or ensembles
Course: PY079
Instructor: Morrison
Meets: Saturdays, 11:00-11:55AM
This course is for advanced composition students of high-school age. Each semester will focus on a different compositional topic or musical genre. Students will be expected to present lecture discussions on the chosen topic. The course’s primary emphasis will be on individual compositional projects related to the semester’s topic or genre (i.e., piano trios, text setting, or variation technique, etc.), culminating in a series of reading sessions and a public performance/presentation of the new student works by Longy instructor-performers.
MUSIC HISTORY
A Journey Through the History of Music
Fee: $375/semester (includes books and materials) $340/semester with enrollment in private lessons or ensembles
Course: PY080
Instructor: Romm
Meets: Saturdays, 1:00-1:55PM
This course will enrich a student’s study of music in private lessons, chamber music, theory, and orchestra by examining the periods and styles of music from the Renaissance to the 21st century. We will listen to and compare music across history and discuss the lives of composers and the influences on their music. Students will gain an understanding of the origins and development of genres such as suites, concertos, sonatas, and symphonies, as well as forms such as rondo and variation, fugue, and sonata/allegro. Full-year course. (One year of a two-year sequence.)
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