The bART has been a place where I can be around people who share the same passion and love for music I do.
Music Theory
Music Theory
Whether you are studying privately with one of our bART teaching artists or studying privately outside of our school, our music theory classes are open to young musicians of all levels. Our advanced students regularly test out of their first year of music theory in college.
The study of music theory is indispensable to the development of literate, well-rounded musicians. Additionally, the study of music theory intertwined with history provides students with a sense of artistic chronology, repertoire, and an awareness of varied styles and style periods. This includes the study of musical training from a variety of cultures and traditions from Western and Eastern global classical traditions to a more contemporary understanding of popular nomenclature.
Music theory develops the “seeing ear” (the ability to hear music and know how it should look in notation) and the “hearing eye” (the ability to see music and know how it should sound.) The music theory curriculum begins with fundamentals including note recognition in treble, bass, and alto clefs, in addition to general keyboard orientation, scales and key signatures, intervals, simple and compound meter, elementary composition, and transposition. Basic conducting, 4 part voice writing, orchestration, tonal and atonal dictation, and group sight singing is also a part of this curriculum. After learning the fundamentals, students progress to the study of music analysis, form, chromatic harmony, and part writing. By the end of the program, conservatory students will have a more solid foundation for further study at the college level, often passing placement exams.
Music Theory classes are group afternoon and evening classes taking place once a week for one hour. A short consultation and/or placement exam with one of our theory instructors will be required to determine your child’s level. Financial aid is available; please fill out this form.