| Virginia Nance Lecturer in Music Preparatory Administrator 2247 Alice Pratt Brown Hall 713-348-5753 virginia@rice.edu Troy Wayne Preparatory Assistant 2247 Alice Pratt Brown Hall 713-348-3854 twayne@rice.edu |
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| PREPARATORY
THEORY CLASSES Music theory is the study of the written and aural elements of music. Notation, signs, symbols, scales, chords, intervals, rhythms, and form are some of the concepts included at the primary levels in the study of theory. In music theory classes the student is taught to recognize the sounds of intervals, along with visual recognition, and to compose and write a melody line as well as to write a melody line which the student has heard. In some ways the study of music theory can be compared to the study of English grammar and composition. A good music theory student will be able to interpret, comprehend, memorize, and perform a given piece of music much more easily and convincingly than a student who does not possess this knowledge. It sounds complicated, and it is, but even a young child can absorb many of the concepts quite painlessly, and an important foundation can be put into place at a very early age in much the same way that an early foundation is laid for the study of mathematics. The Preparatory Division of the Shepherd School uses a twelve-year theory curriculum formed by Virginia Nance and designed to begin at the time a child is in first grade and to continue through high school. Theory classes are offered to supplement the study of an individual instrument. It is recommended that all children enroll in the theory course until they arrive at a time when their musical goals become firmly established. It is much easier for a child to begin a full course of music study and to continue over a period of time with his age group than to be placed in a position of needing to catch up with a group of students who have been studying music theory for several years. Sometimes when a student is very late in beginning the study of theory, the amount of remedial work that is necessary seems so insurmountable to him that he becomes discouraged and drops his musical ambitions. Since children do not know what course their lives will take, it is best to treat them all as potential college music majors by not limiting their potential at the outset of study through minimal exposure to music theory. Admission to a theory class from level one through level two is accepted on a “first come first serve” basis, and classes are limited to 12 students. Admission from levels three through twelve is through placement testing only. To be tested for admission to an upper level theory class, contact the preparatory administrator for an appointment. Students who have been tested and do not know enough theory to be admitted to the appropriate class for their age group, have the option of taking private theory instruction until they have caught up to the class. Private instruction in theory costs the same amount as private instrumental instruction. The group theory classes are much less expensive, and the contact and friendships that develop with other children with common interests are invaluable. SCHEDULE OF THEORY CLASSES FALL 2008 - SPRING 2009 Primary I – Monday 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. Teacher – Nance & TBA – Room 1705 Primary 2 – Wednesday 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. Teacher – Nance & TBA – Room 1705 Primary 3 – Tuesday 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. Teacher – Nance & TBA – Room 1705 Primary 4 - Thursday 4:00 - 5:00 p.m. Teacher – Nance & TBA – Room 1705 Primary 5 – Monday 5:00 – 6:00 Teacher – Nance & TBA – Room 1705 Primary 6 – Wednesday 5:00 – 6:00 Teacher – Nance & TBA – Room 1705 Intermediate I– Thursday 5:00-6:00 Teacher – Ethan Greene – Room 1705 Intermediate 2 – Tuesday 5:00-6:00 Teacher – Ethan Greene – Room 1705 |
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