CCM Preparatory Department Opportunities in Music Theory

Young musicians may wonder why they must practice all of those scales, or why "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" is such a great tune. Music theory provides the answer to these questions and much more, and is that is why CCM Prep strongly recommends theory classes for all our training musicians age 8 and above, no matter what instrument they play. No musical education is complete without theory, and theory is essential to composition.

Music theory explains the language of music and why music is put together in certain ways. The goal of music theory is to increase the student's musical understanding and awareness and with that, to also increase his/her musical expressivity. Whether you want to be able to transcribe a hit song to play on an instrument, want help with your AP theory, or most importantly, want to learn enough about music to compose it, CCM Prep offers music theory classes in small groups to  facilitate quicker learning of the theorical concepts aural skills that will round out your musical training. The cost for the classes is greatly reduced for CCM music students.

There are six levels of music theory for youngsters and three levels for adults. Students have access to practice theory in the computer lab at CCM. Private lessons in music theory and composition are also available. Advanced students may wish to take private theory lessons or composition lessons. Students enrolled in private lessons at CCM Prep receive a discount for theory classes. A theory test determines proper placement.

Cost: $200 per semester, $125 for students enrolled in private music lessons.

Two Track System for Levels I, II and III

Most younger students take two years to complete each of the three levels. For these students, the levels are each broken into two separate years of study: I-1, I-2, II-1, II-2, III-1 and III-2. Older students and adults can choose to complete each level in a single year, and must be ready to master musical skills in a short period of time.

Level I

The first level of the Preparatory Theory Program serves as a direct aid to beginning instrumental study. Ear training focuses on aural recognition of the concepts studied in written theory. Students study solfege and develop the ability to sing simple melodies in major and minor keys while conducting the meter. In addition, students train their inner ears by learning how to notate simple melodic and rhythmic dictations. Great emphasis is placed on rhythmic control and proper execution of the subdivisions of the beat.
Topics mastered include:  treble and bass clefs; major and minor scales and key signatures; diatonic intervals; simple time signatures; and rhythmic subdivisions.

Level II

Level II reviews and builds upon the foundation of Level I and focuses on more challenging sight singing and dictation (melodic and rhythmic.) Students develop the ability to recognize and sing all intervals and triads.
Topics mastered at this level include: alto clef; chromatic intervals; triads, seventh chords and their inversions; figured bass; cadences; diatonic church modes; non-harmonic tones and ornaments; transposition; compound time; and small-scale musical forms.

Level III

This class is designed for those students who already have a secure knowledge of the fundamentals covered in Levels I and II. It will focus on the basic elements of diatonic harmony and functional analysis and introduce four-part harmony before moving on to modulation and chromatic harmony. The ear training will include challenging sight singing assignments as well as harmonic, melodic and rhythmic dictations.
Topics mastered include:  tenor clef; transposition; melody writing; realizing a figured bass; part writing and harmonization of a melody; large-scale forms; and analysis of selected works.

Instructors

Ellen Harrison, chair

Ellen Harrison is an exceptionally well-rounded composer and musician.  Born and raised in Illinois, she holds a doctorate in composition from the University of California, Berkeley, an artist’s diploma from the Musikhochschule in Stuttgart, and a Bachelor of Music from the University of Illinois, and has produced a corpus of works for all manner of instrumental and vocal ensembles.  Her music has been performed in both the United States and Europe, and has received numerous honors and awards. E-mail: Ellen.harrison@uc.edu

Igor Plitsyn
DMA in Composition, CCM. Diplomas in Violin and Composition, Moscow State Tchaikovsky Conservatory. Over 50 compositions for all media. Performances in the United States, Eastern Europe and Asia. Grants and awards from the Ministry of Culture of Russia, ASCAP and Meet the Composer. Igor.plitsyn@uc.edu

Class Schedule

Subject to change

Young students
Level IA -- 9 a.m., Saturdays
Level IB -- 10 a.m., Saturdays
Level IIA -- 2 p.m., Saturdays
Level IIB -- Noon, Saturdays
Level IIIA -- 3 p.m., Saturdays
Level IIIB -- 11 a.m., Saturdays

High School and Adults
Level I -- 1 p.m., Saturdays 
Level II --  2 p.m., Saturdays 
Level III  -- 3 p.m., Saturdays