Advanced Eurhythmics
(children ages 8-12)
Students who have completed the Beginning Piano Curriculum or students in this age group who have not had prior Eurhythmics experience explore the elements of music through movement, ear training, and improvisation.
9:00 am – 9:45 am

Eurhythmics for Teens
(children ages 13+)
For students in this age group with any level of Eurhythmics experience to explore the elements of music through movement, ear training, and improvisation.
2:00 - 2:45

All Eurhythmics classes are held in Margaret Morrison Hall (MM) room 119

Music Fundamentals 1-semester course offered in Fall and Spring (students ages 6-8, no placement test required)

Music Theory I – IV Sequence
This course is offered in Fall and continuing Spring (for students ages 9+, placement test at the beginning of the Fall semester required)
All courses in the Music Theory Sequence are complete year courses (Fall and Spring consecutively). Students in this age group who have not previously taken theory must take a placement test on the first day of classes in the Prep School to determine which Music Theory level they are best suited for.

Music Theory I - Two consecutive semesters (Fall/Spring)

This course is the first of the four-year music theory sequence. Students will learn the elements of music through listening, reading, and writing exercises designed to develop strong aural skills and a thorough understanding of musical concepts. Students will practice sight singing and dictation to build ear-training skills that can be applied to their instruments.

10:00 - 10:45

Music Theory II - Two consecutive semesters (Fall/Spring)

Taken upon completion of Music Theory I, this course continues the study of musical elements that becomes the foundation for analysis of harmony and musical structure. Students will learn to compose with the rhythm, chords, and short musical structure they learn throughout the year. Students will also continue developing their aural skills.

11:00 - 11:45

Music Theory III - Two consecutive semesters (Fall/Spring)

Taken upon completion of Music Theory I, this course continues the study of musical elements that becomes the foundation for analysis of harmony and musical structure. Students will learn to compose with the rhythm, chords, and short musical structure they learn throughout the year. Students will also continue developing their aural skills.

1:00 pm - 1:45 pm

Music Theory IV - Two consecutive semesters (Fall/Spring)

In addition to continuing the studies of eighteenth-century tonal procedures, this course explores some theory topics beyond common-practice European art music. Students will also learn larger forms and musical expressions that create a narrative through a piece of music and inform performance.

2:00 - 2:45 pm

All Music Theory classes are held in the College of Fine Arts (CFA) Room 102

Jazz Music Theory
(students ages 12+)
Jazz Theory is for students 12 and up with some background of study in music theory who are interested in exploring the basics of jazz theory in a non-performance setting.
11:00 – 11:45

Beginner Improvisation
(students ages 9 – 11)
Students create music spontaneously using rhythms, melodies, and harmonies.
12:00 – 12:30

Advanced Improvisation
(students ages 12+)
Students create music spontaneously using rhythms, melodies, and harmonies. 
12:45 – 1:30

All Jazz & Improvisation classes are held in College of Fine Arts (CFA) room M157.

Group String Classes (Fall and Spring Semesters only)

Group String Class I- 1:00-1:45 (students ages 5-9 and/or beginning string students)

Group String Class II- 12:00-12:45 (students ages 10-12) 

For students who are beginners on their string instrument (violin, viola, cello, or bass) interested in learning to play with other strings, a fundamental component of any student’s proficiency and development as a string player.
 

Group String Class is held in College of Fine Arts (CFA) room M160

Introduction to Sound & Recording (Fall Semesters Only)
(students ages 13+; enrollment max. of 12)
This class is a “crash course” for the world of sound and digital audio recording.  Students will be taught sound recording techniques through hands-on “lab” demonstrations of studio equipment and mock recording sessions in the CMU Vlahakis Recording Studio.  They will also be exposed to the basics of acoustics and the use of Pro Tools.

10:00 - 10:45

Introduction to Sound & Recording is held in College of Fine Arts (CFA) room A-6

Music History 

Music Then to Now: An Introduction to Music History (1 semester, offered in Fall and Spring)

(Students ages 8-12)

This course outlines how we, as musicians and the musical world, got from where we started to where we are now.  How has our musical language developed over time into what we play, listen to, analyze, and aim to build upon today? To understand this, we will trace Western music history's narrative while studying other musical traditions' characteristics and developments.

There are two different times students can take this course.

10:00 – 10:45, HOA 225

11:00 - 11:45, HOA 225

Solfège (Ear Training)

Students 12+

Solfège is a method to build an aural understanding of pitch. This course improves the student's ability to analyze music aurally and to sing at sight in traditional meters and tonalities using the "fixed do" system. Syllables are given to represent how the notes relate to each other. Solfege integrates the three cognitive skills: reading music, hearing music, and writing what one hears. 

12:00-12:45, HOA 225