Upper School Course Description

Prerequisite: Departmental recommendation

Note: Course may not run every academic year

Advanced Topics Music Theory and Composition is a yearlong course open to students who have a grasp of reading musical notation, usually through the study of an instrument. Students develop foundational skills in written and aural identification and analysis of music, with the goal to understand the most common harmonic and rhythmic patterns of classical, jazz, and popular music. Students will demonstrate mastery of each musical concept with dictation, score analysis, and short composition exercises. As the year progresses, the class will focus more on arranging, orchestration, and composing in a variety of styles. Through collaborative composing and feedback processes, students will develop personal voice, expression, and technique as composers. At the end of the class, students will give a concert featuring their original compositions to the school community.