Advanced Placement music theory for high school jr

College Majors Musical Theater Major
1

<p>I'm wondering if anyone has experience with taking AP music theory in high school. My d is sitting on the fence about this one for next year. </p>

<p>If a student passes the AP exam in music theory, are MT programs honoring this in their BFA programs or so they prefer that students take their Music theory courses regardless?</p>

<p>My only experience has been with my son, who placed out of Calculus by doing well on his AP Calc exam. He is an engineering student. Every engineering program he was excepted to wanted their students to relearn
Calculus "their" way. So he was unable to earn credits for this course in college. Of course the advantage was that he had a solid year of high school high level calculus, which is the basis for all of his engineering math courses.</p>

<p>What is the music theory expectations of the BFA's in mt?</p>

2

<p>It seems that there are various levels of music theory and schools conduct placement tests to determine which class to place you in. My son experienced this as a music major and was required to take the placement test eventhough he'd not taken the AP class in high school. I can't see how it would hurt to take it if her schedule allows.</p>

3

<p>I don't have a direct answer to your question and imagine it varies from school to school (meaning BFA programs). </p>

<p>Our HS did not have AP Music Theory. However, my D knows a LOT of music theory, having taken piano lessons for ten years with a teacher who emphasized theory, playing three instruments, taking jazz theory, playing in band and jazz band, etc. </p>

<p>At her college, NYU/Tisch/CAP21, Music Theory is required. However, they have a placement exam on the first day of the year each year. If you place out (and a few do), you are exempt from taking Music Theory. It has nothing to do with having an AP score...you take the placement exam. My D has placed out of the required Music Theory courses the past two years at CAP21, and as I said, has never taken AP Music Theory. I would imagine, however, if someone did very well in AP Music Theory, they'd be of the sort who might place out on the placement exam. </p>

<p>The only other personal experience I have with this is at UMichigan. At the BFA auditions, they have a placement audition on the piano. While my D was not accepted to UMichigan, the results of her piano placement audition put her into the fifth level class, which placed her out of the required piano/theory classes, though she'd have had the option to continue on with piano (at her level) if she wanted to and attended. She likely would have as she is into piano and earns money now as a pianist and values further learning. </p>

<p>So, my guess is that some programs, regardless if you have taken AP Music Theory, might have a placement exam. If you scored well on the AP exam, you are likely in good steed for doing well in a placement exam. This would be a question to ask each program in advance (either during the application process, or even now if your D is considering whether or not to take AP Music Theory or not). For example, I have another D who is planning on graduate school and she would only take two particular courses (that she is not interested in taking and does not have to otherwise) if her potential grad schools would require them or not accept her AP credits (same courses). Before deciding to take these classes, she will ask each potential grad school next week if what she has taken would satisfy those requirements (they very well might). It can't hurt to ask the direct source, since it varies from college to college.</p>

<p>Lastly, whether or not the BFA program would accept the AP Music Theory credit, taking the course would be worthwhile in my view, because one: it could help her do well on a placement exam if the BFA program has one, and two: music theory, as well as even being able to play piano, are very very valuable skills to have in the field of MT.</p>

4

<p>All music students, regardless of the curriculum, take the same sequence of music theory/ear training courses, and some will be required to do remedial work before beginning the sequence. The skills are broken into separate courses of written theory, ear training, keyboard harmony, etc., so that each area is mastered and no one manages to pass the course with serious deficiencies in an area. Typically the basics are covered over four semesters, and there are additional required theory courses past that for BA, BM, and BME majors (form and analysis, counterpoint, etc.) Every school has its own system, vocabulary, and one needs to be oriented to it in order to progress through the theory curriculum. Placement tests will determine basic skills and then where you are in their sequence of theory. Transfer students have problems when they try to plug into a new system for the corresponding semester, and they frequently must back up. Taking the high school theory course is a good idea, because it will be more familiar, but it will likely be necessary to take the resident theory sequence. No place I know of just gives AP theory course credit, except as an elective college credit for another major. Good luck.</p>

5

<p>mamalu,
My Ds experience is that she took AP music theory as a HS senior and passed the test. Her BM-MT program gave her 3 hours of Music Theory I for that effort. The program gives a placement test as part of the audition and most her freshman friends were assigned to Fundamentals of Music Theory last semester and are taking Music Theory I this semester. My D took no theory last semester and is taking MTII this semester (it wasn't offered in the fall). My only regret is that the time off from last May (when she took the exam) to the time she started MTII in January made her start a little behind for this semester. She struggled initially, but has gone to tutoring and is now up to speed. That would be my only caution with taking the credit for AP-MTI.</p>

6

<p>My d also placed out of music theory classes in MT at her college, but most were required to take it and were placed according to how well they did on the placement test. I think this is pretty typical of many MT programs - at least we know of students in 2 other programs frequently talked about on this site that took placement tests and were placed accordingly - one also tested out completely - and I can't remember how the other one fared. But I also agree with what others have said that the AP class in HS can only benefit the student's learning of music theory. It is such an advantage if the MT student can play piano, read music, and has good music theory skills.</p>

7

<p>It may be that MT curriculums are less strenuous in music theory studies that BM, BA, BME programs, but this surprises me. If the degree is a BM in MT, it should be under the same theory requirements. If the degree is a BA or a BFA out of a theater department, it makes sense that the requirements would be less strenuous, because the variety of musical structure studied is less likely to be beyond the reach of a student with less background. Personally I think that vocal performance students would benefit more from an interdisciplinary education than a pure (conservatory) music education, and perhaps the MT students do have the best of all possible worlds. And yes, I know this opinion is heresy in the music world....shudder!</p>

8

<p>mamalu-
My d took AP music theory her senior year and tested out of 3 hours at the conservatory. She did have to take an additional placement test when she got to school, but had no problems with it. We were told that students "rarely" tested out of Music Theory when we asked during our visitations. I would recommend taking it. I believe music theory is part of the schedule for most BFA programs.</p>

9

<p>Just to pipe in--I think it's always good to take the AP music theory, regardless of whether or not you get credit for it. It's simply good preparation, particularly if your child is going to take music theory in college. My child has taken AP Music Theory in his school and even if he doesn't get any credit for it at Tisch, I still think it is worthwhile. I myself took Calculus. BC (back in the day!) and got a 5, but was still required to take a year of Calc in college. However, I got an A in the class while all the other students struggled, and I was able to learn and absorb a great deal more because I had so much more scaffolding than everyone else.</p>

10

<p>It varies from school to school, but AP looks good on a resume and is a good prep even if they don't actually take it.</p>

11

<p>I don't know if this will help any, but what I did was take AP classes and didn't take the tests. My college of choice wouldn't accept the credit (I checked before signing up for the tests), so I saved myself the $80 per test and still had the AP classes on my transcript for when it came time to apply.
Also, if you check the school's websites you are interested in, they will tell you what AP classes they accept and what scores you need to get on them for the credit to transfer.</p>

12

<p>What I will say about the AP Music Theory test is that it's a very difficult and long test. You must sing, listen to music and answer questions about it, and compose according to certain rules. The test is also very fast-paced in the listening portions. Once they finish playing a selection a certain amount of times, they will never play it again. You won't be able to go through the entire test again to double-check your answers in the listening portions.</p>

<p>I took the exam as a sophomore, and even with absolute perfect pitch and 13years of piano, flute, and music theory experience each, I struggled to maintain my concentration to the end of the test. I did end up with a 5 on the exam; however, I went home immediately after the test and slept for 12 hours.</p>

<p>Being only a junior in high school, I really don't know how this would contribute to credits in college, but unless she is really up for a year of hard work and a very difficult exam at the end of that year, you should talk to your daughter about taking the exam.</p>

13

<p>I took AP music theory in HS... I think I got a 3 on the test... not much of a standardized test taker :) althoug hte credits didn;t transfer into my college BFA program.. I think i would have needed to get a 4.. it was almost 20 years ago now... however, the AP backgroud as well as the multiple years of pianbo training served me well both in college Music Theory, piano, and music/ singing classes, as well as my life as a MY performer and direcotr... There is nothing to be lost by taking the class.</p>