<p>I plan on becoming a musical theatre major in college and I have been looking into which AP courses I should take or self study in high school.</p>
<p>I have noticed that many people insist that taking AP music theory is pointless for a MUSIC MAJOR, but since I am going for a MT major, would AP music theory be beneficial to take?</p>
<p>I am curious to see your opinions!</p>
<p>I know that the theory studying that comes with AP music theory would be beneficial, but what are your overall thoughts?</p>
<p>Some schools may take the AP to satisfy a theory requirement, some may not. If your future school accepts it, you’ve opened up a slot for an elective. If they don’t, and you have to retake theory, it should be much easier for you. In either case, the knowledge you gain will be invaluable to you.</p>
<p>Depending on what sort of program a student ultimately decides to attend, the rewards for taking theory in high school may be great. For instance, at OCU, which is a Bachelor of Music program (for both vocal performance and music theater), ALL undergraduate music majors must take four semesters of music theory and aural skills. Having this training in high school will give ANY student a leg up.</p>
<p>Other schools have no theory requirement (silly, IMHO ;)), so this may be a moot point.</p>
<p>Also, at OCU, if you receive a composite score of 4 or 5 on the AP exam, an incoming freshman student will bypass the Theory I and Aural Skills I requirements and move straight to the second semester theory level.</p>
<p>I personally believe in the merits of theory education for any musician–it really will help your ear and your mind, which will aid any performer in learning music quickly, not to mention in interpretation.</p>
<p>That being said. It would not be a waste to take AP Music Theory (whether or not you take the test). The knowledge will be useful to you in your career.</p>
<p>It depends on the school. Where I teach (auditioned BA MT program) the MT students take Music Theory with music majors in the School of Music (SOM). AP scores are not accepted. BUT, some students who have taken AP Music Theory (or with significant music theory background through another route) will test out of the requirement by taking the credit by examination test offered by the SOM. The MT program I attended (auditioned BFA MT program) did not accept the AP scores either (at least did not when I went there… not sure about now). Other schools may accept the AP Music Theory credits if the score is high enough (sounds like OCU will accept certain scores to test out of one semester). This is a question you would need to ask of each program individually.</p>
<p>My brother is ■■■■■■■■ and was able to get a 3. I’m pretty sure you could just walk in and get a 5, so you might as well take the course for the easy exam grade.</p>
<p>Yes, it will depend on the program. I also believe that accepting theory scores to test out of one semester is a very new program–it is the first I have heard of it at OCU.</p>
<p>To the OP: at OCU, yes, ALL music majors take the theory placement test if they do not test out of Theory I. Some of the MTs are exceptionally good at theory, so it would be silly for them not to, haha.</p>
<p>So with all this information together, I have one final decision to make. My HS offers 2 music theory courses but they are NOT AP. Should I take the courses and SELF-STUDY for the AP exam, or is the exam not worth the money and extra time? Should I just plan on taking the course WITHOUT self-studying for the AP exam?</p>
<p>Take the course and self-study for the AP exam if you are willing to put forth the effort. </p>
<p>Regardless of whether or not you choose to take the AP exam, I would urge you to take the course! Anything to give you a leg up and make you a better musician!</p>
<p>I think you should do some research into programs–I’m not sure on the status of other schools giving credit for the AP theory exam. Like I said, it’s new for OCU. </p>
<p>Depending on which program you choose, you may receive credit. You may not.</p>
<p>I never took the exam, so I can’t say whether or not it is worth it, but I can say that a theory education is worth it (thus my recommendation of the class).</p>
<p>Is it beneficial to you? That’s an easy “yes” and it’s strongly worth doing so long as you’re not giving up an acting or dance class to do it.</p>
<p>You didn’t specifically ask about testing out of college theory, but I’d still say that an MT kid should understand as much music theory as possible. It will separate you from the field.</p>
<p>Thanks georgeanne. Does anyone else have an opinion on whether or not I should SELF-STUDY THE AP EXAM along with my music theory class? Or just the CLASS? thanks :)</p>
<p>I didn’t know that self-studying for the exam was even an option. I think you would need to balance how much time and effort you would have to devote to it. While it may be helpful to have, if it would interfere with your audition preparation, it may be counterproductive. If the additional self-study could be concentrated into the time after auditions, it may be more feasible. How early would you have to decide whether to take the exam or not?</p>
<p>I would like to decide within the first few months of school so I have enough time to study well. And when you mention audition you mean for colleges, I am only a rising sophomore so that shouldn’t be a problem. My biggest concern is whether or not the exam is worth SELF-STUDYING for because most MT colleges don’t give credit, and if I should take the music theory course by itself and forget the AP exam. At the moment I see no point in paying for the AP exam and devoting time for studying ON TOP OF TAKING MUSIC THEORY 1 course, when I would be just as well off taking the music theory 1 course by itself.</p>