<p>What is the competition in going to a conservatory majoring in music theory? I am a freshman and studing for the AP test on my own. I feel like I may not have a high chance in the composition department, and theory seems like a better choice. So far I haven't seen much questions addressing a music theory major, so, what is it like? The audition process, the actual college expirence, the aftermath. Please someone help me out and tell me more about college music theory!!!</p>
<p>theorygeek
D is a musicologist PhD student(at Wash U in St Louis) but has many theory friends, including a newly minted PhD who just began his first asst professorship at Oberlin (!!)He also does perform and compose.
You will have to audition, theorists play piano at least and basically were orchestra or band geeks before discovering theory so play other instruments.
There arent many theorists going in undergrad right from the start, sometimes instrumentalists "discover" theory along the way ,much as my D discovered music history during her performance major.
Academic Theorists are in demand. There is a big cadre of retiring college level music faculty in the next few years in all areas.You will discover your niche of interest in college as you move along the undergraduate college curriculum.
Take a look at large U's with outstanding music schools as well as conservatories (such as Indiana,Michigan,Arizona State-D's alma mater,originally picked for the flute studio teacher but turned out to be a great choice).What you are looking for is a place where theory for an undergrad isnt just thought of as the "req" to go along with the performance major but has enough of a mass to stand on its own.
Look at the faculty bios of the theorists,their undergrad institutions,their areas of interest. That might help you.Don't be afraid to contact someone, although they might be hestitant to talk to a freshman.Do you have a local University or college with a music dept?Maybe theres a theorist on staff who would like to mentor you.</p>
<p>S was always more interested in harmony and musical "architecture" than in performance. (Now he's a sophomore interested in piano performance.) He took three years of serious jazz piano, which was fabulous for his knowledge of harmony. He took music theory for credit at community college during ages 9--10. Ditto cathymee's suggestion about contacting local CC or college profs who teach theory. The right person might be VERY interested in mentoring you, as with S who was invited to enroll in music theory. </p>
<p>As far as self-study for the AP test, I respect your ambition and interest, but I felt nothing could take the place of live, interactive music class for my S. The prof was constantly at the piano illustrating issues with analysis and solutions. He often broke the class into sections to sight-sing voice leading and figured bass solutions. If you really love theory and harmony I'd look into a dual enrollment college level course if it's available.</p>
<p>Most undergraduate music programs in academic institutions are "generalist" and so include music history, musicianship, and ethnomusicology. Students take courses in all of these subjects and also have performance requirements. Some schools don't offer ethno (Stanford), some don't offer theory (UC Berkeley). Some that are strong in theory and history of theory are: Columbia, U of Chicago, Oberlin, Yale -- though there are doubtless many others. Look at the list of faculty and the courses offered in the departments.</p>
<p>It feels good to know theorists are "in demand." I have some classical piano knowledge, and quite a bit of jazz harmony and improvization training, however my training in instruments outside of piano is little to none. I also have composition training, but probably should get some a real theory teacher. Thanks for the help!!!</p>
<p>I have always been interested in the comcept of Mannes College of Music. From what I've read, all of their majors offer a ton of theory with them, so when you leave you are all around trained musician. I think that's a cool, somewhat unorthodox, way of running a conservatory!
But, of course, you can't always get into a conservatory... I will definitally look into Columbia, University of Chicago, Oberlin, and Yale!</p>
<p>If there is a conservatory preparatory school near you, you might want to take theory and solfege classes during high school. The AP class is a good start, but you can build from there in the next few years. Some of the conservatories have theory exams for applicants, either along with auditions (for instrumentalists) or as the main thing (for composers and theory students). I believe that all conservatories and college music programs have a lot of theory, but, you are right in saying that Mannes has a particular emphasis.</p>
<p>Not a large U but if you want small university with conservatory training Rice has a Music Theory major for undergraduates in the Shepherd School of Music. Web site lists the courses required Shepherd</a> School of Music - UNDERGRADUATE STUDIES AT THE SHEPHERD SCHOOL OF MUSIC and application requirements. Shepherd</a> School of Music - UNDERGRADUATE STUDIES AT THE SHEPHERD SCHOOL OF MUSIC there are probably many others too.</p>
<p>You would get muuuuuuch further in a prep school theory sequence than in AP Theory. Also, a lot of summer programs have a heavy theory component, and allow you to pass out of the lower levels, if you are ahead of that material.</p>
<p>I cannot thank everyone enough for all the help they have been giving. </p>
<p>Speaking of summer programs, does anyone know of any, with an emphasis in theory of course, in the Washington/Oregon area? </p>
<p>Also, if I avioded the summer programs, would reading AP Music Theory Books and college textbooks give me enough information to attend a college through music theory? If throughout my high school years read all of the college level books from a local university, would that be enough knowledge to get inot a conservatory?</p>
<p>You probably don't need to take anything in high school (apart from an instrument, and it would also make sense to start piano if you haven't already) in the way of theory. They start from the beginning in college music programs, with theory and aural training.</p>
<p>My son (the music major who also took three full years of theory on the college level) says the best music theory prep he had was his piano study. DD (the non-music major) said the same thing. Both took the AP exam and got 5's and both said that piano study was the key. BUT both also went to summer music camp and took theory for three summers before taking the AP course. And both also were part of a precollege program where there was an emphasis on theory. All college music majors DO take a theory placement exam either the first week of school as freshmen or during their auditions. Some schools actually have a requirement for passing the theory test for acceptance (Duquesne does, for example). My son says he can't imagine what theory on the college level would have been like had he not had the preparation from his instrument lessons, summer theory classes, and theory class. Also, if you are adept enough at theory, you DO have the chance of placing into a higher level than the beginning level at most music programs on the college level.</p>
<p>I don't understand what you mean by piano study. Do you mean a simple piano class? Because I have had my fair share of those. I am definitially proficent at the piano. I have had outside private composition classes, which are very similiar to theory in a way. Most college's theory majors and composition majors I have seen are practically identical, except for a couple core classes.</p>
<p>I mean piano lessons...and playing some of the classical literature of piano. Sonetinas, for example, are chords taken apart that make beautiful music. Knowing chords and intervals, and key signatures, and being able to transpose, being able to read music in multiple clefs and keys, undertanding key signatures, and rhythm, knowing musical notation and what it means. Proficiency at this comes from ongoing lessons...not in a class, but usually individually. </p>
<p>Also, as some have noted, for most music programs you will need to audition on some instrument. If piano is your primary instrument, you should be taking ongoing lessons throughout high school so that you will be able to play a decent audition. Actually, any music major benefits from ongoing piano lessons (in my opinion).</p>
<p>Oh, of course I can do the listed things. Yes, I studied normal piano lessons for about six years. Yeah, I would probably classify myself as an intermiediate performance student, not theory or composition, but in piano. I ended most training in a performance about half a year ago to focus on theory and composition. From what I've read, theory seems the best choice for me. Thank you all for your help and imput!!! :)</p>
<p>For academic music programs (the ones mentioned above included), you will not have to audition for admission -- or even declare a major -- because they are departments in a college of letters and sciences, like English or History; when there, you will take a placement exam. Certificate of Merit programs in piano would give you some theory training, but not enough for you to pass out of theory courses; you might pass out of a semester or so of aural training.</p>