Music Theory

College Majors Music Major
1

<p>Is it best to take Music Theory (in High school) ASAP or wait until Jr. Year? And then Music Theory II Sr year? (Unless they're half year courses at our school, I don't even know!) I don't think we offer Music Theory AP, music department thinks their program is fine, and AP Music Theory isn't always accepted, anyway. </p>

<p>Or is there more of an advantage, musically, to take it as a sophomore? (earlier) </p>

<p>There is usually a small number of students in these courses, and the teacher is wonderful and supportive, I don't see why DD should wait until JR year, but she says "everybody does". </p>

<p>Of course only if she can fit it into her schedule, and the only thing she can drop is chorus.:(</p>

<p>I also worry, with budget cuts, she should take MT before they cut it! We pride ourselves on being a very good music HS, but as I said MT isn't a large class in numbers of students, so who knows? And if you're not good in MT, shouldn't this point you in a different direction than music?</p>

2

<p>They cut music theory at our high school - S1 took it - S2 never had the chance. Both are now music majors at college and are doing fine in the music theory sequence. So, high school music theory will help but is not necessary if something fun has to be given up to take it. If she loves chorus or band, she should continue to take chorus or band. Also you want to be certain she is taking the appropriate AP or honors sections for her other classes. In some schools, that scheduling becomes the limiting factor by default. Another idea is to have her do a music independent study in her junior year or fall semester of senior year that encompasses music theory related material. Colleges like the initiative an independent study shows and it gives the music teachers something to write about in their college recommendations!</p>

3

<p>If she plans to major in music, taking music theory I and II will at least help her get placed into an appropriate music theory class in college. In some places, like Berklee, she can get credit for core music classes that she tests out of, which leaves more room in her course schedule for advanced music classes. At the very least, she can get AP credit if she can manage a great score on the AP exam, even if she doesn’t major in music.</p>

4

<p>Most top tier conservatories won’t accept credit from AP Theory anyway. It might allow a student to “test up” a class or two when it comes to class placement but I wouldn’t stress out about not being able to fit it in a HS schedule.</p>

5

<p>Not just “top tier conservatories”…most universities will not accept credit from AP theory either.</p>

6

<p>It varies a lot. At some places the music school may accept it but not the other schools in the university(eg, UMichigan, a ‘5’ gives credit for first semester written and aural music theory in SMTD.) </p>

<p>At others the music dept will not accept it, but the other schools do (eg, Northwestern, need a ‘5.’) </p>

<p>The same credit may be awarded by music dept and other depts (eg, ASU gives credit for 1st semester music theory class that music students take, for any student with 4/5.) </p>

<p>At yet others, the credit you get may be for some lower level music theory or general music class which may not be helpful helpful to a music degree (IU, a 3/4/5 gives credit for a music theory class, MUS-Z 111, which may be used for music minor, but not for performance major, if I read catalog correctly.) </p>

<p>We didn’t look at freestanding conservatories, so don’t know anything about their policies.</p>

7

<p>The conservatories I am aware of don’t accept AP Credit for theory. If the class gives you enough knowledge it could place you into higher level classes, but in a sense it wouldn’t save you anything anyway, as far as I know, with theory you take it pretty much the whole way through, every semester (obviously, this is my experience only, limited).</p>

<p>My take on the AP theory test if you are thinking of majoring in music is it can be helpful as an introduction to it, to get some footing in it, and perhaps take away some of the fear kids have with it. Whether it gets a student placement or not, it lets them know what in fact it is, and that can only be a plus to me. </p>

<p>On the other hand, if it is going to take up valuable time, if it is intensive, takes a lot of homework, etc, you may want to take the time you would spend with that and save it for practicing (thinking homework and studying). Given how tight kid’s schedules are these days, maximizing time to practice is critical IMO. </p>

<p>A lot of the value also might deal with how theory is taught at the program you are going into, AP music theory is supposed to recreate a first year music theory class, but one thing I have learned, it isn’t standardized by any means, the sequence of teaching and terminology can vary, what is first semester one place might be second another. My S had a sequence of ABRSM music theory, and then when he got into the pre college program he was in, the theory in many ways was different, though he did place several sequences in. </p>

<p>But overall, I would recommend it, even though taking the test itself may not be worth anything, if to get someone familiarized with the basic concepts and ideas and take some of the shock of, assuming they have time. If they don’t have the time to do it, if it would take up too much time, especially from practicing, I would also tell you not to sweat it, the schools get kids at all levels, it is why they have placement tests (and again, some on here have mentioned schools that have a music theory test that is a min skills test, so it is possible having background might be needed at certain programs;a number I know don’t. I wouldn’t sweat not taking AP music theory, to be honest, if it is too much time.</p>

8

<p>My D’s experience hit both types of schools … When she was at a University majoring in biochemistry as a freshman, they accepted her 5 in AP music theory as an elective with full credit for a non-music major music theory class. When she transferred to Berklee College of Music, they did not accept AP music theory, but by taking that class and private lessons, she was able to test out of three semesters of core music theory and ear training classes, which allowed her to now as a senior take much advanced classes in her schedule.</p>

<p>So, if she can fit it in, I recommend she take it. If it bumps a hard core class, I would not take it. Why your school has chorus at the same time as music theory is a mystery to me, but if you daughter is in other choruses or music ensembles, maybe it is possible to not take chorus in lieu of music theory. In our high school, you had to do chorus in order to participate in the advanced choral ensembles, but you didn’t have to be in chorus to be in the a cappella clubs, which were student run with a music teacher advisor.</p>