Music Theory
“Together We Thrive”
Original Composition by TPMS and Third Coast Percussion
Music Theory curriculum at The People’s Music School trains students to think critically and apply new tools for creative self-expression.
This curriculum is divided into four levels: Beginner, Intermediate, Upper Intermediate, and Advanced, with sublevels 1-10 within each. All students prepare for and participate in written theory midterm exams and a final composition project, which both take place in the spring semester.
Beginner students create four-measure compositions, putting their knowledge of rhythmic values, dynamics, and tempo.
General Music Jury: Rhythmic Reading Exercise
Music is a Gift: Pass it On!
BEGINNER
Concepts: Read pitches in the clef(s) associated with their instrument or vocal range, learn about steady beat, count whole/half/quarter note and rest rhythms, staff, clefs, measure, bar line, double bar line, repeat sign, whole and half steps, accidentals, scales, chords, and arpeggios associated with their instrument
INTERMEDIATE
Concepts: eighth note/rest rhythms, musican signs and symbols (e.g. 1st/2nd endings, fermatas), articulation (e.g. ties, slurs, accents), dynamic markings and keys, intervals, score reading, circle of fifths, binary form, and more
UPPER INTERMEDIATE
Concepts: reading pitches in F, C, and G clefs, ternary form, intervals identified by sight and aurally, distance of intervals (augmented and diminished), accurately count sixteenth and triplet note/rest rhythms, accurately read and interpret musical markings (e.g. coda, D.S., D.C.), harmony, accurately write and identify key signatures of minor scales using intervals, and more
ADVANCED
Concepts: sight and aural identification of augmented and diminished chords, intervals and quality (major, minor, perfect, augemented, diminished), reading notes in the clefs of other instruments, identification and definition of all symbols connected to reading notation found in advanced music, and much more