AP Music Theory

Description

Advanced Placement Music Theory is a full-year course that covers material which most colleges teach in their first-year theory curriculum. The prerequisites to this course are Music Theory 1 and 2, which are semester courses. As stated in the official Course Description from the College Board, “the ultimate goal of an AP Music Theory course is to develop a student’s ability to recognize, understand, and describe the basic materials and processes of music that are heard or presented in a score.” This is achieved in the comprehensive development of aural, sight-singing, written, compositional, and analytical skills.

Through the study of a variety of musical examples, students will work to master the basics of music analysis. Students will also use creative compositional exercises to demonstrate conceptual understandings. Sight-singing, dictation exercises, and other ear-training exercises will serve as an integral part of the course in the development of students’ performance and aural skills.