Music Theory & History

The symbol indicates programs recommended for adults.

MUSIC THEORY

Music Theory is the study of the building blocks of music. A knowledge of theory is an essential tool for musicians and gives performers and listeners valuable insights into a composer's creative thoughts and technical methods. Students may take advantage of a curriculum–sharing partnership between Hochstein and Eastman Community Music School. The classes listed below are offered at Hochstein, and additional offerings are available at Eastman CMS. Regardless of where a student has enrolled, make-up classes in Music Theory may be taken at either Hochstein or Eastman CMS. Hochstein will be happy to provide a complete schedule of all available classes. Please call (585)454–4596.

Fundamentals of Music Theory
David Sommerville, Instructor
grades 5–7
Tuesdays, 5:00–6:00 pm
Introduction to fundamental musicianship skills, with an emphasis on the development of aural skills including rhythmic performance, sight singing using solfège and rhythmic melodic improvisation, leading to a written knowledge of the basic theoretical vocabulary, including notation in the treble and bass clefs, major and relative minor modes and key signatures, intervals, triads, transposition and simple melodic composition.

FEE: $18 registration fee. $450* yearly tuition payable in quarterly installments of $112.50 each. For students enrolled in individal instruction at Hochstein, $306 yearly tuition payable in quarterly installments of $76.50.

Basic Music Theory
Michael Callahan, Instructor
grades 8–12
Wednesdays, 6:00–7:00 pm
A course in basic theoretical rudiments, introduction to figured bass, and elementary harmonic analysis with correlated ear training, geared for teens.

FEE: $18 registration fee. $450* yearly tuition payable in quarterly installments of $112.50 each. For students enrolled in individual instruction at Hochstein, $306 yearly tuition payable in quarterly installments of $76.50.

Basic Theory for Adults
Michael Callahan, Instructor
age 18+
Wednesdays, 7:00–8:00 pm
A course in basic theoretical rudiments, introduction to figured bass, and elementary harmonic analysis with correlated ear training, geared for adults.

FEE: $18 registration fee. $450* yearly tuition payable in quarterly installments of $112.50 each. For students enrolled in individual instruction at Hochstein, $306 yearly tuition payable in quarterly installments of $76.50.

AP Theory I: Form and Harmony
Michael Callahan, Instructor
grades 10–12 or by teacher recommendation
Wednesdays, 5:00–6:00 pm
Introduction to the harmonic resources of the common practice period, including functional diatonic harmony, non-harmonic tones, seventh chords and secondary dominant, with correlated ear training. Classes will be devoted to Roman numeral and linear analysis, figured bass, motive development, phrase structure and cadence types, leading to a study of simple and rounded binary forms through aural and written analysis of a wide variety of literature.
Pre-requisite: Basic Music Theory or Fundamentals of Music Theory.

FEE:$18 registration fee. $450* yearly tuition payable in quarterly installments of $112.50 each. For students enrolled in individual instruction at Hochstein, $306 yearly tuition payable in quarterly installments of $76.50.

Solfège and Aural Skills I
David Sommerville, Instructor
grades 8–12
Wednesdays, 6:00–7:00 pm
A course devoted to the development of aural and sight-singing skills including solfège, rhythmic performance and conducting, recognition of intervals, triads and their inversions, rhythmic, melodic and harmonic dictation and improvisation.
Pre-requisite: Basic Music Theory or Fundamentals of Music Theory.

FEE: $18 registration fee. $450* yearly tuition payable in quarterly installments of $112.50 each. For students enrolled in individual instruction at Hochstein, $306 yearly tuition payable in quarterly installments of $76.50

 

MUSIC HISTORY

Music History Survey
Rob Goodling, Instructor
age 14+
Tuesdays, 6:00–7:00 pm
Examine the history and development of music and listen to masterworks of representative composers from the 16th century Renaissance; the Baroque and Classical eras; the 19th century Romanticism, Impressionism and Post-Romanticism; the 20th century English Folk-Song Renaissance, Expressionism, Neo-Classicism, Modernism and Post-Modernism developments; through and including Jazz, Rhythm & Blues, Rock 'n Roll and Rap. A textbook/companion CD rental fee of $25 is not included in the class tuition fees.

FEE: $18 registration fee. $450* yearly tuition payable in quarterly installments of $112.50 each. For students enrolled in individual instruction at Hochstein, $306 yearly tuition payable in quarterly installments of $76.50.

Nights at the Opera: A History of Excess
Rob Goodling, Instructor
age 14+
9 weeks only, beginning September 11–November 6
Tuesdays, 7:30–9:00 pm
During the Renaissance, a group of Florentine noblemen-professing a strong interest in ancient Greek drama-created an all-encompassing art form they called Opera. These popular and influential stage productions became highly ornamented in the 17th century, reformed during the 18th century, grandly elaborate in the 19th century and colorfully eclectic by the 20th century. This class traces the history and development of this social and musical phenomenon we still call Opera from its earliest examples up to contemporary works through video and audio examples-class handout materials are provided.

FEE: $8 registration fee: $168.75* tuition. For students enrolled in individual instruction at Hochstein, $114.75 tuition.

Beethoven: The Nine Symphonies
Rob Goodling, Instructor
age 14+
9 weeks only, beginning November 13–January 29
Wednesdays, 7:30–8:30 pm
An in-depth look at each of these nine symphonic masterpieces, with particular attention to their importance in Beethoven's life and career, as well as to the historical development of the genre of "symphony," itself–handout materials provided along with audio presentations.

FEE: $8 registration fee: $112.50* tuition. For students enrolled in indivudal instruction at Hochstein, $76.50 tuition.

The Role of Women Composers in the History of Music
Rob Goodling, Instructor
age 14+
9 weeks only, beginning February 5 –April 15, 2008
Wednesdays, 7:30–8:30 pm
What did Francesca Caccini, Fanny Mendelssohn, and Alma Mahler all share in common? Their own musical compositions were far less known than those of their father, brother, and husband. This survey course will examine the lives and music of over 50 women composers, who, from antiquity until the present, have made significant contributions to musical composition. In-class listenings will include examples from a wider variety of sacred and secular genres, including the Mass, motet, madrigal, cantata, oratorio, opera, ballet, sonata, concerto, symphony, art song, song cycle, chamber music, ragtime, jazz, and the Broadway musical. Handout materials are provided.

FEE: $8 registration fee: $112.50* tuition. For students enrolled in individual instruction at Hochstein, $76.50 tuition.

The Bright Lights of Broadway: A History of Musical Theatre
Rob Goodling, Instructor
age 14+
9 weeks only, beginning April 22, 2008
Wednesdays, 7:30–8:30 pm
"What good is sitting alone in your room? Come, hear the music play!" (Cabaret, Kander and Ebb) Trace the development of Musical Theatre, beginning with European origins through and including current American Broadway stage productions. This class emphasizes video as well as audio representation–handout materials are provided.

FEE: $8 registration fee: $112.50* tuition. For students enrolled in individal instruction at Hochstein, $76.50 tuition.

MUSIC THEORY/HISTORY CLASSES	Tues.	Wed.	Fri.
Fundamentals of Music Theory (grades 5–7)		5:00–6:00
Basic Music Theory (grades 8-12)		6:00–7:00
Basic Music Theory for Adults (age 18+)		7:00–8:00
AP Theory I: Form & Harmony (grades 10–12)		5:00–6:00
Solfège and Aural Skills I (grades 8–12)		6:00–7:00
Music History Survey (age 14+)	6:00–7:00
Nights at the Opera : A History of Excess (age 14+) 9 weeks only, starting September 11, 2007	7:30–9:00
Beethoven: The Nine Symphonies (age 14+) 9 weeks only beginning November 13, 2007		7:30 –8:30
The Role of Women Composers in the History of Music (age 14+) 9 weeks only beginning February 5, 2008		7:30–8:30
The Bright Lights of Broadway (age 14+) 9 weeks only, beginning April 22, 2008		7:30–8:30