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Classes for Youth & Adults
Music Theory
Music History
Singing and Acting
Choral Conducting
Special Offerings for Adults
Music Theory___________
Knowledge of the fundamentals of music theory can enhance the understanding
of music for any age/level student and is essential for the young performer.
Wilmington Branch music theory classes range from beginning to advanced
levels and provide a basic understanding and framework of the language of
music. The curriculum is designed to help students apply skills directly to
their private studies, and students who take music theory classes are likely
to develop and progress more rapidly and thoroughly in their private study
environments. Each class correlates directly to specific levels of the
Delaware State Music Teachers Association curriculum. Theory placement exams
are mandatory for all new theory students and will be administered on the
dates listed below or by appointment. Knowledge of subject matter (not
simply age or length of private study) determines class assignment.
Specialized theory and composition classes for advanced students may be
available by request.
| Theory Placement Exam Dates: |
Saturday, September 6, 3:00 p.m.
Tuesday, September 9, 4:30 p.m.
Tuesday, September 9, 5:15 p.m.
Thursday, September 11, 4:30 p.m.
Thursday, September 11, 7:30 p.m. |
Please call the Wilmington Branch Front Desk to register for your Theory Placement Exam.
Prerequisite for all music theory classes: Placement by instructor/theory
department head. All new theory students must take a mandatory placement exam.
| Theory Essentials (Beginners: Level P, 1, 2) |
| Age: |
7-9 years |
| Day/Time: |
Tuesday, 5:15-6:00pm
Thursday, 4:30-5:15pm |
| First Class: |
Week of September 15 |
| Length: |
Entire academic year (two 12-week semesters) |
| Tuition: |
$106.47 per 12-week semester |
| Instructor: |
Ethel Olsen |
Theory Essentials provides an introduction to music theory
and notation for students beginning lessons, for Suzuki
students developing reading skills (end of Book I or beginning
of Book II) or for students ages 7 to 9 who have not yet
chosen an area of study and desire a general music class.
The class is hands-on and activity-based using “Music
Mind Games” to help reinforce basic concepts. Theory
Essentials correlates to DSMTA Theory Primary & Levels 1
& 2. |
| Theory Discoveries (Elementary: Levels 3, 4) |
| Day/Time: |
Tuesday, 4:30-5:15pm
Thursday, 7:30-8:15pm |
| First Class: |
Week of September 15 |
| Length: |
Entire academic year (two 12-week semesters) |
| Tuition: |
$106.47 per 12-week semester |
| Instructor: |
Ethel Olsen |
This class is excellent for the student who has studied for
one to three years with no theory instruction or for students
who have completed Theory Essentials. It correlates to the
DSMTA Theory Levels 3 & 4 and introduces basic
pentachords, sharp key signatures, intervals, phrase structure
and aural skills. |
| Theory Explorations (Early Intermediate: Levels 4, 5) |
| Day/Time: |
Monday, 5:15-6:00pm |
| First Class: |
Monday, October 6 |
| Length: |
Entire academic year (two 12-week semesters) |
| Tuition: |
$106.47 per 12-week semester |
| Instructor: |
Elayne Soltz Penn |
A continuation of Theory Discoveries, this class is for the
student with previous theory experience. Students learn
notation, all major key signatures and scales, intervals in
relation to major keys, construction of major and minor
triads, ties, triplets, upbeats, compound meter, rhythmic
dictation and periods. Additionally, students are introduced
to Roman numerals and the aural identification of simple
harmonic patterns. This class correlates to DSMTA Theory
Levels 4 & 5. |
| Intermediate Theory I (Intermediate: Level 6) |
| Day/Time: |
Monday, 5:45-6:30pm |
| First Class: |
Monday, October 6 |
| Length: |
Entire academic year (two 12-week semesters) |
| Tuition: |
$106.47 per 12-week semester |
| Instructor: |
Elayne Soltz Penn |
A continuation of Theory Explorations, this two-year intermediate
level theory tutorial requires previous theory experience.
The two-year program introduces minor scales and key
signatures, modes, the circle of fifths, all intervals within
an octave, and augmented and diminished triads. Additionally,
students continue working with Roman numerals, inversions,
asymmetric meters, as well as developing their aural skills,
including identification of triads and melodic dictation.
Form and style periods are introduced. Intermediate Theory I
and II correlate to DSMTA Theory Levels 6 & 7. |
| Intermediate Theory II (Intermediate: Level 7) |
| Day/Time: |
Monday, 3:30-4:30pm |
| First Class: |
Monday, October 6 |
| Length: |
Entire academic year (two 12-week semesters) |
| Tuition: |
$141.88 per 12-week semester |
| Instructor: |
Elayne Soltz Penn |
A continuation of Theory Explorations, this two-year intermediate
level theory tutorial requires previous theory experience.
The two-year program introduces minor scales and key
signatures, modes, the circle of fifths, all intervals within
an octave, and augmented and diminished triads. Additionally,
students continue working with Roman numerals, inversions,
asymmetric meters, as well as developing their aural skills,
including identification of triads and melodic dictation.
Form and style periods are introduced. Intermediate Theory I
and II correlate to DSMTA Theory Levels 6 & 7. |
| Advanced Theory (Advanced: Level 8, 9) |
| Day/Time: |
60-minute class, as scheduled |
| First Class: |
Week of September 15 |
| Length: |
Entire academic year (two 12-week semesters) |
| Tuition: |
$141.88 per 12-week semester |
| Instructor: |
WMS/DMS theory faculty |
The class that follows Intermediate Theory I and II in the
WMS/DMS music theory sequence, Advanced Theory requires
previous theory experience. Class includes review of all
major and minor key signatures and scale forms, whole tone
and pentatonic scales, seventh chords in root position and
inversions, discussion of Baroque and Impressionistic
devices and continued aural training, including
identification of style. This class correlates to DSMTA
Theory Levels 8 & 9. |
| Analysis Seminar (Advanced: Level 10) |
| Day/Time: |
60-minute class, as scheduled |
| First Class: |
Week of September 15 |
| Length: |
Entire academic year (two 12-week semesters) |
| Tuition: |
$141.88 per 12-week semester |
| Instructor: |
WMS/DMS theory faculty |
The Analysis Seminar concludes the WMS/DMS Music
Theory Sequence with Level 10 of the DSMTA Theory, augmented
with further analysis at the discretion of the instructor.
The class includes review of keys, scales and chords and
introduces cadences, secondary dominants, common chord
modulation, Romantic forms and 20th-century style
characteristics. Class continues development of aural
skills, including identification of all intervals within an
octave, all scale forms, all triads and seventh chords, and
includes melodic dictation in major and minor keys. |
| Composition (Advanced) |
| Day/Time: |
60-minute class, as scheduled |
| First Class: |
Week of September 15 |
| Length: |
Entire academic year (two 18-week semesters) |
| Tuition: |
At private instruction rate |
| Instructor: |
WMS/DMS theory faculty |
Composition is available to the advanced theory student who
wishes to pursue composition studies in a private study setting. |
| See-Hear-Sing (Sight-Singing & Ear-Training) |
| Age: |
14 years to adults |
| Day/Time: |
Monday, 6:30-7:15pm |
| First Class: |
Monday, October 6 |
| Length: |
Entire academic year (two 12-week semesters) |
| Tuition: |
$141.88 per 12-week semester |
| Instructor: |
Elayne Soltz Penn |
The ability to mentally translate music notation into
sound is an indispensable skill for all musicians;
See-Hear-Sing is an essential class for the singer or
instrumentalist. It is taught by an experienced
voice/piano/theory teacher. This class is highly
recommended for students who are considering taking
Advanced Theory. |
| Basic Music Theory for Adults |
| Age: |
Adults (18 years and up) |
| Day/Time: |
Wednesday, 7:15-8:00pm |
| First Class: |
Wednesday, September 17 |
| Length: |
Entire academic year (two 15-week semesters) |
| Tuition: |
$133.09 per 15-week semester |
| Materials: |
Workbook to be purchased separately |
| Instructor: |
Dr. Paula Nelson |
Ideal for the adult student with little or no musical
experience! Class covers fundamentals of notation in
treble and bass clefs, rhythm, time signatures, major
and minor scales, key signatures, modes, intervals and
chords. Also includes beginning aural skills. Students
will purchase an inexpensive workbook for use in class.
Prerequisite: Telephone interview with instructor. |
| Advanced Music Theory for Adults |
| Age: |
Adults (18 years and up) |
| Day/Time: |
Wednesday, 8:00-9:00pm |
| First Class: |
Wednesday, September 17 |
| Length: |
Entire academic year (two 15-week semesters) |
| Tuition: |
$177.46 per 15-week semester |
| Materials: |
Textbook to be purchased separately |
| Instructor: |
Dr. Paula Nelson |
Ideal for the experienced adult musician who wishes to
pursue advanced studies in music theory. After a brief
review of major and minor scales, key signatures, rhythm
and time signatures, the class focuses on intervals,
chords, diatonic harmony, principles of voice leading,
harmonic progression and form, with an emphasis on
analysis and part-writing. Students develop aural skills
with sight-singing and melodic/harmonic dictation
exercises. There are weekly reading and written
assignments from a college music theory textbook.
Prerequisite: Completion of Basic Music Theory for
Adults or equivalent studies in music theory. A
recommendation by a private teacher and a phone interview
are necessary for those who wish to take the class but
have not met the prerequisite. |
Music History___________
Classes in music history are essential for the music student and
fascinating to the enthusiast. Music history classes allow students
to explore the historical context and stylistic framework within
which the pieces of each era were composed. Focused listening plays
a significant role in the music history class as the works of each
era are reviewed, analyzed and compared.
| Exploring Musical Style-A History of Western Music 1600 to Present |
| Age: |
12 to 18 years |
| Day/Time: |
Thursday, 7:00-8:00pm |
| First Class: |
Thursday, September 18 |
| Length: |
Entire academic year (two 15-week semesters) |
| Tuition: |
$225.00 per 15-week semester |
| Materials: |
$25.00 |
| Instructor: |
Dr. Oleg Maslov |
This class is a general survey of Western musical art from
the 1600s to present day. Emphasis is placed on two topics:
the history of the development of different musical
structures, such as polyphonic forms, fugue, sonata form,
concerto and character pieces, as well as the contributing
individual composers from each era. Each class is divided
into two parts: 40 minutes of lecture and discussion and 20
minutes of listening to relevant compositions. Class
materials include Jan Swafford’s “Vintage Guide to Classical
Music.”
Prerequisite: None. |
| A History of Musical Style |
| Age: |
Adults (18 years and up) |
| Day/Time: |
Monday, 5:30-7:00pm |
| First Class: |
Monday, September 15 |
| Length: |
Entire academic year (two 15-week semesters) |
| Tuition: |
$250.00 per 15-week semester |
| Materials: |
$40.00 |
| Instructor: |
Dr. Oleg Maslov |
A general survey of style and its implications in regard to
the overall development of Western musical culture from the
earliest period of Gregorian chant to present day. Emphasis
is placed on discussion of stylistic changes from period to
period within Western musical culture and how these changes
determined the development of major genres specific to
different musical periods. Contributions of individual
composers of each era are discussed. Each class is divided
into two parts: 60 minutes of lecture and discussion and 30
minutes of listening to relevant compositions. Class
materials include Richard Crocker’s “A History of Musical
Style” and Jan Swafford’s “Vintage Guide to Classical Music.”
Prerequisite: None. |
| History of Rock Music |
| Age: |
High school students and adults |
| Day/Time: |
Thursday, 7:00-8:00pm |
| First Class: |
Thursday, November 6 |
| Length: |
Entire academic year (one 8-week semester and one 15-week
semester), beginning after marching band season |
| Tuition, Fall: |
$120.00 for 8-week semester |
| Tuition, Spring: |
$225.00 for 15-week semester |
| Materials: |
$55.00 |
| Instructor: |
Christopher Braddock |
Students will survey the influential and popular artists of
each decade, starting with the 1950s and continuing to present.
Each era’s dominant cultural trends will be reviewed, as well
as the overall social climate as it is reflected through music.
The class will include guided listening, class discussions and
an introduction to musical criticism. Students will write
reviews of recordings, journal entries and original songs;
watch relevant films; and interview local musicians. The
students themselves will help design the final segment of the
class in which current trends in popular music will be
explored. Class begins after marching band season. Class
materials include David Szatmary’s “Rockin’ in Time: A Social
History of Rock and Roll (6th Edition).”
Prerequisite: This class requires permission of parent as
it contains mature subject matter related to the music studied. |
Singing and Acting___________
| Music Theatre/Opera Performance Lab |
| Age: |
12 years to adults |
| Day/Time: |
Thursday, 7:30-9:00pm |
| First Class: |
Thursday, September 18 |
| Length: |
Entire academic year (two 15-week semesters) |
| Tuition: |
$300.00 per 15-week semester |
| Instructor: |
Allan Carlsen and WMS/DMS faculty |
In this laboratory setting, the actor/singer will work in
scenes from musicals, operas and/or operettas. The actor
will learn how to create a character, how to discover scene
objectives and how to work successfully with the other
actor(s) in the scene. In this laboratory, the scene work
will include work with text/libretto, lyrics and music. |
Choral Conducting___________
| Basic Choral Conducting |
| Age: |
14 years to adults |
| Day/Time: |
Monday, 5:30-6:45pm |
| First Class: |
Monday, September 15 |
| Length: |
One 16-week semester (fall semester only) |
| Tuition: |
$259.56 for 16-week semester |
| Materials: |
$40.00 |
| Instructor: |
Dr. Michael Larkin |
An interactive class that covers all issues of basic choral
conducting, including the geometry of conducting patterns,
cueing and releases, working with singers, developing choral
tone, balance and blend, score preparation, developing
critical listening skills and choosing appropriate
literature for your ensembles, etc. This class especially
serves those who conduct choirs but have had little or no
formal training, as well as more experienced conductors who
might wish to review and sharpen conducting and musical
skills. There will be opportunities to work with Wilmington
Branch choral ensembles. Basic Text: “Evoking Sound” by Dr.
James Jordan (GIA), plus supplemental reading and score
exercises and analysis.
Prerequisite: Ability to read music; interview with the
instructor. |
| Advanced Choral Conducting |
| Age: |
14 years to adults |
| Day/Time: |
Monday, 5:30-6:45pm |
| First Class: |
Monday, January 26, 2009 |
| Length: |
One 16-week semester (spring semester only) |
| Tuition: |
$259.56 for 16-week semester |
| Materials: |
$40.00 |
| Instructor: |
Dr. Michael Larkin |
A continuation of Basic Choral Conducting, this class
addresses the many musical, social and interpersonal issues
faced by today’s choral conductors whether they work in
church or synagogue, the community or in the schools.
Instruction is more individually directed, based on choral
literature that participants have studied and prepared.
Students should have completed Basic Choral Conducting or
receive permission from the instructor to enroll. There will
be opportunities to work with Wilmington Branch choral
ensembles. Basic Text: “Evoking Sound” by Dr. James Jordan
(GIA), plus supplemental reading and score exercises and analysis.
Prerequisite: Completion of Basic Choral Conducting;
consent of the instructor. |
Special Offerings for Adults___________
| Class Piano for Adults |
| Age: |
Adults (18 years and up) |
| Day/Time: |
Wednesday, 7:30-8:30pm |
| First Class: |
Wednesday, September 17 |
| Length: |
Entire academic year (two 15-week semesters) |
| Tuition: |
$268.38 per 15-week semester |
| Materials: |
To be purchased by student |
| Instructor: |
Joan Fasullo |
Perfect for the adult who has always longed to play the piano,
this class is designed especially for those with little or no
musical experience. The class places strong emphasis on fluent
reading, secure rhythm, controlled technique and expressive
performance. Theory, sight-reading, harmonization,
improvisation and ensemble activities are also addressed, as
well as the instruction of the development of efficient
practice skills. Students play music from the very first
lesson! Daily access to a piano and time for regular practice
is necessary.
Prerequisite: Telephone interview with instructor. |
| Class Voice for Adults |
| Age: |
Adults (18 years and up) |
| Day/Time: |
Monday, 6:15-7:15pm |
| First Class: |
Monday, September 15 |
| Length: |
Entire academic year (two 15-week semesters) |
| Tuition: |
$225.00 per 15-week semester |
| Instructor: |
Joanne Ward |
This course is ideal for adults who have little or no previous
formal vocal instruction and wish to begin a more formal
exploration of the art and science of singing. Students will
participate in solo and ensemble singing using a variety of
vocal music styles.
Prerequisite: Telephone interview with instructor. |
2008-2009 Information Guide
Click here for information about financial assistance.
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