Pre-College Music Theory

Online Pre-College Music Theory

Summer 2022 dates coming soon

Get a head start on your college music studies!

Do you need pre-college music theory?

• Can you identify intervals, spell chords, & construct major & minor scales?
• Can you identify the key by looking at the key signature?
• Can you correctly harmonize a melody?
• Can you notate and perform rhythms in simple and compound meters?
• Can you sing a melodic line at sight on solfège syllables?
• Can you write a melodic line with correct pitches & rhythms after hearing it three times?

If you answered “no” to any of these questions, you may not be prepared for the music theory or musicianship courses offered in college and would benefit from enrollment in Pre-College Music Theory. 

Why should I take music theory before college begins?

At Westminster Choir College of Rider University (and many other colleges), all incoming freshmen music majors are required to take a Basic Musicianship placement exam. Too many students are not adequately prepared for the exam.

At Westminster, incoming students who do not pass are required to take Introduction to Musicianship (TH 045), a semester long, non-credit course that will count for nearly a quarter of your time spent in class during the Fall semester. That means starting out behind your classmates and spending a lot of time and money to catch up to them!

The Pre-College Online Music Theory Program can help you to prepare for the Basic Musicianship Placement exam (at Westminster and at other colleges): outlining relevant topics, helping you to develop basic musicianship skills and to better strategize your test preparation. The summer music theory program is offered 100% online for your convenience. 

One-hour live meetings are held on Wednesdays at 8 p.m. EST via video conference as well as online tutorials, videos, and musical examples.

Faculty/Instructor: 

• Dr. Craig Levesque

Scholarship Opportunity

High school students who complete any Rider University Pre-College Summer Program prior to applying for first-year admission to Rider University can qualify for an annually renewable $2,000 Pre-College Completion Award. Some restrictions may apply.

Tuition

$150 deposit fee
Program tuition TBD

Enrollment

Registration opening soon

Enrollment is open to students entering 9th grade through those having just completed their senior year. There is no application deadline for this program, however it is advisable to register early to reserve your place in this popular class. No audition is required.

Equipment (what is needed to attend the program): Good internet connection