WHY YOUR CHILD NEEDS MUSIC THEORY TRAINING 

An integral part of every musician’s education is a thorough understanding of the fundamentals and rudiments of music.  Why does this note have a sharp?  What is the harmonic function of this chord?  Why does the melody go up in this phrase and not down?  Why do I have to practice scales and sing solfeggio/solfège (a sight reading exercise)?  Music Theory will give your child the answers, and tell a whole lot more!

We, as well as our faculty, believe in a well-rounded course of study that includes more than a private lesson (with or without group class) and practicing.  We have learned through years of experience as students, teachers and professional musicians that children benefit most when exposed to a musical environment in which music theory courses, ensemble playing and orchestral participation stimulate their minds and enhance their musical experience and playing skills.  It is within this context that we have developed and now offer music theory courses.

Music Theory is the study of the foundations and principals of sound as it relates to music.  Such knowledge is an important tool in the development of musicianship and skill.  Music Theory helps train the ear as it teaches about tuning, intervals, consonance and dissonance, melody, harmony and acoustics.  Music Theory students study counterpoint, rhythm, meter, and form.  Their courses include ear training and solfège as part of the ongoing effort to teach the ear to listen, to be accurate, and to discriminate (fine-tune) when studying a piece or playing it.  While these fundamentals form an integral part of the private lesson pedagogy as students make progress in their instrumental studies, the separate study of Music Theory helps reinforce and enhance that knowledge, thereby giving students an additional benefit, an added value to their musical education.

Our faculty and we strongly urge you to consider signing up your youngster for a  Music Theory class.  Please feel free to discuss this possibility, or learn more, by contacting us via email or speaking with your child’s teacher.  If you and your child would like to sit in on a class, please contact one of us to make that arrangement. 

Carol Kushner and Geri Kushner
Directors

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