Music Theory

with Mr. Michael Anderson

Music Theory is the study of reading and writing music. Understanding how composers think and write allows us to have a fuller appreciation of all music throughout history! Intro to Music Theory and Intermediate Music Theory are live classes designed to help students start or further their knowledge of music and music theory. If the class schedules don’t work with your schedule, sign up for Asynchronous Music Theory!

Intro to Music Theory

Intro to Music Theory is a live class designed to help students who know nothing about reading music and helping them to eventually compose their own music! In the first half of this class, students will begin by learning all of the symbols on the page. From there, they will learn how to identify keys, scales, chords, and start learning the basics for putting these together through four-voice partwriting. The second half will focus on a 16th and 17th century style of composition called counterpoint, which was used by Bach, Palestrina, Mozart, and many, many others. Through this practice, students will learn how to create their own melodies and harmonies. This course is for all people 13+ years of age with no knowledge to beginner knowledge of music theory.

Intro to Music Theory Syllabus 2020-21

Intermediate Music Theory

Intermediate Music Theory is designed to help students who have a basic understanding of music theory and give them the tools to understand and write complex music of the 18^th and 19^th century. In the first semester, students will begin by diving deep into the art of four-voice partwriting. From there, they will learn to analyze music from a harmonic point of view, and through this, will learn the common practices of harmonic function and tendencies from the major composers of the 18^th century. Students will discover how to properly use everything from diatonic harmonies and secondary dominant chords to modulations. Intermediate Music Theory culminates with each student composing a fugue. This course is a continuation of Intro to Music Theory, and picks up right where the intro course left off. Students taking this course are required to have knowledge of key signatures, major and minor scales, intervals, triads, seventh chords, and counterpoint before beginning this course. Those who wish to take this course, but do not have the necessary knowledge are encouraged to take Intro to Music Theory or have private tutoring with Mr. Anderson prior to the course beginning.

Intermediate Music Theory Syllabus 2020-21

Asynchronous Music Theory

Asynchronous Music Theory allows students to have unlimited access to recorded classes, assignments, and exams for either Intro to Music Theory or Intermediate Music Theory. This will give students who wish to learn the art of composition the opportunity to learn music theory on their own schedule. All classes for Intro to Music Theory are currently available, and Intermediate Music Theory classes will begin to be available starting September 14th, 2021. Both courses are for all people 13+ years of age.

Michael Anderson has recently appeared as a Young Artist with Nashville Opera during the 2019-2020 season. Making his Nashville Opera debut, he sang the roles of King Kaspar in Amahl and the Night Visitors, David in Pepito, and Peter Quint in The Turn of the Screw.

Mr. Anderson has also participated in Young Artist Programs at Des Moines Metro Opera, Palm Beach Opera (Dr. Blind in Die Fledermaus), Dayton Opera (Pong in Turandot; Sergeant in Il Barbiere di Siviglia, and the Soloist in Messiah); Opera Saratoga (Bardolfo in Falstaff; Gus Polock and Professor Trixie in The Cradle Will Rock); Central City Opera (Jimmy in Later the Same Evening), and at Wolf Trap Opera (Le Journaliste in Les mamelles de Tirésias; the Opera Box Quartet and Count Almaviva cover in The Ghosts of Versailles). Aside from opera, he has appeared as a soloist for many orchestras across North America in performances including Messiah, Mozart Requiem, Lobgesang, Bach St. John Passion, Gounod Requiem, Beethoven’s 9^th Symphony, King David, Elijah, The Creation, and Saint-Saëns Requiem.

Mr. Anderson is deeply passionate about continuing to spread knowledge and appreciation of classical music and opera. Alongside the Young Artist Programs, Mr. Anderson has toured in 2 children’s operas and has performed numerous concerts in schools bringing opera and classical music to tens of thousands of children across the United States. Through this, he has taught children about classical music, singing, and the life of a professional opera singer.

A graduate of Manhattan School of Music, he received his Bachelors of Music in 2014 and his Masters of Music in 2016.

Please feel free to contact Mr. Anderson with questions or tutoring requests: manderson3992@yahoo.com

NEW SIBLING DISCOUNT!

If signing up additional sibling(s), feel free to use the Sibling Discount to receive a 20% discount for each additional sibling after the first sibling is paid for in full. Information on how to access the discount is available on the enrollment forms.

Materials:

Staff paper (printable for free online)

Harmonic Practice in Tonal Music (Second Edition) by Robert Gauldin (available for free online with a free Scribd account)

Intro to Music Theory:

Intro classes will not be offered for 2021/2022 Academic Year. Those interested in taking this class may take the class asynchronously or may contact Mr. Anderson for private tutoring sessions.

Intermediate Music Theory Summer Class Times:

Tuesdays at 2PM PST/5PM EST
(Any student who is interested in taking the class, but is not able to start on this date can contact Mr. Anderson to make arrangements to start at a later time.)

Classes begin September 14th, 2021

Asynchronous Music Theory

All Intro classes are now available!

Intermediate classes will be available starting September 14th, 2021.

Please contact Mr. Anderson with questions or tutoring requests: manderson3992@yahoo.com