AP Music theory prepares students to sit for the AP Music Theory Exam after one academic year. Students have the opportunity to study with an experienced music theory instructor with extensive experience in teaching music theory at the collegiate level. Levine’s music theory students have a longstanding track record of success and have scored a full point (out of 5) over the national average on the AP exam.
AP Music Theory serves as an introduction to college-level music fundamentals, musicianship (sight singing, listening, dictation, and transcription), harmony, musical analysis, and composition. AP Music Theory prepares students with a broad base of knowledge and skills that are essential for performance and composition in many musical genres, including classical, jazz, and popular music.
This 32-week course is designed for students to participate remotely. Each week, students will complete a prerecorded lesson, a reading assignment, and theory/musicianship assignments. This work can be completed at any time during the week. Students have regular interaction with the instructor through email, office hours (for local students), and video chat.
Students will also participate in monthly live online review sessions with the instructor. These live sessions will be conducted in a hybrid format – students may attend in person or via Zoom. To view a listing of the live session dates/times, please click on “more information and enroll” at the bottom of this page.
This course uses an online classroom and integrated music-theory software, enabling students to complete assignments digitally. Students also have access to online review materials in AP Classroom. All software fees are included with tuition. The required textbook is Harmony in Context, 2nd edition, which students should purchase prior to the first session.
This course has been authorized by the College Board. Students who complete the course can earn college credit, based on AP Exam performance. Students who wish to earn high school credit in addition may request independent study credit, with the approval of their high school counselor. Students who are not able to take the exam at Levine’s Washington, D.C. location are responsible for finding a local testing site.
Please note: Students must have access to a laptop or desktop computer with a microphone. Students must have the ability to read and write standard musical notation.
Basic musical performance skills are also recommended. The course is recommended for high-school aged musicians, but younger students who demonstrate extraordinary accomplishments in music theory may register with the instructor’s permission.
Students must take an online placement test prior to registering for the class.
Live Sessions: 9/11, 10/16, 11/13, 1/18, 2/12, 3/5, 4/9, 4/30 For more information please contact the Department Chair at emeier@levinemusic.org.