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 and asynchronously. 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 messaging and video chat.
Students will also participate in a monthly live session via Zoom. View a listing of the live session dates/times at the bottom of this page.
This course uses an online classroom and music-theory software. Students are also given access to College-Board approved review materials on the AP Classroom website. 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.
Students must take a placement exam prior to registering for the class.
Live Sessions, Saturdays 1:00-2:30pm Eastern Time: 9/9, 10/14, 11/11, 1/6, 2/10, 3/2, 4/6, 4/27
For more information, please contact Evan Meier, Theory Department Chair, at (202) 686-8000 x1598 or EMeier@levinemusic.org.