Classes

This unique and exciting program is dedicated to teaching all the traditional elements

of musical theory the way Mozart learned—through composition. Every element of

traditional theory is covered, including solfege, rhythm, and ear-training. Graded

workbooks provide a complete and extensive curriculum from reading notes all the way

to composing a symphony. Students use computer notation programs to facilitate the

composition process.

This is offered as a private lesson to interested students who have studied Theory or an

equivalent course. Students explore various 20th century techniques with a firm background

in traditional musical forms. Private lesson rates apply.

This class is a study of Western music history from the Baroque to the 21st century;

through presentations, listening, and discussion, the development of musical styles

and representational composers will be broadly outlined and set in the wider historical

context of art and political history.

This is a practical course for instrumentalists age 12 and up who have little experience

with improvisation. Students study the most common building blocks of jazz improvisation

and learn to personalize improvisation as a form of “instant composing.” There is a

focus on different kinds of improvisation forms, inner-ear training, musical games, and

ensemble playing. During class students work on class exercises as well as small group

assignments and end the course with a concert. Students must have achieved basic proficiency on their instruments.

Advanced mallet players ages 10 to 14 perform on marimba, vibraphone, xylophone, glockenspiel, and percussion. Repertoire ranges from Bach to Bartok and from Mexican to African and jazz. The ensemble has performed throughout the United States.

Advanced high school mallet players perform repertoire from all periods of music, including ragtime xylophone solos and music commissioned for the ensemble. Recent highlights include performances at Symphony Hall, the Tsai Performance Center, and the All-State conference.

This group class, for all ages and levels, is an energetic and exciting way to enhance rhythmic precision and ensemble skills, as well as to develop the ability to improvise.

The guitar class enriches existing guitar knowledge and skills through the study of the history of the guitar; fingerboard basics including notes in the higher positions, triads, scales, and chords; guitar notation; ways to improve sight reading; and the exploration of exercises to improve technique. Ensemble playing is a major part of the class. The minimum enrollment is three and maximum enrollment is five guitarists. The class meets once a week for 45 minutes. This course does cover the theory and ensemble requirements of The Rivers School Conservatory’s Young Artists' Program.

The advanced guitar class is for students who have completed the guitar class. Students learn to read early music for guitar from tablature; explore fingerboard harmony, scales, and triads in different positions; discuss performance practice and ornamentation in different periods; transcribe music for other instruments to guitar; as well as weekly

ensemble playing. Minimum enrollment is three and maximum enrollment is five students. The class meets once a week for 45 minutes. This course fulfills the theory and ensemble requirement of The Rivers School Conservatory’s Young Artists' Program.