Carnegie Mellon University

School of Music

Where artistry and innovation share center stage

Elective Classes

The Carnegie Mellon Music Preparatory School believes in a well-rounded student musician. Classes are offered in Dalcroze Eurhythmics, Music Theory, Music History, Jazz & Improvisation, Music Technology, and Ensemble Performance. 

 

Beginner Eurhythmics
(children ages 5-7)
Eurhythmics helps students experience music throughout their bodies. Based on the principles of Emile Jacques-Dalcroze, Eurhythmics integrates movement, ear training, and improvisation. Classes are grouped by age. Contact the Music Preparatory Office at 412.268.3667 for more information.
10:00 - 10:45
11:00 - 11:45
12:00 - 12:45

1:00 - 1:45

Advanced Eurhythmics
(children ages 8-12)
Students who have completed the Beginning Piano Curriculum or students in this age group who have not had prior Eurhythmics experience explore the elements of music through movement, ear training, and improvisation.
9:00 am – 9:45 am

Eurhythmics for Teens
(children ages 13+)
For students in this age group with any level of Eurhythmics experience to explore the elements of music through movement, ear training, and improvisation.
2:00 - 2:45

All Eurhythmics classes are held in Margaret Morrison Hall (MM) room 119

Music Fundamentals 1-semester course offered in Fall and Spring (students ages 6-8, no placement test required)

This course is an introduction to the language of music. Students will be guided through a series of listening, reading, and writing exercises that will help them develop strong aural skills and support a thorough understanding of their work in private lessons.

9:00 - 9:45

 

Accelerated Music Theory Review 
This course is offered in the Fall and Spring (students ages 9+ and/or at least three years of musical instrument study, no placement test required) 
This accelerated introductory music theory course is designed for students ages 9+ with at least three years of instrumental lessons without formal theory instructions. Students will learn through listening, reading, and writing exercises designed to develop strong aural skills and establish their musical foundation for analysis of harmony and musical structure. Upon completion, this course will prepare students to enter our regular music theory classes.

3:00 - 3:45

Music Theory I – IV Sequence - For students ages 8+
These music theory courses are offered in fall and continue into the spring semester. Each level takes two semesters to complete and a student can not join a theory level during the spring semester. Students may take a placement test at the beginning of the fall semester if they wish to test into theory levels II, III and IV. 


Music Theory I - Two consecutive semesters (Fall/Spring)

This course is the first of the four-year music theory sequence. Students will learn the elements of music through listening, reading, and writing exercises designed to develop strong aural skills and a thorough understanding of musical concepts. Students will practice sight singing and dictation to build ear-training skills that can be applied to their instruments.


10:00 - 10:45


Music Theory II - Two consecutive semesters (Fall/Spring) 

Taken upon completion of Music Theory I, this course continues the study of musical elements that becomes the foundation for analysis of harmony and musical structure. Students will learn to compose with the rhythm, chords, and short musical structure they learn throughout the year. Students will also continue developing their aural skills.


11:00 - 11:45

Music Theory III - Two consecutive semesters (Fall/Spring)

Taken upon completion of Music Theory I, this course continues the study of musical elements that becomes the foundation for analysis of harmony and musical structure. Students will learn to compose with the rhythm, chords, and short musical structure they learn throughout the year. Students will also continue developing their aural skills.


1:00 pm - 1:45 pm


Music Theory IV - Two consecutive semesters (Fall/Spring)

In addition to continuing the studies of eighteenth-century tonal procedures, this course explores some theory topics beyond common-practice European art music. Students will also learn larger forms and musical expressions that create a narrative through a piece of music and inform performance.


2:00 - 2:45 pm

All Music Theory classes are held in the College of Fine Arts (CFA) Room 102

Jazz Music Theory
(students ages 12+)
Jazz Theory is for students 12 and up with some background of study in music theory who are interested in exploring the basics of jazz theory in a non-performance setting.
11:00 – 11:45

Beginner Improvisation
(students ages 9 – 11)
Students create music spontaneously using rhythms, melodies, and harmonies.
12:00 – 12:30

Advanced Improvisation
(students ages 12+)
Students create music spontaneously using rhythms, melodies, and harmonies. 
12:45 – 1:30

All Jazz & Improvisation classes are held in College of Fine Arts (CFA) room M157.

Fall and Spring semesters only

Group String Classes (Fall and Spring Semesters only)

Group String Class I- 1:00-1:45 (students ages 5-9)

Group String Class II- 12:00-12:45 (students ages 10-12) 


For students who are interested in learning to play with other strings, a fundamental component of any student’s proficiency and development as a string player. (violin, viola, cello, or bass) Students must have had some prior experience with their string instrument. 
 

Group String Class is held in College of Fine Arts (CFA) room M160


 

Introduction to Sound & Recording (Fall Semesters Only)
(students ages 13+; enrollment max. of 12)
This class is a “crash course” for the world of sound and digital audio recording.  Students will be taught sound recording techniques through hands-on “lab” demonstrations of studio equipment and mock recording sessions in the CMU Vlahakis Recording Studio.  They will also be exposed to the basics of acoustics and the use of Pro Tools.

10:00 - 10:45

Introduction to Sound & Recording is held in College of Fine Arts (CFA) room A-6

Music History 

Music Then to Now: An Introduction to Music History (1 semester, offered in Fall and Spring)

(Students ages 8-12)

This course outlines how we, as musicians and the musical world, got from where we started to where we are now.  How has our musical language developed over time into what we play, listen to, analyze, and aim to build upon today? To understand this, we will trace Western music history's narrative while studying other musical traditions' characteristics and developments.

There are two different times students can take this course.

10:00 – 10:45, HOA 225

11:00 - 11:45, HOA 225

 

 

 

Solfège (Ear Training)

Students 12+

Solfège is a method to build an aural understanding of pitch. This course improves the student's ability to analyze music aurally and to sing at sight in traditional meters and tonalities using the "fixed do" system. Syllables are given to represent how the notes relate to each other. Solfege integrates the three cognitive skills: reading music, hearing music, and writing what one hears. 

12:00-12:45, HOA 225