This course is designed for students seeking first-year collegiate music theory education. This course will emphasize the aspect of melody, phrase structure, harmony, texture, rhythm, form, musical analysis, and composition procedures through analysis of traditional works as well as original student composition. Other skills such as melodic and harmonic dictation, sight reading, and four-part harmony are also taught.

The student’s ability to read and write music is a major goal to such a course.  Basic performance skills in voice or an instrument are beneficial for the student before taking the course.