The study of music theory provides the foundation for a deep understanding of music as a language, creating a knowledgeable and discerning audience of music lovers who attend concerts, create, listen, play and study music over a lifetime. At Levine, Music Theory courses are not strictly college level studies; the sooner students begin to acquire these essential skills the better they will be able to understand and appreciate more fully the music they are learning.
Basic theory courses are open to students ages 10 and older. Slightly younger students may be accepted into the program based upon their teacher’s recommendation and by approval of the Department Chair. Placement in specific classes beyond Level 1 will be determined by the completion of the theory placement test.
For more information, contact the Theory Department Chair, Sis McKay at (202) 686-8000 x1109 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
Private Lessons
Private lessons provide students with individual instruction with one of Levine’s talented faculty members and are geared towards the specific goals, needs and aspirations of each student regardless of experience or age. For new students, we take the time and ...
Group Classes
(Adults)
Designed for the adult learner, this class offers a comparative look and listen of Requiems by Mozart, Brahms, Berlioz and more.
(Adults)
Join us as we explore the unique evolution of the symphony and dance forms such as the minuet, rondo, and gavotte.
(Adults)
Participants take a journey through the alphabet of some of the most popular composers of Western music, as well as some of the lesser known ones.
(Adults)
Whether you’re an accomplished musician or student, GarageBand is a rewarding way to create, perform and record your own music. Learn the interface and basic recording techniques, then move on to arranging a song, editing and mixing tracks, adding effects and distributing your music files.
(Ages 8 - 18)
This course begins with music fundamentals and skills, such as reading and singing notes on the staff, singing and clapping rhythms, working on simple music dictation, and understanding simple musical forms.
(Ages 10 - 18)
This course continues the study of the building blocks of Western classical music, with major scales and key signatures, intervals, chords in the major scales, eighth and sixteenth note rhythms, and simple forms found in Baroque and Classical pieces.
(Ages 10 - 18)
This course continues the study of the building blocks of Western classical music, with minor scales, modes, more syncopated rhythms, modulations, and pieces employing Sonata principle.
(Ages 10 - 18)
During the first half of this course, students learn to apply analysis skills to the pieces they are studying in their private lessons. Students are invited to perform sonatas, and the class will then analyze the pieces together.
(Ages 14 - 18)
Designed to help serious music students deepen their knowledge of structure and repertory, this course includes sightsinging, ear training, study of chords, four-part writing, and other traditional theory.
(Ages 6 - 8 years, without parent/caregiver)
This class "bridges" our popular Elementary Music classes with private instrument study, offering older children more structured learning of complex musical ideas, note-reading and basic theory.
(Ages 14 to Adult)
This course guides students through fundamental material about pitches, intervals, triads, seventh chords, voicing, harmonic progressions, chord substitutions and scales, including seven diatonic modes, blues scales and symmetrical scales.
(Ages 12 to Adult)
Part theory class and part ensemble, this hands-on class helps students of all instruments develop the skills needed to improvise in a variety of styles, with a special focus on jazz. Students learn how to listen to and interact with each other while improvising in groups, and explore elements of melody, harmony, rhythm, structure, and expression.
(Ages 14 - 18)
Designed to help serious music students deepen their knowledge of structure and repertory, this course includes sightsinging, ear training, study of chords, four-part writing, and other traditional theory.
(Age 14 to Adult)
This course is a study of topics in music theory and historical styles through exercises and the examination of a variety of compositions.
