Inside the Classroom: AP Music Theory

Jiho Park | Conant Crier

There is one class where “dominant” is not about winning, “tonic” isn’t a potion, and “hemiola” isn’t a blood disease. That class is AP Music Theory. 

The class covers music theory, but in a more integrated sense. It is a class in which students learn the structure and elements that distinguish music from “noise.” Students who are thinking about music as their future career might consider taking it. For those students, current AP Music Theory teacher Leann Roder-Manson as well as some current and former students have a few things to keep in mind. 

Roder-Manson highlights the difference between general music classes with AP Music Theory, given that many view music solely as a form of entertainment. “I think that many people have a hard time visualizing music as an academic course,” Leann Roder-Manson said. “AP Music Theory teaches students to see music in a new light.”

The class itself has a medium-level workload, as most of the homework is done during the class, where the answers are then shared. However, there is a type of “extra” training that can’t be learned in a traditional way: ear training. Unlike other classes, AP Music Theory requires students to connect music with written notation, meaning they must integrate their hearing, analyzing, and reading the music.

Dylan Carlyon, ‘25, who took the class last year, said, “I have never looked at music as I did during music theory.” As a member of the Conant Choir, he always understood music through listening. Carlyon said that the skills he gained in AP Music Theory added another dimension to his musical skill. In contrast to other academic classes, students must be ready to not just hear the instructions but also analyze the functions of notes and the structure in a given music excerpt.

Natalie Bahena, ‘26, who is currently taking AP Music Theory, said, “This is a class for people who actually want to learn music. This class requires another level of passion and sincerity for music.”

Because of its small size, the class is tightly knit. It is very easy to create friendships and connections with other students who are passionate about music. The atmosphere is designed so that students can freely and comfortably share their thoughts and comments on other’s works. 

AP Music Theory is by no means an easy class. However, if you are considering music as your possible career path, the class will provide both the general understanding of college-level music class and creation of new connections among other talented musicians in Conant. 

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