Musical Theory Classes
Mary Margaret Wilson
Director
Emme Whisner
Administrative Assistant
MUSICAL THEORY Classes
Classes are held online for a 10-week session, and are open to upper elementary students to adults, pending their knowledge base.
Please choose the course that best matches your experience level. Enrollment numbers will influence which classes, and how many sections, will be offered. Please email University of Delaware Community Music School with questions: communitymusicschool@udel.edu
Fundamentals of Theory
This class is the first level of music theory and is intended to be an introductory course including notation (staff, clefs, time signatures, measures, etc.), note reading, rhythm reading, music history and more. If you are interested in this level, please reach out to the Community Music School to seek availability: communitymusicschool@udel.edu. Depending on interest numbers, class may be combined with Music Theory I.
To be determined, pending participant interest.
$100 for 10 classes
This class has no prerequisite and is intended for students with little or no music reading knowledge.
Music Theory I
This class introduces students to music theory in order to gain a strong foundation in understanding how music works. Topics will include sight reading/singing, building chords, key signatures, intervals, rhythm and much more. The curriculum will build as the semester goes forward, and we ask that students make a commitment to attend all sessions.
Dates: Saturdays, 2/14/2026 – 5/2/2026, no classes on 3/28 and 4/4
Time: 9:00 – 10:00 a.m.
Location: ZOOM (link will be emailed after registration)
$100 for 10 classes
Participants must be competent at note reading and basic rhythm.
Music Theory II
This class build upon skills introduced in Music Theory I. Topics covered will include counting more advanced rhythms, sight singing, and part-writing. The curriculum will build as the semester goes forward, and we ask that students make a commitment to attend all sessions.
Dates: Saturdays, 2/14/2026 – 5/2/2026, no classes on 3/28 and 4/4
Time: 10:00 – 11:00 a.m.
Location: ZOOM (link will be emailed after registration)
$100 for 10 classes
Participants must have completed the CMS Theory I class OR email communitymusicschool@udel.edu to inquire.
The following classes are currently unavailable.
Music Theory III
This class build upon skills introduced in Music Theory I & II. Topics covered will include further development of part-writing including inversions and secondary chords, 7 chords, modes, and structure of music. The curriculum will build as the semester goes forward, and we ask that students make a commitment to attend all sessions.
Theory IV
Building upon the knowledge from previous sessions this class delve deeper into advanced chromatic chords such as secondary dominants and diminished sevenths, borrowed chords, Augmented 6th, the Neapolitan 6, and more, as well as introducing modulation, phrases and structural elements of music, musical textures, basic orchestration, and composition.
Theory Fluency
In order to be capable of doing more advanced music theory, students must have not just understanding of the basics of music theory but also be capable of using that knowledge with speed (fluency). This class will focus on methods to make identifying and creating intervals, triads, scales, and key signatures to a level of proficiency where they are effortless. This will therefore make tackling advanced theory a much less demanding next step as students advance through music theory.
