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Musician's Toolbox: Basics of Music Theory

Is your child learning an instrument and you’d like them to learn more efficiently?

The Musician’s Toolbox is a four-week, multi-level theory workshop here to do just that! Why is music theory thought of as hard to learn and only for serious musicians? When taught the right way, it is simple and enjoyable.

Here at CCM, music theory is considered an integral part of the study of music. Our theory workshops teach students fundamentals that will enhance their private instrumental/voice lessons, teach them how to be better listeners of music, and to understand and appreciate the music in their lives. The workshops are available for beginner students to the most advanced. Parents will see the difference, and students’ playing will flourish.

Beginner students will develop basic note-reading skills, acquire skills to help them recognize and count rhythmic patterns, read key signatures, and understand scales and intervals. Students receive a working knowledge of music symbols and terminology, both on the page and by ear. They learn the notes on the keyboard and enjoy a new appreciation of familiar tunes. The beginning CCM theory workshop is the perfect start to a successful music education.

The four-week Musician’s Toolbox theory workshop is free for all CCM private lesson students.

CCM offers three levels beyond the beginner, with each workshop being specifically tailored to the participating students’ needs. To help place each student, they must complete a brief theory assessment to see which level workshop is appropriate for them (this is not a test).

Link to the Theory Assessment.

Please do not register for a session until your student has handed in their Theory Assessment and you have received confirmation of their placement level.

Prior to registering: CCM parents please take note of your student’s placement notification handout that they received in child’s private lesson.

*We ask that parents allow their children to complete the Theory Assessment on their own without assistance. This makes it possible to place the child in the appropriate Theory Workshop, which best suits their abilities. Students who are starting music lessons for the first time do not need to complete the assessment, and will automatically be placed in Theory 1.

Link to the Theory Assessment.

Theory Classes  2023 – 2024 (click the class to register)

Tuesdays 6:45 – 7:30 pm with Weronika Balewski

Theory 1: Nov 7, 14, 28, Dec 5, for ages 9-12

Theory 1: Jan 9, 16, 23, 30 for ages 6-8

Wednesdays 5:00 – 5:45 pm with Brooke Sofferman

Theory 2.1: Nov 29, Dec 6, 13, 20

Theory 2.2: Jan 24, 31, Feb 7, 14

Theory 1: March 6, 13, 20, 27

Wednesday with Peter Evans

Theory 4: Feb 28, March 6, 13, 20, 5:00-5:45 pm

Thursdays 5:30 – 6:15 pm with Rose Hegele

Theory 2.1: Feb 29, March 7, 14, 21

Saturdays with Peter Evans

Theory 4: Nov 11, 18, Dec 2, 9, 11:00-11:45 am

Theory 2.2: Nov 11, 18, Dec 2, 9, 10:00-10:45 am (for ages 13 – 18)

For more information, please call the CCM office at 978-369-0010 or email the Program Manager Anthea Kechley.