 |
|
BSM
Planning New Online Theory Program
by Jeremy Conley
Music theory has long been the most dreaded of musical topics. The
very mention of it is enough to send students scurrying towards the
nearest exit, fearful of being asked for the second inversion of the
subdominant chord in B Major. Common answers to that question might
be “I don’t know” or “Why should I care?”
but an understanding of basic theory is a fundamental piece of the
larger musical puzzle. Students who have a solid background in theory,
not only have an easier time sight-reading and learning pieces, they
also become better musicians, able to not only play, but also understand
what they are playing.
At Bloomingdale School of Music we have always offered theory classes
to supplement private lessons. In fact, up until the early 1990s theory
study was required at the school. But over the years we have discovered
some limiting factors in traditional theory classes:
| 1.) |
Classes occur at set times when many students are not available. |
| 2.) |
Without enough reinforcement, theory topics are easily forgotten. |
| 3.) |
Theory classes, although reasonably priced, require an additional
expense. |
In response to these challenges, Bloomingdale is developing a new
online theory program for its students entitled Theory in a Box
that has the promise to be a powerful and effective online resource,
unlike any music theory course now offered.
The idea for Theory in a Box came from Executive Director Lawrence
Davis. “We wanted something that perfectly fit the needs of
our students and faculty. Theory in a Box is being designed from scratch
by a team of creative people,” Mr. Davis commented.
Theory in Box will be a free, web-based theory program that
is both easily accessible and highly intuitive. Students will learn
the basics of theory in a sequential manner with the aid of text,
sound, pictures, and movies, and will also have access to a theory
help desk that will be staffed by an instructor at the school.
Theory in a Box is also an excellent match with Bloomingdale’s
mission of providing high-quality music instruction to all who are
interested regardless of cost. Access to the system would be available
to every student at the school and will extend Bloomingdale’s
already strong online community. Additionally, it will focus on several
of Bloomingdale’s core values including the development of music
literacy, the importance of practice, and the emphasis on innovation
that permeates throughout the school. |
|
|
“This is an exciting project that will allow
us to bring music theory to all our students and reinforce the practical
knowledge they receive in lessons,” Mr. Davis says enthusiastically.
“It will also extend our work and our mission beyond the walls
of BSM and into cyberspace.”
Bloomingdale plans to take the lead in a consortium of New York community
music schools that are also interested in Theory in a Box.
Together, the system could potentially serve thousands of music students
each year in New York, providing theory instruction to many who would
otherwise not receive it.
For now, the focus remains on turning an idea into reality and successfully
adapting a traditional classroom subject into an online course. The
challenge comes not only in choosing material and presenting it in
a natural order, but also combining it with multimedia and the technical
aspects of web development.
When complete, Theory in a Box will be a one-of-a-kind online music
theory course, providing many more students with access to an important,
but often elusive subject. The skills learned will allow students
to answer coolly and confidently if asked for the second inversion
of the subdominant chord in B Major: “B, E, and G#, of course”. |
|
