Group Theory

Music theory is an essential component of music education and provides a foundation for developing music literacy and musicianship. Understanding the language of music, how it is written, interpreted, and applied, is as important as learning how to play or sing.

Theory teaches students the critical elements of music such as notation, key signatures, scales, chords, intervals, pitch, melody, harmony, form, and more. These are the tools musicians use to understand and communicate music effectively. Just as we learn the structure of language to read and write, music theory equips students to read, interpret, and create music with confidence.

At Chorus Music, group theory studies follow the renowned RCM curriculum. We begin with the fundamentals at the Elementary levels, and progress through to Intermediate and Advanced levels, covering increasingly complex musical concepts. Our group classes are designed to be engaging, interactive, and structured to support students preparing for both internal assessments and Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM) theory exams.

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Elementary Levels

Preparatory to Level 4

Elementary theory builds the essential groundwork for all musicians. Students begin by learning the basic elements of music:

The music staff, note values, and rests
Time signatures and rhythm patterns
Pitch and the grand staff
Accidentals, whole and half steps
Major scales and key signatures
Intervals and triads
Simple musical terms and symbols

These levels are designed to make students comfortable reading and writing music, preparing them for the next stages of their musical journey, as well as the theory examinations that take place from Level 5 onwards.. Classes are interactive, with a strong focus on applied theory that ties directly into what students are learning in their instrumental or vocal lessons.

Intermediate Levels

Level 5 to Level 8

In-person group classes using the RCM online curriculum

At the Intermediate level, students dive deeper into musical structure, harmony, and analysis. Topics include:

Minor scales and key signatures (natural, harmonic, melodic)
Chord progressions, inversions, and Roman numeral analysis
Simple and compound meter
Transposition
Advanced intervals, cadences, and non-chord tones
Form and analysis of classical and contemporary works

These levels are mandatory co-requisites for students completing RCM practical exams at Levels 5 through 8.

At Chorus Music, these levels are taught as in-person group classes, using RCM's official online course material during class time. This approach offers the best of both worlds: live instruction, peer learning, and guided support while preparing students for the RCM's online multiple-choice exams, which have become the preferred format for many students.

Although the online exams do not include a written component, our in-class approach ensures students still build strong written theory skills through exercises, homework, and interactive group work using the written books of the same level.

Advanced Levels

Level 9 to ARCT

Advanced theory courses are ideal for students pursuing university-level music education or completing higher-level RCM certificates. These classes emphasize critical thinking, analysis, and historical understanding. Topics include:

Advanced harmony and voice leading
Counterpoint
Formal analysis of classical works
History of Western music and major style periods
Dictation, ear training, and score reading (in some levels)

Advanced students will work toward completing RCM Harmony, History, and Counterpoint exams, and are supported by our experienced faculty to prepare thoroughly for written assessments.

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Flexible Scheduling & Exam Options

RCM written theory exams are offered a few times each year. Online examinations can be accessed directly from a student's online learning portal and can be completed any time after progressing through the course. Online examinations will be completed in-class at the end of the course, in the presence of a designated Proctor, to ensure the academic integrity of the examination, allowing students to use their completion of the examination as a high school credit.

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