MUSIC COURSES

Mediant Studies prepares students for Grade 5 and Grade 6 Royal Schools (ABRSM) theory examinations and the AMusTCL and LMusTCL theory diplomas examined by Trinity College London.  In the diploma courses all the questions in the first section of the paper are covered, although not all of the options for set works are covered.

In each course, you can do the work on your own, work with a private teacher, or send assignments in for marking. When assignments are sent in for marking, attention will be given to pointing out any errors (and explaining why these answers are incorrect) and suggesting how answers can be improved.

You can, if you wish, choose which topics you need help on, and order only those.

At all levels, and in most sections, there are answer files (so you can see whether your answers could be improved).  All sections of the grade 6 course and many sections of the AMusTCL course have musical examples and sound files (so you can follow the score and hear what the music sounds like).

Introductory sections of files containing important background information and advice for exam candidates are included in the material provided for grade 6 and diploma courses.

Teachers who would like to photocopy the resources for students can purchase the right to do so at three times the stated price.

Intermediate Theory

• This module can be used for several purposes:

  -  To prepare for grade 5 Royal Schools theory examination.

  -  To help students who have not studied theory for some time to refresh their knowledge.

  -  To enable grade 6 students to fill in any gaps in their knowledge.

• The course is not just for students have just passed grade 4: instead each begins the topic at a basic level and builds up to higher levels.

        Outline of the Intermediate Theory Course
        Download the order form as a Word Document or PDF File.

Grade 6

• This module can be used for several purposes:

  -  To prepare for grade 6 Royal Schools theory examination.

  -  To help students or teachers who have not studied theory for some time to refresh their knowledge.

  -  To enable AMusTCL students to fill in any gaps in their knowledge.

• The course involves learning to write melodies from a given beginning, to choose chords to accompany a melody, to arrange a piece for keyboard or choir from a figured bass, and to understand music scores for keyboard, chamber groups or orchestra.  It includes instrumental techniques, music history, ornaments, rhythm (especially syncopation), texture and mood.

Outline of the Grade 6 Course
Grade 6 Registration Form
Grade 6 Resources Order Form

Grade 8

Students who have passed grade 6 do not need to sit grade 8:  they can go directly to AMusTCL.  However students who are planning to sit grade 8 ABRSM can send me answers to grade 8 questions for correction.  Students need to scan or photograph the questions and their answers and email them to me.  I will email my comments, including suggestions as to how to improve the answers.  The cost is $NZ20 per question.

AMusTCL

AMusTCL is at a similar level to the first year of a bachelor's degree.  The course covers all options in Section A of the paper, as well as one option in Section B.  To prepare for these questions, students learn about the development of instruments and how composers have written for them. They learn how to read and analyse scores.  Students choose options for learning how to write and arrange music in the styles of different historical periods, for various forces, using a wide range of chords, and producing effective melodies.  Students gain a wide knowledge of musical history, structure and style;  samples of such styles are provided for study.  Students are also given help in presenting material in such a way as to answer questions likely to be asked in the examination.

Outline of the AMusTCL Course
AMusTCL Registration Form
AMusTCL Resources Order  Form

LMusTCL

LMusTCL is at a similar level to the final year of a bachelor's degree.  It has a mixture of optional and compulsory questions.

You must do the first question, in which you add to a given passage from a traditional string quartet.  You will need to have some experience in part-writing (such as writing for SATB).

In the second question, you can choose between three options:

• Arranging a late Romantic or modern passage for orchestra.  You will need to have some experience of orchestration.

• Writing variations for piano.  You will need to have some experience in writing for piano.

• Analysing unprepared.passages, commenting on when they were written.  You will need to have had some knowledge of music history, structure and style, and to have done analysis questions in other exams.

In section B, you write two essays, one about a genre (such as chamber music) and the other about a set work (a composition written for that genre..  The course prepares you for writing essays (if you do not have experience of doing so in Western exams) for one genre.  Some model answers are included, although more model answers can be ordered.  

You can download surveys and samples of related sections in the AMusTCL pages to decide whether you need to extend your knowledge and skills before taking LMusTCL. 

Outline of the LMusTCL course
LMusTCL Registration Form
LMusTCL Resources Order Form

Information

Click here for information about fees and payments for diploma courses.

Regulations

Click here for regulations which affect students taking diploma courses.

Samples available

A selection of notes prepared for set works of past AMusTCL and LMusTCL can be seen on

 
Samples of current notes and assignments can be viewed on the pages of this website or can be sent on request

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