RCM History Texts now available

[Fred Coulter]

The Royal Conservatory of Music had a major adjustment to their Theory curriculum and assessments. All the books through Level 8 (what used to be called Advanced Rudiments) were updated and available. However, those for level nine and higher were not available.

Until now. Partially.

The history texts are now available. With luck, I'll be passing the level nine history examination this May. Hopefully by that time, the level nine theory (harmony) text will be available.

Level 9 - http://bookstore.musicdevelopmentprogram.org/books/celebrate-theory-history-9.html
An overview and introduction to:

• the materials of music
• the Baroque Era (Vivaldi, Bach, Handel)
• the Classical Era (Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven)
• the Romantic Era (Schubert, Chopin, Berlioz, Bizet)
• the Modern Era (Debussy, Stravinsky, Bernstein, Louie, Adams)

Level 10 - http://bookstore.musicdevelopmentprogram.org/books/celebrate-theory-history-10.html
Detailed exploration of genres and styles including:

• the Middle Ages (chant, organum, motet, chanson, instrumental dance music)
• the Renaissance Era (motet, mass, madrigal, chanson, keyboard music)
• the Baroque Era (opera, cantata, concerto grosso, orchestral suite, keyboard music)
• the Classical Era (symphony, oratorio, opera, piano concerto, sonata, chamber music)

ARCT - http://bookstore.musicdevelopmentprogram.org/books/celebrate-theory-arct-history.html
Detailed study of 19th-, 20th-, and 21st-century music including:

• the Romantic Era (Schubert, Mendelssohn, Schumann, Brahms, Liszt, Verdi, Wagner, Tchaikovsky)
• the Modern Era (Mahler, Ravel, Schoenberg, Berg, Webern, Bartok, Prokofiev, Messiaen, Ligeti, Copland, Coulthard, Cage, Reich, Schafer)
• Independent Study Essay Topics (Musical Theater, Jazz, or Technology in Music)

I contacted the RCM about the lack of discussion about their Associate Diploma (ARCT) in Composition and/or Theory. I had thought that they had made changes to it. Perhaps dropping the requirements to only the three ARCT exams. It appears I was wrong. They haven't made any changes to that program (yet), so it appears the old requirements from the 2008 syllabus still apply. That's twelve more examinations, and then a research paper (for theory) and/or three compositions (for composition). Unless they make changes and publish them separately. For me, that's over two years in the future if I push, so I'm not all that concerned at the present time.

At any rate, the reason I'm posting this is for anyone else who's interested in the more academic side of music. Perhaps I won't be the only person taking the tests.

 

[happyrat1]

It can't possibly be considered a complete compendium of musical history without at least some mention of 60's Bug Music

Gary

 

[Rayblewit]

It is a wonder Fred is still talking to Gary after posting that silly cartoon amidst a serious thread. Hehehe!
The Four Insects . . Lol

 

[happyrat1]

Cmon. Musicians PLAY music.

It's right in the job description.

Musicians take nothing seriously unless it's a royalty cheque.

Gary

 

[Fred Coulter]

I've been to P. D. Q. Bach concerts with Peter Schickele. If you don't have a sense of humor, you shouldn't be a musician.

I'd like to think I have a sense of humor. (My wife and children may disagree.)