For the higher levels of music education, The Royal Conservatory of Music suggests the further study of History, Harmony, Counterpoint & Analysis. For students taking their Level 9, 10 and ARCT examinations, we are happy to offer these courses as a private (or group) based programs. These courses generally take one year to complete with the option to do the exam online, or where required, in person.

Listed below is what each level and course covers.

HARMONY:

Level 9 Harmony

  • fundamentals of harmonic language
  • introduction of two- and four- part writing
  • writing in four parts in the style of J.S. Bach’s chorales
  • melody writing and melodic decoration
  • harmonic and structural analysis (including 18th century dances and inventions)

Level 10 Harmony & Counterpoint

  • leading-tone diminished 7th chord
  • dominant 9th and 13th chords
  • sequences
  • melody writing (16-measure binary form)
  • sonata form, rondo form, and fugal expression

ARCT Harmony & Counterpoint

  • figured bass realization
  • modulation to remote keys
  • harmonizing Bach chorales
  • the Neapolitan chord and augmented 6th chords
  • two-part contrapuntal writing

HISTORY:

Level 9 History 

New Concepts

  • 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 History

New Concepts

  • 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 History 10

New Concepts

  • 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 Theatre, Jazz, or Technology in Music)