Minnesota Online High School offers this course as part of our flexible online learning options.
(0.5 credit) – Meets the MN graduation requirements
In this semester-length course, explore fundamental musical concepts while engaging with questions such as “What is music?” and “Can music tell a story?”. The course teaches the elements of music including staves, clefs, notes, meter and rhythm, keys, scales, basic harmonization, and form. You will work with music theory software and music notation software to learn the basics and to create your own compositions. Through guided listening assignments, you will explore aspects of music—for example, rhythm and meter, musical style, or featured instruments. In this course, students develop and share their tastes in music by introducing favorite bands, singers, and composers to one another.
Course Materials: Web-based music theory and music notation software are provided online.
Standards met: This course meets the 2018 Minnesota Arts Standards in Music with an emphasis on Creating, Responding, and Connecting.
Credit: 0.5
Honors Opportunity: Yes
Prerequisite: The course is designed for students at all levels of musical experience who want to explore listening to a variety of music and creating their own music. Students should have an interest in working with traditional music notation.
Guided Study in Musical Performance(0.25 credit/quarter) – Earn credit for your individual lessons or other musical commitments
This quarter-length course is designed for students who are studying music in a structured setting or with a structured curriculum outside of MNOHS. This may include students who are taking individual lessons, rehearsing and performing in a band or choir or working on composition/songwriting. If you wish to to see if your music study qualifies you to take this course, please contact your MNOHS counselor or the course instructor: [email protected]
Course materials: Materials required vary depending on the nature of what is being studied.
Standards met: This course meets the 2018 Minnesota Arts Standards in Music with an emphasis on Performing/Presenting.
Credit: 0.25 per quarter and may be repeated.
Honors Opportunity: No
Prerequisites: None, but successful completion of Elements of Music is recommended.
Introductory Theory: The Minutiae of Music(0.5 credit) – Beginners welcome! Offered only in the spring
If performance is the ‘how’ of music, then theory is the ‘why’. In this course you will learn about concepts and techniques that form the basis of Western musical tradition. From reading musical notation, to understanding harmony and musical form, the knowledge gained in this course will augment your understanding of all other musical areas (composition, music production, performance, and more). Activities will include learning how to read Western classical notation, composing songs, and sight-reading rhythms and melodies.
Course Materials: Web-based music theory and music notation software are provided online.
Standards met: This course meets the 2018 Minnesota Arts Standards in Music with an emphasis on Creating.
Credit: 0.5
Honors Opportunity: Yes
Prerequisite: This course is designed with beginners and non-musicians in mind; all are welcome to enroll!
Advanced Placement (AP) Music Theory(0.5 credit + optional 0.25 credit exam prep) – Starts in the fall
In this semester length course, you will identify, in written and performed music, pitch, rhythm, meter, intervals, scales/key signatures, expressive elements, musical terms, chords and chord progressions. You will use these skills to notate performed music, sing a notated melody, and compose 4-part music in the common-practice style. The course, which is taught in the fall (Quarters 1 and 2), prepares students for the AP Music Theory Exam. You may choose to enroll in Quarter 3 for guided exam preparation. MNOHS does not administer the AP exam, so you will need to make arrangements with a local district or school.
Course Materials: Web-based music theory and music notation software are provided online..
Standards met: This course meets the 2018 Minnesota Arts Standards in Music with an emphasis on Creating and Performing.
Credit: 0.5
Prerequisites: Introductory Theory: The Minutiae of Music or another high school level music theory course. Prospective students should be able to read and write musical notation and have basic performance skills with voice or an instrument. Understanding of scales, key signatures, intervals and chords is recommended, but not required.
Ready to get started? Begin the enrollment process.