The Musicianship Clinic: A music theory course at the RIAM Grades 6-8

The Musicianship Clinic: A Music Theory Course at the RIAM

Did you know that on successful completion of a Local Centre theory exam, candidates will be exempt from theory questions (grades elementary -5) or combined theory/aural theoretical tests (grades 6 to 8) in the same grade practical exam? In fact, they receive an automatic 5/5 or 15/15 mark for is section!

We want to help students achieve those marks!

The RIAM is delighted to introduce a Musicianship Clinic, a pilot scheme that will run in the Royal Irish Academy of Music from January for 8 weeks. Grades 5-8 shall be covered between 22nd February and 15th March 2018.

Musicianship is important: it provides the skills to engage with music meaningfully while making the learning process enjoyable. The RIAM and Local Centre are keen to nurture these skills and have introduced this clinic with the aim of rolling out workshops tailored to the musicianship needs of Local Centre teachers around the country.

Gráinne Deery, who will provide an overview of the grades, explore their content and requirements, as well as strategies, where appropriate, for learning, will lead the clinic. She will also use past papers from the Local Centre Theory & Harmony exams relevant to the session as a route into musicianship and addressing any needs as they arise. There is no coursework required and two past exam papers for the relevant grade will be supplied as part of the clinic. A special offer on the RIAM Theory Workout books (2 books for the price of 3) from preparatory to grade 8 will also be available.

You can sign up for a specific week, a selection of weeks, or for all weeks as best suits your needs. Places are limited to 20.

General queries:

Is this clinic for me?

- Yes, if you teach the Local Centre Theory & Harmony syllabus and want to consolidate your knowledge or consider a new approach.

- Yes, if you would like to include musicianship in your teaching, or in your own learning.

- Yes, if you enjoying learning about music.

- Yes, if you just want to work on a specific grade.

Do I need to be a teacher?

- No, you can be a student too. You may also be someone who is thinking about starting to teach or you may just have a general interest in the mechanics of music.

Do I need to be able to read music?

- Yes, this is a clinic to address any queries you may have in relation to musicianship, and to offer suggestions and approaches. Being able to read music is essential.

Where is the senior certificate grade?

- The material for grade 8 and approach is suitable for senior certificate too. The senior certificate questions are longer rather than different.

CONTENT

Grade VI

Major scales up to seven sharps and flats, minor scales up to five sharps and flats; tenor stave; open and closed score; transposing and transcribing; primary triads, inversions, melody writing and setting a rhythm to words; major, minor, augmented, and diminished triads; irregular time signatures, instruments; the Baroque era.

Grade VII

Melody writing including modulating; setting a text to music; compound intervals; transposing including treble, bass, alto, and tenor clefs; cadences; harmonic analysis; completing cadences for SATB; adding roman numerals and a melody to a given bass; the Classical era.

Grade VIII

16-bar melody and setting a text to music; harmonic analysis; score reading.

Adding alto and tenor voices to a harmonisation; counterpoint; adding bass and roman numerals to a given melody; the Romantic era.

About Grainne Deery MMus, BMusEd, HDip, GRIAM, ARIAM

Gráinne Deery holds a dual appointment as Lecturer in Musicianship at the Royal Irish Academy of Music and Lecturer in Music Education at the Froebel Department of Primary and Early Childhood Education at Maynooth University. As a passionate advocate of music education and key contributor to the development of music education in Ireland, Gráinne was a central figure in the recent development of the new and innovative DipRIAM, an instrumental teaching Diploma focusing on the teaching and learning environment. Gráinne recently served as a committee member of the Society for Music Education in Ireland (SMEI) and the European Piano Teachers’ Association (EPTA). In addition, Gráinne held the position of Chair of the Irish branch of EPTA 2009–2013 during which time she founded and directed the EPTA Ireland Piano Competition.

Gráinne holds a Masters in Music Performance (University of Leeds), and a Bachelor in Music Education (Trinity College Dublin and the Royal Irish Academy of Music). In addition, she holds a Higher Diploma in Music Teaching, Graduate and Associate Diplomas in Piano Teaching and was awarded a Commendation for Excellence in Teaching by Trinity College Dublin. As a prizewinner and scholarship recipient Gráinne also continues to be active as a pianist, adjudicator, and piano/keyboard harmony teacher.