All our course offerings
COURSE ARCHIVES
Jazz, Music History
Adult, High School/College
Jazz on Film
Join Dr. Brian Jones for Jazz on Film, a course exploring the rich history of jazz’s connection with the cinema. From feature films about jazz, movies with jazz scores, documentaries on jazz musicians, and television series with jazz-centric subject matters, we will dissect the themes and music of various films as they relate to the world of jazz and the American (and global) cultural landscape. Films and TV shows that…
Jazz, Music History
Adult, High School/College
Monk’s Music
Join Brian Jones for Monk’s Music, a course exploring the music and life of one of jazz’s most important artists, pianist/composer Thelonious Monk. We will investigate the history of jazz using Monk’s unique musical vision as a guide. Topics central to this course will be Monk’s inimitable piano style, his creativity as a composer, and his role as a leading working jazz musician in the American twentieth century. By studying…
Music Theory
Precollege
Music Theory 301: Harmony II
Introducing RSSoM’s third level of music theory, Harmony II! In addition to a thorough review of fundamental concepts, this course introduces and explores compound rhythms, 7th chords, SATB writing, transposition, modulation and melody writing. All students, even those who took RSSoM theory courses last year, who want to register for upper levels of music theory must take a placement test before registering. We have a stress-free, at-home proficiency test to…
Ensembles
Precollege
RSYOP: Camerata Strings
In the 2021-2022 season, students will come together to rehearse and perform music for strings. In addition to full ensemble rehearsals, students will also work in tandem with Richmond Symphony musicians through level-appropriate sectional coachings. All students will also be able to enroll in collaborative and exploratory elective classes to fill out their Camerata experience. Two performances will celebrate our achievements throughout the season. Our free Music Explorations series will…
Ensembles
Precollege
RSYOP: Richmond Symphony Youth Orchestra (RSYO)
In the 2021-2022 season, students will rehearse and perform selections from a wide range of orchestral repertoire. Students will also work in tandem with Richmond Symphony musicians through sectional coachings. All students will also be able to enroll in collaborative and exploratory elective classes to fill out their RSYO experience. As a RSYO student, you will also be eligible to enroll in our Chamber Music program. Three performances will celebrate…
Ensembles
Precollege
RSYOP: Sinfonietta Strings
In the 2021-2022 season, students will come together to rehearse and perform music for strings. In addition to full ensemble rehearsals, students will also work in tandem with Richmond Symphony musicians through level-appropriate sectional coachings. All students will also be able to enroll in collaborative and exploratory elective classes to fill out their Sinfonietta experience. Two performances will celebrate our achievements throughout the season. Our free Music Explorations series will…
Ensembles
Precollege
RSYOP: Youth Concert Orchestra (YCO)
In the 2021-2022 season, students in YCO will come together to rehearse and perform orchestral music. In addition to full ensemble rehearsals, students will also work in tandem with Richmond Symphony musicians through level-appropriate sectional coachings. All students will also be able to enroll in collaborative and exploratory elective classes to fill out their YCO experience. Two performances will celebrate our achievements throughout the season. Our free Music Explorations series…
Music History
Adult
Treesa Ruins Classical Music: Spring A
Buckle in and hold on tight for this continued wild ride through the bizarre, entertaining, and brilliant world of music history. From the Dark Ages to Hollywood, this class will explore how music shaped the world and how the world shaped music. Crazy anecdotes and unbelievably genius musical excerpts will have you completely immersed in the world of classical music and leave you wanting more. You have the option to…
Music History
Adult
Treesa Ruins Classical Music: Spring B
Buckle in and hold on tight for this continued wild ride through the bizarre, entertaining, and brilliant world of music history. From the Dark Ages to Hollywood, this class will explore how music shaped the world and how the world shaped music. Crazy anecdotes and unbelievably genius musical excerpts will have you completely immersed in the world of classical music and leave you wanting more. You have the option to…
Music History
Adult, High School/College
Understanding Black Classical Music
2021 Sphinx Medal Excellence Recipient Titus Underwood returns for another semester of Understanding Black Classical Music! We will be going through 3 composers intensively in this 4-week course. This will include the works and lives of Florence Price, William L Dawson and William Grant Still. We will go through a historical context of why and when their music was written. This will give a strong basis to what we call…
Music Theory
Adult
Adult Music Theory
Have you always wished that you knew more about the building blocks of music? Intro to Music Theory for Adults might be for you! This course will combine written and aural theory to increase understanding and explore the foundations of music. Each class will move at a speed that allows all students to gain a firm grasp of the materials. Emphasis will be on the foundations of theory with direct…
Music Wellness
Adult
Alexander Technique for Adults
Need a little more coordination in your life? Join certified Alexander Technique instructor and Richmond Symphony musician, Jocelyn Vorenburg, in a one month, 4 class, course designed to help students improve habits in posture and movement. What is Alexander Technique? Alexander Technique allows you to develop greater awareness of postural habits that get in the way of your natural coordination. Students will learn the skills to undo these patterns and…
Music Wellness
Precollege
Alexander Technique for Precollege Students
How often are you told that you need to work on your posture? Join certified Alexander Technique instructor and Richmond Symphony musician, Jocelyn Vorenburg, in a one month course designed to help students improve habits in posture and movement. What is Alexander Technique? Alexander Technique allows you to develop greater awareness of postural habits that get in the way of your natural coordination. Students will learn the skills to undo…
Jazz, Music History
Adult
Beyond Category: Duke Ellington
Beyond Category: Duke Ellington explores the music and life of one of jazz’s most important artists, pianist/composer Edward Kennedy “Duke” Ellington. We will investigate the history of jazz using Ellington’s unique musical vision as a guide. Topics central to this course will be Ellington’s creativity as a composer, his role as a leading bandleader in the American twentieth century, and his cultural legacy. By studying the arch of Ellington’s life,…
Music History
Adult, High School/College
Black Music Discovery 2
2021 Sphinx Medal Excellence Recipient Titus Underwood returns for another semester of Black Music Discovery! There will be a new set of composers and performers explored in this course. For those who like to play, there will also be a class recital at the end of the course! Our journey of discovery will mine the music of composers such as Ignatious Sancho, Harry Burliegh, William Dawson, and a deeper dive…
Chamber Music
Precollege
Chamber Music for RSYO Students
Open to RSYO students, chamber music will be offered in person for the 2021-2022 season! Chamber music offers an exciting opportunity to work closely with Richmond Symphony musicians on challenging and enriching repertoire. This fall, students will work with their coach for eight rehearsals, culminating in a recital performance on Friday, May 13 2022. Once registration has closed, students will be divided into chamber ensembles based on instrumentation and availability…
Chamber Music
Precollege
Chamber Music for RSYO Students – Fall 2021
Open to RSYO students, chamber music will be offered in person for the 2021-2022 season! Chamber music offers an exciting opportunity to work closely with Richmond Symphony musicians on challenging and enriching repertoire. This fall, students will work with their coach for eight rehearsals, culminating in a recital performance on Sunday, November 21, 2021. Once registration has closed, students will be divided into chamber ensembles based on instrumentation and availability…
Composition
Precollege
Composition Workshop
Are you the next J.S. Bach? No matter your previous experience in composition, we want YOU to join this class! In this 4-week course, students will work with notation software and/or digital audio workstations to both workshop their individual compositions as well as collaborate on group projects. No matter where you are in your compositional journey, this class is for you! This class is appropriate for both new and returning…
Music History
Adult, Precollege
Drums in The Orchestra: from the Battlefields to the Concert Hall
From world folk and popular music, American vaudeville and European nightclubs, join Cliff Hardison, RSO percussionist, as we take a lively tour around the world! Starting in 18th century Germany, then onto 19th century Europe and Russia, to early 20th century American ragtime and jazz – with a few pit stops in South America and Africa – this fun and engaging journey explores all the ways in which the modern-day…
Music History
Adult, Precollege
Exploring Chopin
In this class, we will explore the life and music of Frederic Chopin, and discuss how pivotal life events shaped the composer’s artistic viewpoint and contributed to the creation of masterpieces which are cherished by the audiences across the globe. We will try to find an answer to what makes his music unique, appealing and innovative in the twenty-first century. We will also try to answer what makes Chopin a…
Music Listening
Adult
For Your Ears Only
Listening to a live concert is an experience that can be as personal as it is communal. In this 4-class interactive course, you will be given a set of skills that will help you get more out of any concert situation. Think of it like adding various filters to enhance certain aspects of the music. RSO violinists Adrian Pintea and Ellen Cockerham Riccio will guide participants through the process of…
Music Listening
Adult
For Your Ears Only, Level 1
Listening to a live concert is an experience that can be as personal as it is communal. In this 4-class interactive course, you will be given a set of skills that will help you get more out of any concert situation. Think of it like adding various filters to enhance certain aspects of the music. RSO violinists Adrian Pintea and Ellen Cockerham Riccio will guide participants through the process of…
Music Listening
Adult
For Your Ears Only, Level 2
Ready to expand your listening skills? Level 2 of “For Your Ears Only” builds on the concepts covered in Level 1 and takes a broader approach to music listening. Now that you can identify and describe things like color, feeling, conversation, and motion, you’re ready to learn how to listen for imagery, character and mood, stories, as well as tension and release in music. You’ll be introduced to some great…
Composition
Precollege
Intermediate Composition
Composition is back! Students will work with notation software and/or digital audio workstations to create their own compositions. This course is intended for students with prior compositional experience and/or familiarity with music notation software. The session will culminate with a virtual recital where students can share their creations with fellow students, friends, and family. Note: Are you a beginner student looking to learn the foundations of composition? An introductory composition…
Music Theory
Adult
Intro to Music Theory for Adults
Have you always wished that you knew more about the building blocks of music? Intro to Music Theory for Adults might be for you! This course will combine written and aural theory to increase understanding and explore the foundations of music. Each class will move at a speed that allows all students to gain a firm grasp of the materials. Emphasis will be on the foundations of theory with direct…
Music Theory
Adult
Intro to Music Theory for Adults – Spring 2021
Students will combine written and aural theory to increase their understanding and explore the foundations of music. Each class will move at a speed that allows all students to gain a firm grasp of the materials. Emphasis will be on the foundations of theory with direct application to pieces. No placement test or prior experience is required for this class.
Jazz, Music History
Adult, Precollege
Listening to Jazz
Join Brian Jones and special guests for an illuminating conversation on jazz. For each class, Jones has asked a colleague in the music industry to choose six jazz recordings that they have found particularly meaningful. During the class, we will listen to the tracks, deconstruct the merits of the tunes, identify the unique characteristics of the musicians that made them, and break down the contextual circumstances under which they were…
Ensembles
Precollege
Masterpiece Collective – A RSYO Experience
In the Spring 2021 RSYO Experience, students will explore and prepare excerpts and selections from a wide range of repertoire. Students will also work in tandem with Richmond Symphony musicians through sectional coachings. As a RSYO student participating in this class, you will also be eligible to enroll in our Chamber Music program. All students will have access to music education software within MusicFirst, our learning management system, and will…
Ensembles
Precollege
Masterpiece Collective – A String Sinfonietta Experience
In the Spring 2021 String Sinfonietta Experience, students will work with YOP conductors to learn repertoire appropriate for their level, some of which will allow them to join virtual performances with YCO, Camerata, and Wind Ensemble. During weekly meetings, students will discuss the fundamentals of music and relate them to their music. Students will also take part in virtual sectionals with Richmond Symphony musicians to help them prepare to record…
Ensembles
Precollege
Masterpiece Collective – A YCO & Camerata Experience: The Full Orchestra for Strings
In the Spring 2021 “YCO & Camerata Experience: The Full Orchestra for Strings,” students from both ensembles will come together to perform and discuss orchestral music. Students will engage in weekly sessions with YOP conductors and will work in tandem with Richmond Symphony musicians through level-appropriate sectional coachings. Students in this ensemble will be joined by winds, brass, and percussion students for full-orchestra recording projects. All students will have access…
Ensembles
Precollege
Masterpiece Collective – A YCO & Wind Ensemble Experience: The Full Orchestra for Woodwind, Brass, & Percussion
In the Spring 2021 “YCO & Wind Ensemble Experience: The Full Orchestra for Woodwind, Brass, & Percussion,” students will come together to perform and discuss orchestral music. Students will engage in weekly sessions with YOP conductors and work in tandem with Richmond Symphony musicians through level-appropriate sectional coachings. Students in this ensemble will be joined by strings students for full-orchestra recording projects. All students will have access to music education…
Music Theory
Precollege
Music Theory 201: Harmony I
Ready for the next level of Music Theory? Harmony I continues to build on previous knowledge while adding cadences, four-part writing, more complex rhythmic dictation and musical dictation. All students, even those who took RSSoM theory courses last year, who want to register for upper levels of music theory must take a placement test before registering. We have a stress-free, at-home proficiency test to ensure you are placed in the…
Piano
Precollege
Piano Symposium
Calling all advanced pianists! In this symposium, students will have the opportunity to work with four master teachers from local universities and the community. Topics will include: overcoming performance anxiety, elements of Russian piano technique, “Debussy: the Painter in Music,” storytelling in performance, sight-reading, and elements of beautiful sound. Certificate awarded to students completing the course. Opportunity for teachers to audit individual classes for just $10! Instructors: Magda Adamek, Michelle…
Music Theory
Precollege
Pre-college Music Theory & Ear Training Boot Camp
Need a little key signature refresher? Sort of unclear about minor scales? Want to be better at sight reading and quicker at learning new pieces? Theory Boot Camp can help! We will start with Major scales and intervals, and move through triads and inversions to finish with cadences. The second part of the class will focus on identifying and singing intervals, conducting and saying rhythms, and dictation.
Music Theory
Precollege
Pre-College Music Theory: Harmony 1
This course continues to build on previous knowledge while adding cadences, four-part writing, more complex rhythmic dictation and musical dictation. Students should be able to identify and write major and all forms of minor scales in all key signatures in treble and bass clefs; identify and sing all major and perfect intervals ascending; be able to write all notes and rest in treble and bass clefs. Access to music theory…
Music Theory
Precollege
Pre-College Music Theory: Theory 1
Students combine written and aural theory to increase their understanding and explore the foundations of music. Classes cover subjects from basic note-reading in multiple clefs to constructing scales, identifying and singing intervals, rhythmic dictation and beginning ear training. Access to music theory and ear training applications through our learning management system, MusicFirst, is included. No placement test or prior experience is required for this class.
Chamber Music
Precollege
Quartet101: An Introduction to Playing Chamber Music
Join Molly Sharp, Principal Violist of the RSO, for a one-week introduction to playing chamber music. The course, which will meet Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, is designed to teach you the basic skills and techniques needed to play in a string quartet (bassists are welcome, too!). We will be working on leading and cueing, matching bow strokes and dynamics, honing your rhythmic skills, and exploring different sounds on your instrument…
Piano
Precollege
Summer Piano Masterclass Series
Advanced pianists of all ages are invited to an exciting 4-week masterclass series taught by four master teachers! Each student will perform in one class in this 4-week series and be encouraged to listen and attend the others. Capacity is limited to 12 students who will be invited with the recommendation of their teacher. Options to audit for students/ teachers as well.
Music History
Adult
Treesa Ruins Classical Music
Buckle in and hold on tight for this continued wild ride through the bizarre, entertaining, and brilliant world of music history. From the Dark Ages to Hollywood, this class will explore how music shaped the world and how the world shaped music. Crazy anecdotes and unbelievably genius musical excerpts will have you completely immersed in the world of classical music and leave you wanting more. You have the option to…
Music History
Adult
Treesa Ruins Classical Music – Summer Session
Buckle in and hold on tight for this continued wild ride through the bizarre, entertaining, and brilliant world of music history. From the Dark Ages to Hollywood, this class will explore how music shaped the world and how the world shaped music. Crazy anecdotes and unbelievably genius musical excerpts will have you completely immersed in the world of classical music and leave you wanting more. You have the option to…