The Music Theory Program at Pennsbury High School
Did you know??

Pennsbury music theory students routinely receive honors in music
compositions at local, national, and international levels.

Music Educators National Conference chose the Pennsbury Music
Theory Department to participate in its "Benchmarks for Music
Composition Project." The purpose of this Project was to help establish
the national standards in music composition. This honor was awarded
to only twenty high schools nationwide, with one of our student's
compositions chosen for the Project's publication.

Students completing the entire theory curriculum test out of significant
portions of music theory at the college/university level.
Music Theory Electives
0818
Foundations of Music
Grades 9, 10, 11,
12
No Prerequisite
0812
Music Theory I
Prerequisite: Foundations of Music
Grades 10, 11, 12
0813
Music Theory II
Prerequisite: Music Theory I
Grades 11, 12
0814
AP Music Theory III*
Prerequisite: Music Theory II
* weighted grade
Grades 11, 12
Additional considerations…

Music Theory Courses are elective courses that meet daily for 18
weeks. They do not alternate with gym for a full year as the various
performing ensembles do.

Students are encouraged to do both their performing ensemble(s) and
music theory courses.

When planning your course selections, keep in mind that it is not
possible to take Music Theory II and AP Music Theory III during the
same year. Students desiring to take the entire four levels of Music
Theory Courses need to start scheduling their courses, preferably, in
ninth grade to avoid possible schedule conflicts in the upper grades.

AP Music Theory III students meeting specific criteria are eligible to be
participants in our "Music Mentors Program," which made its debut
during the 2001-2002 school year. The Music Mentors Program is a
partnership between the AP Music Theory III students and the music
teachers in our Pennsbury elementary and middle schools.

Students grounded in a comprehensive knowledge of Music Theory
find their performance, sight-reading, and over-all musicianship greatly
enhanced and significantly improved.
Questions???
Mrs. Suzanne Schmidt teaches all Music Theory Courses. Please feel free to
contact her with questions at 215-949-6780, ext. 71686, or by e-mail at
sschmidt@pennsbury.k12.pa.us. You may also reach Mrs. Schmidt on AOL
Instant Messaging as "theorygodmom."