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Abstract

Due to the emphasis placed on performing in many high school music programs, a large number of music majors enter college with limited knowledge of music theory. Some university programs require a remedial theory course while others place underprepared students into freshman theory without remediation. Many of us who teach in and/or coordinate the two-year theory sequence are looking for better ways to help students with deficiencies in theory be successful in their first year and beyond while avoiding adding courses and credit hours to their already full degree programs. The Music Department at Missouri State University administers a basic theory entrance exam to all prospective music majors. Those unable to pass the exam at their audition are given the opportunity to learn fundamentals on their own and re-take the exam prior to the start of the fall semester. The department makes instructional materials available online, and offers suggestions for other materials to assist independent preparation on the part of the student. Many still enter the course unprepared however, and struggle through the first semester, causing difficulties with later courses or dropping the major altogether. To help address this issue, we began offering a four- day “Theory Camp” for incoming freshman in the summer of 2008. In light of its initial success in preparing students to perform better in freshman theory, and as music majors in general, the camp has continued every year since its inception. We were inspired to develop our camp from Butler University’s successful intensive “Elements of Music” course described by Jeff Gillespie in his article "Welcome to Theory Camp! More Than Simple Remediation" (Journal of Music Theory Pedagogy, Vol. 14, 2000). Our department faced different challenges from those at Butler, requiring several modifications in our approach. In 2011, the campers at MSU improved their scores an average of 23 points (min=8pts, max=57pts, median=18pts) when retaking the entrance exam. In addition, the camp improved academic performance in theory and provided social benefits through opportunities to work with classmates, staff, and faculty prior to beginning the academic year. Theory Camp 2 began offering a four- day “Theory Camp” for incoming freshman in the summer of 2008. In light of its initial success in preparing students to perform better in freshman theory, and as music majors in general, the camp has continued every year since its inception. We were inspired to develop our camp from Butler University’s successful intensive “Elements of Music” course described by Jeff Gillespie in his article "Welcome to Theory Camp! More Than Simple Remediation" (Journal of Music Theory Pedagogy, Vol. 14, 2000). Our department faced different challenges from those at Butler, requiring several modifications in our approach. In 2011, the campers at MSU improved their scores an average of 23 points (min=8pts, max=57pts, median=18pts) when retaking the entrance exam. In addition, the camp improved academic performance in theory and provided social benefits through opportunities to work with classmates, staff, and faculty prior to beginning the academic year.

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