The study of music theory is a rite of passage for all serious students of music. Initially our purpose in class is to address the basic musical fundamentals in a systematic way to aid in gaining fluency and filling any gaps in each student’s knowledge. The ultimate goal of the course is to develop the ability to recognize, understand, and describe the basic materials and processes of music that are heard or presented in a score. The achievement of this goal will be attained by integrated approaches to the development of aural skills through listening exercises, sight-singing skills through performance exercises, written skills through notation exercises, compositional skills through creative exercises, and analytical skills through music analysis. As the class works to understand how music is put together, the students also discover fun, excitement and reward in the serious study of the art of music. Listening to, playing, and writing music can be some of the most enjoyable experiences one will ever have.