Teaching Moment for Middle School Teacher

Objective: Students will be introduced to the importance of music theory knowledge and understand how building strong theory skills now will prepare them for future opportunities in high school and college music programs.

Teaching Moment Overview:
Music theory is the language of musicians. It helps students understand what they are playing or singing and prepares them for bigger opportunities in music — including auditions, advanced ensembles, and eventually college scholarships.
Many middle school students believe theory is "extra" — but the truth is, music theory is essential for any serious musician. High school and college music programs expect students to know basic music theory, and those who start early have a major advantage.
As their music director, you have the opportunity to help students:
• Build a strong foundation in theory now.
• Gain confidence reading and understanding music.
• Open doors to future scholarships and music opportunities.
By the end of this lesson, students will:
• Understand what music theory is and why it’s important.
• Set personal goals to strengthen their music theory skills.
• Learn about self-paced online programs where they can start building their skills.

Assignment:
Building Your Music Theory Foundation

Instructions:

• What is Music Theory?
  In 3–5 sentences, explain in your own words what music theory is and why musicians need to understand it.
• Self-Check:
  List 5 things you know about music theory already (examples: note names, key signatures, scales, intervals, rhythm counting, etc.).
• Set a Goal:
  Write down one music theory skill you want to get better at this year (example: “I want to learn all my major scales” or “I want to practice counting rhythms better.”)
• Explore:
  Visit NationalScholasticJuniorMusiciansAwards.com with a parent or guardian.
  Look at the awards they offer.
  Write 2–3 sentences about something you learned or found interesting.

Grading Rubric:

Grading Scale

Point Breakdown:

Teaching Moment for High School Teacher

Objective: Students will understand the financial and academic importance of preparing early for college music theory entrance exams and will develop a personal plan to strengthen their music theory skills before graduation.

Teaching Moment Overview: Most students and parents don’t realize the Music Theory Entrance Exam is not optional — and failure to perform well can add an extra year of tuition and threaten scholarship eligibility. College music programs expect incoming freshmen to demonstrate readiness not just on their instrument or voice but also in written and aural theory.
As their music director, you can equip students with knowledge that will save them thousands of dollars and increase their chances of success.
Early preparation and a strong foundation in music theory create lower-risk candidates for colleges — and higher scholarship offers.
By the end of this lesson, students will:
• Understand how poor music theory performance impacts college costs.
• Know the importance of taking early placement exams (if available).
• Identify steps they can take starting today to build their theory skills.
• Create a personal action plan to avoid remedial placement in college.

Plan Your Path: Avoiding Remedial Music Theory in College

Instructions:

• Research three colleges or universities where you might want to major in music.
  • Find out if they require a Music Theory Entrance Exam or Placement Exam.
  • Find out when they administer the exam (audition weekend, summer, orientation, etc.).
  • Identify if there’s an option to retake the exam before classes begin.
• Compare and Analyze:
  • Create a table showing:
    • College Name
    • When the Music Theory Exam is given
    • Whether they allow retakes
    • What happens if you are placed into remedial music theory
• Self-Evaluation:
  • Reflect on your current music theory skills:
  • How comfortable are you with scales, intervals, chord progressions, and rhythm reading?
  • Have you taken any formal music theory classes, exams, or awards (such as National Scholastic Musicians Awards)?
• Action Plan:
  • Write a one-page plan that outlines:
    • What steps you can take now to strengthen your theory knowledge.
    • Resources you can use (e.g., online courses, private tutors, summer camps, AP Music Theory if available).
    • Target goals for improvement by the end of your junior and senior years.

Rubric: Plan Your Path: Avoiding Remedial Music Theory in College

Grading Scale

The High Cost of Failing Your Music Theory Exam — And How to Avoid It

Dear _________________Parents,

We all know the magic that happens when a student picks up an instrument or sings in harmony for the first time. But there’s something less flashy — and arguably more powerful — happening behind the scenes that often gets overlooked: Music Theory.

Before you sigh and flash back to your own days of memorizing key signatures or time signatures, let me explain why this matters — especially right now, while your student is still in middle school.

When students get to college and major in music, they face a big gatekeeper: the Music Theory Entrance Exam. And here’s the catch — if they aren’t ready, it can cost them an extra year of college tuition. (Yes, seriously — that’s $20,000 to $30,000 or more.)

Why?

• Students who don't pass this exam often get placed in remedial theory classes.
• Remedial theory means they fall behind their peers.
• Falling behind often means taking an extra year to graduate — and most scholarships don’t cover that fifth year.

But here’s the good news: Students who build a strong foundation in music theory early — before they even get to high school — have a major advantage.

I recently read a fantastic article: “The High Cost of Failing Your Music Theory Exam — And How to Avoid It,” now available on Accoladi.com.

It explains:

• Why early music theory education is crucial.
• How middle school students can start preparing now — through self-paced, online programs.
• How simple, consistent practice in theory skills (like scales, intervals, chords, and reading rhythms) can set your student up for college success and bigger scholarships.

What the article shows is this:

• Students who are confident in music theory are seen as stronger candidates by colleges.
• Those students are more likely to win scholarships and finish college on time.
• Starting early — even with a few extra minutes a week — makes a big difference.

Bottom Line for Middle School Parents: Music theory isn’t just extra homework. It’s a real investment in your child’s future — academically and financially.

And the best part? There are fantastic programs like the National Scholastic Junior Musicians Awards where students can start now, build their theory knowledge, and earn recognition — all at their own pace, online.

As your student's music director, I encourage you to take a few minutes to read “The High Cost of Failing Your Music Theory Exam — And How to Avoid It” on Accoladi.com.

A small effort now could lead to big rewards later — and a lot less stress when it’s time to think about college.

Proud to support your child’s journey, as I am . . .

Respectfully,

__________________________________________
Director’s Name and Position

_________________________________________________________
School Name

The High Cost of Failing Your Music Theory Exam — And How to Avoid It

Dear ____________________ Parents,

Let’s talk about a topic that’s not glamorous — but could make a big difference in your child’s future: Music Theory.

I know. It’s not as exciting as the Friday night halftime show, the big spring concert, or that shiny superior rating at festival. But believe me when I say this: Music theory might be the most important course your student will never take — unless they prepare for it.

As your child starts dreaming of college auditions and scholarships, one silent hurdle stands in their way: the Music Theory Entrance Exam. Most colleges require it. Most students underestimate it. And those who are unprepared? Well, they risk falling into a trap that could cost you — and them — an extra year of tuition. (Yes, you read that right.)

Imagine adding another $25,000–$30,000 in costs because of poor placement in music theory. Now imagine the opposite — your student stepping confidently into freshman year, placing straight into Music Theory I, and qualifying for bigger scholarships because the college sees them as a safe bet.

Here’s the truth no one tells you:

• Failing this exam means remedial classes.
• Remedial classes mean delayed graduation.
• Delayed graduation means paying for a fifth year most scholarships won’t cover.
• Scholarships? They’re given to students who look ready to succeed — and music theory skills are a major part of that picture.

I just read an article that spells this out brilliantly: “The High Cost of Failing Your Music Theory Exam — And How to Avoid It.” It’s practical, eye-opening, and packed with strategies that even middle school parents can use to help set their students up for success.

You’ll find it on Accoladi.com, and I highly recommend every parent of a young musician give it a read.

The article breaks it down:

• Why theory exams matter more than you think.
• How taking early placement exams (yes, even if it means a quick summer trip) can save you big money.
• Why starting music theory practice now — even self-paced and online — makes all the difference.
• A year-by-year game plan (starting as early as 7th grade!) to build real fluency in the language of music.

I’ll be honest — even as a music educator, reading this article was a wake-up call for me. It made me realize we spend so much time practicing notes and rhythms, but we don’t always teach students the language behind the music — the very thing colleges are quietly testing them on. I’m going to give this greater attention in my teaching.

Bottom Line for Parents: If your child can walk into their college audition weekend not just playing or singing beautifully but understanding theory fluently, they’re already ahead of the competition. They’re not just a great performer — they’re a great investment for that school.

And if that’s not worth a few extra theory drills now, what is?

Do yourself — and your child — a favor. Take ten minutes and read “The High Cost of Failing Your Music Theory Exam — And How to Avoid It” at Accoladi.com. It could be the best (and least expensive) college prep you do all year.

Proud to be on this journey with your students, as I am . . .

Respectfully,

__________________________________________
Director’s Name and Position

_________________________________________________________
School Name