Description

What if your student could pursue any future musical interest with confidence, whether community choir, musical theater, band, or even teaching music to others?

Music Fundamentals is a gentle introduction to music theory from experienced educator Megan Terwilliger. As a music professional and mom, she has seen firsthand how the study of music builds character, confidence, focus, and joy.

In this half-credit course, Megan intentionally provides step-by-step instruction in weekly Zoom classes. Students learn everything from reading single notes to creating and identifying seventh chords, combining theoretical knowledge with practical application. Your student will not only learn fundamental music theory concepts, but also develop the confidence and skills needed to pursue any future musical interest with ease.

Upon completion of this course your student will be able to:

• Read music fluently
• Identify and write notes on a staff
• Understand rhythm, meter, and intervals
• Work with scales, keys, and key signatures
• Create and identify triads and seventh chords
• Apply practical notation skills

The course combines theoretical understanding with practical application, ensuring students not only learn the “why” behind music theory but also the “how” to use it in real musical situations.

What’s Included

• Weekly group discussions and check-ins
• Bite-sized lessons with manageable weekly assignments
• Short lectures covering music theory fundamentals
• Listening exercises and musical analysis
• Practical notation instruction
• Grading

Class Details

Credit: Half Credit in Middle School or High School Fine Arts/Music Theory

Ages: 12-16 (This course is open to both middle schoolers and underclassmen.)

The class begins on August 13 and will meet weekly over Zoom on Wednesdays, from 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM Central Standard Time. The format will be lectures and discussion each week. See schedule below.

About the Instructor

Megan Terwilliger is a lover and teacher of music, based out of Nashville, TN. With a Masters of Music from Belmont University, Megan has taught music fundamentals across ages, and believes every person should learn music.

Required Books

Enrollment includes the course textbook: Richard Hoffman’s Music Fundamentals. The textbook will be shipped a week before class begins at no additional charge, and comes hole-punched in a notebook, with a cardboard keyboard.

Schedule of Class Meetings

All Wednesdays, all scheduled from 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM Central Standard Time.

Aug 13 – Basics of Pitch
Aug 20 – Rhythm
Aug 27 – Meter
Sep 3 – Intervals
Sep 10 – Scales
Sep 17 – Scales & Keys
Sep 24 – Fall Break
Oct 1 – Check-in
Oct 8 – Triads
Oct 15 – Quarter Break
Oct 22 – Triads, cont.
Oct 29 – Intro To Tonal Harmony
Nov 5 – Intro to Tonal Harmony, cont.
Nov 12 – Seventh Chords
Nov 19 – Seventh Chords, cont.
Nov 26 – Thanksgiving Break
Dec 3 – Practical Notation
Dec 10 – Chord Names

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I can’t attend the live Zoom sessions?

All the sessions will be recorded and posted for enrolled families to watch at their convenience. You can use the recordings to review or catch up if you missed a session.

Families who can’t make the schedule above can still participate in the class assignments and group discussions by watching the recordings and communicating in the group on My Compass Classroom.

Will my student receive a final grade?

Yes! The instructor will provide a suggested final grade based on submitted assignments and participation. Since this is a live homeschool course, the parent has the final authority and may use this grade as part of their student’s official transcript or records.

Is there a minimum enrollment required?

All live classes are subject to minimum enrollment in order to hold. If minimum enrollment is not reached before the first scheduled session, all families will be notified and refunded completely.

Do you offer refunds on live classes?

We think you will love this class. If you don’t, you may request a refund but must do so no later than before the second scheduled class after your enrollment (purchase) date. This gives you the chance to experience an entire live class session to make your decision.

How long will I have access to the class?

Recording access expires 6 weeks after the last live session. Families are free to continue working through the course on their own during this time. However, no submissions will be graded after the final class meeting, or as directed by the instructor.