Educational Partnerships
The pandemic has brought the skills and tools for online education into the mainstream. Among its most powerful possibilities is building specialized educational communities that would otherwise only be available to select students in metropolitan areas.
Music theory, musicianship, music technology, and composition are often difficult to fit into a school’s curricular offerings due to challenges with staffing, scheduling, and other logistics. Pedagogically, these subjects should be treated neither as traditional academic subjects nor as standard performance/ensemble classes, and thus they can fall through the cracks. Yet creative music education is a growing component of national arts standards, and its benefits for both technical skills and social-emotional learning are clear.
Synthase solves this problem of access by bringing together students, specialized educators, and thoughtful, active pedagogy through online classes in small groups. We expertly fill holes in a school’s curriculum without adding administrative headaches, and we work closely with our partner schools to make sure we are serving them and their students to the maximum capacity.
We have two models: private classes for K-12 schools, and individual seats in classes for private music schools. See below for more info about each.
All classes are for students 13 and up.
We offer seats in online classes on a wholesale basis to our partner music schools, and schools choose which classes to make available to their students at a retail price of their choosing. This model allows schools to increase their offerings to their students while earning additional revenue for every student who enrolls. Classes are twelve weeks and begin in February 2023.
We partner with K-12 schools to supplement their music curriculum with high quality online classes taught by expert musicians who are experienced educators. These classes fulfill many national and state arts standards. Students can take them from home or in a lab with basic music equipment.
These are our offerings for the Spring 2023 term:
AP Music Theory Group Tutoring
This class serves students preparing to take the AP Theory exam through their home institution. Students will identify their strengths and weaknesses, and reinforce skills through practice and activities. Topics covered include scales, chords, modes, harmony, voice leading, and form. Requirements: computer, webcam + microphone, speakers or headphones, MIDI keyboard, textbook: Barron’s AP Music Theory.
- Textbook required
Private Tutoring: Music Theory & Musicianship
In a one-on-one setting, we will build on students’ strengths and address their weaknesses, helping them develop a powerful understanding of music. These tutoring sessions can be tailored to fit the requirements of all levels of ABRSM, AP, RCM, or CM theory and musicianship curricula, making excellent preparation for examinations.
- Textbook required
Composition Lab
Students learn how to write for various instruments, analyze exciting works of music to learn what makes them tick, and compose pieces of their own. The class culminates in recording sessions with a professional performer. This class requires some instrumental/vocal experience and knowledge of music notation.
Music Makers Lab
We’ll take songs apart and try to put them back together, and in the process learn tools and concepts that can help us make new songs of our own. By the end, you’ll have original tracks to share with the world, plus an understanding of theory and music technology that can help you get to the next level. This class is based in a Digital Audio Workstation and prior experience with music is not required.
- MIDI Keyboard required
Musicianship for the 21st Century
The 20th century saw people from all over the world converge in America’s cities, and recording technology allowed sound to play a role that only symbols on paper could play before. All of this changed how we engage with music and how makers make it. This class will develop the aural, theoretical, technical, and creative skills that creative musicians need today. Progression through the curriculum will provide the chance to earn certificates and develop a portfolio of creative projects. Prior experience with music is not required.
- MIDI Keyboard required
Private Composition/Songwriting Lessons
Our teachers all have advanced degrees in music composition and also have interest and experience in various forms of popular or electronic music. We will help you hear new details in music you love and then incorporate those details into your own creations. We will be in your corner as throughout the composition process, and we’ll help fill in skills that will allow you to reach your goals.
