Overview
Music theory and composition are a vital component of any musician’s development. Integrating composition with the teaching of theory is one of the most effective ways of codifying music principles into actual practice for young musicians.
Under the innovative leadership of MYS’ theory director Ryan Francis, our theory program expands students’ instrumental education with a series of classes. They introduce students to practical music theory concepts, including melody, harmony and musical forms.
Building on a foundation of standard musical notation, ear training, and notation software, students will compose in historical and contemporary musical styles and will complete musical projects with readings by MYS ensembles. MYS instructors are experienced teaching artists who effectively communicate this integrated approach.
Registration and Tuition
New Students
Students who are entering MYS’ Music Theory program for the first time will be placed in a class based on an evaluation. In person students will take an assessment on the first day of classes. New online students will recevie the assessment via email in September 2025 and placements will be sent out before the beginning of classes. In order to receive this evaluation, students must first register for the program. The MYS Music Theory program is open to all MYS and non-MYS students.
Returning Students
Students who participated in our online Music Theory program for the 2024-2025 season will be placed in a class for the 2025-2026 season based on the recommendation of their prior instructor. If you are a returning student to our Music Theory program and have questions about your class for the 2025-2026 season, email production@playmys.org.
Tuition
Tuition for all Music Theory Students for the 2025-2026 season is $215. We offer tuition assistance: contact programs@playmys.org for more information.
Registration
All new and returning students must register in order to participate in our 2025-2026 classes.
2025-2026 Schedule
- Music Theory – In-Person Beginning/Early Intermediate Level
Saturdays, September – April: Exact Dates TBD - Music Theory – Online Intermediate/Advanced Level
Monday or Tuesday evening, End of September –
End of April: Dates & Times TBD
- Music Theory Reading Sessions – Online Intermediate/Advanced Level
at the MYS office building
1. Tuesday, January 27
2. Tuesday, April 28
Classes Offered and Instructors
Music Theory classes will meet in-person or online via Zoom for the 2025-2026 season. Zoom links will be emailed to students if placed in an online class.
Music Theory: Overture (In-person, Portland & Hillsboro)
This applied class teaches the fundamentals of playing, reading and writing music notation. It focuses on rhythm and music notation, including scales and intervals of the major scale. This course reinforces foundational concepts of music and prepares musicians to advance to the next orchestra. This class is highly recommended for Overture students.
Music Theory: Interlude/Chamber (In-person, Portland & Hillsboro)
This class builds on the fundamentals of reading and writing music notation. It continues to focus on rhythm, scales and intervals of the major and minor scales. This class is highly recommended for Interlude and Chamber Strings level students.
Music Theory: Intermediate (Online)
This class expands on composition using standard tonal theory. This class focuses on composing with chord structures, including and beyond standard cadential progressions, such as added note chords, quartal/quintal harmonies and clusters. A wider variety of scales (chromatic, pentatonic, whole tone, modes) will also be explored.
Music Theory: Advanced (Online)
This class explores contemporary harmonic ideas and score analysis. Composition exercises to explore non-standard scales, polyrhythms, mixed meters and graphic notation. Students will work on composition exercises that utilize these advanced aspects.
Portland Overture Theory:
Saturdays, 11:20 am-12:00 pm
at Dr. King Elementary in NE Portland
Portland Interlude/Chamber Theory
Saturdays, 12:05 – 12:45 pm at Dr. King Elementary in NE Portland
Hillsboro Overture Theory:
Saturdays, 12:05-12:45 pm
at First Congregational in Hillsboro
TBD
Hillsboro Interlude/Chamber Theory:
Saturdays, 12:05-12:45 pm
at First Congregational in Hillsboro
Ryan Francis Bio
Ryan Francis’s music has received grants and awards including from the American Academy of Arts and Letters, the Jerome Foundation, and the Augustine Foundation, and his music has been performed across the U.S. and internationally. Francis is a faculty member at Pacific University where he teaches music technology, music theory, and international music studies. Francis holds a B.M. in music composition from the University of Michigan and an M.M. and D.M.A. in music composition from the Juilliard School.
Kirsten Volness Bio
Kirsten Volness is an electro/acoustic composer and pianist whose music is inspired by nature, myth, science, spirituality, and environmental and sociopolitical issues. She has received commissions from New Music USA, the BMI Foundation, ASCAP/SEAMUS, The American Opera Project, Metropolis Ensemble, Hotel Elefant, NOW Ensemble, Transient Canvas, Ann Arbor Symphony, and Experiential Orchestra. She performs with Providence-based Verdant Vibes, a new music ensemble and concert series she co-founded in 2015. Recipient of the MacColl Johnson and RISCA Fellowships in Music Composition, Kirsten was 2017 composer-in-residence at the Music Mansion, creating the First Fridays concert series, and served on the board of directors as Secretary. She collaborates with Meridian Project on multimedia performances exploring astrophysics, writes and performs operas with the homeless advocacy group Tenderloin Opera Company, and is an affiliate artist of Sleeping Weazel theatre company. She earned composition degrees from the Universities of Michigan (DMA, MM) and Minnesota (BA summa cum laude) and has taught privately, at Lewis & Clark, Reed College, and the University of Rhode Island.