Robert Batt
Courses: The music theory courses I teach prepare students for theory exams offered by the Royal Conservatory of Music and the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (London). For Royal Conservatory of Music courses, the textbooks I use, the content and the duration of my courses are all similar to the Conservatory’s school in Toronto. The theory requirements for practical certificates are listed below; each theory exam must be taken within five years of the corresponding practical exam.
Practical Grades – Theory Courses and Grades: Old Names (New Names)
5 – Preliminary Rudiments (Basic Rudiments)
6 – Grade 1 Rudiments (Intermediate Rudiments)
7, 8 – Grade 2 Rudiments (Advanced Rudiments)
9 – Grade 3 History (History 1), Grade 3 Harmony (Basic Harmony)
10 – Grade 4 History (History 2), Grade 4 Harmony (Intermediate Harmony)
ARCT – Grade 4 Counterpoint (Counterpoint), Grade 5 History (History 3), Grade 5 Harmony and Counterpoint (Advanced Harmony), Grade 5 Analysis (Analysis)
Basic Rudiments is the only required rudiments exam: it prepares students for higher level courses. Basic Harmony, Intermediate Harmony, Counterpoint, Advanced Harmony, and Analysis form a sequence of related courses in which each course builds on the previous one. (The Basic Harmony exam is not required for ARCT.) History 1, 2, and 3 are related only by the general subject–music history–and by the required textbook. If you want to do two courses at the same time it is best to overlap them so that the exams are not done together; for example, Basic Harmony: January to August, and History 1: May to December.
RCM examinations are usually held three times a year: May, August, and December. Students should discuss their exam schedule and applications with me before registering. I can do the exam registration for you at no extra charge, billing you later for the registration fee. (You will have to give me your date of birth and RCME number.) When registering for an exam, please use my RCM teacher number, 10350.
Schedules: I usually teach Tuesday to Friday, afternoons and evenings, and Saturday afternoons. Most courses require eight months of instruction, meeting one hour per week (1/2 hour for private lessons). Courses may divide into two terms of four months each. I usually schedule courses to end in the three months with an RCM theory exam. The three normal schedules are:
(1) September to May (2nd week), with two weeks off at Christmas and one week off for Spring Break.
(2) January to August (2nd week), with one week off for Spring Break.
(3) May (3rd week) to December (2nd week). Schedules (2) and (3) require some flexibility of students for accommodating summer vacation and may require some 2-hour classes to make up for vacations.
Other schedules may be possible, such as intensive courses from June (last week) to August (2nd week).
Fees: My tuition fees are reasonable and are within the guidelines of the British Columbia Registered Music Teachers’ Association. I have been a member of the BCRMTA for many years. Private lessons can be any length, but usually are 30 minutes to one hour. Group lessons work best if all students in the group are doing the same subject for the same examination session. Group lessons may also work for students in the same family. Group drop-in lessons are offered on certain days. Fees for a 30 minute private lesson are the same as for a one hour group lesson.
Biographical note: My education includes a B.Mus. and M.A. in music theory, and a Licentiate of Music in organ, from McGill University, and a Ph.D. in music theory from the University of B.C. I have taught music theory at McGill University, the University of B.C., the Vancouver School Board, and at private music schools. I am also active as an organist, both as soloist and accompanist.
Testimonial:
“Karen said she wished she had done Basic and Intermediate Harmony with you.
We both think you are a very good teacher: very professional, nice, explain clearly, and patient.”
- Jennifer and her daughter Karen (Counterpoint, Advanced Harmony and Analysis)