Composition and Musicianship
The Composition and Musicianship Department offers group classes and private lessons that deepen students’ understanding of how music works and fosters their ability to express themselves musically. The Musicianship programs give students a strong foundation in reading music, ear-training, and analysis. The Composition programs provide instruction on the techniques and processes of creating music in a variety of styles and genres, while allowing students to develop their skills through hands-on workshops and performances. Browse through the C&M offerings below to learn more
Young Composers Project | Musicianship Group Classes | Conducting Basics
Private Lessons
Composition study involves intensive instruction on techniques applicable to classical music and a wide variety of other musical styles. It is a highly individualized program designed for anyone with an interest in creating their own music regardless of past experience.
Lessons include guided assignments and independent work on original compositions with targeted feedback from the instructor. Practice in music theory, ear-training, and discussion of professional topics are included where relevant to the student’s background and goals.
Click here to visit our private lesson page and learn more about tuition, registration, and the honors program.
Music Theory private instruction involves a combination of written theory, ear-training, sight-singing, and/or keyboard skills. The course of study is tailored to each student, taking into account their current level and goals. These lessons are intended for students interested in deepening their understanding of musical structures and improving their practical musicianship skills.
Our theory instructors can help students prepare for college entrance exams, placement tests, and/or the AP Music Theory Exam. Please note that for such tests, early preparation is key! Students interested in taking theory lessons to prepare for a test are encouraged to start lessons the fall before the test will be scheduled. Later starts are possible but not encouraged.
Click here to visit our private lesson page and learn more about tuition, registration, and the honors program.
Musicianship Group Classes

This program will not be offered in the 2022-23 school year. Please check back for future offerings.
Musicianship classes allow students to build skills and gain knowledge relating to music theory, ear training, and music history. These engaging classes are filled with opportunities for listening, discussion, and active participation. Students will apply concepts through performance, analysis, and composition. Both in-class and at-home activities will help students master the covered material and grow as musicians.
This introductory class helps students become proficient in the fundamentals of music literacy. Students will improve their note-reading in treble and bass clefs, as well as rhythm reading in simple meters. They also will learn major scales and key signatures, minor scales and key signatures, and intervals.
The Online Fundamentals 1 class is conducted asynchronously through Google Classroom, so students can work through the material at their own pace. The class is open to all ages, though younger students will find it helpful to work through with a parent or teacher. Students can join at any time during the year.
No placement assignment is required to join Music Theory and Ear Training Fundamentals I.
This class builds on the topics covered in Music Theory and Ear Training Fundamentals I. It is designed for students who can:
- Fluently read notes in both treble and bass clef
- Fluently count rhythms in simple meter
- Build and identify major and minor scales and key signatures
- Demonstrate proficiency with basic aural skills
Students in this class will further develop their skills in those areas, while also gaining proficiency with tonal harmony. Topics will include compound meter, intervals, triads, seventh chords, diatonic chords, analysis of diatonic harmony, and basic formal analysis. Singing with solfege, musical dictation, and other ear training skills also will be covered.
The Online Fundamentals 2 class is conducted asynchronously through Google Classroom, so students can work through the material at their own pace. The class is open to all ages, though younger students will find it helpful to work through with a parent or teacher. Students can join at any time during the year.
Students interested in moving into this class must complete a placement assignment.
Grades 7–Adult
Saturdays, 2:45–3:45 p.m.
Each year, the HCD offers an advanced musicianship class focusing on different topic. Past themes have included “Analyzing to Interpret” (2020-21), “Counterpoint” (2019-20), and “Historical Styles from the Middle Ages to Today” (2018-19).
The theme for 2021-22 is Sight-reading. This class will help students to better sight-read music on their instruments through a focus on rhythm reading, pitch reading, sight-singing, and performing on their instrument individually and in groups.
This class is open to students who have completed Music Theory and Ear Training Fundamentals 1 (or equivalent) and who have been playing their instrument for at least 3 years. If you have not done Music Theory and Ear Training Fundamentals 1 at the HCD but have comparable experience, please contact Dr. Jessica Rudman (rudman@hartford.edu) to discuss possible admittance to the class.
The class will meet for 12 sessions, beginning on Jan. 22 and ending on May 7.
Classes and Tuition
Class | Day and Time | Tuition for HCD Private Lesson Students | Tuition for All Others |
---|---|---|---|
Fundamentals I (Online, Asynchronous) | Asynchronous | Free | Free |
Fundamentals II (Online, Asynchronous) | Asynchronous | $75 | $100 |
Sight-reading (in-person) | Saturdays, 2:45-3:35 p.m. | $150 | $200 |
Young Composers Project

The Young Composers Project (YCP) inspires students to express themselves creatively in music. This unique program is designed for students of all experience levels, and will provide each student with the skills necessary to develop their own voice as a composer. The course of study found in YCP not only helps prepare students for future compositional work (such as collegiate study or a career in composition), it also deepens their understanding of music.
Click here to learn about YCP Summer Edition.
YCP participants work with a faculty composer in one-hour classes from November to May. The small class size fosters a collaborative environment and allows students to spend a considerable amount of time on personal projects. Class time is typically divided between instruction on various compositional techniques and group discussion of the students' in-progress pieces.
In addition to the regular class meetings, YCP also includes a number of special activities for the students. In the past, these have included master classes with visiting composers, behind the scenes visits to rehearsals of local ensembles, and a special reading/recording session in which advanced students performed each others’ works.
YCP is for students in grades 6–12 with an interest in:
- Learning to express themselves through music
- Gaining a deeper understanding of how music works
- Sharing their music with other students
- Studying with active and enthusiastic mentor composers
- Working with professional musicians
- Hearing their music realized in live performance
Students of all levels are welcome. Previous composition experience is not required, though students should be comfortable reading music. Intermediate/advanced students are welcome in YCP, and/or are encouraged to consider private composition lessons.
Classes will be scheduled based on student availability. Students will indicate their availability when registering, and they will be placed into an appropriate class. They will be notified of their placement the week after the registration deadline, and classes will start in November.
We will make every effort to place all interested students into an appropriate class. Sections must meet enrollment minimums to run. If we are not able to place a student because of scheduling, we will contact the family as soon as possible.
If you are interested in joining after the registration deadline, please contact Dr. Rudman at rudman@hartford.edu for more information.
Tuition
$475
Registration deadline
November 1
Classes will start mid-November
Hearing one’s music realized by live performers is essential to growing as a composer. In 2021-22, YCP participants will have the opportunity to participate in reading sessions with the Connecticut Youth Symphony.
This is a unique chance to write for a large ensemble of advanced high school performers and work with a professional conductor. Students will compose a short piece for the ensemble across the school year. They will receive feedback on their work from YCP faculty and from CYS’s conductor Dr. Daniel D’Addio. They will have an opportunity to hear their piece in progress and make revisions before a final public reading session scheduled for May 22. Students will also receive recordings of the readings for their own personal use.
Participants will use relevant music software to communicate their ideas. Access to a computer to complete work outside of class is required. If you would like recommendations on software (including free options for those starting out) or have questions about the use of technology in this program, please contact Dr. Rudman at rudman@hartford.edu.
Aiden Caron - Somewhere Between Home and the Heavens
Helkin F. Sosa - La Conquista - I. Hernán Cortés
Benjamin Rickevicius- A Duet for Two Guitars
Conducting Basics

Conducting Basics introduces students to the fundamentals of conducting. Topics include conducting technique, score reading, and musical interpretation. This course is offered periodically based on student interest. Please contact Dr. Rudman at rudman@hartford.edu to be placed on our interest list.
Students must be in grades 9 through 12 with a minimum of 3 years of musical study on their instrument of choice. They must read music, and have a solid understanding of time and key signatures. This course is open to all instrumentalists as well as vocal students.
Questions?
Please call the main office at 860.768.4451 or e-mail us at harttcomm@hartford.edu.