Musicianship for Adults - Music Theory: Grades III & IV

Academic Year 2026-27

Designed for transitional learners, further your skills and knowledge of music theory in this progressive 12-week course designed for adult learners who wish to continue and build on their musicianship expertise towards preparing for the RIAM Grade III Music Theory exam in the Summer Exam session. Participation in this exam is optional and at the discretion of each student.
**Optional advanced exam pathway** Students who move confidently and securely through the Grade III course material may wish to sit the RIAM Grade IV Music Theory exam instead. Supplementary Grade IV material will be provided and covered, time permitting, to students who wish to avail of this option.
Students will also receive tuition towards a Grade III standard (non-accredited) Aural Skills and Dictation exam, which will take place in class at the end of term, in which participation is optional.
In addition to the written theory and dictation/aural components, this course also aims to support students sitting RIAM instrumental exams, with aspects of the combined Aural and Theoretical requirements up to Grade III standard integrated into the course.

Learning Outcomes

● Further cultivate your musicianship skills as you gain additional insights into more advanced rhythmic and pitch related notation, interval training and score transcription between Treble and Bass clefs.
● Continue refining your ear training, rhythmic and solfège sight-singing skills through gradually advanced pitch and rhythmic practical exercises. Gain more confidence with your inner hearing, pitch accuracy, sense of pulse and sight reading skills through rhythmic and melodic dictation.
● Take the next developmental steps in your compositional skills by exploring new metres, keys and minor tonalities. Strengthen your abilities in melodic writing as you work towards crafting melodies with a balanced contour and a natural sense of phrasing.
● Broaden your aural and observational skills through a variety of musical texts, and encounter a wider variety of instrumental and expressive terms which help bring colour and animation to musical scores.

Course Details:

Participation eligibility

● Participants must be over 18 years.
● Prior theory knowledge of up to Grade II is desirable, but support will be given for learning gaps.

Required materials

● Music Workout Grade 3 by Jean Archibald and Bernadette Marmion (ISBN: 9781902140049 - RIAM Publication) (provided by student)
● Manuscript notebook (provided by student)
● Supplementary teaching materials (provided by teacher)

Assessment and certification route

Students will be prepared to sit the RIAM Grade III Theory Examination. (***with advanced option to sit Grade IV Theory Examination, time permitting***).
*** Please note that applying to sit this either examination is optional and at the discretion of each student. Examination applications (which are made online) are entirely the applicant's responsibility.

*** Please also note that students will be prepared for and invited to sit a Grade III standard (non-accredited) Aural Skills & Dictation exam, which will take place in-class at the end of term. Participation in this is optional and students can decide on their method of individual feedback: either grade with comment, or comment only.

Course Schedule: Spring 2027

Learning content: Grade III → Grade IV

Drawn from RIAM Music Theory Grade III & IV syllabus and inclusive of RIAM Level 3 & 4 Aural Skills & Dictation and also the instrumental Grade III & IV combined Aural & Theoretical requirements. 

We also offer Musicianship for Adults - Music Theory courses for other Grades: (Please follow the lonks to the individual courses)

• Musicianship for Adults - Music Theory: Grade III / IV     (12 weeks)
• Musicianship for Adults - Music Theory: Grade V             (12 weeks)
• Musicianship for Adults - Music Theory: Grade VI            (14 weeks)

 For any enquiries about this course, please contact adultdivision@riam.ie or call 01 632 5300.

Tutor

Angie Flynn

Angie Flynn is an experienced music educator with over 25 years of teaching experience across conservatory and post-primary settings. A graduate of Trinity College Dublin and the Royal Irish Academy of Music (BMusEd), she also holds a First-Class Honours MA in Music Historical Studies from Maynooth University.

Angie has a longstanding connection with RIAM, having previously taught Junior Musicianship and, more recently, joining the Academy’s Early Years faculty teaching Classical Guitar. Her musicianship teaching experience encompasses music theory, aural skills, vocal and rhythmic sight-reading, dictation, composition and music history. Her approach draws on Kodály and Curwen solfège, alongside listening, singing and practical musical examples to bring theoretical concepts to life.
For 23 years Angie taught Music at Loreto Secondary School Balbriggan, where she also served as Head of Music Department. During her time there, in addition to her teaching of Junior & Leaving Certificate Music, she also conducted the Junior and Senior Choirs, Orchestra, Samba Ensemble and was co-music director of ten TY musicals, fostering vocal and instrumental skills and a shared love of music with her students and colleagues.
Alongside her teaching career, Angie has maintained an active involvement in music-making. She is a former member of the RTÉ Philharmonic Choir, St Patrick’s Cathedral Chamber Choir, Canticum Novum Chamber Choir and is currently a member of GuitaRIAM.
Angie believes that through the study of musicianship, we have the opportunity to deepen our understanding of music, developing confidence as musicians and discovering new ways to appreciate the music we hear and how we perform. She aims to create a welcoming and encouraging learning environment where students can build on their existing knowledge, explore new ideas and develop their skills at their own pace.
She is delighted to be a member of RIAM’s Adult Division Musicianship programme and looks forward to sharing her enthusiasm for music with adult learners at every stage of their musical journey. 

Here is what some of our previous "Entry Level" course participants are saying:

"Excellent course - really engaging teacher, clear information provided, good curriculum with opportunities to both practise learning and extend knowledge."

"I haven't enjoyed learning and homework this much since I was a child!! A few years ago I attempted to pick back up the piano skills of my youth and failed to reach the same level. I realised my theory was letting me down but couldn't find a class offering what I needed. Then this class came along - exactly what I'd been looking for!!"

"I really enjoyed Martina’s teaching style - it is engaging, interesting and agile. Martina teaches with a passion for her music and subject which is contagious."

"An excellent instructor. She covered so much with great enthusiasm and she dealt with questions in a very engaging way."

"Thank you for facilitating such a wonderful course - I am looking forward to more!"