Adult Music Theory Classes (Formative Level 2)

This course presents a Formative Level 2: based on RIAM Level 4–5 Music Theory & Harmony, with Integrated Aural and Dictation Training

This course is designed as an intensive developmental programme supporting students progressing through RIAM Level 4 musicianship and working systematically through RIAM Level 5 Music Theory & Harmony, with the goal of preparing candidates for the RIAM Level 5 Written Theory Examination* in the Summer Exam Session.

Students will revise essential Level 4 concepts, develop advanced musicianship skills, and complete Level 5 written theory material required for certification. Aural and dictation training from the RIAM Internal Musicianship syllabus (Levels 4–5) is fully integrated.

(*This is an online, multiple-choice examination offered twice annually during the Winter and Summer Exam Sessions.)

We also offer a Entry Level course (Beginner - Grade 2), please see here for details: Adult Music Theory Classes (Entry Level)

We also offer a Formative Level 1 course (Grade 3/4),  details soon available at this link: Adult Music Theory Classes (Formative Level 1)

Course Structure

This is a 12-week course, beginning on the 3rd February (in person) / 5th February (online) 2026, covering::

1. Level 4 musicianship development – preparing students transitioning from Level 3
2. Full instruction in Level 5 material, aligned with the required RIAM workbook
3. Aural & dictation support informed by the Level 4–5 Internal Musicianship syllabi
4. Exam-focused preparation, including two full mock exam weeks (Weeks 11 & 12)

Class Duration

• In-person: 55 minutes per class (Tuesday)
• Online: 60 minutes per class (Thursday)

Examination Pathway (Optional)

Students may choose to sit the RIAM Level 5 Theory Examination.

• Exam Window: 11th–14th May (RIAM Summer Session)
• Exam Fee: As published by RIAM (paid separately)
• Note: Applying to sit the exam is entirely the responsibility and discretion of the student. (Optional) Students may choose to sit the RIAM Level 4 or 5 Theory Examination.
• Exam Date: Summer Session (RIAM-published dates)
• Exam Fee: As published by RIAM (paid separately)

Mandatory Course Material

• Music Workout Grade 5 by Jean Archibald and Bernadette Marmion (RIAM Publication)  ISBN: 978-1-902140-06-3  (€12.75) available from RIAM stockists. Click here for details

Additional Recommended Supports

• Level 4 theory notes (provided in class)
• Manuscript notebook

Bridging Content from Level 4 (Essentials Needed Before Level 5)

(These are elements not fully covered in Formative Level 1 Course and therefore will be covered during Week One and Two of the Formative Level 2 Course)

• Major scales up to four sharps & four flats • Minor scales up to two sharps & two flats • One-octave transposition between treble and bass clefs • Time signatures 9/8 and 12/8 (compound triple & compound quadruple) • Composition: writing rhythms to text; answering phrases

Level 5 Written Theory Content

(Based on RIAM Internal Musicianship Level 5 Syllabus)

Scales

• All major keys up to four sharps and four flats
• Minor scales in all three forms
• Key relationships & modulation recognition

Intervals

• All simple intervals up to the octave
• Identification and construction

Harmony & Triads

• Triads in all major and minor keys
• Chord progressions including tonic, dominant, and subdominant
• Cadence identification (perfect, imperfect, plagal, interrupted)

Transposition

• Transposing short passages between clefs; transposing instruments

Rhythm & Meter

• More advanced time signatures including compound triple and compound quadruple
• Rewriting rhythms across simple/compound meters
• Dotted rhythms, syncopation, and irregular groupings

Melody Writing

• Writing a four-bar answering phrase to a given melody in major or minor keys
• Understanding melodic contour, cadences, and tonal structure

Analysis & Application

• Identifying form, phrases, cadences, and harmonic structure
• Expanded terminology and expressive markings

Aural & Dictation (Levels 4–5 Integration)

Aural Observation

• Recognition of articulation, dynamics, phrasing
• Identification of simple & compound time signatures
• Recognition of cadences and harmonic changes (Level 5)

Memory Skills

• Rhythmic recall of more complex patterns
• Melodic recall including leaps, minor modes, and extended ranges

Rhythm at Sight

• Four-bar rhythms in simple and compound meters
• Inclusion of dotted rhythms, triplets, and syncopation

Sight Singing

• Melodies in a wider range of keys (up to four sharps/flats)
• Stepwise motion, triadic outlines, and small leaps

Scales & Intervals (Sung)

• Major, harmonic minor, melodic minor
• Arpeggios (major & minor)
• Singing all intervals from tonic

Dictation

• Rhythmic dictation: simple & compound time; triplets; dotted rhythms
• Melodic dictation: four bars in major or minor; stepwise & triadic movement
• Interval dictation: all simple intervals
• Cadence identification: perfect/imperfect/plagal/interrupted

COURSE FEE (IN-PERSON or ONLINE): €325

Spring Term 2026 Schedule:

This course is available as either IN-PERSON or ONLINE option. Registrants are bound to attend their chosen option (time) and cannot alternate between IN-PERSON and ONLINE classes, unless approved by the course tutor.

                             LIVE IN PERSON COURSE                            LIVE ONLINE COURSE (via ZOOM)       

• Week 1:        Tue 3rd February    7:00-7:55 PM (Room B002)         Thu 5th February 7:30-8:30 PM (Online Zoom)
• Week 2:        Tue 10th February  7:00-7:55 PM (Room B002)         Thu 12th February 7:30-8:30 PM (Online Zoom)
• Break 1:       Tue  17th February no class due to Midterm Break   Thu 19th February no class due to Midterm break
• Week 3:        Tue 24th February  7:00-7:55 PM (Room B001)        Thu 26th February 7:30-8:30 PM (Online Zoom)
• Week 4:        Tue 3rd March        7:00-7:55 PM (Room B002)         Thu 5th March        7:30-8:30 PM (Online Zoom)   
• Week 5:        Tue 10th March       7:00-7:55 PM (Room B002)         Thu10th February  7:30-8:30 PM (Online Zoom)
• Break 2:       Tue 17th March      no class due to St. Patrick's Day  Thu 19th March    no class due to St. Patrick's Day
• Week 6:        Tue 24th March      7:00-7:55 PM (Room B002)          Thu 26th March     7:30-8:30 PM (Online Zoom)

                 ----------       Deadline for Music Theory Exam Applications is the 27^th of March (12:00 PM)     --------

• Week 7:        Tue 31st March      7:00-7:55 PM (Room B002)          Thu  2nd April        no class on Holy Thursday
• Break 2:       Tue  7th April       no class during Easter Week          Thu 9th  April        7:30-8:30 PM (Online Zoom)
• Week 8:        Tue 14th April        7:00-7:55 PM (Room B002)          Thu 16th April        7:30-8:30 PM (Online Zoom)
• Week 9:        Tue 21st April         7:00-7:55 PM (Room B002)          Thu 23rd April       7:30-8:30 PM (Online Zoom)
• Week 10:      Tue 28th April         7:00-7:55 PM (Room B002)         Thu 30th April        7:30-8:30 PM (Online Zoom)
• Week 11 :     Tue   5th May          7:00-7:55 PM (Room B002)         Thu   7th May        7:30-8:30 PM (Online Zoom)     - Mock Aural Test

                       --------   Online Exam to be completed between 11^th – 14^th of May       -----------

• Week 12:      Tue 12th May         7:00-7:55 PM (Room B002)          Thu 14th April        7:30-8:30 PM (Online Zoom)    - Mock Dictation Test

(It is recommended to wait with your potential exam registration until this course has started, as your course tutor will be discussing this with you in more detail.)

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

• Participants must be 18+.
• Music Workout Grade 5 by Jean Archibald and Bernadette Marmion (RIAM Publication)  ISBN: 978-1-902140-06-3  (€12.75) available from RIAM stockists. Click here for details

Martina Rosaria O’Connell

Martina Rosaria O’Connell is an accomplished Irish-Italian flautist and music educator, known for her dedication to both performance and teaching.

Martina holds a Master’s in Flute Performance from the Royal Irish Academy of Music (RIAM) and Trinity College Dublin, graduating with distinction and achieving the highest result of her year. She also earned a First Class Honours Bachelor of Music Education from Trinity College Dublin and RIAM, including a six-month Erasmus placement at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.

Martina’s career spans both solo and ensemble performances. She has appeared with renowned ensembles such as the National Symphony Orchestra of Ireland, the Irish Baroque Orchestra, RIAM Philharmonia, the Dublin Symphony Orchestra, and the Esker Festival Orchestra. Additionally, she has performed in masterclasses with world-renowned flautists such as Sir James Galway, Michael Cox, and Adam Walker, and participated in prestigious programs including the Camerata Ireland Academy and Saline Royale Academy in France.

An advocate for music education, Martina is a Post-Primary Music Teacher and serves as Head of Education for the West Wicklow Chamber Music Festival. In this role, she developed Music Appreciation classes for adults, broadening access to classical music through engaging and interactive sessions. She also works as Assistant Orchestra Manager for the Irish Baroque Orchestra. Martina has taught Junior Musicianship at RIAM as an 1848 Scholar and coordinated music camps and outreach projects nationally and internationally. Her efforts include coordinating the "It's Time" Music Education Outreach Project, which was featured on RTÉ News2Day.

Martina’s blend of performance excellence and educational leadership reflects her commitment to fostering a love for music across all ages and skill levels.

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

"Teacher exceptional and a pleasure to learn from. You feel confident in all her knowledge and experience which is extensive. Excellent at answering questions when they came up. Also patient to different learner needs and encouraging."

"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!"