Musicianship for Adults - Music Theory: Grade V

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 V Music Theory exam in the Summer Exam session. Participation in this exam is optional and at the discretion of each student.
Students will also receive tuition towards a Grade V 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 V standard integrated into the course.

Learning Outcomes

● Advance your musicianship skills and knowledge as you further explore new diatonic key centres and chromatic scales, more advanced simple and compound metres, new rhythmic devices, and augmented and diminished intervals. Further your score reading capabilities by learning how to transpose and transcribe across Treble, Bass and Alto clefs.
● Develop your compositional skills by learning to set poetry text to rhythm and also honing your melodic skills by composing 4-bar phrases from a given opening. Understand how harmonies are constructed through major and minor triads.
● Continue to enhance and develop your ear training, rhythmic and solfège sight-singing skills through practical and enjoyable pitch and rhythmic exercises. Develop your inner hearing, pitch accuracy, sense of pulse and sight reading skills through more advanced rhythmic and melodic dictation, encountering compound time signatures and minor keys.
● Increase your confidence and apply your knowledge in musical observation and literacy skills through observational score reading. Begin your journey into instrumental knowledge as you are introduced to the colours and characteristics of the four core Orchestral families and their principal instruments.

Course Details:

Participation eligibility

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

Required materials

● Music Workout Grade 5 by Jean Archibald and Bernadette Marmion (ISBN: 9781902140063 - 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 V Theory Examination. 
*** 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 V 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 V

Drawn from RIAM Music Theory Grade V syllabus and inclusive of RIAM Level 5 Aural Skills & Dictation and also the instrumental Grade V 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 course participants are saying:

"Excellent course - 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 the tutors teaching style - it is engaging, interesting and agile. The tutor 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!"