A major component of any college curriculum in music is a course introducing the first-year student to musicianship theory, musical materials, and procedures. Such a course may bear a variety of titles (Basic Musicianship, Elementary Theory, Harmony and Dictation, Structure of Music, etc). It may emphasize one aspect of music, such as harmony; more often, however, it integrates aspects of melody, harmony, texture, rhythm, form, musical analysis, elementary composition, and to some extent, history and style. Musicianship skills such as dictation and other listening skills, sight-singing, and keyboard harmony are considered an important part of the theory course, although they may be taught as separate classes.

This course introduces students to music by examining the art form from a variety of different time periods, cultural movements, and creators, incorporating the elements of music and the instrumentation used by musical artists. Students will explore the significance of surroundings and time periods and how they influenced and were influenced by the music of the day. This course promotes enjoyment and understanding of music through use of recorded music and song literature.