Advanced Music Theory: Grade 8

Course Dates & Times

Monday 13 – Friday 17 July 2026
10am–5pm, BST (UTC+1)

About Advanced Music Theory

This five-day online music theory course, led by Guildhall Composition Professor Paul Whitmarsh, is ideal if you wish to prepare for the ABRSM Grade 8 theory exam, or if you want to improve your knowledge of music theory.

Who is the course for?

Anyone aged 14 and over working towards the ABRSM Grade 8 theory exam.

What can I expect?

You will receive group and one-to-one tuition to cover theory topics introduced at Grade 8. Each topic will begin with a group class session, after which you will be given exercises to work on with one-to-one guidance from the tutor.

Topics covered include:

• Completing an extract from a Baroque trio sonata with a given figured bass line. 
• Completing a short extract of music for keyboard with a given outline 
• Continuing a melody after a given opening
• Answering general questions on extracts of music

Do I need anything for the course?

• Notebook
• Pencil
• Pen
• Eraser
• Ruler
• Pencil sharpener
• Manuscript paper
• ABRSM Theory Workbook Grade 8

Course Fee

£595

Public booking opens at 11am, Monday 1 December. Join our mailing list before Friday 28 November to receive priority booking.

Participation Bursaries are available for this course. Please note the application deadline for Participation Bursaries is 27 April 2026. 

Eligibility

• We welcome participants from all ages 14 and over
• You must have either passed ABRSM Grade 7 Theory or be working at a level equivalent to ABRSM Grades 7 and 8 Theory.
• Participants must have sufficient English language skills in order to fully engage with the course 

Online Short Courses Requirements

All sessions will take place online using Zoom. A Zoom link will be sent to you in advance of the course start date with further instructions.

To participate in online classes you will need the following:

• An email address
• A reliable internet connection
• A laptop/tablet/desktop computer with a microphone and camera (most have these included)
• Speakers/headphones (the speakers in your laptop/tablet/computer should be sufficient)
• A fully updated web browser able to use the most up to date version of Zoom, or a fully updated Zoom client

If you have any questions regarding joining one of our online courses, please contact us.

About the Course Tutor

The course is taught by composer Paul Whitmarsh, who teaches in the composition and academic music departments at Guildhall School.

Paul also teaches composition at Wells Cathedral School. He read music at Clare College, Cambridge, before studying composition with Julian Anderson at the Royal College of Music. Music education is a huge passion, with previous job roles including Composer-in-Residence at Bedford School between 2002 and 2005 and three subsequent years as Maingot Trust Fellow in New Music at The Warehouse, London. 

Paul's music has been performed at many festivals throughout the UK, including Aldeburgh, Spitalfields, Cheltenham, Deal, Hampstead and Highgate, Tête à Tête, the bmic Cutting Edge series, and the Park Lane Group New Year Series. Recent commissions include Lullaby for Choir and Organ magazine, premiered by the Joyful Company of Singers in 2010; Pealing Out, premiered by the Galliard Ensemble in 2009; and Berceuse in a Box for the 2007 Cheltenham Festival. His compositions have also been performed by, amongst others, Elizabeth Watts, Huw Watkins, David Campbell, Alexandra Wood, Daniel Becker, Chroma, and the Warehouse Ensemble.