Artesis Plantijn Hogeschool Antwerpen
Koninklijk Conservatorium van Antwerpen
Harmony and Counterpoint Major 243256/3582/2627/1/23
Study guide

Harmony and Counterpoint Major 2

43256/3582/2627/1/23
Academic year 2026-27
Is found in:
  • Bachelor of Arts in Music, programme stage 2
    Choice option within specialisation:
    • Composition within Compostion
This is a single course unit.
Study load: 6 credits
Co-ordinator: Van Camp Bram
Other teaching staff: Proot Stephanie
Languages: English
Scheduled for: Academic year
This course unit is marked out of 20 (rounded to an integer).
Possible deadlines for learning account: 01.12.2026 ()
Re-sit exam: is possible.
Possibility of deliberation: You have to pass this course unit (will never be deliberated).
Total study time: 180,00 hours

Prerequisites

previously registered for Harmony and Counterpoint Major 1.

Short description

Educational organisation
The student receives weekly lessons from the teacher where improvements take place from independently completed exercises or style compositions.


1.2
The student develops stylistics in the areas of harmony and counterpoint

1.4
The student is able to creatively incorporate harmony and counterpoint into written exercises and stylistic compositions in Middle Baroque style.

2.1
The student will acquire knowledge and understanding of chord theory: seventh chords on all degrees in root position, first and third inversions, secondary dominants and modulations.

2.2
The student studies the course, analyzes music and harmonizes weekly assignments and makes style compositions.

Learning outcomes (list)

1.2 The student can make music in various styles.
The student develops from a stylistic point of view in terms of harmony (high Romantic).
1.4 The student is musically creative.
The student is capable of processing harmony and counterpoint in a creative way in written exercises: the study of chords up to and including the 9-7 chord with related modulations and soprano and bass assignments (vocal and/or instrumental).
2.1 The student masters the musical parameters and structures.
The student acquires knowledge and understanding of, and can apply, chords (up to and including all 9-7 chords, diminished seventh chords and dominant ninth chords), all modulations, ornaments in all voices and three-voice counterpoint.
2.2 The student makes progress through independent study.
The student eliminates specific shortcomings and deficiences by means of the individual assignments and the systematic completion of exercises.
2.3 The student reads, analyses, writes and interprets music.
The student develops a greater musical understanding of a score by writing harmony and counterpoint him- or herself.

Course content

Course content: read the study guide.

Harmony: Middle and Late Baroque
-chord theory: seventh chords on all degrees in root position, first and third inversions, secondary dominants and modulations.
-ornaments: passing tones, neighbor tones, descending and ascending suspensions, escape tones, anticipations
-sequences, modulations

Counterpoint: Baroque
2-voice counterpoint: 1:1, 2:1, 3:1, 4:1 with chromaticism
Written exercises on the topics (vocal and/or instrumental)

Study material (list)

CounterpointMandatory
  • Author: Kent Kennan
Harmony & Counterpoint IIMandatory
  • Author: Bram Van Camp
Bach’s Instrumental CounterpointRecommended
  • Author: Malcolm Boyd
Baroque CounterpointRecommended
  • Author: Peter Schubert en Christoph Neidhöfer
ContrapuntRecommended
  • Author: Walter Piston
Counterpoint for beginnersRecommended
  • Author: Charles Herbert Kitson
Counterpoint, The Polyphonic Vocal Style of the 16th CenturyRecommended
  • Author: Knud Jeppesen
Double Counterpoint and CanonRecommended
  • Author: Ebenezer Prout
Figuraties in de harmonieRecommended
  • Author: Emmanuel Geeurickx
FugueRecommended
  • Author: Ebenezer Prout
Functionele harmonie I & IIRecommended
  • Author: Emmanuel Geeurickx
HarmonielehreRecommended
  • Author: Diether de la Motte
Harmony and melodyRecommended
  • Author: Elie Siegmeister
Harmonyzing Bach ChoralsRecommended
  • Author: Malcolm Boyd
KontrapuktRecommended
  • Author: Diether de la Motte
Leerboek voor omkeerbaar contrapunt, canon en fugaRecommended
  • Author: Erik Lotichius en Lourens Stuifbergen
Modal Counterpoint, Renaissance StyleRecommended
  • Author: Peter Schubert
Practical Free CounterpointRecommended
  • Author: Eric Thiman
Traité de la FugueRecommended
  • Author: André Gedalge
Traité de la FugueRecommended
  • Author: Marcel Dupré

Educational organisation (list)

Learning Activities
Lectures and / or tutorials15,00 hours
Work time outside of contact hours165,00 hours

Evaluation (list)

Evaluation(s) for first exam chance
MomentForm%Remark
1st examination periodArtistic skills assessment during the examination series80,00Concerns the part Harmony and Counterpoint: the student must achieve a minimum of 50% in all tests in order to pass the entire course unit.
1st examination periodPortfolio20,00Concerns the part Harmony and Counterpoint: the student must achieve a minimum of 50% in all tests in order to pass the entire course unit.
Evaluation(s) for re-sit exam
MomentForm%Remark
2nd examination periodPortfolio100,00The portfolio must consist of 70% Harmony and 30% Counterpoint. The student must achieve a minimum of 50% in all tests in order to pass the entire course unit.

Evaluation (text)

Mid-year examination: harmony: 20% and counterpoint 10%
Final exam: harmony 30% and counterpoint 20%

Portfolio: harmony and counterpoint: 20%