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DEPARTMENT OF MUSIC
GRADUATE STUDENT HANDBOOK
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GRADUATE ENTRANCE EXAMS
MUSIC HISTORY EXAM
REQUIRED FOR STUDENTS PURSUING THE FOLLOWING CONCENTRATIONS:
Conducting
Performance
Collaborative Piano
Music History & Literature
Theory & Composition
NOTE: If this exam reveals deficiencies, appropriate coursework will be required.
WHEN TO TAKE IT:
Entering graduate students are required to take this test before the beginning of their first semester of coursework. The test will be given during the week immediately prior to the beginning of each semester, excluding summer session. Students who enter the program in Summer Session will be expected to take the test before the beginning of the following Fall Semester.
Click HERE to see when the History Guidance Exam will be given next.
ABOUT THE EXAM:
Be prepared for the following:
- Style analysis from excerpts of music from various periods, from the Middle Ages through the 20th century, in both written and aural forms;
- Thumbnail sketches of important composers and their output, from the Middle Ages through the 20th century;
- Definitions of concepts, terms, styles, and genres important in music from the Middle Ages through the 20th century.
Texts recommended:
Bonds, Mark Evan. History of Music in Western Culture, 2nd ed., with anthologies and recordings. Englewood Cliffs, N. J., Prentice Hall, 2006.
Grout, Donald J. and Claude V. Palisca. A History of Western Music, 6th edition, with anthologies and recordings. New York: Norton, 2001.
Stolba, K. Marie. Development of Western Music, edition with anthologies & recordings. Dubuque, Iowa: Wm. C. Brown, 1990.
SAMPLE HISTORY EXAM (PDF, 64KB)
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Music Theory exam
REQUIRED ONLY FOR STUDENTS PURSUING THE THEORY AND COMPOSITION CONCENTRATION:
NOTE: If this exam reveals deficiencies, appropriate coursework will be required.
WHEN TO TAKE IT:
Entering graduate Theory & Composition students are required to take this test before the beginning of their first semester of coursework. The test will be given during the week immediately prior to the beginning of each semester, excluding summer session. Students who enter the program in Summer Session will be expected to take the test before the beginning of the following Fall Semester.
Click HERE to see when the Theory Guidance Exam will be given next.
ABOUT THE EXAM:
Be prepared to do the following:
- Harmonic analysis of an excerpt from the tonal literature, chorale harmonization, and figured bass;
- Harmonic dictation in two and four parts, including at least one common-chord modulation, typical chromatic harmonies and non-chord tones; melodic dictation in both treble and bass clefs;
- Sightreading in the range of difficulty of “Melodies II” from the textbook A New Approach to Sight-singing, by Sol Berkowitz, Leo Kraft, et al., 4th edition, published by Norton, 1997, or in Melodia, by Samuel Cole and Leo R. Lewis, published by Theodore Presser, 2004.
NOTE: A knowledge of counterpoint, post-tonal theory and form and analysis is helpful but not necessary for successful completion of the theory guidance exam.
Texts recommended for review for the written theory portion:
Aldwell, Edward and Carl Schachter, Harmony & Voice Leading, 3rd edition. New York: Thomson-Schirmer, 2003.
Clendinning, Jane Piper and Elizabeth West Marvin. The Musician's Guide to Theory and Analysis. New York: W. W. Norton, 2005.
Gauldin, Robert. Harmonic Practice in Tonal Music, 2nd editon. New York: W. W. Norton, 2004.
Laitz, Steven G. The Complete Musician: An Integrated Approach to Tonal Theory, Analysis and Lisening. New York: Oxford, 2003.
Roig-Fancolì, Miguel A. Harmony in Context. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2003.
Texts recommended for review for ear training and sight singing portion:
Ottman, Robert W. Music for Sight Singing. Englewood Cliffs, N.J.: Prentice Hall, 2004.
Fish, Arnold and Norman Lloyd. Fundamentals of Sight Singing and Ear Training. Prospect Heights, Illinois: Waveland Press, Inc., 1992.
Robert D. Levin and Louis Martin. Sight Singing and Ear Training through Literature. Englewood Cliffs, N.J.: Prentice Hall, 1988.
SAMPLE THEORY EXAM (PDF, 2.3MB).
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Music Education exam:
REQUIRED FOR THE MUSIC EDUCATION CONCENTRATION:
Students wishing to pursue the Master of Music Concentration in Music Education must take a written guidance examination in relevant contemporary topics and issues in music education.
WHEN TO TAKE IT:
Students should plan to take this exam before completion of the first semester of coursework.
ABOUT THE EXAM:
Be prepared to discuss the following topics:
- A valid rationale for teaching music in the public schools that addresses major philosophical arguments in the field regarding the value of music and primary outcomes of instruction.
- Current problems in public school music education.
- Current curricular and methodological movements in public school music education.
- Appropriate content and materials for public school music instruction, grades K-12.
- History of public school music education in the United States, particularly with respect to that which has influenced the current state of music education in this country.
Texts recommended:
Mark, Michael L. Contemporary Music Education, 3rd edition. New York: Schirmer Books, 1996.
Campbell, Patricia Shehan, Carol Scott-Kassner and Kirk Kassner. Music in Childhood: From Pre-School Through the Elementary Grades, 3rd edition. New York: Schirmer Books, 2006.
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