The Boston Conservatory
Department of Composition, Theory, and Music History
Department Chair: Andy Vores
Room 221 avores@bostonconservatory.edu 617 912-9107
Departmental Assistant: Andrew Jackson andrew_jackson@bostonconservatory.edu
MM Proficiency Exams
During Orientation Week all incoming MM students take proficiency exams in Ear Training, Theory, and Music History. Entering MM students are expected to demonstrate knowledge and competence in these areas equivalent to that of students who have completed the BM course of study at The Boston Conservatory. The results of these proficiency exams determine the need to take any remedial courses. Students are required to complete remedial work within the first year and are registered in the appropriate course by the Registrar’s Office.
Ear Training
Theory
Music History
Ear Training Proficiency
The Ear Training exam – which has no sight-singing component – consists of:–
• transcription of intervals played both melodically and harmonically
• transcription of standard chords
• Roman numeral identification of simple harmonic progressions
• rhythmic dictation incorporating ties and syncopations
• two-part melodic dictation
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Theory Proficiency
Students are expected to be able to understand, imitate, and analyze standard modulatory techniques of the Common Practice Period. The Theory exam consists of:
• a short Roman numeral harmonic analysis
• four-part chorale style realization of a given modulating progression
• four-part chorale style harmonization of a bass line (without Roman numerals or figured bass)
• questions about the form of a given Baroque fugue
• questions about the form of a given Classical sonata movement
Recommended for Review
THE MUSIC THEORY HANDBOOK
Marjorie Merryman
Wadsworth Publishing, 1996
ISBN: 0155026623
Students who fail Theory may take advantage of a three-hour intensive revision session held in October followed a week later by the opportunity to resit the exam. Students who choose not to take the exam at this time may resit it in January.
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Music History Proficiency
Students are asked to answer 30 multiple choice questions in each of the following areas:
• Music History 1: Medieval and Renaissance
• Music History 2: Music of the 17th and 18th Century
• Music History 3: Beethoven to Debussy
• Music History 4: 20th-Century
These four sections are marked separately. A student might, for instance, pass Music History 1, Music History 2, and Music History 4, but fail Music History 3. In such a case only Music History Review 3 would be required.
In addition to the multiple choice questions, a listening test asks students to identify recorded examples of standard works and to answer general questions about each.
Recommended for Review
A HISTORY OF WESTERN MUSIC
J. Peter Burkholder, Donald J. Grout, Claude V. Palisca
W.W. Norton & Company; 7th Edition, 2005
ISBN: 0393979911
Norton also has a very useful website with listening examples and sample multiple choice questons: http://www.wwnorton.com/college/music/grout7/home.htm
Students who are required to take a Music History Review must pass this course before enrolling in any Music History Seminar dealing in the historical period covered by the review.
Students who fail Music History 3 and/or Music History 4 have an opportunity to resit the exam at the start of the spring semester.
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