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. There are no make-up exams: students who do not take a Proficiency Exam during Orientation Week will be placed in the appropriate remedial course. Music History Proficiency Exam 1:00–3:00 Sunday, August 30, 2009 1260 Boylston Theory Proficiency Exam 10:00–12:00 Monday, August 31, 2009 Seully Hall Ear Training Proficiency Exam 1:00–1:30 Monday, August 31, 2009 Rooms 301, 407 & 501 Ear Training Theory Music History Ear Training 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 ________________________________________________________________________________ Theory 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. _______________________________________________________________________back to top Music History 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 Centuries • 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 Studying Music History: Learning, Reasoning, and |