All entering students are required to take diagnostic examinations in Musicology and Music Theory. In addition, an area examination is given to entering students in jazz. These exams are NOT optional.
The diagnostic examinations are given through a Canvas course site several days (usually Monday) before classes start each semester, beginning at 9:00 a.m. and concluding at approximately 4:00 p.m. Results are uploaded to the Canvas course site by approximately 12:00 p.m. the following day.
Important Note
It is the student’s responsibility to notify the appropriate ensemble director if an audition is scheduled during the Diagnostic Exam period. The audition must be re-scheduled at a later time. Diagnostic Exams can not be re-scheduled.
Students are expected to take the diagnostic examinations before registering for courses.
Diagnostic examinations are designed to determine whether a student’s competencies in musicology and music theory are sufficient for undertaking graduate study in music. Entering students in the Master of Music degree who receive a failing grade on a diagnostic exam are required to take the review course in the corresponding area (MUCO 400 or MUTH 400) to ensure competencies appropriate for graduate-level work. Students must pass the review courses with a grade of A or B before applying to candidacy and must pass the required review course with an A or B before taking 500-level courses in the given area. Courses required to remove deficiencies should be completed during the first semester in which they are offered whenever possible.
Important Information About Review Courses
For example, the survey of Music Theory (MUTH 400) must be passed with an A or B before the student may take other graduate Music Theory courses. In order to take MUTH 520 or MUTH 521, a student must have successfully completed MUTH 400 or passed the Music Theory diagnostic exams.
A student may not re-take theory or musicology diagnostic exams after completing review classes without making the required grade of B.
If a graduate student fails to make at least a B in either MUTH 400 or MUCO 400 and has to re-take the course, the Graduate School requires that:
- The student must register for and pay for registration if they are repeating either course, regardless of assistantship status.
- Registration for the course costs a student approximately $1,269 for an in-state resident or approximately $3,621.00 for an out-of-state student if they are below the full-time enrollment of 9 hours in other coursework.
- Registration for the course can not be completed online or by the College of Music, but must be completed by the Graduate School. Registration must be completed within the registration period of the first 14 days of classes (before add/drop is over).
Musicology
The diagnostic examination in musicology consists of objective and essay questions covering all major style periods. Review materials are posted on the Canvas course site.
Recommended References:
- Bonds, Mark Evan. A History of Music in Western Culture, 2nd ed. Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall, 2006.
- Crawford, Richard. An Introduction to America’s Music. New York: Norton, 2001.
- Grout, Donald Jay, and Claude V. Palisca. A History of Western Music. 6th ed. New York: Norton, 2001.
- Shelemay, Kay Kaufman. Soundscapes: Exploring Music in a Changing World. New York: Norton, 2001.
- Stolba, K. Marie. The Development of Western Music: A History. 3rd ed. Boston, Mass.: McGraw Hill, 1998.
- Titon, Jeff Todd, ed. Worlds of Music: An Introduction to the Music of the World’s Peoples. 4th ed. Belmont, Calif.: Schirmer/Thomson Learning, 2001.
Music Theory
The diagnostic examination in music theory consists of:
- Section 1: analyze and resolve chromatic chords; part-writing with chromatic chords/modulation
- Section 2: analyze chords in a short example
- Section 3: provide textbook versions of various forms; provide form for a short piece.
Review materials are posted on the Canvas course site. The exam will be graded holistically and students will be given a grade of pass or fail. If a student passes the diagnostic exam, they may take their 500 level theory class. If they receive a failing grade, they must take MUTH 400: Graduate Theory Review. MUTH 400 will be offered each fall semester.
Recommended References:
- Kostka and Payne, Tonal Harmony.
- Piston, Harmony, Fourth Edition