Music Theory Graduate Placement Examination
All individuals applying for admittance to Eastern Michigan University's graduate music programs are required to take the Music Theory Graduate Placement Exam. This exam takes place on Department of Music and Dance audition dates. Students are encouraged to review from any standard undergraduate music theory text in preparation for the exam.
Topics to be covered include:
- music fundamentals
- Roman numeral analysis (of diatonic and chromatic chords*)
- nonharmonic tones
- four-part voice leading
- modulation
- textures
- cadences
- phrases and periods
- two- and three-part forms
- species counterpoint
- sixteenth-century motets
- tonal counterpoint
- eighteenth-century fugues
- variation technique
- sonata and rondo forms
- 9th, 11th, and 13th chords
- non-tertian chords
- set theory
- twelve-tone technique
*Chromatic chord possibilities:
- secondary dominants
- borrowed chords
- Neapolitan sixth chord
- augmented sixth chords
- altered dominants
- chromatic mediants
- common-tone diminished 7th chords
Students must achieve an acceptable score on the Music Theory Graduate Placement Exam prior to enrolling in MUSC 511, MUSC 512, MUSC 513, or MUSC 516. Students who fail to achieve an acceptable score must take MUSC 509 Graduate Theory Review (2 hrs), and receive a B or better in the course, prior to enrolling in MUSC 511, MUSC 513, or MUSC 516. MUSC 509 Graduate Theory Review does not count towards degree requirements.
