Undergraduate Music Theory Placement Examination
All individuals applying for admittance to Eastern Michigan University's undergraduate music programs are required to take the Music Theory Entrance Examination or the Music Theory Advanced Placement Examination. These exams take place on Department of Music and Dance audition dates.
Music Theory Entrance Examination
Individuals who have not studied music theory at the college level are required to take the Music Theory Entrance Examination. This exam takes place on Department of Music and Dance audition dates.
Entrance Examination Outline
· melody pitch identification
· melody rhythm identification
· melody pitch error detection
· identification of written pitches (treble and bass clefs)
· pitch singing
· melodic fragment singing
· sight singing of a short melody
· sight reading of short rhythmic patterns
Music Theory Advanced Placement Examination
Individuals who have studied college-level music theory previously are encouraged to take the Music Theory Advanced Placement Examination. This exam takes place on Department of Music and Dance audition dates. Transfer students who elect not to take the Advanced Placement Examination are required to take the Music Theory Entrance Examination (see above).
Advanced Placement Examination Outline
A. Semester 1
1. clef identification
2. pitch writing
3. notation
4. scales
5. intervals
6. triads
7. scale degree names
8. key signatures
9. phrases
10. cadences
11. periods
12. sequences
13. Roman numeral analysis
14. nonharmonic tones
15. textures
16. species counterpoint
B. Semester 2
1. seventh chords
2. secondary dominants
3. four-part voice leading
4. modulation
5. Roman numeral analysis
6. two- and three-part forms
C. Semester 3
1. sixteenth-century motets
2. eighteenth-century fugues
3. borrowed chords
4. the Neapolitan sixth chord
5. augmented sixth chords
6. Roman numeral analysis
7. sonata form
8. variation technique
D. Semester 4
1. rondo forms
2. 9th, 11th, and 13th chords
3. altered dominants
4. chromatic mediants
5. common-tone diminished 7th chords
6. Roman numeral analysis
7. non-tonal scales
8. non-tertian chords
9. set theory
10. twelve-tone technique
E. Aural skills assessment
