UNDERGRADUATE APPLICANTS' RECOMMENDED MUSIC AND MUSIC THEORY KNOWLEDGE
1. MUSIC THEORY
• be able to read notes in both treble and bass clef
• know how to construct and identify whole steps, half steps, and enharmonic equivalents
• be able to construct the major and three kinds of minor scales
• understand meter signatures and be able to add barlines or to complete measures with notes and/or rests of correct durations
• understand how to write two contrapuntal parts with different rhythms so that simultaneous notes are aligned veritically and durations
are correctly indicated
• know how to construct and identify diatonic intervals
• know how to construct and identify triads and some seventh chords
2. AURAL SKILLS
• be able to match both pitches in their singing range and pitch classes in a register outside their singing range
• be able to sing simple scalar passages and major and minor triads with good intonation
• be able to sing a familiar tune with good intonation and steady rhythm
• be able to sing at sight a simple diatonic melody that includes stepwise motion and small skips
• be able to identify a melody from its notation and spot errors in a mis-notated melody
• be able to identify meters aurally, including the presence or absence of upbeats
3. GENERAL MUSICAL KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES
• be able to follow along with the printed score while listening to piano music or music for piano and one other instrument
• be able to listen to music in a focused way and to independently note details of melody, rhythm, and texture
• some listening familiarity with Classical music of the Baroque, Classical, Romantic, and early 20th-century periods
• some listening familiarity with American folk music, African-American spirituals, historical and contemporary jazz, historical and
contemporary rock ‘n’roll, and other common styles of vernacular music
All students auditioning for the School of Music must pass entrance exams in the areas of Music Theory and Aural Skills in order
to register for freshman-level theory or aural skills.
SUGGESTED RESOURCES TO HELP REVIEW MUSIC THEORY AND/OR AURAL SKILLS FUNDAMENTALS
• Scales, Intervals, Keys, Triads, Rhythm, and Meter: A Programmed Course in Elementary Music Theory with an
Introduction to Partwriting, by John Clough, Joyce Conley, and Claire Boge. W. W. Norton & Co., 3rd edition. ISBN 0393973697
• Music Theory On Line (http://music-theory.com)
• MiBAC Music Software (www.mibac.com)
• MacGAMUT Music Software (www.macgamut.com)
• be able to read notes in both treble and bass clef
• know how to construct and identify whole steps, half steps, and enharmonic equivalents
• be able to construct the major and three kinds of minor scales
• understand meter signatures and be able to add barlines or to complete measures with notes and/or rests of correct durations
• understand how to write two contrapuntal parts with different rhythms so that simultaneous notes are aligned veritically and durations
are correctly indicated
• know how to construct and identify diatonic intervals
• know how to construct and identify triads and some seventh chords
2. AURAL SKILLS
• be able to match both pitches in their singing range and pitch classes in a register outside their singing range
• be able to sing simple scalar passages and major and minor triads with good intonation
• be able to sing a familiar tune with good intonation and steady rhythm
• be able to sing at sight a simple diatonic melody that includes stepwise motion and small skips
• be able to identify a melody from its notation and spot errors in a mis-notated melody
• be able to identify meters aurally, including the presence or absence of upbeats
3. GENERAL MUSICAL KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES
• be able to follow along with the printed score while listening to piano music or music for piano and one other instrument
• be able to listen to music in a focused way and to independently note details of melody, rhythm, and texture
• some listening familiarity with Classical music of the Baroque, Classical, Romantic, and early 20th-century periods
• some listening familiarity with American folk music, African-American spirituals, historical and contemporary jazz, historical and
contemporary rock ‘n’roll, and other common styles of vernacular music
All students auditioning for the School of Music must pass entrance exams in the areas of Music Theory and Aural Skills in order
to register for freshman-level theory or aural skills.
SUGGESTED RESOURCES TO HELP REVIEW MUSIC THEORY AND/OR AURAL SKILLS FUNDAMENTALS
• Scales, Intervals, Keys, Triads, Rhythm, and Meter: A Programmed Course in Elementary Music Theory with an
Introduction to Partwriting, by John Clough, Joyce Conley, and Claire Boge. W. W. Norton & Co., 3rd edition. ISBN 0393973697
• Music Theory On Line (http://music-theory.com)
• MiBAC Music Software (www.mibac.com)
• MacGAMUT Music Software (www.macgamut.com)