Music Placement Test

Fundamentals Screen Test

All incoming freshman who intend to major, minor or take a concentration in music are required to take this test at the time of their audition. This is a four page placement tool that assesses rudimentary theory concepts and skills such as reading pitches in treble and bass clefs, reading and recognizing basic rhythmic patterns, understanding basic concepts in rhythm and meter, recognizing and writing all major scales, and recognizing major key signatures. A favorable score on the Fundamentals Screen Test will place them in MUS 1080 Introduction to Musicianship. Any student with a score under the requirement for MUS 1080 placement will be required to take MUS 1060 and/or MUS 1065 Fundamentals of Music Theory, which is a pre-requisite to MUS 1080 Introduction to Musicianship.

Music Theory and Aural Skills Proficiency Test

All transfer students (and any first year students who wish to test out of MUS 1080 Introduction to Musicianship) who intend to major, minor or take a concentration in music are required to take this test for theory placement and aural skills placement. This test will be offered once during VIP (Vikings in Progress Summer Orientation Day) and once during Threshold (fall orientation). This test and a music transcript evaluation is required before you can register for theory and/or aural skills classes.

Music Theory Segment

The music theory segment will consist of questions that might appear on a final exam in Theory 1, 2 and 3. Level one deals with being able to write and label basic vocabulary in tonal music: scales, intervals, triads, 7ths. Labeling includes lead chart and figured bass notation. Level 2 deals with part writing in SATB textures and basic voice leading principles using diatonic triads, V7, diatonic 7ths. It also deals with melodic structures, phrase analysis (cadences) and small forms (binary, ternary). Level 3 deals with chromatic chords (secondary functions, altered predominants: N6, Aug 6ths, altered dominants) and modulation techniques. It also deals with analysis of 19th century music and contrapuntal music/fugue.

Aural Skills Segment

The aural skills segment will consist of two parts: a written test and a sight singing test. The written test covers intervals and melodic, rhythmic and harmonic dictation that might appear on a final for aural skills level 1, 2, 3 or 4. Level 4 includes some atonal melodic dictation. The sight singing test covers material from levels 1 to 4 and includes: intervals and a few chord progression exercises and melodies from simple diatonic to more difficult leaps and chromaticism to modulations and some atonal singing. Singing may be done in moveable do solfege or any other technique that is helpful to you. If you take one of our aural skills classes we will use solfege.

Keyboard Placement Test

All first year and transfer students who intend to major, minor or take a concentration in music are required to take a keyboard placement test. This test will be offered once during VIP (Vikings in Progress Summer Orientation Day) and once during Threshold (fall orientation). The keyboard placement will consist of a short consultation to evaluate correct placement in Keyboard Skills. Students will be asked to play scales, chords and perform sightreading, levels of which will be based on conversations with the evaluator. For registration purposes, students will be temporarily be placed in Keyboard Skills level I/II until a music transcript evaluation and a placement test has been completed.

Ensemble Auditions

Any student interested in auditioning for an ensemble should sign up for an audition during Threshold (fall orientation) in Hanson Hall. Auditions will be held during the first week of class. Students should be prepared to play one song they have prepared in advance. Students may also be asked to sight sing or sight play from a piece of music that will be provided.

Questions about the Music Placement Test should be directed to the School of Music.