|
Home 
Resources
Proficiency Examination Policy
All music majors must pass the Piano Proficiency Examination and
demonstrate proficiency in the areas of harmony, aural techniques
and sight singing before admission to Upper Division music courses.
Piano Proficiency Examination
All music majors must pass the Piano Proficiency Examination before
enrolling in Upper Division (3000) music courses. The Keyboard
Area Coordinator will post the times for the Piano Proficiency
Examination at the end of each term. The Piano Proficiency Examination
consists of five sections and the student must pass all sections
at the same time.
Section I: Scales
The student will be able to play all major and harmonic minor scales, two octaves,
hands together, and in parallel motion.
Section II: Harmonization
Given a melody with chord symbols, the student will play the melody
and improvise a left-hand accompaniment (Keys to three sharps and
three flats).
Section III: Score Reading
The student will read simultaneously any two lines of a vocal
or instrumental score.
Section IV: Hymn Style
The student will play a four-part hymn, demonstrating proper pedal technique. The hymn will be assigned prior to the exam.
Section V: Sightreading
The student will read at sight, with accuracy and consistent temp, a piano piece of moderate difficulty.
Section VI: Prepared Performance
The student will perform a solo, chosen from repertoire assigned in class.
<- Back to Top
Harmony, Aural Techniques and Sight Singing Proficiencies
The student must demonstrate proficiency in the areas of harmony,
aural techniques and sight singing before admission to Upper Division
music courses. Skills examined included the following:
Harmony Proficiency
Students must provide a harmonic analysis of a representative
work or excerpts of multiple works from the common-practice period.
The analysis will include labeling the progression with Roman numerals,
including modulations, and indicating non-chord tones. The material
may include chromatic harmony, such as secondary dominant/secondary
leading tone chords, the Neapolitan and augmented sixth harmonies,
and chords that result from mode mixture. The test will also include
realizing a figured bass by analyzing the harmonic progression
and adding soprano, alto and tenor voices, following stylistic
voice-leading procedures. A score of 75% is required to pass.
<- Back to Top
Aural Techniques Proficiency
Students must be able to recognize intervals and triads/seventh
chords by type. Melodic dictation will include two different melodies
that may involve chromatic processes, including modulation or tonicization.
Harmonic dictation of two different seven-chord progressions will
include secondary dominant/secondary leading-tone harmonies and
modulation. Rhythmic dictation will involve both simple and compound
time, including rhythms that involve subdivision of the beat. A
score of 75% is required to pass.
<- Back to Top
Sight Singing Proficiency
Students must sing major and minor scales accurately and with
good intonation, and sing any interval, from the minor second (m2)
through the octave, above or below a given pitch. Three melodies,
one in treble, one in bass, and one in a C clef, are given for
sight singing. These melodies may involve chromatic processes,
including modulation or tonicization. Students have one minute
to study the melody and then will sing at a moderate tempo. Rhythm
reading (one excerpt in simple time, one in compound time) is also
required. A score of 75% is required to pass.
<- Back to Top
|
Academic Information
