F. Ludwig Diehn School of Music Undergraduate Student Handbook:Section One: Getting In
Applied Music Auditions
Acceptance into the F. Ludwig Diehn School of Music requires the successful completion of an audition. Anyone wishing to take Applied Music courses (private lessons) will also need to complete this audition, whether seeking a degree or not. Click here to learn more...
Applied Music courses:
MUSA 151, 152, 251, etc., are for BM Performance majorsl: 3 credits; one full-hour lesson per week.
MUSA 141, 142, 241, etc., are for BM Sound Recording Technology, BME majors and music minors: 2 credits; one full-hour lesson per week.
MUSA 139, 140, 239, etc., are available to non-music majors or to music majors studying a secondary instrument: 1 credit; one half-hour lesson per week. Those who pass Class Piano MUSC 102 qualify to take a half-hour, private keyboard lesson MUSA 139 without an audition.
Teacher assignments in Applied Music are made by the Area Coordinator; student preference will be honored when possible. However, a change of teacher is not ordinarily made and must be approved by the Area Coordinator upon the recommendation of the student's present teacher.
Bachelor of Music, with Emphasis in Sound Recording Technology (SRT) majors may audition for applied lessons in either the Jazz or Classical area. If admitted to the Jazz applied area, students may be initially assigned to applied lessons in the Classical area to address basic technique, followed by semesters with an emphasis in Jazz style and repertoire. The applied performance jury will focus on the appropriate areas of study in any specific semester, as determined by the instructor. Those auditioning for the Jazz area should prepare the audition as directed by BA Jazz Emphasis guidelines.
When a lesson must be missed, it is the student's responsibility to notify the teacher in advance. Students must take the initiative in arranging make-up lessons.
Each student is expected to keep off-campus commitments within a limit that will allow ample time for University work, particularly in the area of Applied Music. Consistent progress is expected in lessons and this requires consistent practice time.
Placement Examinations in Music
Students with previous study in music theory, ear training, voice class, or piano must take placement examinations in those areas in which they wish to receive credit. The requirements for successful completion of placement examinations are listed below.
Music Theory Placement Exams
First Semester MUSC 221:
Notation of pitch and time, staff, clefs (including C clefs), note values, construction and spelling of scales, key signatures, relative key relationships, forms of the minor scale, meter and rhythm. Intervals: spelling, identification, consonant/dissonant, interval inversion. Triads: construction, spelling, qualities in keys. Part writing: 4 voices, root position only, primary triads.
Second Semester MUSC 222:
Non-harmonic tones, harmonic analysis. Part writing: all triads, root position and inversions. Dominant seventh chords, introduction to other seventh chords.
Third Semester MUSC 321:
Seventh chords, secondary dominants and secondary leading-tone chords, modulation to closely related keys, binary and ternary forms.
Fourth Semester MUSC 322:
Borrowed chords, Neapolitan chords, augmented-sixth chords, modes, twelve-tone technique.
Ear Training Placement Exams
Major melodies, rhythm in simple and compound meters (simple divisions of the beat only), sight sing and notate major melodies in dictation with correct pitch and rhythm.
Minor mode, sing and spell any form of a minor scale, minor melodies, rhythm in simple and compound meters (subdivision of the beat),
sight sing and take down minor melodies in dictation with the correct pitch and rhythm.
Chromatic melodies and more difficult rhythms, both for singing and dictation, harmonic dictation exercises including primary and secondary triads and inversions.
Voice Class Placement Exams
Students with a background in voice may test out of MUSC 107 Voice Class by audition. Make sure the audition committee is aware of your intention, as opposed to placement in Applied Music.
Piano Class Placement Exams
Piano placement examinations will only be heard during the first two weeks of each semester and during the week of final exams. Students interested in piano class placement should contact Professor Thomas Joseph for specific information. Those who pass Class Piano MUSC 102 qualify to take a half-hour, private keyboard lesson MUSA 139 without an audition.
