The examination consists of two parts:
- an aural skills test (including melodic and harmonic dictation exercises)
- a written test covering diatonic and chromatic harmony, basic counterpoint, and formal analysis.
Students are expected to be fluent in the rudiments of music and musical notation, to have a thorough grasp of common practice harmony and voice leading, to read music as notated in orchestral full scores, and to recognize the form types found in music of the common practice period. Composition majors will be required to take additional examinations in modal and tonal counterpoint.
Sample Questions:
1. Complete the following phrase in four voices. Include vii 7/V and a 4-3 suspension, and close with a perfect authentic cadence
2. Show how you would harmonize the following melody by writing roman numerals in the boxes provided.
3. Study the excerpt (which in the examination will be provided), then draw a simple diagram illustrating its form. Provide letter names for the themes, label all important key areas, and be sure to include measure numbers.
