School of Music Audition Day Examinations

For Undergraduate Applicants:

• One-on-one musicianship: Applicants are asked to match pitch, repeat a sung melody, repeat a sung rhythm, sight-sing a simple melody, and use solfège (if possible).
• Written exam:  A test of knowledge of the fundamentals of music (see sample test).
• Interview: a chance for a few  faculty members to learn more about your background, training, experience, and areas of interest, and for you to ask questions about our programs.

In order to prepare for the Undergraduate Audition exams, or to further prepare for beginning study in the theory and musicianship courses required of all ECU School of Music students, it is suggested that students use:

• For preparation of Music Theory study: Gauldin, Robert. Music Theory, Harmonic Practice in Tonal Music, etc., available at ECU Dowdy Student Stores Bookstore
• or preparation of Ear-Training/Musicianship skills: There are many inexpensive programs available via the web.  In the School of Music Computer Lab, we make use of MacGamut and Practica Musica.
  

We strongly suggest that you begin working with these materials on your own before beginning your first semester of study with us.

For Transfer Applicants:
In order to receive credit for coursework completed at another institution, applicants must exhibit skills and understanding of materials at a level required of students in programs at the ECU School of Music.  

During the audition process, transfer applicants for programs in the ECU School of Music will be given timed examinations which will gauge their previous work.  Results of these examinations may indicate the need for remedial work.  [See preparation for Transfer Applicants, below, for suggested pre-examination study and/or review.]

These audition examinations cover each applicant's understanding and awareness of Music History and Music Theory. The materials covered on these examinations represent the breadth and depth of understanding required of ECU School of Music undergraduate degree recipients.

See sample test in Music History.

See sample test in Music Theory (each part is a PDF file):

• Parts I and II (Voice-Leading/Figured Bass & Harmonic Analysis)
• Part III (Score Transposition)
• Part IV (Formal Analysis)
• Part V (Serial Analysis)
• Part VI (PC Set)
• Part VII (Fugue)

In order to prepare for the Transfer Student Audition Exams, or to further prepare for required courses in all ECU School of Music programs, it is suggested that:

• Those students needing some review in Music Theory read/re-read:
  Cooper, Paul.  Perspective in Music Theory
  Spencer, Peter.  The Practice of Harmony
  Gauldin, Robert.  Harmonic Practice in Tonal Music *
  
  
• Those students needing some review in Music History read/re-read:
  Crocker, Richard L.  A History of Musical Style
  Grout, Donald J.  History of Western Music * 

* Texts used in the Undergraduate curriculum of the ECU School of Music, available at ECU Dowdy Student Stores Bookstore.

We strongly suggest that you work with these materials on your own before beginning your first semester of study with us.

For Graduate Applicants:
During the audition process, applicants for the graduate programs in the ECU School of Music will be given timed examinations which will gauge their preparedness for graduate level study.  Results of these examinations may indicate the need for remedial work, which is usually most effectively achieved through taking undergraduate courses.  Such remedial courses do not yield credit toward the Master's degree, but are required for unprepared students before taking graduate classes in which this examination indicates lack of readiness for graduate level study.  [See preparation for Graduate Study, below, for suggested pre-examination study and/or review.]

These audition examinations cover each applicant's understanding and awareness of Music History and Music Theory.  The materials covered on these examinations represent the breadth and depth of understanding expected of successful ECU School of Music undergraduate degree recipients.

See sample test in Music History.

See sample test in Music Theory (each part is a PDF file):

• Part I and II (Voice-Leading/Figured Bass & Harmonic Analysis)
  
• Part III (Score Transposition)
• Part IV (Formal Analysis)
• Part V (Serial Analysis)
• Part VI (PC Set)
• Part VII (Fugue)

In order to prepare for the Graduate Audition Exams, or to further prepare for required courses in all ECU School of Music Graduate programs, it is suggested that:

• Those students needing some review in Music Theory read/re-read:
  Cooper, Paul.  Perspective in Music Theory
  Spencer, Peter.  The Practice of Harmony
  Gauldin, Robert.  Harmonic Practice in Tonal Music *
• Those students needing some review in Music History read/re-read:
  Crocker, Richard L.  A History of Musical Style
  Grout, Donald J.  History of Western Music * 

* Texts used in the Undergraduate curriculum of the ECU School of Music, available at ECU Dowdy Student Stores Bookstore.

We strongly suggest that you work with these materials on your own before beginning your first semester of study with us.