Preliminary Examination in Music

A

• 1.  The subjectssubject of the examinationPreliminary andExamination thein number of papersMusic shall be as prescribed by regulation from time to time by the Boardstudy of the Facultyhistory, criticism, theory, composition, performance, and practice of Music.

• 2. In the case of candidates who have satisfied the Moderators in all the written and practical subjects, the Moderators may award a distinction to those of special meritmusic.

B

Each candidate will be required to offer papers 1-34 and two of the options in paper 45.

• 1. Special Topics

  A three-hour paperFoundations in whichthe candidatesStudy shouldof attemptMusic to(in-person answerwritten three questions.

  exam)

• 2. Musical Analysis

  A three-hour paper in which candidates should attempt to answer one question from a choice of two.

   
• 2. Stylistic Composition, Arranging, and Transcription (coursework submission)
•  
• 3. Musical Techniques of CompositionAnalysis and KeyboardCritical SkillsListening
  

• The paper shall consist of two parts:

  • A.a) Musical Analysis (online written exam)Techniques of Composition: Studies in Harmony and Counterpoint
    

    A seven-day take-away paper in which candidates should attempt three questions: the two compulsory questions and one other. The examination paper will be available for collection in the Music Faculty Library from noon on Tuesday of the fifth week in the Trinity Term in which candidates are presenting themselves for examination. Completed papers must be submitted to the Chair of Moderators in Music, Examination Schools, High Street, Oxford, not later than noon on Tuesday of the sixth week of the same term. Each paper must be accompanied by a declaration, in a sealed envelope bearing the candidate’s examination number, in the form prescribed for the portfolio of compositions and the extended essay.

  • B. Keyboard Skills

    A practical examination in which candidates will be asked to: (a) realise a figured bass line at the keyboard or, where appropriate, on another continuo instrument (e.g. lute); (b) readCritical atListening the(coursework keyboard three- or four-part writing in three different clefs. Preparation time for candidates in the examination will be 30 minutes.submission)
    

• 4. Topics I (in-person written exam)
  

• 5. Options

  Candidates must choose two from the following:

  • ( a) A musicological topic (in-person written exam) Issues in the Study of Music

    A two-hour paper in which candidates should attempt to answer two questions.

  • (b)  Composition

    Candidates will be required to submit a portfolio of compositions and to take a listening examination. The specifications for the portfolio are as published in the Faculty Undergraduate Handbook relating to the examination.

  • b) Extended Essay (ccoursework submission)  Performance

    A solo performance, vocal or instrumental, of some 10-12 minutes in length. Instrumental candidates may choose to perform a single work, a movement from a longer work, or two pieces in contrasting style. The choice of instrument is limited to related families of instruments. Singers may choose to perform up to four pieces. Programmes must be submitted to the Chair of Moderators in Music, Faculty of Music, St Aldate’s, not later than noon on Friday of the sixth week in the Hilary Term of the academic year in which the candidates are presenting themselves for examination.

  • (d) Extended Essay

    An essay of 4,000-5,000 words on a subject to be chosen in consultation with the candidate's tutor.

     

  Each

  •  
  • c) portfolioComposition submitted
    • i) forPortfolio theSubmission subjects
    • ii) An Introduction to Contemporary Music (listening exam)
  •  
  • d) Performance 
  • A solo performance, vocal or instrumental, of Portfolio10-12 ofminutes Compositionsin andlength Extended(short Essayrecital). 
    
  •  
  • e) Critical Studies in Ethnomusicology (online written exam)  
    
  •  
  • f) Musical Skills
  • Candidates must beanswer accompaniedany bytwo aquestions declaration placed in a sealed envelope bearing the candidate's examination number and infrom the following:
    • i) prescribedConducting form.
      Skills (practical exam)
    • ii) Keyboard Skills (practical exam)
    • iii) and iv) up to two additional SCART papers (coursework submission) 
    •  

Form of Declaration

I, ......................................................................., hereby declare that this submission is my own work, except where otherwise stated, and that it has not previously been submitted, either wholly or in part, for any other examination.

Signed..................................................

................................................. College

Date.....................................................

Candidates who fail one, two or twothree of papers 1, 2, 3, or4, 45 above may resit only that paper or papers at a subsequent examination; candidates who fail threefour, five or foursix papers will be required to resit all foursix papers at a subsequent examination.