Preliminary Examination in Music

A

• 1. The subject of the Preliminary Examination in Music shall be the study of the history, criticism, theory, composition, performance, and practice of music.

B

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

• 1.Techniques of Composition and Keyboard Skills

• The paper shall consist of two parts:

  • A. Techniques of Composition:
    

    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 collectionFoundations in the Music Faculty Library from noon on TuesdayStudy of WeekMusic 5(in-person inwritten the Trinity Term in which candidates are presenting themselves for examination. Completed papers must be submitted not later than noon on Tuesday of Week 6 of the same term.

    exam)
  •  
  • B. Keyboard Skills
    

    A practical examination in which candidates will be asked to perform two exercises at the keyboard or on another suitable instrument2. PerparationStylistic timeComposition, forArranging, candidatesand inTranscription the(coursework examination will be 30 minutes.

    submission)
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• 23.  Musical Analysis and Critical Listening
  

• The paper shall consist of two parts:

  • A.a)  Musical Analysis (online written exam)
    

    Open book examination over 48-hours in which candidates will answer one question from a choice of two.

  • B.b) Critical Listening (coursework submission)
    

    Assessment is by means of a take-away paper, consisting of three recordings with brief instructions, issued on Tuesday of eighth week of Hilary term. Submissions will be due on Tuesday of first week of Trinity term. Students will be required to submit a preliminary representation/transcription/analysis, supported by a commentary of 750 words.

• 34. Topics SpecialI Topics(in-person written exam)
  

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

• 45.  Options

  Candidates must choose two from the following:

  • ( a) A musicological topic (in-person written exam) Foundations 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 Composition Portfolio must be submitted not later than noon on Tuesday of Week 5 of Trinity Term. The specifications for the portfolio are as published in the Faculty Undergraduate Handbook relating to the examination. 

  • (cb) 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 Academic Administrator not later than noon on Friday of Week 6 in the Hilary Term of the academic year in which the candidates are presenting themselves for examination.

  • (d) Extended Essay 

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

  The

  •  
  • c) ExtendedComposition Essay
    • i) mustPortfolio beSubmission submitted
    • ii) notAn later than noon on Tuesday of Week 5 of Trinity Term. The assessment must be submitted by uploading itIntroduction to the Assignments Section of the PrelimsContemporary Music Submission(listening Weblearn site only; for any purpose. Electronic submissions must be received by the deadline; technical problems external to the WebLearn system will not be accepted as grounds for excusing lateness. Written work shall be submitted as word-processed files converted to PDF with a coversheet as first page of the work, bearing on the front the candidate's examination number but neither their name nor the name of their college. Candidates must themselves retain a copy of each piece of work and must ensure that they receive the email confirming the submission and that the email is retained for future reference.
      exam)
  •  
  • d) Performance 
  • A solo performance, vocal or instrumental, of 10-12 minutes in length (short recital). 
    
  •  
  • e) Critical Studies in Ethnomusicology  
    (online written exam)  
    
  •  

  Open

  • f) bookMusical examinationSkills over
  • Candidates 48-hours in which candidates should attempt tomust answer any two questions.
     from the following:
    • i) Conducting Skills (practical exam)
    • ii) Keyboard Skills (practical exam)
    • iii) and iv) up to two additional SCART papers (coursework submission) 
    •  

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.