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 1-4 and two of the options in paper 5.

• 1. Foundations in the Study of Music (in-person written paperexam)

•  
   
  
• 2. Stylistic Composition, Arranging, and Transcription (SCART,coursework takeaway papersubmission) 

•  
• 3. Musical Analysis and Critical Listening
  

• The paper shall consist of two parts:

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

  • B.b) Critical Listening (takeawaycoursework papersubmission)
    

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

• 5. Options

  Candidates must choose two from the following:

  • a) A musicological topic (in-person written paperexam)

  •  

  • b) 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. 
  •  
  • c) Composition
    • i) Portfolio Submission   
      
    • ii) An Introduction to Contemporary Music (listening exam)  
  1.  
  2. d) Performance   
     
  3. A solo performance, vocal or instrumental, of 10-12 minutes in length (short recital). 
     
     
  4.  
  5. e) Critical Studies in Ethnomusicology (online written paperexam)  
     
     
  6.  
  7. f) Musical Skills  
     
  8. Candidates must 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 submissionspapers (takeawaycoursework papersubmission) 
  9.  

Candidates who fail one, two or three of papers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 above may resit only that paper or papers at a subsequent examination; candidates who fail four, five or six papers will be required to resit all six papers at a subsequent examination.