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 exam)
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• 2. Stylistic Composition, Arranging, and Transcription (coursework submission)
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• 3. Musical Analysis and Critical Listening
  

• The paper shall consist of two parts:

  • a) Musical Analysis (online written exam)
    

  • b) Critical Listening (coursework 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)
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  • 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. 
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  • c) Composition
    • i) Portfolio Submission
    • ii) An Introduction to Contemporary Music (listening exam)
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  • d) Performance 
  • A solo performance, vocal or instrumental, of 10-12 minutes in length (short recital). 
    
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  • e) Critical Studies in Ethnomusicology (online written exam)  
    
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  • f) Musical Skills
  • 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 papers (coursework submission) 
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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.