Music Theory Diagnostic Exam for Incoming Students

In order to help all students succeed, all incoming freshmen music majors will complete a music theory diagnostic exam on Friday, August 22, 2008 in Petree Recital Hall at 1:00 PM. Students will be placed in a class based on their background in music theory and the results of the exam.

Students with less developed musical skills will be placed in Music Fundamentals and will not be able to start the music theory or class piano sequence until successful completion of the fundamentals course.

The exam will consist of two parts: a written section and an aural skills section. Items on the written section will include: key signatures (major and minor), time signatures, rhythm, scales, intervals, triads, keyboard reading, and bass and treble clef. Items on the aural skills section will include: identification of scales (major and minor), rhythmic dictation, interval identification, and melodic dictation.


Harmony in Context
by Miguel A. Roig-Francoli
In addition to the textbook, students will need the accompanying workbook/anthology, the 2 CD set of musical examples from the textbook, and the 2 CD set of musical examples from the anthology.

   These can be purchased as a bundle from the OCU Bookstore. This is the only material students will need to purchase for Theory I-IV

Music for Sight Singing, 5th Edition
by Thomas Benjamin, Michael Horvit, and Robert Nelson
Music for Ear Training, 3rd Edition (with CD-ROM)
by Michael Horvit, Timothy Koozin, and Robert Nelson

   This is the only material students will need to purchase for Aural Skills I-IV (The editions make a difference, make sure you have the right one). These materials are also available at the OCU Bookstore.

If you have any questions, please contact the Bookstore 405-208-5220

For information on preparing for the exam, please read “Suggestions for Preparing for Music Theory at the Collegiate Level”.