Diagnostic Survey in Music Theory
All MM students (except for jazz studies students, music education students, and students who have completed another degree in music at UNL in the past three years) are required to take the diagnostic survey in music theory prior to their initial enrollment in classes. Jazz studies students take a separate diagnostic theory, and history exam focused on the jazz medium. Jazz studies students should contact the Area Head for Jazz Studies for information on the diagnostic survey in jazz studies. Jazz studies students who wish to be eligible for theory classes besides Jazz Theory must take the diagnostic theory survey.
Diagnostic surveys in music theory and jazz studies are given on the Monday before the start of fall semester classes and during the week preceding the start of spring semester classes. They are a preliminary step in advising for all incoming students pursuing the Master of Music degree.
The survey is designed to determine whether students must take a review course in music theory prior to enrollment in degree-required theory courses. Credit hours earned from review courses are not applicable toward the graduate degree program. Theory review courses must be passed with a grade of P before the student is admitted to full standing in the Graduate College.
The theory diagnostic survey covers: 1) four-part writing (figured bass realization, spelling and resolution of chromatic chords, including Neapolitan and augmented sixths); 2) analysis of a movement in sonata-allegro or rondo form; and 3) analysis of an excerpt from a fugue (real vs. tonal answer, labeling subject and countersubject entries, etc.).
The following sources are suggested as aids in preparing for the theory diagnostic survey:
- A harmony textbook, such as Kostka & Payne, Tonal Harmony (McGraw-Hill); Aldwell & Schachter, Harmony and Voice Leading (Harcourt, Brace, Jovanovich); Turek, The Elements of Music (McGraw-Hill); or Ottman, Elementary Harmony and Chromatic Harmony (Prentice-Hall).
- A form textbook, such as Turek, The Elements of Music (McGraw-Hill); or Spencer & Temko, A practical Approach to the Study of Form in Music (Prentice-Hall).
Aural Skills Proficiency Examination
All MM students are required to take an undergraduate-level Aural Skills Proficiency Exam except for jazz studies students, music education students, and students who have completed another degree in music at UNL in the past three years. Jazz studies students take a separate aural skills exam focused on the jazz medium.
- The Aural Skills Proficiency Exam is given on the Monday before the start of fall semester classes and during the week preceding the start of spring semester classes. The exam consists of aural dictation (melodic and harmonic). Students identified as having deficiencies will be required to register for either:
MUSC 198 (Special Topics Aural Skills II GR; 1 cr), or - MUSC 198 (Special Topics Aural Skills I GR; 1 cr) and MUSC 198 (Special Topics Aural Skills II GR (1 cr).
Students who successfully complete MUSC 198 (Aural Skills II GR) with a grade of Pass (equating to a B or better, by Graduate College policy since this is an undergrad/grad class) have satisfied Aural Skills Proficiency requirements.
Students with deficiencies may not retake the Aural Skills Proficiency Exam without having taken the required remedial course(s).
Students failing to successfully complete MUSC 198 (Aural Skills II GR) assume full responsibility for correcting the deficiency and must retake the Aural Skills Proficiency Exam until the grade of Pass is achieved.