Diagnostic Survey in Music Theory (Applies to all specializations except Music Education)
Students pursuing the Master of Music degree (except music education students and those 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. The Theory Diagnostic is given on the Monday before classes begin in the fall semester and during the week before classes begin in the spring semester.
This diagnostic survey is designed to determine whether or not students must take the Graduate Theory Review course (MUSC 848). Students who take the Diagnostic Survey will be informed shortly thereafter if they are required to take the review course. Credit hours earned from the review course are not applicable toward the graduate degree program. If a student is required to take Graduate Review of Music Theory, it is important for that student to take it as soon as possible, preferably during the first semester of full-time enrollment. No graduate courses in music theory can be taken until the theory review course has been passed.
The Theory Diagnostic 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 counter-subject entries, etc.). The following sources are suggested as aids in preparing for the Theory Diagnostic:
(i) 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).
(ii) a form textbook, such as Douglas Green, Form in Tonal Music (Wadsworth/Thomson Learning).
AURAL SKILLS: During the week before classes begin for the fall and spring semesters, all incoming students (except those students who have completed another degree in music at UNL in the past three years) are given an undergraduate-level Aural Skills Proficiency Examination consisting of aural dictation (melodic and harmonic). Students identified as having deficiencies will be required to register for either (1) MUSC 198 (Special Topics Aural Skills II GR; one credit hour) or (2) MUSC 198 (Special Topics Aural Skills I GR; one credit hour) and MUSC 198 (Special Topics Aural Skills II GR (one credit hour). 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 Ear Training Proficiency requirements. Students failing to successfully complete MUSC 198 Aural Skills II GR assume full responsibility for correcting the deficiency, and must retake the Ear Training Proficiency Examination until the grade of Pass is achieved. No student may stand as a candidate for graduation until ear training proficiency has been demonstrated. [NOTE: Students with deficiencies may not retake the Ear Training Proficiency Examination without having taken the required remedial course(s.)]