Department of Music
University of California, Berkeley

About the Musicianship Placement Exam (Parts I, II, III)

The exam consists of three parts, all of which must be completed before you begin music major classes. Parts II and III require you to sign up with appropriate faculty AFTER you complete Part I.

Part I, written portion (9 a.m., Friday before classes begin each semester, 125 Morrison Hall):

1. A short written theory exam (not to be confused with the Harmony Advanced Placement Test) begins the test, which covers major and minor key signatures, interval spelling and identification, major and minor (all 3 forms!) scales, Roman numeral chord spellings, and rhythmic and pitch notation, involving both treble and bass clefs. A good resource for preparing yourself for this part of the test is William Duckworth's A Creative Approach to Music Fundamentals, 6th ed, Wadsworth Publishing, ISBN 0-534-52632-2 which can be ordered through your local music or bookstore.
   
2. A dictation test follows the theory exam. You will hear a simple melody that we will ask you to write out on staff paper; intervals to be identified by name; rhythmic patterns to be identified by meter; chord progressions for which you will be asked to write the soprano and bass lines as well as chord symbols; and similar exercises that are progressively more difficult. It is not expected that you will have done this kind of work before, but if you have, you will have an opportunity to place further into the music major sequence. If this is new to you, just do the best you can. You can practice some of this activity by writing down tunes or pieces you know by ear, and then checking them with a text or by singing or playing what you have written on your instrument.

Part II, audition on your own instrument (or voice), including sight-reading: (same Friday as above, immediately after you complete Part I). Be sure to sign-up according to one of the three following categories: keyboard (including piano, organ, harpsichord, fortepiano, guitar); instrumental (all other instruments); or voice.

If you can play an instrument or have studied singing and/or are an experienced singer, regardless of your level of accomplishment or the quality of your training, it is essential that you come prepared to perform any piece (or part of a piece) you like and have prepared ahead of time. This is not a public or formal audition, but it is an important way for us to become "musically acquainted" with you, and will help us to place you properly. We will take this opportunity to evaluate your sight-reading skill on your instrument. If you have no performing experience whatsoever, you may proceed directly to Part III of the Musicianship Placement Exam. Please understand, however, that it is far better for you to perform, regardless of your level of accomplishment, than to skip this portion (Part II) of the exam. We cannot guarantee placement in music major courses if you fail to complete this or any other part of the exam.

This part of the placement procedure will also serve as the audition for those students interested in the department's choral, orchestral or chamber music programs. The music department has two series of classes for its performance ensembles: 140-149 and 150A-150D. The 140 series is open to all students and members of the community by audition. The 150 series is restricted to music majors and includes lessons and coaching in addition to ensemble performance. For music majors it is possible to enroll in performance ensembles either through the 140 series or the 150 series. See the additional information on the performance program for music majors.Those interested in the orchestra should see the additional requirements for the orchestra. Those interested in University Chorus or University Chamber Chorus should bring music for an accompanist if your piece needs one. An accompanist will be provided for these choral auditions.

If you play an instrument (other than piano, organ, or harpsichord) you should bring it with you to the Musicianship Placement Exam. If that is impossible, you may be able to borrow one from the department, but you should check with Jim Coates (jcoates@socrates.berkeley.edu) in the Music Office (510) 643-8723 ahead of time to be sure that the instrument you need is available to borrow.

Part III, interview and sight-singing audition: (same Friday as above, immediately after you complete Parts I and II). Be sure to sign up with one of the three musicianship faculty members administering the exam--C. Dana, M. Orland, or K. Rosenak.

1. We will ask you to sing several items, including major and minor scales, melodic fragments that are played or sung for you to repeat, and intervals.
2. We will ask you to sight-sing a melody, and if successful, will ask you to sing the top or bottom part of a two-part piece as you play the other part on the piano. If you are successful with the above, similar, but more complicated exercises will follow. It is not assumed that you have experience with all or any of the above, but if you do, you will place further into the music major sequence of classes. In preparation for this section of the test, you might try sight-singing simple melodies in any sight-singing text, as for example, Ottman, Music for Sight Singing. Good practice for singing and playing at the piano can be found in Bach's four-part chorales or any church hymnal that contains hymns written out in full chords. If you've never studied piano, you might consider taking private piano lessons, which would help your music reading generally, as well as better prepare you for the required musicianship (49B, 50 and 51) and harmony classes (49C, 60 and 61).

updated 6/22/2004