Entrance Exams for Music Students

Online Fundamentals Entrance Exam

The exam (and preparation) can be conveniently completed online any time in advance of the deadline鈥攅ven during the spring and summer months. Before you begin, know that the most important skill required to pass this exam is your ability to fluently read both treble and bass clef. If you would like to learn/review this information, you can use , any print or online music theory textbook, or various video resources such as the links below. For the musictheory.net lessons, the ones most pertinent to the exam are "The Staff, Clefs, and Ledger Lines", "Steps and Accidentals", and "Key Signatures." Within those lessons, clicking on each line will bring up helpful graphics.

Here are some sample video lessons (although many similar videos can be found on YouTube etc.):

- Alto clef will not be included on the exam.
- You are expected to be able to read treble and bass clef up to two ledger lines above and below the staff.
- You are expected to know major key signatures up to 5 sharps/flats.

To pass the Online Fundamentals Entrance Exam, you need to complete the following six exercises and meet the specific requirements for each:

30 questions in 3 minutes, 95% accuracy
30 questions in 3 minutes, 95% accuracy
30 questions in 4 minutes, 95% accuracy
50 questions in 4 minutes, 95% accuracy
50 questions in 4 minutes, 95% accuracy
20 questions in 2 minutes, 95% accuracy

For each exercise to count toward your exam completion, do the following:

Make sure that your percentage correct is at least 95%.
At the end, click on "View Report."
Put your name in, then click "Sign Report."
Select "Copy Link鈥� and paste it into an email.

Your last step is to send one email with all six verification codes to jstemke@murraystate.edu. You will receive an email confirmation once your scores have been verified.

We recommend that you practice each one of these exercises before actually testing yourself. It is important to learn about the layout and mechanics of each exercise, , as well as practicing the skills themselves in advance. You can do these exercises as many times as you want to until you receive a passing score!

Incoming Freshman's Guide to Theory and Keyboard

What is the Online Fundamentals Entrance Exam and how/when do I take it?

Typically, incoming freshmen music majors will register for Into to Music Theory (MUS 170), Aural Skills I (MUS 171), and Functional Keyboard I (MUS 172). However, in order to stay registered for those courses at the beginning of the Fall semester, all students will need to complete the Online Fundamentals Entrance Exam anytime before 8 a.m. the first Friday of classes. The purpose of the exam is to make sure that you have the necessary fundamental knowledge to succeed in these classes. In particular, you need to be able to read notes in the treble and bass clefs and understand the layout of the piano keyboard. We recommend that you begin the exam process early so that you have plenty of time to learn and practice any material with which you are less familiar. The exam (and preparation) can be conveniently completed online any time in advance of the deadline鈥攅ven during the spring and summer months. Those who do not submit passing exam results will be required to drop these courses and will have the option of adding Musicianship I to their schedule instead.

To take the exam, see "Online Fundamentals Entrance Exam" above. You will also receive an email during the summer (at the address used to register for Racer Nation Orientation) with all of the exam information. If you have any further questions or concerns, feel free to contact Dr. Ash Stemke, Theory Unit Coordinator, at jstemke@murraystate.edu.

Is there anything I can do before I come to 糖心logo入口 to better prepare for the Online Fundamentals Entrance Exam and my theory classes in general?

We encourage our incoming music majors and minors to enter the program with the following skills:

Basic literacy of musical notation, particularly that which describes pitches, rhythms, time signatures and key signatures
Ability to read notes in both treble and bass clef
General knowledge of the layout of a piano keyboard
Ability to aurally differentiate between upward and downward melodic motion
Ability to aurally differentiate between stepwise motion (C to D) and leaps (C to E)
Ability to use your singing voice comfortably**

If you have access to a computer, you can learn and practice the first three of these skills at .

** The functional use of your singing voice (for instrumentalists as much as vocalists) is important to your success as a music student at 糖心logo入口, and later as a music teacher in private lessons, ensemble rehearsals, or the classroom. If you have not recently had experience singing, then you are encouraged to find a place in a school or community choir or another musical venue where you can develop your skill and comfort level.

You can also purchase your theory textbook in advance. The 糖心logo入口 State Department of Music uses The Musician鈥檚 Guide to Theory and Analysis by Jane Piper Clendinning and Elizabeth West Marvin, 4th ed., including the textbook, workbook, anthology, and online access. This book is available and is published by W.W. Norton, ISBN: 978-0-393-86955-2). We highly recommend purchasing this book bundle new, rather than used, as the workbook and online access code, and other resources will be used for several different courses during your degree.

Can I test out of my theory courses?

If you have taken or will take the AP Music Theory Exam, scoring a 5 gives you credit for both Intro to Music Theory and Tonal Analysis (MUS 170 and 173), whereas scoring a 3 or 4 gives you credit for Intro to Music Theory only.

For those of you who are pianists or who took a non-AP theory course in high school, you might consider taking a "challenge exam" for Intro to Music Theory (and possibly Tonal Analysis) just before the fall semester begins. Please contact Dr. Ash Stemke at jstemke@murraystate.edu for more information and to indicate your interest. Sitting for the challenge exam(s) costs $75 per course.

What can I do to prepare for Functional Keyboard classes?

Since the first few weeks of Functional Keyboard move at a brisk pace, it is very important for incoming freshmen to become fluent in basic note and rhythm reading as soon as possible. Students with access to a piano or a keyboard are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the layout of the piano keyboard at the same time that they are mastering their note-reading skills. The easiest way to do this is to practice with music flash cards. (You can find them online to print, or make your own using 3x5 cards.) Twenty minutes of flash card practice per day will have students reading better in about two weeks.

Below are a few books and online resources to practice your piano reading skills:

(The exercises in the 鈥淔irst Steps鈥� section will work.)
(Try the Demo for free.)
Bastien, James. Sight Reading, Level 1 (Kjos Music Company)
Bastien, Jane Smisor. A Line a Day Sight Reading, Level 1 (Kjos Music Company)
Johnson, T.A. and Caroline Evans. Right@Sight, Grade 1 (Edition Peters)
Kember, John. Piano Sight Reading, Volume 1 (Schott)
Marlais, Helen and Kevin Olson. Sight Reading & Rhythm Every Day, Book 1A (FJH MusicCompany)

Functional Keyboard Challenge Exams Guide

General Guidelines

Challenging a Functional Keyboard class assumes that a student already knows (or has been taught) the materials presented in any given semester. Exams will be evaluated accordingly.
Challenge tests are only offered in the first two weeks of the semester, by appointment.
Students must register online to take the Challenge Exam before contacting the Keyboard Unit Coordinator to pick up materials. Materials will not be given out otherwise.
Materials must be picked up no later than the end of the first week of class.
If a student is unsure which Challenge Exam(s) to take, consult the Keyboard Unit Coordinator for a short diagnostic evaluation.
Students will have 5 days to prepare exam materials once they are distributed (7 days for the MUS 275 Exam).
Challenge Exams may not replace a grade of "D," "E" or "W" earned in a previous semester.
Challenge Exams may only be taken once.
Once students have entered the keyboard course sequence, they may not Challenge a subsequent class unless they have written permission from their current piano instructor.

MUS 172: Functional Keyboard I

Repertoire: 1-page piece at an appropriate level. Attention to musical details (dynamics, articulation, pedal, etc.) is expected.
Scales: Group I Majors (C, G, D, A, E Majors) and Group II (B, C#, F# Majors). Play two octaves, hands together, in parallel motion. Correct fingerings are expected.
Arpeggios: C, G, D, A, E, B Majors. Play two octaves, hands together, in parallel motion. Correct fingerings are expected.
Harmonization: Harmonize a given melody using I, IV and V7 chords. You will play the RH melody, plus the LH chords you choose. The LH chords must logically fit the RH melody.
Transposition: You will transpose the harmonization exercise to a different key, up to a 3rd above or below the original key.
Sight Reading: level appropriate to MUS 172 Final Exam, TBA.

MUS 175: Functional Keyboard II

Repertoire: 1-page piece at an appropriate level. Attention to musical details (dynamics, articulation, pedal, etc.) is expected.
Scales: Group I (C, G, D, A, E Major and harmonic minor) and Group II (B, C#, F# Majors), Group III (Ab, Eb, Bb majors), and Group IV (F major/minor). Play two octaves, hands together, in parallel motion. Correct fingerings are expected.
Arpeggios: Group "C" and "Db". Play two octaves, hands together, in parallel motion. Correct fingerings are expected.
Harmonization: Harmonize a given melody using primary (I, IV and V7) and secondary (ii, vi) chords. You will play the RH melody, plus the LH chords you choose. The LH chords must logically fit the RH melody.
Transposition: You will transpose the harmonization exercise to a different key, up to a 3rd above or below the original key.
Sight Reading: level appropriate to MUS 175 Final Exam, TBA.

MUS 272: Functional Keyboard III

Repertoire: 1-page piece at an appropriate level. Attention to musical details (dynamics, articulation, pedal, etc.) is expected.
Scales: You are expected to know all the major and harmonic minor scales, 2 octaves, hands together, parallel motion, with correct fingerings.
Arpeggios: You are expected to know all the major and minor arpeggios, 2 octaves, hands together, parallel motion, with correct fingerings.
Harmonization: Harmonize a given melody using primary (I, IV and V7) and secondary (ii, vi) chords, as well as a secondary dominant (V7/IV or V7/V). You will play the RH melody, plus the LH chords you choose. The LH chords must logically fit the RH melody.
Transposition: You will transpose the harmonization exercise to a different key, up to a 3rd above or below the original key.
Open Vocal Score: a short excerpt with three staves (SAB). You will play all three voices together.
Instrumental Score: a short excerpt containing two instruments, one transposing and one non- transposing. You will play the two instruments together in the correct "sounding" key.
Sight Reading: level appropriate to MUS 272 Final Exam, TBA.

MUS 275: Functional Keyboard IV

Students wishing to challenge this course are expected to demonstrate proficiency at all of the concepts that are listed on the Final Exam for MUS 275. Therefore, permission from the Keyboard Unit Coordinator is REQUIRED before registering to take this exam.

Repertoire: 1-page piece at an appropriate level. Attention to musical details (dynamics, articulation, pedal, etc.) is expected.
Scales: You are expected to know all the major and harmonic minor scales, 2 octaves, hands together, parallel motion, with correct fingerings.
Arpeggios: You are expected to know all the major and minor arpeggios, 2 octaves, hands together, parallel motion, with correct fingerings.
Harmonization: Harmonize a given melody using primary (I, IV and V7) and secondary (ii, vi) chords, as well as a secondary dominant (V7/IV or V7/V). You will play the RH melody, plus the LH chords you choose. The LH chords must logically fit the RH melody.
Transposition: You will transpose the harmonization exercise to a different key, up to a 3rd above or below the original key.
Open Vocal Score: a short excerpt with four staves (SATB). You will play all four voices together.
Instrumental Score: a short open score, containing about six different band instruments (Flute, Bb Clarinet, Eb Sax, Bb Cornet/Trumpet, F Horn and Trombone). You will be asked to play any two adjacent instruments together in the correct 鈥渟ounding鈥� key.
Sight Reading: level appropriate to MUS 275 Final Exam, TBA.

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Entrance/Challenge Exams

Entrance and Challenge Exams