<p>So Oberlin required an online theory test to be completed by Feb 15....and I did not do it. I guess after I had finished my last audition (around that time) I went comatose and lethargic and pretty much dropped everything to do with college stuff. Of course the theory test slipped by me like a fool. I just emailed michael manderen, but I seriously can't come this far to be disqualified. I'm pining for Oberlin now that i'm weighing my options and it's been tied with Berklee for my top school. I don't really even know what I'm trying to ask of you but I guess I just wanted to know if something like this would bring me out of the running? for jazz guitar there can't even be that many to audition in the first place so I highly doubt they would take out a legitimate contender? the theory test site is still up so hopefully I can just take it no harm no foul..... :/</p>
<p>While waiting for the email reply from Oberlin, I would take the test and then email Michael Manderen again and tell him that you decided to take the test ASAP. Don’t delay! Then Mr. Manderen will know that you took it as soon as you remembered. After all, why would you want to delay any longer?</p>
<p>Everything will work out. Don’t worry!</p>
<p>Just take the online test now. My D just took it after she auditioned at Oberlin and missed the deadline by a day.</p>
<p>One general note (that may or may not apply to Oberlin), my understanding is that things like ear training and theory tests are not used for admission criteria, that admissions is the audition, and that those are used simply to place students into the right level of course if they are admitted.Like I said, that is a general observation that may take the anxiety down a bit. Some kids come into college with in depth theory and ear training behind them which is why they need to do placement in the first place…</p>
<p>Musicprnt, may not be completely true for all majors/instruments at Oberlin, but my son failed (epic-ly, he says) his online theory tests both before and after acceptance at Oberlin, and has been taking rigorous theory in his two years there. My sense is that its a plus if you have theory expertise, but not a deal-breaker if you are a great musician. Everyone will be taking theory anyway–and the post-acceptance test is for placement.</p>
<p>actually it is stated that the theory test will be used for admissions but i do agree that it’s just a plus if anything. i called them this morning and they said it was fine to go ahead and do it, i got an OK at best score. but it was a lot of classical theory i wasn’t used to, so i did fine for what i know and am good at.</p>
<p>18karat, slightly off topic, but how is classical theory different from jazz theory? (Just curious.)</p>
<p>well for instance, learning the alto and tenor clefs is not something anyone really has to do in jazz. i happened to know a little bit about them which helped me on the test. i don’t know if there’s a legitimate difference but there’s definitely a difference between what is essential to play a jazz tune compared to a classical song. also the whole spontaneous/free aspect of jazz makes you make intuitive calls and inferences from limited musical notes. for a guitarist i’ll just get chord changes above a chart so it’s up to me whether i choose to voice it higher, lower, add extensions etc. it’s just a different ball game. but i want to learn everything i can because i have aspirations to write classical/symphonic pieces. i have a ton of ideas but lack the know how</p>
<p>18Karat, thanks, I was curious because my daughter and some classically trained friends are exploring jazz idioms ,and it seems it would be helpful to have a more formal introduction to the way jazz players think when they improvise. Style is another issue.</p>