Hi everyone,
I am auditioning for violin performance at SMU next weekend & there is a requirement of taking an online music theory & listening (aural skills) test beforehand. I have been brushing up on my music theory basics & being trained under the Suzuki method I am fairly confident about the listening portion…however, I am wondering about how to further prepare for these tests.
Any insight on studying materials for these tests (online?) or what to go over would be much appreciated. SMU doesn’t really state on their website if the scores you get on your test play a factor into admission…how much do they weigh these grades?
the site also mentions the tests will be over note naming, rhythmic values, meter (classification), triads, scale spelling.
in short, I feel confident in doing well on my audition but i’m worried that getting bad scores on these will hurt decisions.
@suzukigirl : As @compmom says, these are generally placement tests. CIM (or NEC?) and USC had this as well. They clearly call out that it’s not a requirement for acceptance. If they did not, call the school.
My S who had taken AP-MusicTheory in sophomore year and hadn’t looked at any theory for the intervening 18 months found it a breeze and did not prep for them. So, if you know what the AP MT covers you should be in really good shape. [Note, I’m not a musician and have never studied theory, so I dont really know the level].
My D is in the middle of her theory test at USC while I sit here and type this. I have no reason to doubt that it’s primary focus is placement in the event of admission. But I did notice a subtle distinction in the way they describe it in the materials we were given.
It doesn’t use the word “placement” anywhere (not sure if that’s a change) and it is described in this way:
The exam will cover basic theory and aural skills. Don’t worry if you have never studied music theory, the exam is designed as a diagnostic tool. Your test results alone will not prevent you from being admitted to USC Thornton.
Now the second sentence and the third sentence seem to imply slightly different things, at least to me.
Don’t worry if you’ve never studied… implies there is no requirement for you to have theory background.
Your test alone… implies that while it won’t knock you out on its own, it is considered as part of admissions.
Real time update: she just finished. Said it took 20 minutes and was about the same level of difficulty as her high school AP theory tests.
Anyway, assume it’s as others have said, and used for placement not admissions. But just wanted to pass along that language and description.
That makes sense. Must be a load of pop vocalists with limited/no theory. Maybe they use it differently for different genres. In typical fashion My S told me some of the jazz kids were bragging to other jazz kids about how easy the test was trying to psych each other out lol. It’s the thing she hates most about the academic jazz scene and why she’d really love to do this program. Very different vibe from the pop auditioners she knows from Grammy Camp.
