<p>Hi! So I am auditioning this winter at various universities/conservatories for UG Trumpet performance (classical). I have never taken a music theory class, so I'm just wondering how difficult this placement test is going to be. Can someone give me an idea of what might be on it? Thanks so much!</p>
<p>If you have never taken theory, you might call and ask them if you should take the test. They might just place you in introductory classes anyway,without the test (I have no idea, but it’s a thought). Many times it is suggested to take those intro classes anyway because every school is different. </p>
<p>You can prepare some for the test if you like, but they are placement tests and not for admission purposes, so it is fine if the test shows you have not taken a lot of theory. Your trumpet performance will have taught you some theory anyway, I assume.</p>
<p>My D auditioned last year (horn performance UG) and had never had music theory or ear training. She plays violin as well, and her violin teacher recommended a music theory workbook to do on her own. She also found the Peabody theory page and sample test to be very helpful (<a href=“http://www.peabody.jhu.edu/conservatory/musictheory/mtplacement.html”>http://www.peabody.jhu.edu/conservatory/musictheory/mtplacement.html</a>). She found she knew more theory than she thought!</p>
<p>She ended up doing ok on the placement tests - better on written theory than aural. She didn’t really stress about them though since they are mainly used for placement and she knew she belonged in the introductory level. She did very well in theory classes first semester, so her lack of theory going in does not seem to have been a hindrance. </p>