Music Dept. Placement Exams

Music Theory Placement Exam dates for Spring 2023

All offerings of the Music Theory Placement Exam for Spring 2023 have passed. Please contact the Music Theory Area Coordinator with any questions – Cherise Leiter, [email protected].

There are three steps to registering for the Music Theory Placement Exam:

Step One: Meet with a Music Department Advisor
Step Two: Determine the appropriate level of theory placement for you
Step Three: Register for the exam

Music Theory Placement General Information

The Music Theory Placement Exam is for students who have taken formal music theory training either through college-level classes (including AP Music Theory) or private instruction, and wish to place into Music Theory I or higher. Students who do not test into Music Theory I or higher will be required to take MUS 1010 Essential Music Theory Skills.

Requirements

• All students entering MSU Denver’s music theory sequence must take a Music Theory Placement Exam, or take MUS 1010 Essential Music Theory Skills, or submit an AP Music Theory score of 3 or higher.
• Music Theory Lab I and Class Piano I are co-requisites for Music Theory I. For advanced theory levels, check specific degree programs for co-requisite requirements.
• Students who have completed MUS 1010 Essential Music Theory Skills with a grade of D or lower must retake Essential Music Theory Skills or take the Music Theory Placement Exam.

Advanced Placement and Transfer Students

Students who wish to place into advanced levels (Music Theory II, III, IV, or out of the sequence) must determine the appropriate level with their Music Department Advisor. Transfer students with prior music theory credits are required to take the Music Theory Placement Exam before those credits can be applied to their degree.

Step Three: Register for an Exam

Exam Scheduling

Students are required to meet with a Music Department Advisor prior to registering for the exam. The Music Theory Placement Exam is offered both online and in-person in January and August. Students may only take the exam once per semester, either online or in-person. The exam consists of three timed assessments: written, aural skills, and sight-singing.

Exam Results

Exam results will be emailed the week following the exam. Exam results are valid for one calendar year.

What to Expect for the In-Person Music Theory Placement Exam

The in-person Music Theory Placement Exam is offered during the January and August Audition Days. Students are expected to bring a pencil and eraser and arrive 15 minutes prior to the start time of the exam to check-in with Music Department Staff. The exam takes between 1.5 – 3 hours depending on the level of theory being tested into. Students testing out of the music theory sequence must take the in-person exam.

What to Expect for the Online Music Theory Placement Exam

Students testing into levels I – IV have the option of taking their Music Theory Placement Exam online. Students testing out of the music theory sequence must take an in-person exam.

At the start of the online exam, students will be emailed a link to the first assessment by the proctor, who will be available via email throughout the duration of the exam to answer any questions or concerns.

Items to have ready before beginning your online Music Theory Placement Exam:

• Pencil and eraser
• Blank Staff Paper (if you cannot print this and do not have your own blank staff paper, please draw lines of staff before the test)
  • Music Theory I: 11 lines of staff
  • Music Theory II: 13 lines of staff
  • Music Theory III: 10 lines of staff
  • Music Theory IV: 7 lines of staff
• A scanner, smartphone camera, or a camera that can quickly upload a photo and video to your computer
• Headphones or a computer speaker
• A YouTube account
• YouTube app (if uploading your video via mobile device)

Class Piano Placement Exam

Students with prior piano instruction or students testing into advanced levels of Music Theory may take the Class Piano Placement Exam to place into advanced levels of Class Piano. Students have the option of testing into Class Piano II, Class Piano III, or out of the Class Piano requirement entirely by taking the Piano Proficiency Exam. The requirements for each level of Class Piano Placement are listed in the documents below.

The Class Piano Exam is held annually on the August Audition Day and requires an email consultation with the Piano Area Coordinator prior to August 1. Interested students are encouraged to reach out well in advance of the exam date to receive exam materials.

Students may email the Piano Area Coordinator directly for consultation:
Jooeun Pak, [email protected].