Fine Arts Division

Music Theory Placement Exam

All students who audition for the music program will take the Music Theory Placement Exam (MTPE) on the day of their live audition. Students of any declared major who are interested in adding Music Theory I to their schedule must also take the MTPE before they are allowed to register for the class. The MTPE assesses three areas of music learning: written theory, aural skills and keyboard skills. A cumulative score of 70% must be made on the exam before a student can enroll in Music Theory I (MUS 111) and its co-requisite course, Aural Skills I (MUS 113). A student who earns less than 70% on the examination will be required to enroll in Fundamentals of Music (MUS 101). A grade of ‘C-’ or better in Fundamentals of Music is required before the student can continue on to Music Theory I.

The written theory portion of the MTPE assesses the student's knowledge of basic elements pertaining to rhythm and meter, pitch and intervals, key signatures, scales and chords. A short melodic dictation exercise is included in the timed portion of the exam.

After the written portion of the exam is completed, each student will meet personally with a music faculty member to demonstrate his or her ability to sight sing a melody and perform some basic tasks at the piano keyboard.

It is highly recommended that students prepare to take the MTPE. A good text to aid the student's review is William Duckworth's A Creative Approach to Music Fundamentals. Following the lessons and performing the exercises contained in this text is an excellent way to prepare for the upcoming assessment. The first twenty lessons of Ricci Adam's Musictheory.net is also a good source of review. If they have not already done so, incoming music students should also consider taking private piano lessons before entering the music program.

For specific questions about the MTPE, students may contact N. Lincoln Hanks, Associate Professor of Music at lincoln.hanks@pepperdine.edu