Music Theory Placement Tests
Music Theory Placement Tests are given at the February and May auditions; retakes are given during orientation week in August. The results of these tests are primarily used to determine whether or not students can begin their required courses in Music Theory or whether they must first complete review courses. Students who have tested into review courses are strongly advised to study over the summer and retake the exam in August.
Undergraduate Music Theory Tests
All students applying for admission to an undergraduate program must take the Speed and Competency Rudiments Examination (SACRE), a twenty-minute test on rudiments (scales, intervals, chords, and meter) during the week of their audition. Students who do not excel on this test will have the option to retake the exam in August, during Orientation. Students whose test scores are still less than excellent will be placed into Music Theory 1/2 (Intensive) for their first year at Peabody.
Some students come to Peabody having studied figured bass and counterpoint. These students are encouraged to take the Advanced Placement Undergraduate Exam (AP-Ugrad). An excellent performance on this test would make a student eligible for placement into Theory II or Theory I-II: an accelerated course that covers two years of material in one year.
Students are welcome to take this exam but should be advised that the bar is set quite high. For advanced placement in Music Theory, we expect students performing as well as our Freshman at the end of their first year of study. We test hundreds of students every year and very few place out of Theory I.
We do not accept AP credits in music theory.
Graduate Music Theory Tests
Graduate students are expected to enter their degree programs with a thorough understanding of tonal harmony. All graduate students are required to take the Graduate Review Theory Test (GRTT), which consists of figured bass realization in four parts and analysis; melody harmonization in four parts and analysis; Roman numeral, non-chord tones and formal analysis of examples from the repertoire; and 20th-century techniques.
Students whose GRTT results demonstrate a lack of proficiency and/or speed with the materials of music theory may re-take the examination during the August Orientation period. If they still do not demonstrate proficiency and speed, they will be required to enroll in Graduate Theory Review (a 0 credit course), either for the Fall semester only or for the entire academic year (Fall and Spring semesters), depending on their score on the GRTT. Since completion of this course is required before students may enroll in regular music theory electives that are required for all degree programs, we strongly recommend that you study over the summer and retake the examination during Orientation Week if you placed in Graduate Theory Review by examination earlier this year.
DMA students must also take the Graduate Assistant and Doctor of Musical Arts Exam (GADMA). Unlike the other placement exams, the GADMA is a factor in admissions decisions. Moreover, there is no August retake.
The GADMA is a ninety-minute examination that tests your knowledge of figured bass realization in four parts and analysis; melody harmonization in four parts and analysis; Roman numeral, non-chord tones and formal analysis of examples from the repertoire; counterpoint (18th Century); and 20th Century materials.
