General Examinations

The general examinations cover musical and musicological research methodologies, concepts, skills, and general knowledge. HM, Theory & Ethno students should enroll in courses to prepare you for the examinations you expect to take, but you should not assume that you will be responsible only for material covered in coursework. HM & Theory students are required to pass three exams. Ethno students are required to pass two exams.  Part 1 and Part 3 are written, Part 2 is oral. No examination may be taken more than twice. 

Parts of the General Exam

  1. Identification of Music:

    Students in Historical Musicology and Theory:
    Repertory of Western Art Music
    Brief identification of five recorded and five printed (score) excerpts, 2 hours.
  2. Oral Analysis of Music:
    1. Students in Historical Musicology and Theory:
      • Oral Analysis of Western Art Music
        Students choose one of several compositions announced well in advance of the examination: e.g., a pre-tonal work, a tonal work, and a post-tonal work; examination consists of an oral presentation on the piece followed by a period of oral questions and answers; students may bring notes but should not read formal papers, 1 hour
    2. Students in Ethnomusicology:
      • Oral Analysis of Music from a Selected Tradition or Repertory
        Students choose one of several examples announced well in advance of the examination; examination consists of an oral presentation on the music followed by a period of oral questions and answers, 1 hour
  3. Specializations:
    1. Students in Historical Musicology:
      • History of Western Music
        Between five and seven essay questions, covering historical periods of Western music; one of these questions will be suggested by the student, in consultation with faculty, to reflect his or her area of dissertation research.  One question will involve critical methodologies in areas primarily outside musicology that might relate to musicology. Subject areas will be announced in the fall. Students must prepare bibliographies on these areas and submit them to the HM advisor by a spring semester date announced in fall, for approval no later than the end of spring semester. 7-10.5 hours
    2. Students in Theory:
      • Theoretical Systems, Present and Past
        Three essay questions, 4 hours
    3. Students in Ethnomusicology:
      • Music in Two Cultural Areas
        Three essay questions, 5 hours
      • Theories and Methods of Ethnomusicology in Historical Perspective
        Three essay questions, 5 hours