2.1 Principal Area of Study

Each music major must declare, with approval of the appropriate applied committee, a principal performance medium and carry on continuous study in one of the following areas:

2.2 Auditions

All new and transfer music majors must complete a major ensemble audition in their principal area of study before finalizing registration. Without a placement audition, students cannot be officially accepted as Music Majors. Auditions in the following areas are held during registration week:

2.3 Performance Level Placement

For transfer students, these auditions will place each student at one of the following levels consistent with School of Music & Dance performance standards:

*All students must pass a SJSU Junior Qualifying Jury prior to placement in level 5 or above.

Students may be placed at an applied level below their university standing. Once any remediation has been completed, a student may request to be placed at a higher performance level at their regular semester-end applied jury.

2.4 Suggestions for Audition Literature (See Appendix A)

2.5 Jazz Studies Auditions

Applicants are expected to exhibit a high degree of proficiency on the major instrument as well as a practical understanding of jazz improvisation concepts.

A. Demonstrate ability to improvise and play with a rhythm section.

B. Three different selections (one must be a ballad) in different jazz styles, moods and tempos.

C. Sight-reading.

D. Scales and/or broken chords (arpeggios).

1. Diatonic major scales

2. Harmonic minor scales staccato and slurred; basic chords (major, minor, augmented, and diminished). Scales may be sung/played in any key, and must be at least one octave (range of the instrument/voice if possible) ascending and descending, and sung (vocalists only) with letters, syllables, or on "la."

Students are expected to be familiar with jazz style and repertory. During the audition students should play and improvise on a twelve-bar blues, a ballad, and a jazz standard, accompanied by a small rhythm section (bring Aebersold play-along tape or CD or a "live" rhythm section).

Sight-Reading: The faculty will provide lead sheets.

2.6 Music Technology Auditions

A Music Technology contract may be declared in the freshman year. However, students must meet the following requirements without exception.

A. Acceptance into the B.A. in Music with an emphasis in Music Technology must be approved, in writing, by the Composition and Music Technology faculty (This is done when you audition).

B. Students must audition and be accepted into a performing ensemble as a pre-condition for enrollment in the program. If you cannot play an instrument or sing in choir you will not be accepted. This is part of the larger music program and all students must be enrolled in a performing ensemble (See 2.7).

C. Music Technology students must be concurrently enrolled in the Music 1-3 series.

D. Individual applied lessons will be given only after students have completed Music 170A, 167, 170B, and 168 with a grade of B or better. Usually, these courses can be taken in two semesters.

2.7 Major Ensembles

All undergraduate majors must enroll in a major ensemble each semester they are enrolled in the School of Music and Dance. All students taking applied lessons must be enrolled in a major ensemble. Graduate students may apply three units of ensemble credit to the graduate requirement of 30 units.

A. Freshmen

School policy requires that incoming freshmen take a general music fundamentals test for placement purposes during the first week of the fall term. Based on results of the test, freshman students will be advised to enroll in the appropriate courses. It is the responsibility of the systems area coordinator to administer the test and to determine which courses the student should take. In preparation for this exam, students should consult the study material in the most current edition of Harder & Steinke. Basic Materials in Music Theory, 9th ed., 2000; or Steinke. Harmonic Materials in Tonal Music, Part 1, 9th ed., 2002.

B. Transfers

School policy requires that all transfer students take a written and aural examination during the first week of the term. Those who do not pass will be advised to enroll in the appropriate theory class as determined by the Systems area coordinator until such time as they are ready to proceed to the next level. It is the responsibility of the area coordinator to administer the test and to determine which theory courses the student should take or audit. Transfer students should consult the materials outlined in the most current edition of Steinke. Harmonic Materials in Tonal Music, Parts 1 & 2, 9th ed., 2002; and/or any standard college theory text such as: Turek. Theory for Today's Musician, 2007.

A. Repertoire

1. Play one composition of intermediate difficulty approved by the instructor. Suggestions include literature comparable to Easier Piano Classics (Hal Leonard Publishing), a Sonatina of Clementi or Kuhlau, a Bach Two Part Invention, or other repertoire approved by the instructor or area coordinator. Passing will consist of careful execution of the notation (dynamics, articulation, tempo, continuity, etc.), stylistic character and musicianship. Correct use of the pedal must be demonstrated if appropriate.

2. Play a choral-style or four-part hymn, a twentieth century composition, or an accompaniment to a piece in your area approved by the instructor. Your choice should be appropriate with your degree objectives.

B. Technical Skills

1. Scales: Play major and minor (natural and harmonic forms), all keys, two octaves, hands together, with correct fingering. Speed is not as critical as consistency and continuity. The instructor will choose which scales are executed.

2. Chord progressions: Play major and minor, all keys, as follows:

I-IV6/4-I-V6/5-I (two handed harmony). Handouts will be provided. The instructor will choose which keys are executed.

C. Sight Reading and Harmonization

1. Sight read an elementary level piece and transpose to a closely related key.

2. Harmonize a simple melody at sight using I, IV, V chords (melody in the right hand/chords in the left hand).