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Music History and Music Theory Requirements for MM Students

Prior to matriculation, Master’s Candidates take diagnostic exams in Music History and Music Theory. All incoming MM students have two opportunities to take these exams prior to their first semester of enrollment.

GRADUATE MUSIC HISTORY EXAMINATION
The Graduate Music History Examination (GMHE) is designed to test basic music history competency on the level of an Undergraduate Music History Survey course. A complete description of the exam is posted on the NEC website, and information will be shared with students prior to their first semester of enrollment. While taking the GMHE is mandatory, a passing score is not required. Instead, the faculty will use the exam results as a diagnostic tool to better understand the background and preparation of incoming students.

Exam Format

  • The exam will be a computer-based test comprising multiple-choice questions.
  • Students will have 90 minutes to complete the test.
  • Students may choose between two tests:
    • Test A: classical repertoire 80%, jazz/world music 20%
    • Test B: jazz/world music 70%, classical repertoire 30%
  • Both tests will have questions from the following seven categories of repertoire: five from the western classical tradition (Medieval, Renaissance, Baroque, Classical, 19th century, 20th century) and two categories from outside of the western classical tradition (jazz and world music). The difference between the tests is just in the way that these categories are proportioned; Test A focuses more on the classical music repertoire and Test B on jazz and world music.
  • Students are free to choose which test they want to take irrespective of their major.
  • Students may take only one of the offered tests (Test A or Test B).

MUSIC THEORY COMPETENCY EXAMINATION
The Master’s Music Theory Competency Examination (MMTCE) tests students’ skills in part-writing, formal and harmonic analysis, as well as ear-training. The exam is divided into a tonal and post-tonal section. A complete description of the exam is posted on the NEC website and will be shared with students prior to their first semester of enrollment. Students must pass both the tonal and post-tonal portions of the exam, or the relevant review course(s), before they may enroll in credited Music Theory classes. Students who, after two opportunities, do not pass (or do not attempt) the tonal portion of the exam will be required to enroll in Principles of Tonal Harmony and Form (MTHY 082). Students who, after two opportunities, do not pass (or do not attempt) the post-tonal portion of the exam will be required to enroll in Principles of Post-Tonal Harmony and Form (MTHY 082A).