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Start preparing for placement exams
For M.Mus., D.Mus., and PhD Program applicants.
All students beginning graduate studies in Composition are required to take placement examinations in order to determine that their academic preparation in Music is sufficient. On the basis of the results of these examinations, incoming students may be required to take certain remedial courses in Music History, Analysis, Counterpoint, Orchestration and 鈥� depending on their background 鈥� other undergraduate courses as well. All of these then form an additional part of the students鈥� program of study. Note that students who have not previously studied electronic music may be asked to take one or more courses in the Digital Composition Studios.
Students who are notified of their acceptance into graduate studies in Music are encouraged to prepare for the placement examinations by consulting the general exam descriptions and reading list provided in the downloadable PDF linked below.聽The placement exams will be sent to you approximately one month after this date. You will have three weeks to complete and return them. You are not required to have an invigilator, but are expected to write these examinations unaided, without the use of textbooks and within the allocated time for each question. A list of books useful in preparation for the examinations can be found in the Supplemental Reading List聽provided in the downloadable PDF.
Composition General Exam Description and Reading List (Updated March 2026)
Orientation
Orientation and advising takes place at the beginning of the Fall semester.
