Music Theory Incoming First-Year Students
“Music Theory” is actually two different classes:
- MUS 125a: Lecture Component (Mon/Weds/Fri 9:00-9:50 AM)
- MUS 126a: Aural Skills Component (Tues/Thurs 9:00-9:50 AM)
Students who passed the music theory diagnostic during their audition should register for these two classes.
- Some students have a note that although they passed, they should still review a particular topic. There will be new review sheets posted on this page by the end of March.
- There is now an optional second, more advanced diagnostic. Some students have already passed it and are therefore excused from the first three weeks of class, but should still come to the very first day of classes, Monday 9:00 in DH 1029.
- Everyone may elect to try the second, more advanced diagnostic on the first day of class, even if it’s for the second time. There will be new review sheets posted on this page by the end of March.
Students who have not yet taken the diagnostic or not yet passed the diagnostic will have an opportunity to (re)take it on the first day of fall semester classes (MON. 9:00am, Dunham Hall room 1029). In the meantime, you should register for general education classes to fill your schedule, which you can then drop if you pass the diagnostic.
If you took the diagnostic and are placed into MUS 120b, you should register for gen ed courses instead of MUS 125a/126a, just to ensure you will have a seat if needed. However, you should still come to the first day of MUS 125a (Monday 9:00, DH 1029) and retake the first diagnostic. Practically everyone passes the second time if they review over the summer! Once you've passed, you can drop the gen eds and will be guaranteed a seat in MUS 125a/126a. There will be new review sheets posted here on this page by the end of March.
Music Theory Diagnostic
When you register for classes, your advisor will be able to tell you if you passed the music theory diagnostic at your audition. If you didn’t take the diagnostic when you auditioned, if you didn’t pass it, or if you think there’s a mistake on the advisor’s list, don’t worry! You can still take it on Monday morning, the first day of classes. Simply come to MUS 125a (Music Theory) on Monday at 9 a.m., in Dunham Hall 1029.
Note: Transfer students take a different diagnostic. If you have ever taken music theory at a community college or other university, you should report to Dunham Hall 0158 at 9 AM on the first day of classes and speak to Dr. Coan.
Preparing for the Music Theory Diagnostic
Attached is a practice version of the Music Theory Diagnostic. It contains many, many questions that resemble the test, along with answers on the back of each page. Also, the following free resources might be useful:
If you have any questions, contact Dr. Archer at karcher@siue.edu.
