Our decision to admit you to the B.Mus. program will be based solely on your B.Mus. audition and your academic record. All students intending to take music theory courses must complete the placement assessment.
How will the results of my placement assessment be used?
Your theory placement assessment results will allow us to place you in appropriate theory and/or ear-training course(s), according to your demonstrated skills, so that you will be able to register for the appropriate course in advance, and “hit the ground running” when you arrive in September.
What if I don’t do well on the theory and ear-training placement assessment?
Depending on the results of your assessment, you will either be placed in the preliminary theory course MUSI 1107, or MUSI 1700 and 1701, our first-year (B.Mus.) theory courses. Upon successful completion of MUSI 1107 students will progress to MUSI 1700 and 1701 in the second year of your program. MUSI 1107 is a course that does not count towards the B.Mus. degree; it will add a relatively small additional load to your degree, can be taken concurrently with other first-year B.Mus. courses, and will not delay the completion of the degree.
What if I already know music theory rudiments?
In that case, you should have no problems completing our placement assessment.
What level of music theory rudiments do you require?
While we do not formally recognize Royal Conservatory of Music credentials in our placement procedure, students who have completed Intermediate Rudiments (Grade 1 Rudiments) should enable you to pass the theory component of our placement assessment, though completion of Advanced Rudiments (Grade 2 Rudiments) is recommended.
How can I prepare for the theory placement assessment?
A number of good preparatory texts are available. Barbara Wharram’s Elementary Rudiments of Music can be found in most music stores; familiarity with contents from Chapters 1 through 5 should prepare you for the placement assessment.
Does Carleton University grant credit for advanced theory courses taken elsewhere?
Unless a student is transferring to us from another university or accredited college, we do not offer advanced theory credits to students entering our Music programs. In certain circumstances, however, students who have taken advanced theory (through the Royal Conservatory and elsewhere), may be granted a course-waiver for one or more of our required theory courses. If you think you might qualify for such a waiver, you should contact our Undergraduate Supervisor prior to starting classes in September.