Learning Music Theory for College Admission

[Reynolds 101]

Well I'm in my first year of college right now and I plan on transferring to Wayne state in Detroit next year or the year after. I want to go into music technology, but their program requires an audition on your instrument with a song of your choice, a music theory placement exam, and they give you a random piece of music to play on the spot.

I understand basic music theory and can read sheet music but not very well. I'm a fast learner and I know I'll be ready if I study every day. But I still don't really know what to expect and how much theory you are supposed to know to be accepted.

Any tips? I'm going to try and go through the sticky links for theory and see if I can get some done there.

[BassChuck]

See if you can find a music major at Wayne State and ask them about the theory exam. Most music theory entrance exams will cover a wide field of topics without getting to deep into any one of them.

Auditions and entrance exams are important. Do all you can to be prepared, and understand it will take some time to be prepared enough to feel comfortable and confident.

[Reynolds 101]

Originally Posted by BassChuck

See if you can find a music major at Wayne State and ask them about the theory exam. Most music theory entrance exams will cover a wide field of topics without getting to deep into any one of them.

Auditions and entrance exams are important. Do all you can to be prepared, and understand it will take some time to be prepared enough to feel comfortable and confident.

There is actually a Wayne State center at the community college I go to so I think I'll head over there next week to get some info. But this is really important to me so I'm definitely going to study everyday to get in. Thanks for the tip.

[Freddels]

Find a good teacher close to you. There must be some Mich State grads around there. What I did before I ever went to music school was to study for a year with a private teacher. I kept going with my instrument lesson and I added an additional hour for theory. We went through traditional theory (used the Walter Piston book).

[SteveFreides]

Originally Posted by Reynolds 101

Well I'm in my first year of college right now and I plan on transferring to Wayne state in Detroit next year or the year after. I want to go into music technology, but their program requires an audition on your instrument with a song of your choice, a music theory placement exam, and they give you a random piece of music to play on the spot.

I understand basic music theory and can read sheet music but not very well. I'm a fast learner and I know I'll be ready if I study every day. But I still don't really know what to expect and how much theory you are supposed to know to be accepted.

Any tips? I'm going to try and go through the sticky links for theory and see if I can get some done there.

Also ask about the importance of the theory placement exam. In some schools, it's just that, a placement test that has no bearing on your admission, just an indication of what class you'd go into.

-S-

[Stumbo]

I suggest calling the source before you begin any course of study: a Wayne State admission counselor or the Music Technology department. Find someone who can give you all the details you need so you can focus your studies appropriately and make efficient use of your time.

However, from what I read on the Wayne State website, Music Technology is not a separate major. It's a specialty that Music Majors add-on to their music degree. You'll have to study/play piano, sight read, sight sing,compose, take ear training classes and all the other great stuff music majors do. You'll have to audition with your primary instrument and be accepted into the school of music. If it's bass, it's probably not electric bass but double bass. In addition you'll have to include math and engineering classes.

You can see all the undergrad requirements here:http://www.music.wayne.edu/files/MusTech_09.pdf

I suggest you also read the following TB threads:
Deciding on Music School/Career
So you want to be a music major?

Here's some info from http://music.wayne.edu/MusicTech.php

Bachelor of Music in Music Technology

Music Technology at WSU prepares students for a variety of careers in the music industry with an emphasis on studio engineering, production, writing, and music business. Music Technology students develop practical skills through hands-on experience with professors who have decades of experience as sound engineers and producers. Graduates have been hired as engineers, composers, and sound designers, or become entrepreneurs in the recording industry.

Music Technology facilities at WSU include a full recording studio and a multi-work station sound design lab. Music Technology students professionally record all Department recitals and concerts in the Schaver Music Recital Hall sound booth. Coursework includes computer management, studio recording techniques, production, sound synthesis and sound design. The Bachelor of Music degree requires piano, theory/ear training and history. Music Technology majors will also have non-music math (MAT 1800) and engineering classes added to their class requirements.

Field internships typically begin in the third year of study and last two semesters. Students have held internships at advertising agencies, WDET (Detroit Public Radio), and local recording studios. Internships provide real-world experience and networking opportunities. Discuss internships and job opportunities with your advisor prior to registering for internship credits.

Music Technology classes are valuable to all music students, as the curriculum increases knowledge and understanding of studio operations when recording music professionally.

Entrance Requirements
Prospective students must audition on their primary instrument before an audition committee on one of four annual audition dates.

It is helpful for applicants to have some experience in recording or related fields.

Auditions and Advising
1. Apply to Wayne State at www.admissions.wayne.edu

2. Submit an Audition Form to the Department of Music at www.music.wayne.edu. Auditions take place each November (for January admission), February, March, and May (for September admission). Students will audition on their primary instrument before an audition committee. On audition day, prospective students will take a Music Theory Placement Exam (15-20 minutes), which indicates the level of theory class appropriate for the first semester of study.

3. Prepare a technical resume indicating all hardware (mixing consoles, microphones, etc.), and software (OS with version numbers, sequencing and/or audio DAW platforms) abilities. Additional recordings (CD or emailed MP3’s) should be listed on this resume indicating what the student’s specific involvement in the recordings, such as recording engineer, musician, writer, producer, etc.

4. Once accepted, meet with Prof. Tom Court for advising.
For all advising meetings you should bring copies of your transcripts, current class schedule if not available on your transcripts. When accepted to Wayne State you’ll be assigned a “pipeline” account were you could access and print this information. Transfer students will also have a list of what classes WSU has accepted.

Note: Even if WSU has accepted outside music classes, they will need to be secondarily approved by the Department of Music.


Good luck.

[MalcolmAmos]

Stumbo, appreciate the time and effort you just gave.

Malcolm

[Reynolds 101]

Thanks for all the info stumbo, definitely helps. I'm going to the Wayne State center at my school next week and I'll call the music department to get some more information.

[Stumbo]

Always happy to help out when I can.

I remember what it was like when I was going to school and making decisions with limited information. The more you know, the more you grow.

Best of luck to you!

Let us know how you're doing.