Graduate Placement Tests

The graduate piano placement examination assesses students’ proficiency at the piano as it relates to their major field. Incoming graduate students should have achieved proficiency equivalent to the undergraduate piano secondary course sequence (see current Academic Catalog under Piano). All incoming graduate students will perform one repertoire piece (memorization not required). Pieces of a sample level of difficulty include Petzold’s “Minuet in G Major”, Beethoven’s “Ecossaise in A Major”, or Kabalevsky’s “Clowns”. In addition, we will ask all students to sight-read parts from an open choral score and demonstrate up to three vocal warm-ups using a right-hand scalar pattern and tonic, subdominant, or dominant harmonies in the left hand. Students will also demonstrate the following major-specific skills (Click the links for sample):

• Choral Conducting: Prepare a provided four-part open score (PDF)
• Sacred Music: Prepare a provided hymn (PDF)
• Voice Pedagogy and/or Performance: Prepare a provided accompaniment (PDF). From a simple vocal piece, sight-read both the vocal line and the accompaniment (separately)

Students may direct questions about the piano placement to [email protected].

These hearings are for new graduate students with an applied concentration in piano or piano accompanying and coaching.  (The hearings are also for incoming freshmen and undergraduate transfer students who plan to study piano as their primary applied area.)

Before arriving at Westminster, students should prepare one piece, five minutes or less in duration, for presentation to the faculty.  Students may bring a copy of the score for the piano faculty, although this is not necessary.  (The hearing will be no more than five minutes.)  These hearings are simply an opportunity for the faculty to hear new students.

Questions about the piano hearings may be directed to [email protected].

Graduate students in Voice Pedagogy and Performance are exempt from taking this examination if they submit transcripts indicating two semesters each of college-level study in French, Italian or German with minimum grades of “C”.  Graduate students in Piano Accompanying and Coaching are exempt from taking this examination if they submit transcripts indicating two semesters each of college-level study in French and German.  Students may not use a dictionary for any examination.  International students may use an English/native language dictionary.  Please bring a #2 pencil to the exam.

Students who do not have documented college-level study in French, Italian and/or German but through other means have acquired similar proficiency may be exempt from this examination by taking the College Board CLEP test in these languages. These tests are given in various locations and require a fee. It is the sole responsibility of the student to arrange and pay for these tests and have the results sent to Rider University.

For further information about these exams contact [email protected].

Students in the Choral Conducting and Organ Performance degree programs must demonstrate a reading knowledge of French or German that is equivalent to two years of college study of one of these two languages.

If students have undergraduate study in either of the two languages, we encourage them to take either the French or German Reading exam, which centers only on translation. Students should bring dictionaries to the examination. International students may bring multiple dictionaries or electronic translators. Students may not use grammar books or reference materials during the examination. Students who do not have documented college-level study in French or German but through other means have acquired similar proficiency may be exempt from this examination by taking the College Board CLEP test in these languages. The College Board administers these tests in various locations and require a fee. It is the responsibility of the student to arrange and pay for these tests and send the results to Rider University.

For further information about these exams contact [email protected].

Graduate diction hearings last approximately fifteen minutes. Students will read and/or sing in English, Italian, French, and German. They will also demonstrate their knowledge of the International Phonetic Alphabet. We base evaluation on pronunciation, and do ask not students about the meaning of the texts. Students need not bring music to the screening.

Students may direct questions about the diction hearing to Margaret Cusak.

We require all incoming MM students to take placement tests in Music History, Musicianship, and 20th Century Analysis. If a student fails any tests, they must enroll in the appropriate remedial course/s at the earliest opportunity.  We do not permit students to re-take the test in the event of failure. Failure to take a placement test is considered an automatic “fail,” and the student will be required to take the appropriate remedial course(s). Students must earn a “Y” or “B-“ grade in required review courses to remove the deficiency. Students who received a baccalaureate degree from Westminster Choir College within five years of application to the graduate program may be exempt from these tests if they maintained a 3.0 average in each of the three areas.

Graduate Music History

Graduate Music History Exam Information (PDF)

For each score excerpt and each sound excerpt, name the genre (or style), approximate date of composition (within 30 years), a possible composer, and at least three rationales for your answers.

• Sample Recording #1
• Sample Recording #2
• Sample Recording #3
• Sample Score #1 (PDF)
• Sample Score #2 (PDF)
• Sample Score #3 (PDF)

Graduate Musicianship 

Graduate Musicianship Exam Information (PDF)

Graduate 20th Century Analysis

Graduate 20th Century Exam Information (PDF)

Students may direct questions to Sharon Mirchandani or [email protected].

Hearings are an essential element to your success at Westminster Choir College. They are used to determine many different factors, including voicing in core ensembles, as well as your placement in select choirs. Hearings take place at the beginning of every school year and are required of every student at Westminster Choir College each year.

Once you arrive on campus for orientation, you will receive your assigned audition time in your orientation materials. The conducting faculty runs the hearings, hold them in Gill Chapel. Each student must complete a hearing form online. 

Although orientation can be hectic, it is important to honor your hearing time, as missing, it may forfeit any possible spot in select ensembles as well as any solo spots available during the year. There will be no exceptions or allowances made if you are not present for your scheduled hearing. Also, keep in mind that your hearing is treated, in part, as an audition – you should be appropriately dressed and should also arrive at least 15 minutes before your scheduled hearing time.

Hearing Requirements

Prepared Piece

Memorize 1-2 minutes of a prepared selection. The selection can be an art song, aria, or folk song/hymn. There will be an accompanist provided, but we encourage you to bring your accompanist. The staff accompanist will be sight-reading, so if you choose this option, keep the difficulty of the accompaniment in mind.

Sight Reading

You will see several short examples ranging from diatonic (within a single scale/key) to chromatic. Take one minute to look at the line before singing. Solfege, numbers, or a single vowel are all acceptable methods. If you would like to practice, please get a hymnal or basic music text and practice singing individual lines without the aid of the piano. You can also find resources online.

Pitch Memory

You will hear a series of pitches on the piano. You will then immediately sing them back after the first hearing. There will be several examples.

Students may direct questions about the choral hearing to Margaret Cusak or [email protected].