Undergraduate Non-Curricular Requirements

In addition to the sequence of specific music classes, undergraduate students at the Aaron Copland School of Music complete several other exams and degree requirements.  

Recital Attendance 

Over the course of the degree, students must complete at least six semesters of recital attendance. Students enroll in MUSIC 100, a zero-credit course, and document attendance at a minimum of seven eligible recitals or concerts each semester.  

Transfer students who are able to complete their degree in fewer than six semesters should fulfil the recital attendance requirement each semester in residence. 

Listening Exams 

All undergraduate students complete four listening exams, one for each year of the degree. Two exams (the sophomore and junior exams) have been incorporated into the music history survey classes; successful completion of MUSIC 246 and 247 includes successful completion of the sophomore and junior exams. Transfer students who receive credit exempting them from MUSIC 246 and/or 247 will not be exempted from the relevant listening exam(s). Students who fall into this category should contact the musicology area head to discuss their options for completing the requirement.  

The freshman and senior exams are stand-alone exams, not incorporated into a scheduled class. Students are responsible for learning the repertoire in their own time; several opportunities to take the exams are offered each semester. The repertoire, including streaming audio examples, can be found on our website.

Freshman Exam Repertoire

Senior Exam Repertoire 

Progress Evaluations 

All students taking individual lessons in musical performance must perform on their major instrument each year before a jury consisting of faculty members from the school of music. The progress evaluations (also known as juries) are evaluated on a pass-fail basis. Three progress evaluations must be passed before a student may present the senior recital (for students in the performance degree) or progress to student teaching (for students in the music education degree). Transfer students who are able to complete their degree in fewer than six semesters will require progress evaluations for each year in residence. 

Senior Concentration Exam (BMus in Performance and in Music Education only) 

Students in the Bachelor of Music degrees in Performance and in Music Education are required to complete the Senior Concentration Exam, typically taken in the last year of residence. The exam includes a focused response to selected repertoire provided by the department, a musicianship component, and an oral defense.  

Senior Recital (BMus in Performance only) 

Students in the final year of the Bachelor of Music in Performance must perform a senior recital which will be adjudicated by a faculty jury on a pass-fail basis. The program for the senior recital must be approved in advance by the student’s principal performance teacher.  

Additional New York State Certification Requirements for Student in Music Education 

The certification process requires students to take a specific series of seminars and to pass written examinations in addition to their course work. Details on this process will be made available to all students in the music education degree program; questions on the process can be directed to the music education area coordinator. 

More information can also be found on the Queens College Teacher Certification page.