Undergraduate Programs

Applying to the Aaron Copland School of Music

All music applicants must apply to Queens College online by visiting the Queens College Admissions Website. In addition to applying to Queens College, applicants to the following programs must use GetAcceptd to schedule an audition and placement exam.

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Bachelor of Arts: General Music Program

The Bachelor of Arts in Music is an academic music program designed for a student who plans to become a composer, conductor, college music teacher, theorist, musicologist, arranger, music librarian, or critic. This program provides a solid, structured musical education and a foundation for more advanced career studies. The program is a traditional, classically-based program but may be helpful for those pursuing careers in music business, arts management, and music publishing. Taking the Music Qualifying Exam is required for this program.

Bachelor of Arts General Music Program students may choose a track to concentrate. Those students may choose General Music, Music History, Music Theory, or Composition.

Audition Requirements

All undergraduate music applicants are required to take the Music Placement Exam on the day of the audition. Applications are considered in the following areas:

Brass

French Horn / Trombone / Trumpet / Tuba

One movement from a concerto.
Two contrasting étude.
3 to 5 excerpts, if the student has them.

Percussion

Drums / Mallet Instrument

Snare drum solo work and rudiments.
A solo on a mallet instrument (usually Marimba) plus all scales.
A Timpani solo and tuning exercises.

Piano

Piano / Keyboard

All major and minor scales and arpeggios in four octaves, hands together.
Two pieces in contrasting styles, chosen from the Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Impressionistic, or 20th Century eras. (Single movements of sonatas are acceptable, but the movement chosen, or each piece chosen, must be presented and prepared in their entirety, not partially).
Sight-reading.

Strings

Cello / Viola / Violin	One movement of a major concerto, OR sonata, contemporary work, or showpiece. Two contrasting movements of Solo Bach (Six Suites for Solo Violoncello).
Double Bass	Major or minor scale and arpeggio, two octaves, of the applicant’s choice. Two contrasting movements of a baroque sonata, or the first movement of a standard concerto, and an additional contrasting movement or work. One etude on the level of Bille, Simandl, Storch-Hrabe, or Sturm. One orchestral excerpt of the applicant’s choice.
Guitar	A technical study or composition by Sor, Aguado, or Carcassi. A work from the Renaissance or Baroque period. A solo twentieth-century composition.

Voice

All voice types

Applicants must prepare two of the following:
One Italian Art Song (Preferred).
One English Art Song OR musical theater selection.
One traditional folk song.
Important: Commercial music (“pop music”) will NOT be considered.

Woodwind

Flute	• Mozart Concerto Gm or Dm: 1st and 2nd movement expositions or Another standard concerto of your choice. • A contrasting piece of standard repertoire, of your choice. Recommended: a standard piece, such as from the French Book Chaminade Gaubert – Fantasie Gaubert – Nocturne and Allegro Scherzando Faure Fantasie Taffanel “Andante Pastoral and Scherzetino” Ganne Hue Fantasy is also acceptable. • An etude • Optional: one or two standard orchestral excerpts
Bassoon / Clarinet	One movement from concerto. Two contrasting étude.
Oboe	One movement from concerto. One other contrasting piece. One étude.
Saxophone	• Two contrasting movements (fast/slow) of works from the saxophone repertoire. Examples: Sonatas by Creston, Heiden, Lunde, Jacobi, Maurice, Maslanka, Decruck, Descenclos, Schulhoff, Milhaud, Husa, or Concerti by Glazunov, Creston, Ibert, Larsson, Martin, Dubois, Erickson, Tomasi, Villa Lobos. Transcriptions of standard classical or baroque repertoire are permissible, at least one original work for saxophone is encouraged. • All Major Scales and Chromatic Scale.

Bachelor of Music (BMus): Music Education

The Bachelor of Music with Music Education prepares students for New York State Initial Teacher Certification in Music PreK-12. This program (coordinated with the School of Education) provides a solid, structured musical education and a firm foundation in music pedagogy for students preparing to teach in public or private schools. These students complete the college liberal arts studies, the basic music curriculum, and education and music education classes. Taking the Music Qualifying Exam is required for this program.

Audition Requirements

All undergraduate music applicants are required to take the Music Placement Exam on the day of the audition. Applications are considered in the following areas:

Brass

French Horn / Trombone / Trumpet / Tuba

One movement from a concerto.
Two contrasting étude.
3 to 5 excerpts, if the student has them.

Percussion

Drums / Mallet Instrument

Snare drum solo work and rudiments.
A solo on a mallet instrument (usually Marimba) plus all scales.
A Timpani solo and tuning exercises.

Piano

Piano / Keyboard

All major and minor scales and arpeggios in four octaves, hands together.
Two pieces in contrasting styles, chosen from the Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Impressionistic, or 20th Century eras. (Single movements of sonatas are acceptable, but the movement chosen, or each piece chosen, must be presented and prepared in their entirety, not partially).
Sight-reading.

Strings

Cello / Viola / Violin	One movement of a major concerto, OR sonata, contemporary work, or showpiece. Two contrasting movements of Solo Bach (Six Suites for Solo Violoncello).
Double Bass	Major or minor scale and arpeggio, two octaves, of the applicant’s choice. Two contrasting movements of a baroque sonata, or the first movement of a standard concerto, and an additional contrasting movement or work. One etude on the level of Bille, Simandl, Storch-Hrabe, or Sturm. One orchestral excerpt of the applicant’s choice.
Guitar	A technical study or composition by Sor, Aguado, or Carcassi. A work from the Renaissance or Baroque period. A solo twentieth-century composition.

Voice

All voice types

Applicants must prepare two of the following:
One Italian Art Song (Preferred).
One English Art Song OR musical theater selection.
One traditional folk song.
Important: Commercial music (“pop music”) will NOT be considered.

Woodwind

Flute	• Mozart Concerto Gm or Dm: 1st and 2nd movement expositions or Another standard concerto of your choice. • A contrasting piece of standard repertoire, of your choice. Recommended: a standard piece, such as from the French Book Chaminade Gaubert – Fantasie Gaubert – Nocturne and Allegro Scherzando Faure Fantasie Taffanel “Andante Pastoral and Scherzetino” Ganne Hue Fantasy is also acceptable. • An etude • Optional: one or two standard orchestral excerpts
Bassoon / Clarinet	One movement from concerto. Two contrasting étude.
Oboe	One movement from concerto. One other contrasting piece. One étude.
Saxophone	• Two contrasting movements (fast/slow) of works from the saxophone repertoire. Examples: Sonatas by Creston, Heiden, Lunde, Jacobi, Maurice, Maslanka, Decruck, Descenclos, Schulhoff, Milhaud, Husa, or Concerti by Glazunov, Creston, Ibert, Larsson, Martin, Dubois, Erickson, Tomasi, Villa Lobos. Transcriptions of standard classical or baroque repertoire are permissible, at least one original work for saxophone is encouraged. • All Major Scales and Chromatic Scale.

Bachelor of Music (BMus): Performance Program

Admission to this professional performance program is by competitive audition for qualified instrumentalists and singers. The program is planned to equal the training available in a conservatory course of study. It includes private instruction in the major instrument, ensemble requirements, and a senior recital, in addition to the required music curriculum and a modified academic sequence. In addition to auditions, taking the Music Qualifying Exam is required for this program.

Audition Requirements

All undergraduate music applicants are required to take the Music Placement Exam on the day of the audition. Applications are considered in the following areas:

Brass

French Horn / Trombone / Trumpet / Tuba

One movement from a concerto.
Two contrasting étude.
3 to 5 excerpts, if the student has them.

Percussion

Drums / Mallet Instrument

Snare drum solo work and rudiments.
A solo on a mallet instrument (usually Marimba) plus all scales.
A Timpani solo and tuning exercises.

Piano

Piano / Keyboard

All major and minor scales and arpeggios in four octaves, hands together.
Two pieces in contrasting styles, chosen from the Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Impressionistic, or 20th Century eras. (Single movements of sonatas are acceptable, but the movement chosen, or each piece chosen, must be presented and prepared in their entirety, not partially).
Sight-reading.

Strings

Cello / Viola / Violin	One movement of a major concerto, OR sonata, contemporary work, or showpiece. Two contrasting movements of Solo Bach (Six Suites for Solo Violoncello).
Double Bass	Major or minor scale and arpeggio, two octaves, of the applicant’s choice. Two contrasting movements of a baroque sonata, or the first movement of a standard concerto, and an additional contrasting movement or work. One etude on the level of Bille, Simandl, Storch-Hrabe, or Sturm. One orchestral excerpt of the applicant’s choice.
Guitar	A technical study or composition by Sor, Aguado, or Carcassi. A work from the Renaissance or Baroque period. A solo twentieth-century composition.

Voice

All voice types

Applicants must prepare two of the following:
One Italian Art Song (Preferred).
One English Art Song OR musical theater selection.
One traditional folk song.
Important: Commercial music (“pop music”) will NOT be considered.

Woodwind

Flute	• Mozart Gm or Dm Concerto: 1st and 2nd movement expositions • A piece from the French School, such as Chaminade Hue – Fantasie Gaubert – Fantasie Gaubert – Nocturne and Allegro Scherzando Faure Fantasie Taffanel “Andante Pastoral and Scherzetino” Ganne • A contrasting piece of your choice • Three standard orchestral excerpts • Optional – an etude
Bassoon / Clarinet	One movement from concerto. Two contrasting étude.
Oboe	One movement from concerto. One other contrasting piece. One étude.
Saxophone	• Two contrasting movements (fast/slow) of works from the saxophone repertoire. Examples: Sonatas by Creston, Heiden, Lunde, Jacobi, Maurice, Maslanka, Decruck, Descenclos, Schulhoff, Milhaud, Husa, or Concerti by Glazunov, Creston, Ibert, Larsson, Martin, Dubois, Erickson, Tomasi, Villa Lobos. Transcriptions of standard classical or baroque repertoire are permissible, at least one original work for saxophone is encouraged. • All Major Scales and Chromatic Scale.

Bachelor of Music: Performance with Initial Certificate in Music Education (Five-Year Program)

This program is for students who have been accepted into the Bachelor of Music program but also wish to pursue teacher certification. Students follow the standard Bachelor of Music curriculum for the first two years, including the college liberal arts requirements. Beginning in their junior year, they add the music education sequence and education courses required for certification. Typically, this requires at least one additional year of study to meet all requirements, including student teaching. The fifth-year will be part of the advanced certificate program following the student’s graduation with the Bachelor of Music degree. This program will automatically admit students to the advanced certificate program upon their Bachelor of Music graduation. Taking performance auditions and Music Qualifying Exam are required for this program.

Audition Requirements

All undergraduate music applicants are required to take the Music Placement Exam on the day of the audition. Applications are considered in the following areas:

Brass

French Horn / Trombone / Trumpet / Tuba

One movement from a concerto.
Two contrasting étude.
Three to five excerpts, if the student has them.

Piano

Piano / Keyboard

A Prelude and Fugue from the Well-Tempered Clavier, or another major of J.S. Bach..
A sonata by Beethoven, Haydn, Mozart.
A Romantic work.
A Twentieth-Centry Composition (optional)

Harpsicord

Representative works from major areas of literature
- A major work of J.S. Bach
- A Baroque work
- A work from the early Classical or Twentieth-Century repertoire.

Organ

Three substantial works from different style periods:
- A work from the Nineteenth or Twentieth-Century repertoire
- A work of the applicant’s choice
Applicant should bear in mind the character of the Maynard-Walker Memorial Organ.

Percussion

Snare drum solo and rudiments
A solo on a mallet instrument (usually Marimba) plus scales
A Timpani solo and tuning exercises.

String

Cello / Violin / Viola	One movement of a major concerto Two contrasting movements of Solo Bach One movement of a sonata, contemporary work, or a showpiece.
Bass	Major or minor scale and arpeggio, three octaves, of the applicant’s choice. Two contrasting movements of baroque sonata, or the first movement of a standard concerto, and an additional contrasting movement or work. One etude on the level of Bille, Simandl, Storch-Hrabe, or Sturm. One orchestral excerpt of the applicant’s choice.
Classical Guitar	A technical study of a composition by Sor, Aguado, or Carcassi A work from the Renaissance or Baroque Period. A solo Twentieth-Century composition

Voice

One Italian Art song and one American or British Art song.
No opera arias will be accepted
If the above requirements are not included in the applications repertoire, they will not be granted an audition. Exceptions can be made for German or French Art song.

Woodwind

Flute

• Mozart Gm or Dm Concerto: 1st and 2nd movement expositions
• A piece from the French School, such as
Chaminade
Hue – Fantasie
Gaubert – Fantasie
Gaubert – Nocturne and Allegro Scherzando
Faure Fantasie
Taffanel “Andante Pastoral and Scherzetino”
Ganne
• A contrasting piece of your choice
• Three standard orchestral excerpts
• Optional – an etude

Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon,

One movement from a concerto
Two constrating etudes
Three to five excerpts.

Saxophone

• Two contrasting movements (fast/slow) of works from the saxophone repertoire.

Examples: Sonatas by Creston, Heiden, Lunde, Jacobi, Maurice, Maslanka, Decruck, Descenclos, Schulhoff, Milhaud, Husa, or Concerti by Glazunov, Creston, Ibert, Larsson, Martin, Dubois, Erickson, Tomasi, Villa Lobos.

Transcriptions of standard classical or baroque repertoire are permissible, at least one original work for saxophone is encouraged.

• All Major Scales and Chromatic Scale.

Music Minor

The Music Minor program is for non-music majors, and offers to supplement their major to pursue an interest in music. There are two options for the minor:

Music Theory (21 credits):

In the Music Theory minor, you will learn about music theory concepts, such as scales, intervals, and harmony. You will also be exposed to sight singing and some keyboarding. The Placement Exam is required to declare this minor.

Required Courses in Music Theory

Music 171 or 172: Sight Singing (2 credits)
Music 173 or 174: Theory (3 credits)
Music 121: Suggested and approved by departmental advisor (3 credits)
Two semesters of large ensemble (Choir, Wind Ensemble, Orchestra) (1 credit each)
Elective (6 credits)

Music & Production (21 credits):

Admission into the program requires an interview with the MAP Advisor

Required Courses in Music & Production (12-15 credits)

Music 314: Studio Recording Fundamentals
Music 335: Audio and MIDI Sequencing I
Music 336: Audio and MIDI Sequencing II
Music 340: Digital Recording and Composition I
Music 341: Digital Recording and Composition II
Note: Student can place out of 314 with prior experience and advisor approval. Those 3 credits will be replaced with an additional elective, approved by the advisor.
Electives 6 credits are required from a set of professionally related courses in songwriting, film scoring, advanced mixing, electronic music, and music business, plus related courses in music, media, computer technologies, and acoustics. Students select these elective course in consultation with their advisor or the MAP faculty
- 9 credits are required, if the student places out of Music 314

Placement Examination

The Placement Examination is required of all students who wish to take music major courses. The examination includes a written test in rudiments, melodic dictation, general knowledge of music and individual examinations in sight-singing and keyboard skills, and a brief test in voice or an instrument. There is a more advanced test in music theory for students with previous training or schooling. The more advanced test includes figured bass realization, melody harmonization, species counterpoint, and keyboard harmony.

These tests are given solely to determine the student’s level of preparation. The results are not recorded in the permanent record but are used to determine the proper course and section assignments in theory, ear training, music history, and major ensemble. The examination is scheduled in March and August for Fall registration and in January for Spring registration.

Audition Registration Deadline:

The deadline is a week prior to the audition date based on the instrument. For example, if voice auditions are on February 25; the GetAcceptd application deadline will be February 18.

Hours and Location

Music Building, Room 203
Queens College, CUNY
65-30 Kissena Blvd
Queens, NY 11367
(Tel) 718-997-3800
acsm@qc.cuny.edu

Office Hours
Monday – Thursday: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Friday – 9:00 am – 5:00 pm (Remote)

Schedule an Appointment

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