Music Placement Testing

CSUSB's Music Department does not require an "entrance exam" for music majors. Anyone enrolled as an undergraduate student at CSUSB may declare music as a major. However, all music majors, especially transfer students, are expected to attempt placement tests for music theory and class piano courses, and all must complete a placement exam for applied lessons. Remedial coursework, some of which does not count toward graduation, is required for music theory, class piano, and applied lessons unless the work is waived based on placement test results. In addition, advanced placement is possible based on placement tests, up to and including waiver of all requirements in an area:

Applied placement. All new music majors must perform an applied placement audition for their chosen major instrument or voice. Studio teachers for the chosen major instrument will arrange applied placement exams, and they can be contacted through the Music Department at MusicAdmissions@csusb.edu. Note that an audition for a music scholarship can double as an applied placement audition.

Music Theory placement. The Music Department offers two music theory placement tests. The first is the "Audition Music Theory Placement Test." That test is designed for new freshmen and lower-division transfer students who want MUS 100 Basic Musicianship and MUS 101 Basic Musicianship waived. Those are the remedial music theory courses offered by the department, and are not required for a music degree. However, they are prerequisites for MUS 120 Theory I and MUS 121 Theory I Lab, the first music theory courses required for all music degrees. The "Advanced Music Theory Placement Test" is intended for transfer students who have had college-level music courses and want to earn advanced placement in CSUSB's music theory sequence. Student can take both tests in the Pfau Library's fifth-floor "Info Den." Click here for the Info Den's hours of operation and click here for a map of and directions to campus. If for some reason you are unable to complete a theory test at the Info Den, contact the Music Department at MusicAdmissions@csusb.edu.

Class piano placement. Students with prior performing experience on piano should schedule a piano placement test. The test consists of an individual appointment with a member of the faculty and can be arranged by contacting the Music Department at MusicAdmissions@csusb.edu. Students are encouraged to prepare a piano solo piece in preparation for the test, and example repertoire is available from the department on request. Based on the test, students will be placed in the appropriate piano class or have the department's piano proficiency requirement waived. Note that only MUS 222 Class Piano III is required for music degrees. However, MUS 220 Class Piano I and MUS 221 Class Piano II are prerequisites for MUS 222, and thus function as remedial coursework.