HELP! Tips for entrance exams to college.

snooleen

Hi I want to study music in college but have to pass an entrance exam in March first. The most important part of this is the aural exam. I dont really know any music theory and it's mainly classical stuff so if anyone has any advice regarding a quick way to learn this stuff or even where I could get stuff to study or practise or anything, I'd really appreciate it. Sorry if this thread isn't appropriate to this forum, I'm just hoping that maybe there are some classical musicians that frequent here or study/have studied music???? Any help would be really appreciated. Thank you.

Doshea3

I think there is a weekend course run by the Royal Irish Academy of Music to prepare for these entrance tests...

Where are you planning to apply to?

duffman90210

Hi there

I'm in 3rd year Music in Trinity. The entrance exam is a written exam and an aural exam. In the aural exam you'll be asked to identify intervals, cadences and circle where written music differs to what you hear. It's not too hard, but you do need to practise before you go in. Learn all your intervals and learn to recognise them aurally.

For the written part of the exam try and have a basic knowledge of all areas of Classical music, from rennaissance to modern. The main thing to be able to do is name a composer from each era, so knowing the difference between mozart and Brahams interms of genre.

Some basic knowledge of music technology (ie what PA stands for) is helpful too.

You can view the exam paper here:

http://www.tcd.ie/Music/assets/Ent%20Test%202008%20-%20General%20Knowledge%20Paper.pdf (genearl knowledge)

http://www.tcd.ie/Music/assets/Ent%20Test%20Aural%202008.pdf (aural paper)

Answers are available from www.tcd.ie/music aswell

Hope that helps, good luck

snooleen

Thnaks a million, I'll try all of that

snooleen

Oh and do you think it would be a terrible idea of me to study music if I've little music theory? If I get on to the interview, I'll take classes in the summer so I'm not way behind if I do get in, but are you taught any basic theory going in or does the course just jump right in where leaving cert music ends?

Doshea3

Depends on where you're intending to apply to......

duffman90210

Trinity has a lot of theroy. So it's best that you know what you're getting yourself in for before you start. 1st picks up around where the leaving certificate leaves off, most of your classmates will have a good grasp of it though and it moves pretty fast. I suggest you learn what you need to learn for the exam, if you enjoy that and get on well enough in the interview then hopefully you'll be into it and yeah you can take summer course

sadie06

I second the recommendation of the intensive on day course in the RIAM. I found it to be excellent.

Closing date is soon.

http://www.riam.ie/extra-mural-classes.html

tootyflutty

Hey, I did the D.I.T, Maynooth, and C.I.T music entrance tests last year, so if you want to pm I can tell you more detail about those ones.

In all of the tests you would need a knowledge of the leaving cert. stuff for the written paper, but if your playing/singing is of a good enough standard I'm sure would be fine.
For D.I.T and C.I.T they have the entrance test and audition on the same day, but sort of spread out.
In D.I.T I had the playing in the morning, then written and aural in the evening.

But C.I.T I had the playing first, then I had a singing test, followed by a threoy test, a small break and then on to the aural and finally the written test.

And for Maynooth, you have the written test and aural test, and then if you do well in that, you get a letter a couple of weeks later calling you for interveiw and audition. I remember for the Maynooth interview you have a choice as to whether to play first or sing and theory. Also they asked things about favouirte composers, and your experience of playing/singing solo.

I'm now in Maynooth, and as for the theory, everybody studing music takes a test on the first day, and according to your results you are divided into different theory classes, though everybody learns the same material. You only take theory for first semester here, and it covers the whole leaving cert theory/composing course in about 20 lectures.

Hope some of this is useful!

Bosphorus

hey, i am thinking of doing music in cit or ucc next year but the entrance test might be too hard for me? I'm doing music for leaving cert, but i am only looking to get about 50% in the theory and get an A1 in the practical ( rounding off to about a ......and i got a distinction in grade 8 drums, can you get in with only getting okay marks in the aural and stuff, and do you just turn up on the day or do you apply or what, as you see I NEED HELP! but i am really looking forward to writing an essay on music, i saw the ucc speciman paper.

banquo

When you apply through the CAO, the college is notified and a letter will be sent out to you with all the details. An example entrance test is usually included. i'm sure than, when the time comes, a bunch of boardsies will come to your assistance with any questions

Over on the Nui Maynooth section, we had a few LCers asking for tips on harmony, etc, and they got a great and helpful response.

Bosphorus

banquo wrote: »

When you apply through the CAO, the college is notified and a letter will be sent out to you with all the details. An example entrance test is usually included. i'm sure than, when the time comes, a bunch of boardsies will come to your assistance with any questions

Over on the Nui Maynooth section, we had a few LCers asking for tips on harmony, etc, and they got a great and helpful response.

thanks a million man!

Marber

Hi,
My friend has been called for an interview for Music in Trinity. Can anybody remember what they were asked in the interview as it will only last 5-10 minutes so not sure what they will be asked or if they can prepare in any way.
Thanks.

Moomee

Hey, do you like Trinity? I recently got accepted for music and I'm just wondering is it an enjoyable course?

wicked88

I got into Dit. Its my first choice. Anyone else going there in September?

Doshea3

Wicked88, are you doing the BMus? What do you play?

I'll be a final year in DIT in September...

wicked88

Hiya Doshea3. Yup doing the BMus, I'll be studying voice there. What do you play?
I did a year in UCD doing English and Music and hated it. Can't wait to get back to college. Hopefully I'll enjoy the course, its mainly practical so Id say I will.

Doshea3

I'm a pianist/organist, though my specialisation is musicology/historical studies.

The course is definitely a very different affair to UCD from what I've heard. What voice do you sing?

wicked88

Ah deadly. I sing mostly Baryton-Martin repertoire. Would you recommend the course then yeah? Is it mostly pianists or singers or violinists in your year or is it varied?

Doshea3

Very good! It's mostly singers. I'd say 70% of the BMus students are singers. The rest are pianists, guitarists, trad players and orchestral types (violin, clarinet, etc.).

If you join the chamber choir, I'm the bass with the beard and glasses...

wicked88

Ha I'll keep an eye out for you. What's the story with the vocal teachers, how do they choose who gets what teacher? Sorry for bombarding ya with questions! :op Just interested thats all! lol

Doshea3

No problem! I think the vocal teachers choose you, but if you have a say in the matter be careful who you end up with...I'll say no more!

wicked88

Ah you cant stop there! lol Pm me