Choosing Your Orientation/Registration Date

“I would encourage new students to really work hard right off the bat. Make sure you get help as soon as you need it. If you find yourself beginning to struggle in a class, no matter how small the problem, talk to the professor or TA or a tutor (which are free to you), because most likely you will have to build from that knowledge in a later class.”—Emily Meyerson, music education

It is in your best interest to schedule your New Student Orientation/Registration date as soon as you receive the packet from the Office of the New Student Orientation and First Year Programs. This packet will arrive in mid to late January or shortly after you've been admitted to BGSU. It will provide vital information about how to go online to schedule your New Student Orientation/Registration date.

Theory Placement Exam Re-take and other options for better theory placement

You may choose to retake the theory placement exam (during New Student Orientation/Registration) OR take a BGSU online theory class during the summer.  Either option gives you the opportunity to improve your knowledge so that you can potentially be placed in Music Theory I (MUCT 1510) beginning fall semester.

Who needs to re-take the Theory Placement Exam or take the online theory test?

Music majors, minors and BAC (Musical Theatre) students who have passed the required entrance audition and initially placed into:

• MuCT 1130 (Basic Musicianship)
• MuCT 1510 and 1150 (Theory I and Accelerated Fundamentals), OR
• If you submitted a recorded audition and have not taken the exam.

You will have the opportunity to take the exam during the on-campus Orientation/Registration that takes place in June and July.

Note: Students who remain in MuCT 1130 (Basic Musicianship) will postpone the beginning of their theory core curriculum by one year. Thus, the undergraduate degree will take a minimum of five rather than four years.

When is the Theory Placement Exam given?

The exam will begin at 7:30 a.m. in the Moore Musical Arts Center, room 1002, on the first day of your Orientation/Registration date. Please check in at the Bowen-Thompson Student Union prior to the exam and an Orientation Leader will escort you to the Moore Musical Arts Center for the exam.  Your exam will be graded while you are here during New Student Orientation and you will register for the appropriate Music Theory Class with the assistance of your music advisor.

How do I prepare for my Theory Placement Exam?

Please study for the exam by using the theory packet that was provided within your audition folder. Study materials can also be found online.

How do I take the online theory class?

Register for  MuCT 1100 Elements of Music, an online course on the fundamentals of music. This BGSU online course is being offered from beginning June 25. Contact the Office of Registration and Records at (419) 372-8441 to register.  You will do so as a guest student.  If you attend New Student Orientation/Registration while you are enrolled in the online Elements of Music class, your advisor will work with you to add the appropriate theory class pending the outcome of the course-work for this class.  Information about costs per credit hour can be found at: http://www.bgsu.edu/downloads/finance/tuitionfeebrochure2011.pdf

Work with your private or high school music teacher.

Take a theory course at a local college.

Piano Placement

What is the piano placement exam?

The piano placement exam serves to assist the student and academic advisor on the appropriate level of group piano class in which the student should register.

Who needs to take the Piano Placement Exam?

All music majors (except piano performance majors) will have a piano appointment to determine placement.

How do I prepare for the Piano Placement Exam?

No preparation is required for the exam; however, if the student wishes to place out of any level of group piano or to begin progress on keyboard skill abilities, the working independently or with a teacher on the following is suggested:

• Playing songs/pieces in which both hands are used.
• Learning/playing scales and chords.
• Playing chords and melody.
• Harmonizing a melody with diatonic chords.

Senior Picture for Incoming Freshmen

Please bring a wallet-size copy of your senior picture with you to New Student Orientation/Registration. We will be creating a “Welcome to the College of Musical Arts” collage that will be displayed in the Moore Musical Arts Center to welcome freshman music students to campus.

Additional Info

For additional information about New Student Orientation, visit the Orientation Station