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Appendix
Musical Terms and Signs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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Getting Started
Whats New?
New theory examination titles (p. 10)
Frequently Asked Questions (p. 78)
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Getting Started
About Us
The Royal Conservatory
The Royal Conservatory is one of the largest and most respected music education
institutions in the world. Providing the definitive standard of excellence through its
curriculum, assessment, performances, and teacher education programs, The Royal
Conservatory makes a substantial impact upon the lives of millions of people globally.
Examinations Offered
Practical Examinations
Accordion, Bassoon, Cello, Clarinet, Double Bass, Euphonium, Flute, French Horn, Guitar,
Harp, Harpsichord, Oboe, Organ, Percussion, Piano, Recorder, Saxophone, Speech Arts
and Drama, Trombone, Trumpet, Tuba, Viola, Violin, Voice
Theory Examinations
Rudiments, Harmony, Keyboard Harmony, Counterpoint, Analysis, History
Musicianship Examinations
Junior, Intermediate, Senior
About Us
Read
Re
d ab
bo
outt our Col
oll
lle
lege
lege
e
of Examiners, including
examiner biographies,
h
at
examinations.rcmusic.ca.
u
a..
8
Notable Alumni
Notable alumni include:
Isabel Bayrakdarian
the Gryphon Trio
Aline Chrtien
Adrienne Clarkson
Bruce Cockburn
Naida Cole
David Foster
Glenn Gould
Robert Goulet
Norman Jewison
Lois Marshall
Oscar Peterson
Richard Raymond
Paul Shaffer
Mitchell Sharp
the St. Lawrence String Quartet
Teresa Stratas
Jon Vickers
About Us
Quick Reference
Certificate Program Overview
Theory examinations are essential components of the prestigious Certificate Program
of The Royal Conservatory Examinations. Internationally recognized certificates and
diplomas are awarded when a candidate successfully completes each practical level (study
of an instrument or voice) and the required co-requisite theory examinations. Certificates
are also awarded when a candidate successfully completes each theory level. Candidates
may enter the Certificate Program at any practical level from Preparatory A, Preparatory B,
or Introductory, to Grade 10. The following table summarizes the examinations required
for each theory certificate. For detailed information on practical certificate requirements,
please consult the current syllabus for the relevant discipline.
Theory Certificates
Examinations Required
Preparatory Rudiments
Preparatory Rudiments
Basic Rudiments
Basic Rudiments
Intermediate Rudiments
Intermediate Rudiments
Advanced Rudiments
Advanced Rudiments
Introductory Harmony
Introductory Harmony
Intermediate Harmony or
Intermediate Keyboard Harmony
History 2: Middle Ages to Classical
Counterpoint
Advanced Harmony or
Advanced Keyboard Harmony
History 3: 19th Century to Present
Analysis
Quick Reference
10
Theory Examinations Overview
The Royal Conservatory graded theory system assesses essential tools in a students
musical development. Candidates may begin theory examinations at any point in their
practical music studies but are encouraged to begin theoretical studies as early as possible.
With the exception of Keyboard Harmony and Musicianship, which occur during the
practical examination session, all theory examinations take place in a formal written setting.
Examination Title
Preparatory Rudiments (1 hour)
Building blocks of music notation
Rudiments
Analysis (3 hours)
Advanced structural and harmonic analysis of musical forms
History 1: An Overview (3 hours)
Introduction to styles, composers, and music from 1600 to the present
History
Quick Reference
11
Co-requisites and Prerequisites
The following table summarizes all the co-requisite and prerequisite examinations
required to obtain practical examination certificates. Beginning in Grade 5, candidates
must complete theory co-requisites. There are no prerequisite or co-requisite theory
examinations for Preparatory A, Preparatory B, Introductory, and Grades 1 to 4.
Candidates for the ARCT in Performance, the Teachers ARCT, or any of Parts 1, 2, or 3 of
the Intermediate Piano Pedagogy or Advanced Piano Pedagogy levels must complete
prerequisite examinations at least one session prior to registration.
Grade
P = Prerequisite)
Basic Rudiments
Intermediate Rudiments
C C C C
Advanced Rudiments
Basic Harmony
C
C
Intermediate Harmony
Counterpoint
Advanced Harmony
Analysis
History 1: An Overview
C C
Grade 9 Practical
Grade 10 Practical
P
C
C
P
C
C
C
C
C
C
Quick Reference
12
Specialized Theory Examinations
Comprehensive Theory Examinations
Specifi
fic requirements
re
s
for the
he Comprehensive
Com
Theory
ory Examination
E
can be
b found
on p. 43.
Specific requirements
em s
for the ARCT diploma
iplo
can be found
d on
p 44.
p.
The examination process for the ARCT diploma comprises three parts:
multiple examinations of counterpoint, harmony, orchestration, analysis, music history,
and ear training
compositions and/or research papers
an oral defense
Musicianship Examinations
Musicianship examinations test sight singing and recognition of scales, chords, and
intervals. They may replace the Ear Test and Sight Reading sections of the following
examinations:
Musicianship
Level
Junior
Intermediate
Senior
Quick Reference
13
Preparatory Rudiments
Examination length
1 hour
Co-requisite for
n/a
Recommended theory
prerequisites
n/a
Recommended for
concurrent study with
Preparatory A, Preparatory B,
and Introductory Practical
Examinations
Resources
The Royal Conservatory Examinations Official
Examination Papersp. 56
Appendixp. 58
Rudiments resourcesp. 72
Annotated Resource Listavailable online at
examinations.rcmusic.ca
The Preparatory Rudiments examination tests
candidates recognition and understanding of
preparatory elements of musical notation, including the
following topics:
Pitch
grand staff; treble (G) and bass (F) clefs
names of notes up to two ledger lines above or below
treble and bass clefs
accidentals (sharp, flat, and natural)
whole tones (whole steps) and semitones (half steps)
matching notes to a keyboard picture
naming or drawing notes shown on a keyboard picture
Rhythm
Scales
Write or identify the following in C, G, or F major:
scales, ascending or descending, one octave
key signatures for the above scales
scale degrees: tonic
Intervals
Write or identify the following above a given note:
all intervals up to and including an octave (numerical
size only), harmonic or melodic forms
Identify the following below a given note:
all intervals up to and including an octave (numerical
size only), melodic form
Triads
Write or identify the following in C, G, or F major:
solid (blocked) triads, root position on the tonic, with or
without key signatures, close position only
Identify the following in C, G, or F major:
broken triads, root position on the tonic, with or
without key signatures, close position only
Analysis
Candidates will be asked to analyze a short musical
composition, identifying any of the requirements for
Preparatory Rudiments, including the terms below.
Rudiments
14
Musical Terms and Signs
Candidates will be asked to define or supply musical
terms or signs from the following list, or to recognize these
terms and signs in a musical passage. The definitions
and translations given below are acceptable for theory
examinations, but candidates may also use any definitions
and translations found in standard rudiments textbooks,
music dictionaries, or other music reference books.
Terms
a tempo
allegro
andante
crescendo, cresc.
decrescendo, decresc.
diminuendo, dim.
forte,
largo
legato
mezzo forte,
mezzo piano,
moderato
piano,
ritardando, rit.
staccato
Rudiments
Signs
bar line
a vertical line
separating
measures
measure/bar
a unit of musical
time
double bar
line
repeat sign
fermata
(pause)
slur
tie
crescendo
becoming louder
decrescendo/
diminuendo
becoming softer
staccato
detached
15
Basic Rudiments
Examination length
1 hour
Co-requisite for
Recommended theory
prerequisites
Preparatory Rudiments
Recommended for
concurrent study with
Grades 1 to 5 Practical
Examinations
Intervals
Write or identify the following in keys up to and including
four sharps or flats above a given note:
perfect, major, and minor intervals within the octave (no
inversions), harmonic or melodic forms
Identify the following in keys up to and including four
sharps or flats below a given note:
perfect, major, and minor intervals within the octave (no
inversions), melodic form
Resources
The Royal Conservatory Examinations Official
Examination Papersp. 56
Appendixp. 58
Rudiments resourcesp. 72
Annotated Resource Listavailable online at
examinations.rcmusic.ca
The Basic Rudiments examination tests candidates
recognition and understanding of basic elements of
musical notation, including the following topics:
Pitch
grand staff; treble (G) and bass (F) clefs
names of notes up to five ledger lines above or below
treble and bass clefs
accidentals (sharp, flat, and natural)
enharmonic equivalents of notes
whole tones (whole steps), diatonic and chromatic
semitones (half steps)
Rhythm
time values of notes and rests from sixteenth to whole
dotted notes (half, quarter, and eighth)
triplets (quarter, eighth, and sixteenth)
time signatures: ( )
(c)
adding time signature, bar lines, and rests to a given
passage in simple time, which may include an anacrusis
(upbeat)
Scales
Write or identify the following in keys up to and including
four sharps or flats:
major and minor (natural, harmonic, and melodic)
scales, ascending and descending
key signatures for the above scales
scale degrees: tonic, subdominant, and dominant
related keys (relative major and minor)
Triads
Write or identify the following in keys up to and including
four sharps or flats:
solid (blocked) triads of major and minor quality, root
position on the tonic, subdominant, and dominant of
major and harmonic minor scales, with or without key
signatures, close position only
Identify the following in keys up to and including four
sharps or flats:
broken triads in root position of major and minor
quality, on the tonic, subdominant, and dominant of
major and harmonic minor scales, with or without key
signatures, close position only
Recognition of Keys
keys up to and including four sharps or flats
identify the key (major or minor) of a given passage with
a key signature
Transposition
Analysis
Candidates will be asked to analyze a short musical
composition, identifying any of the requirements for
Basic Rudiments, including the terms below.
Rudiments
16
Musical Terms and Signs
Candidates will be asked to define or supply musical
terms or signs from the following list, or to recognize
these terms and signs in a musical passage. The
definitions and translations given below are acceptable
for theory examinations, but candidates may also use any
definitions and translations found in standard rudiments
textbooks, music dictionaries, or other music reference
books.
Terms
a tempo
adagio
allegretto
allegro
andante
andantino
cantabile
con pedale, con ped.
crescendo, cresc.
da capo, D.C.
dal segno, D.S.
D.C. al Fine
decrescendo, decresc.
diminuendo, dim.
dolce
fine
forte,
fortissimo,
grazioso
larghetto
largo
legato
lento
maestoso
mano destra, M.D.
mano sinistra, M.S.
marcato, marc.
mezzo forte, F
mezzo piano, P
moderato
Rudiments
ottava, 8va
pedale, ped.
pianissimo,
piano, p
prestissimo
presto
rallentando, rall.
ritardando, rit.
staccato
tempo
Tempo primo (Tempo I)
tenuto
Signs
accent
a stressed note
staccato
detached
tie
slur
fermata
crescendo
becoming louder
decrescendo/
diminuendo
becoming softer
ottava, 8va
ottava, 8va
17
Intermediate Rudiments
Examination length
2 hours
Co-requisite for
Recommended theory
prerequisites
Preparatory Rudiments
Basic Rudiments
Recommended for
concurrent study with
Grades 4 to 6 Practical
Examinations
Resources
The Royal Conservatory Examinations Official
Examination Papersp. 56
Appendixp. 58
Rudiments resourcesp. 72
Annotated Resource Listavailable online at
examinations.rcmusic.ca
The Intermediate Rudiments examination tests
candidates knowledge of the requirements for the Basic
Rudiments examination plus the additional material
listed below.
Pitch
double sharps
double flats
Rhythm
Octatonic scale
Intervals
duplets and quadruplets in compound time
double dots
breve note and rest
Scales
Write or identify the following:
all major and minor (natural, harmonic, and melodic)
scales
related keys: relative major and minor, tonic (parallel)
major and minor
enharmonic major or minor scales
technical names of scale degrees: tonic, supertonic,
mediant, subdominant, dominant, submediant, and
leading note
Triads
Identify the following:
solid (blocked) or broken triads of major and minor
quality, root position and inversions, in major and
harmonic minor scales, close or open position
Write the following:
solid (blocked) triads of major and minor quality, root
position and inversions, in major and harmonic minor
scales, close position only
Recognition of Keys
identify the key for given excerpts without key signatures
(candidates may be asked to rewrite the excerpt with
the correct key signature and name the key)
Rudiments
18
Transposition
Terms
accelerando, accel.
alla, all
animato
assai
Cadences
Identify the following by name (in keyboard style only) in a
musical excerpt in any major or minor key:
Perfect (authentic)
major keys
VI
minor keys
Vi
Plagal
Imperfect (half cadence)
IVI
IV, IVV
ivi
iV, ivV
ben, bene
brillante
col, coll, colla, colle
con
con brio
con espressione
con moto
e, ed
espressivo, espress.
fortepiano,
grave
leggiero
loco
ma
Analysis
Candidates will be asked to analyze a short musical
composition, identifying any of the requirements for
Intermediate Rudiments, including the terms below.
meno mosso
M.M.
molto
non
non troppo
pi
pi mosso
poco
poco a poco
quasi
rubato
sempre
senza
spiritoso
tranquillo
tre corde
troppo
una corda
vivace
Rudiments
becoming quicker
in the manner of
lively, animated
much, very much (for example:
allegro assai, very fast)
well (for example: ben marcato,
well marked)
brilliant
with (for example: collottava, with
an added octave)
with
with vigor, spirit
with expression
with movement
and
expressive, with expression
loud, then suddenly soft
slow and solemn
light, nimble, quick
return to normal register
but (for example: ma non troppo,
but not too much)
less movement, slower
Maelzels metronome
much, very
not
not too much
more
more movement (quicker)
little
little by little
almost, as if
with some freedom of tempo to
enhance musical expression
always, continuously
without
spirited
quiet, tranquil
three strings; release the left
(piano) pedal
too much
one string; depress the left
(piano) pedal
lively, brisk
19
Advanced Rudiments
Examination length
2 hours
Co-requisite for
Grades 7 to 10 Practical
Examinations
Elementary Piano Pedagogy
Prerequisite for
ARCT in Performance
Teachers ARCT
Intermediate and Advanced Piano
Pedagogy
Recommended theory
prerequisites
Preparatory Rudiments
Basic Rudiments
Intermediate Rudiments
Recommended for
concurrent study with
Resources
The Royal Conservatory Examinations Official
Examination Papersp. 56
Appendixp. 58
Rudiments resourcesp. 72
Annotated Resource Listavailable online at
examinations.rcmusic.ca
The Advanced Rudiments examination tests candidates
knowledge of the requirements for the Basic and
Intermediate Rudiments examinations plus the
additional material listed below.
Chords
Write or identify the following:
all triads (major, minor, augmented, and diminished),
root position and inversions, close or open position
dominant 7ths, root position and inversions, in major
and minor keys, close or open position
diminished 7ths of harmonic minor scales, root position
only
Identify the following:
the scale (major, natural minor, or harmonic minor) in
which a group of triads or chords may be found
Cadences
Identify the following cadences in any major or minor key:
major keys
Perfect (authentic)
VI, V7I
Plagal
IVI
Imperfect (half-cadence) IV, IVV
minor keys
Vi, V7i
ivi
iV, ivV
minor keys
Perfect (authentic)
VI
Vi
Plagal
IVI
ivi
Imperfect (half-cadence)
IV, IVV
iV, ivV
Clefs
alto and tenor clefs (C clefs)
Rhythm
time signatures for hybrid meters such as , , and
Scales
Write or identify the following:
all major and minor scales, beginning on any scale
degree
Dorian, Phrygian, Lydian, Mixolydian, and Aeolian
modes, beginning on any note
Intervals
Write or identify the following above or below a given note:
all intervals and their inversions, harmonic and melodic
forms, including simple intervals, compound intervals,
and enharmonic equivalents.
Transposition
major and minor keys
transpose a melody up or down any interval within the
octave
rewrite a melody at the same pitch in an alternate clef
(including C clefs)
transpose to concert pitch a single line of music for
orchestral instruments
in B flat (clarinet, trumpet)
in F (French horn, English horn)
Rudiments
20
Score Types (See Descriptions of Scores on p. 62.)
Rewrite a given passage into the following score types:
modern vocal score
string quartet score
short score (on two staves)
Analysis
Candidates will be asked to analyze a short musical
composition, identifying any of the requirements for
Basic, Intermediate, and Advanced Rudiments, including
the terms below, as well as imitation, inversion, measures
(m., mm.), sequence, and tritone.
con sordino
dolente
giocoso
grandioso
largamente
listesso tempo
martellato
mesto
morendo
pesante
pizzicato
French Terms
cdez
lger
lentement
modr
mouvement
vite
German Terms
bewegt
langsam
mssig
mit Ausdruck
sehr
schnell
moving
slow; slowly
moderate; moderately
with expression
very
fast
primo, prima
quindicesima alta
(15ma)
risoluto
ritenuto, riten.
scherzando
secondo, seconda
semplice
sforzando, ,
simile
sonore
sopra
sostenuto
sotto voce
stringendo
subito
tacet
tutti
vivo
volta
volti subito, v.s.
with mute
sad
humorous, jocose
grand, grandiose
broadly
the same tempo
strongly accented, hammered
sad, mournful
dying, fading away
weighty, with emphasis
for stringed instruments: pluck the
string instead of bowing
first; the upper part of a duet
two octaves higher
resolute
suddenly slower, held back
playful
second; second or lower part of a duet
simple
a sudden strong accent of a single
note or chord
continue in the same manner as has
just been indicated
sonorous
above
sustained
soft, subdued, under the breath
pressing, becoming faster
suddenly
be silent
a passage for the ensemble
lively
time (for example, prima volta, first
time; seconda volta, second time)
turn the page quickly
Italian Terms
ad libitum, ad lib.
agitato
allargando, allarg.
arco
attacca
calando
comodo
con fuoco
con grazia
Rudiments
Chord Types
cluster
21
Introductory Harmony
The Introductory Harmony examination is strongly
recommended as preparation for Basic Harmony.
Examination length
2 hours
Recommended theory
prerequisite
Advanced Rudiments
Recommended for
concurrent study with
Cadences
perfect (authentic), imperfect (half-cadence), plagal, and
deceptive
Four-part Writing
types of motion: parallel, similar, oblique, contrary,
stasis (no motion)
SATB vocal ranges
principles of voice-leading
Baroque Dances
allemande, courante, sarabande, gigue, menuet,
bourre, and gavotte
Examination Questions
Candidates should be prepared to answer the following
types of examination questions:
Melody Writing
Chords
Qualities of triads and 7th chords
triads: major, minor, diminished, and augmented
7th chords: major 7th, major-minor 7th (for example,
dominant 7th), minor 7th, half-diminished 7th
(diminished-minor 7th), and diminished 7th
22
Two-part Texture (mainly note-against-note)
Chords
Analysis
For a given piece or excerpt:
Identify the key.
Identify the cadences.
Mark the structural phrasing.
Provide chord symbols (root/quality chord symbols or
functional chord symbols or both).
Circle and classify non-chord notes.
Identify traditional Baroque dances by their rhythmic
character (if applicable to the excerpt).
State an appropriate tempo marking for a given dance
or excerpt.
Answer brief questions concerning the musical
elements found in a given piece or excerpt.
(Vocabulary and concepts will be drawn from theory
examination requirements from Basic Rudiments up to
and including this level.)
Modulation
to a traditional goal key: to V from major keys and to III
or v from minor keys
in formal analysis only: identification of modulations to
all closely related keys
Form
binary, rounded binary, and ternary
Examination Questions
Basic Harmony
Examination length
3 hours
Co-requisite for
Recommended theory
prerequisites
Advanced Rudiments
Introductory Harmony
Resources
The Royal Conservatory Examinations Official
Examination Papersp. 56
Appendixp. 58
Rudiments resourcesp. 72
Annotated Resource Listavailable online at
examinations.rcmusic.ca
The Basic Harmony examination tests candidates
knowledge of the requirements for Introductory Harmony
plus the additional material listed below. These elements will
be tested in major and minor keys.
Harmony, Counterpoint, and Analysis
23
The first eight measures or fewer will be given, with
both the melody and the bass part at the cadences.
Candidates will complete the melody and add the
bass part at the cadences and will mark the phrasing
for the entire composition.
The third phrase should demonstrate some melodic
contrast and inventiveness, while remaining
consistent with the style of the given opening. Literal
restatement, transposition, etc., are discouraged in
the third phrase.
Candidates may also be asked to indicate the implied
harmony throughout the composition using either
functional chord symbols or root/quality chord
symbols.
Intermediate Harmony
Examination length
3 hours
Co-requisite for
Prerequisite for
Recommended theory
prerequisites
Advanced Rudiments
Introductory Harmony
Basic Harmony
Resources
The Royal Conservatory Examinations Official
Examination Papersp. 56
Appendixp. 58
Rudiments resourcesp. 72
Annotated Resource Listavailable online at
examinations.rcmusic.ca
diatonic 7ths
secondary (applied) dominants (V, V7)
secondary (applied) leading-note chords (vii, viio7, and
vii7)
Chords
Root position and all inversions
24
Modulation
Form
binary, rounded binary, and ternary (including
compound ternary form in which the individual sections
have identifiable forms)
rondo
sonata
Examination Questions
Candidates should be prepared to answer the following
types of examination questions. Each question may
appear in a major or a minor key.
Counterpoint
Examination length
3 hours
Co-requisite for
ARCT in Performance
Teachers ARCT
Advanced Piano Pedagogy
Recommended theory
prerequisites
Advanced Rudiments
Introductory Harmony
Basic Harmony
Intermediate Harmony
Resources
The Royal Conservatory Examinations Official
Examination Papersp. 56
Appendixp. 58
Rudiments resourcesp. 72
Annotated Resource Listavailable online at
examinations.rcmusic.ca
The Counterpoint examination tests the application
of materials studied in Intermediate Harmony to
contrapuntal writing in the style of the Baroque period.
Candidates should be prepared to answer the following
types of examination questions.
Fugal Exposition
25
Analysis
Two-Part Counterpoint
Harmonization I
Harmonize a given chorale melody in the style of
J.S. Bach.
Harmonization II
Harmonize in four parts (SATB) given material featuring
the vocabulary of Advanced Harmony.
Advanced Harmony
Examination length
3 hours
Co-requisite for
ARCT in Performance
Teachers ARCT
Advanced Piano Pedagogy
Recommended theory
prerequisites
Advanced Rudiments
Introductory Harmony
Basic Harmony
Intermediate Harmony
Counterpoint
Resources
The Royal Conservatory Examinations Official
Examination Papersp. 56
Appendixp. 58
Rudiments resourcesp. 72
Annotated Resource Listavailable online at
examinations.rcmusic.ca
The Advanced Harmony examination tests candidates
knowledge of the requirements for Introductory Harmony,
Basic Harmony, Intermediate Harmony, and Counterpoint
plus the additional material listed below.
Chords
Root position and all inversions
Modulation
Continue a given opening in four-part texture; include a
modulation to a specified key, a cadence in the new key,
a modulation back to the tonic key, and a final cadence.
The use of a particular pivot chord may or may not be
specified.
Analysis
For a given example:
Provide chord symbols (root/quality chord symbols or
functional chord symbols, or both).
Circle and classify non-chord notes.
Answer brief questions concerning the musical
elements. (Vocabulary and concepts will be drawn
from theory examination requirements from Basic
Rudiments up to and including Advanced Harmony.)
Analysis
Examination length
3 hours
Co-requisite for
ARCT in Performance
Teachers ARCT
Advanced Piano Pedagogy
Recommended theory
prerequisites
Advanced Rudiments
Introductory Harmony
Basic Harmony
Intermediate Harmony
Counterpoint
Advanced Harmony
Modulations
to remote keys
Examination Questions
Resources
The Royal Conservatory Examinations Official
Examination Papersp. 56
Appendixp. 58
Rudiments resourcesp. 72
Annotated Resource Listavailable online at
examinations.rcmusic.ca
26
The Analysis examination tests candidates knowledge
of the requirements for Introductory Harmony, Basic
Harmony, Intermediate Harmony, Counterpoint, and
Advanced Harmony, as well as the ability to provide
detailed harmonic and structural analyses of, and answer
questions about, the musical forms and elements listed
below.
Fugues
fugues from J.S. Bachs The Well-Tempered Clavier, books 1
and 2
Instrumental Works
movements in the following forms from piano and
chamber sonatas by Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, and
Schubert
binary
rounded binary
ternary (including compound ternary)
theme and variations
rondo (including sonata-rondo)
sonata form
Scale Types
Ionian, Dorian, Phrygian, Lydian, Mixolydian, Aeolian,
Locrian, pentatonic (various types), blues, chromatic,
whole-tone, octatonic (diminished)
Chord Types
Textures
pedal, ostinato, parallelism (layering), contrary motion,
imitation
27
Keyboard Harmony
The study of Keyboard Harmony allows students to explore melody writing, harmonization, and analysis at the
keyboard in a direct and practical manner. Utilizing the vocabulary of Basic, Intermediate, and Advanced Harmony,
students gain an understanding of musical structure and syntax, while also building aural awareness, gaining ease
and confidence in practical musicianship, and developing the creative impulse.
Co-requisite for
Keys
Melodic Ornamentation
Add non-chord notes to a given excerpt consisting of a
simple melody with left-hand chordal accompaniment.
Harmonization I: Sequences
Play a sequence of descending 5ths in keyboard style.
Use any arrangement that demonstrates good voiceleading.
Example only
Chords
Root position and all inversions
all triads, including cadential chords
dominant 7th and supertonic 7th chords
V/V, V7/V, and vii6/V
Pedal Points
on the tonic and dominant scale degrees
28
Accompaniment
Resources
Keys
up to and including four sharps or four flats
major and minor keys
Chords
Root position and all inversions
all triads
dominant 7th chords
diatonic 7th chords
secondary (applied) dominants of all degrees
secondary (applied) leading-note chords of all degrees
Pedal Points
on the tonic and dominant scale degrees
Co-requisite for
Prerequisite for
ARCT in Performance
Teachers ARCT
Advanced Piano Pedagogy
(substitute for Intermediate Harmony)
Recommended
Advanced Rudiments
theory prerequisites Introductory Harmony
Basic Harmony or Basic Keyboard
Harmony
Keyboard Harmony
Modulations
to all closely related keys (with a change of no more
than one sharp or flat in the key signature)
Examination Questions
Candidates should be prepared to perform the following:
Melodic Improvisation
Improvise four-measure responses to two four-measure
melodic phrases.
Each response, together with the given opening,
should create a unified melody.
In major keys, the given phrase will contain a brief
tonicization of the dominant. In minor keys, the given
phrase will contain a brief tonicization of the mediant
(the relative major).
Add bass notes only at the cadences.
29
Advanced Keyboard Harmony
Harmonization I: Sequences
Play a sequence of descending 5ths using diatonic
7ths in keyboard style. Use any arrangement that
demonstrates good voice-leading.
Example only
Examination length
Co-requisite for
ARCT in Performance
Teachers ARCT
Advanced Piano Pedagogy
(substitute for Advanced Harmony)
Recommended theory
prerequisites
Advanced Rudiments
Introductory Harmony
Basic Harmony or Basic Keyboard
Harmony
Intermediate Harmony or
Intermediate Keyboard Harmony
Accompaniment
Create an accompaniment in an appropriate style
for a given instrumental or vocal melody.
Some functional chord symbols (ii, V , I) or root/
quality chord symbols (Dm, G7/B, C) may be
provided. Familiarity with both systems is required.
Reading C Clefs
Play a short, two-part composition containing treble,
alto, tenor, or bass clefs.
One of the two parts will be written in a C clef.
Resources
The Royal Conservatory Examinations Official
Examination Papersp. 56
Appendixp. 58
Rudiments resourcesp. 72
Annotated Resource Listavailable online at
examinations.rcmusic.ca
The Advanced Keyboard Harmony examination is
based on the harmonic vocabulary listed below. Prior
to the examination, candidates will be given thirty
minutes to prepare the examination questions at the
piano. Candidates are not permitted to write on the
examination paper.
Chords
Root position and all inversions
all triads
dominant 7th chords
diatonic 7th chords
secondary (applied) dominants of all degrees
secondary (applied) leading-note chords of all degrees
Pedal Points
on the tonic and dominant scale degrees
Modulations
to closely related keys and distant keys
Keyboard Harmony
30
Examination Questions
Melodic Improvisation
Extend a given four-measure melodic phrase to create a
sixteen-measure composition with four phrases, adding
bass notes only at the cadences. The composition
should demonstrate:
motivic unity
modulation to a traditional goal (major keys:
dominant; minor keys: mediant or dominant) with a
return to the home key
binary or rounded binary form (candidates will be
asked to identify the form)
Harmonization I: Sequences
Play a sequence in keyboard style, starting in any
major key and moving through the cycle of descending
5ths back to the same key, using a chain of secondary
(applied) dominant 7ths. Use any arrangement that
demonstrates good voice-leading.
Moving through a cycle of descending 5ths, from C7 back
to C major:
Example only
Accompaniment
Create an accompaniment in an appropriate style
for a given instrumental or vocal melody.
Some functional chord symbols (ii, V , I) or root/
quality chord symbols (Dm, G7/B, C) may be
provided. Familiarity with both systems is required.
Melodic Transposition II
Score Reading
Play a passage written in either string quartet score or
modern vocal score.
Keyboard Harmony
31
History
The study of music history allows students to develop a context for the sounds and symbols that already form the
basis of their musical experience. Through the study of composers lives and musical styles, encounters with great
works from the literature, and exposure to genres and terms that help to build a musical vocabulary, students become
more musically literate and gain an increased awareness of music as a living art.
General Information
All examinations are 3 hours in length.
It is strongly recommended that candidates listen to
recordings of all the required musical compositions.
Candidates will be expected to recognize all titles given
in their original language, but are permitted to use
English translations in their answers.
Candidates will be expected to describe in detail
all movements of required works, unless otherwise
indicated in the Syllabus.
There are choices possible within some required topics.
However, regardless of their choice, candidates will be
expected to know all the genres and related terms listed
in the charts below and cite the work to which the term
applies.
Basic Terminology
To facilitate the study and analytical description of
musical works, candidates should understand and be
able to use the following terms:
notation
pitch
rhythm
meter
melody
harmony
dynamics
timbre
texture (monophonic, polyphonic, and homophonic)
vocal ranges (soprano, alto, tenor, and bass)
keyboard instruments: organ, harpsichord, clavichord,
and piano
orchestral instruments: strings, woodwinds, brass, and
percussion, including individual instruments within
each family (Benjamin Brittens Variations and Fugue on a
Theme of Purcell [The Young Persons Guide to the Orchestra] is
recommended as an aural introduction to the orchestra,
but is not required for examination purposes.)
32
The Study of Musical Compositions
Candidates knowledge of representative compositions
(identified by bold type in the charts listing the
requirements for each examination) should include the
following details (where applicable):
Overview
date of composition
historical context and circumstances of composition
genre
performing forces
structure, including number of movements
text (if applicable), including source, author, language,
and general meaning
plot summary (if applicable)
History
33
History 1: An Overview
Examination length
3 hours
Co-requisite for
Prerequisite for
ARCT in Performance
Teachers ARCT
Intermediate and Advanced Piano
Pedagogy
Resources
The Royal Conservatory Examinations Official Examination
Papersp. 56
History resourcesp. 74
Annotated Resource Listavailable online at
examinations.rcmusic.ca
History 1 is an introduction to music history through an
overview of four historical style periods: the Baroque,
Classical, Romantic, and Modern eras. Candidates will be
examined on the following:
Recommended
Advanced Rudiments
theory prerequisites
Representative Composers
baroque
basso continuo
equal temperament
figured bass
homophonic texture
polyphonic texture
terraced dynamics
the Affections
word painting
Antonio Vivaldi
La Primavera from
Le Quattro Stagioni
Messiah
Overture
There were shepherds
Glory to God
Rejoice greatly
Hallelujah!
Related Terms
drone
ostinato
ripieno
ritornello form
Oratorio
da capo aria
French overture
homorhythmic texture
libretto
melisma
recitativo accompagnato
recitativo secco
counterpoint
subject
real and tonal answers
countersubject
episode
stretto
pedal point
tierce de Picardie
History
34
THE CLASSICAL ERA
(ca 1750ca 1825)
General terms as they apply to
music of the Classical era
Representative Composers
absolute music
binary and ternary forms
chamber music
classicism
menuet and trio
rondo form
sonata cycle
sonata form
Viennese School
Related Terms
exposition
development
recapitulation
coda
Serenade
rocket theme
rounded binary
Symphony
Ludwig van Beethoven
cyclical structure
motive
scherzo and trio
theme and variations
Representative Composers
Franz Schubert
exoticism in music
nationalism in music
program music
romanticism
Related Terms
Lied
through-composed (durchkomponiert)
Piano Music
Frdric Chopin
chromaticism
polonaise
rubato
Program Symphony
Hector Berlioz
cloches
col legno
Dies irae
ide fixe
ophiclide
portamento
Opera
Georges Bizet
Giacomo Puccini
History
Carmen
Act I: Prelude
Quand je vous aimerai?
Lamour est un oiseau rebelle
OR
Madama Butterfly
Act I: Prelude
Act II: Un bel d vedremo
aria
habaera
prelude (in opera)
recitative
pentatonic scale
verismo
whole-tone scale
35
THE MODERN ERA
(ca 1900 to Present)
General terms as they apply to
music of the Modern era
Representative Composers
atonality
pentatonic scales
polyrhythm
polytonality
modal scales
whole-tone scales
choreography
Related Terms
Symphonic Poem
Claude Debussy
antique cymbals
glissando
Impressionism in music
Symbolism
Ballet
Igor Stravinsky
Petrushka
First tableau
changing meter
choreography
folk song
Petrushka chord
OR
primitivism
flutter tongue
Musical
Leonard Bernstein
Alexina Louie
Distant Memories
from Music for Piano
cha-cha
hemiola
mambo
tritone
versechorus structure
Piano Music
arch form
berceuese
senza misura
History
36
History 2: Middle Ages to Classical
Examination length
3 hours
Co-requisite for
Prerequisite for
ARCT in Performance
Teachers ARCT
Advanced Piano Pedagogy
Recommended theory
prerequisites
Advanced Rudiments
Basic Harmony
History 1: An Overview
Resources
The Royal Conservatory Examinations Official Examination
Papersp. 56
History resourcesp. 74
Annotated Resource Listavailable online at
examinations.rcmusic.ca
History 2 is based on four historical style periods
the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, Baroque, and
Classical eraswith emphasis on the development of
musical genres and forms. Detailed accounts of the lives
of representative composers are not required. Candidates
will be examined on the following:
a cappella
countertenor
drone
Mass Ordinary: Kyrie, Gloria, Credo, Sanctus, Agnus Dei
Mass Proper
modes
neumes
text settings: syllabic, neumatic, melismatic
textures: monophonic, polyphonic
Pope Gregory I
Liber usualis
Musica enchiriadis
Hildegard von Bingen
Notre Dame School: Lonin, Protin
Ars nova: Philippe de Vitry
Messe de Nostre Dame
Chansonnier du roy
Representative Composers
Anonymous
Related Terms
gradual
plainchant
responsorial singing
Organum
Anonymous
(in the style of Lonin)
Haec dies
Anonymous
O Mitissima/Virgo/Haec dies
cantus firmus
tenor
Polytexual Motet
ostinato
Monophonic Chanson
Moniot dArras
Ce fut en mai
Raimbaut de Vaqueiras
Kalenda maya
strophic form
trouvre
OR
estampie
guitarra moresca
medieval pipe
troubadour
Polyphonic Chanson
Guillaume de Machaut
Anonymous
rondeau
musica ficta
Dance Music
History
heterophonic texture
37
THE RENAISSANCE ERA
(ca 1450ca 1600)
General terms as they apply to music of the Renaissance
chromaticism
continuous imitation
homorhythmic texture
modal counterpoint
word painting
Franco-Flemish School
Reformation: Martin Luther
Counter-Reformation: Council of Trent
Musica transalpina
Fitzwilliam Virginal Book
consort of instruments
keyboard: virginal
stringed: viols, viola da gamba
Representative Composers
Carlo Gesualdo
John Farmer
Fair Phyllis
Anonymous,
arranged by Tielman Susato
Danserye
Pavane Mille regretz
Mass
Italian Madrigal
English Madrigal
Dance Music
History
38
THE BAROQUE ERA
(ca 1600ca 1750)
General terms as they apply to music
of the Baroque era
baroque
basso continuo
dance suite: allemande, courante, sarabande, gigue
figured bass
forms: binary, rounded binary, ternary
ground bass
libretto
terraced dynamics
textures: homophonic, polyphonic
the Affections
Florentine Camerata
Le nuove musiche
monody
stile rappresentativo
Instruments
Representative Composers
Claudio Monteverdi
Related Terms
castrato
opera seria
stile concitato
English Opera
Henry Purcell
aria
recitativo secco
Cantata
Johann Sebastian Bach
Cantata no. 80, Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott canon
first, second, fifth, and eighth movements
chorale
fugal texture
ritornello
Concerto Grosso
Brandenburg Concerto no. 2 in F major,
BWV 1047
first movement
concertino
ripieno
ritornello form
Orchestral Suite
George Frideric Handel
Water Music
Suite in D major, HWV 349
Allegro
Alla Hornpipe
hornpipe
Harpsichord Sonata
Domenico Scarlatti
History
gravicembalo
39
THE CLASSICAL ERA
(ca 1750ca 1825)
General terms as they apply to music chamber music
of the Classical era
sonata cycle
sonata form: exposition, development, recapitulation, coda
Viennese School
Individuals, developments, and
publications of significance
Representative Composers
Franz Joseph Haydn
Related Terms
monothematic exposition
Oratorio
The Creation
Part 1, scene 3:
And God said: Let there be light
In splendor bright
The heavens are telling the Glory of God
recitativo accompagnato
Opera Buffa
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Piano Concerto
Piano Concerto in G major, K 453
first movement
cadenza
double exposition
Piano Sonata
Ludwig van Beethoven
tremolo
rondo form
OR
Piano Sonata in C sharp minor, op. 27, no. 2
(Moonlight)
Piano Quintet
Franz Schubert
History
40
History 3: 19th Century to Present
Examination length
3 hours
Co-Requisite for
ARCT in Performance
Teachers ARCT
Advanced Piano Pedagogy
Resources
The Royal Conservatory Examinations Official Examination
Papersp. 56
History resourcesp. 74
Annotated Resource Listavailable online at
examinations.rcmusic.ca
History 3 is based on the music of the Romantic and
Modern eras. Candidates will be examined on the
following:
Representative Composers
Felix Mendelssohn
Robert Schumann
Dichterliebe, op. 48
Und wsstens die Blumen
OR
Im wunderschnen Monat Mai
OR
Related Terms
cadenza
double stopping
pedal point
sonata form
Art Song
Lied
song cycle
strophic form
modified strophic form
Character Piece
Carnaval, op. 9
Eusebius
Florestan
piano cycle
cross rhythm
Piano Music
Franz Liszt
La Campanella
from Grandes tudes de Paganini
tude
Choral Music
Johannes Brahms
Giuseppe Verdi
La Traviata
Act II, Scene 2:
Invitato to end of act
rondo form
Opera
aria
bel canto
coloratura soprano
libretto
recitative
OR
Rigoletto
Act III:
La donna mobile
Un d
Bella figlia
Opera
Richard Wagner
Die Walkre
Act III:
Der Augen leuchtendes Paar to end of act
chromatic harmony
Gesamtkunstwerk
Heldentenor
Leitmotif
music drama
Symphonic Poem
Bedrich Smetana
Vltava
from M vlast
nationalism in music
program music
Concert Overture
History
41
THE MODERN ERA
(ca 1900 to Present)
Representative
Composers I: Europe
Related Terms
Symphony
Gustav Mahler
Maurice Ravel
Jeux deau
Bla Bartk
Sergei Prokofiev
Arnold Schoenberg
cyclical structure
Piano Music
glissando
Impressionism in music
pentatonic scale
whole-tone scale
Orchestral Music
changing meter
neo-Classicism
ostinato
polytonality
quotation in music
Ballet
choreography
en pointe
Song Cycle
atonality
canon
Expressionism in music
Klangfarbenmelodie
rondeau
Sprechstimme
Opera
Alban Berg
Wozzeck
Act III, scene 4:
Das Messer?
Orchestral Interlude
Act III, scene 5:
Ringel, Ringel, Rosenkranz
celesta
cluster chord
Orchestral Music
Anton Webern
Symphony, op. 21
second movement
Olivier Messiaen
serialism
theme and variations
tone row
twelve-tone music
Chamber Music
Orchestral Music
Gyrgy Ligeti
Atmosphres
micropolyphony
Choral Music
Arvo Prt
minimalism
tintinnabulation
History
42
THE MODERN ERA (continued)
(ca 1900 to Present)
Representative Works
Candidates must be prepared to discuss the musical style and the given representative work of FOUR of the following
composers:
John Cage
Aaron Copland
Jean Coulthard
George Crumb
The Little Boy Is Looking for His Voice, from Ancient Voices of Children
Christos Hatzis
Nadir
Paul Lansky
Notjustmoreidlechatter
Steve Reich
Electric Counterpoint
R. Murray Schafer
Harry Somers
Stephen Sondheim
Joan Tower
Healey Willan
History
Alison Krauss
Kronos Quartet
Louis Lortie
Yo-Yo Ma
Wynton Marsalis
Joni Mitchell
Oscar Peterson
43
Examination length
3 hours
Counterpoint
Co-requisite for
n/a
Prerequisite for
n/a
Resources
Resourcesp. 72
Annotated Resource Listavailable online at
examinations.rcmusic.ca
This examination tests candidates knowledge of the
following:
Rudiments
as per the Advanced Rudiments examination
Analysis
Analysis of the following forms:
sonata movement
fugue
song form (strophic, modified strophic, throughcomposed)
History
Short essays and other short answer questions
demonstrating general knowledge of:
music history from the Middle Ages to the present
Harmony
harmonization in chorale style
secondary (applied) dominants
modulation; use of altered chords (including diminished
7th, augmented 6th, and Neapolitan 6th)
composition of a simple piano accompaniment to a
given melody
44
Grade 6 Piano
Recommended theory
prerequisites
Intermediate Harmony
Advanced Harmony
Counterpoint
Analysis
Resources
Resourcesp. 72 (materials marked with an * are
suitable for candidates preparing for the ARCT in
Composition and/or Theory examinations)
Annotated Resource Listavailable online at
examinations.rcmusic.ca
Composition
Theory
1 research paper
3 compositions and
1 research paper
Part 1
12 examination papers
Part 2
3 compositions
Part 3
45
Location
Timeframe
Renaissance Counterpoint
Baroque Harmony and Counterpoint I
Romantic/Post-Romantic Harmony/Counterpoint
Post-1900 Composition Techniques
Orchestration I
Analysis
History I
History II
Ear Test
Examination center
3 hours each
Ear Test
Examination center
3 hours
Recording provided at examination
Renaissance Counterpoint
Examination Requirements
Candidates may be asked to:
Complete a short liturgical movement for four to eight
voices in the style of Palestrina. A Latin text and/or an
opening may be given.
Write a composition demonstrating canonic devices
such as mirror, inversion, augmentation, and
diminution.
Examination Requirements
Scores
Examination Requirements
Candidates may be asked to:
Write a four-voice setting of a given chorale melody in
the style of J.S. Bach. A chorale melody will be given.
Write a dance in binary, rounded binary, or ternary form.
An opening will be given.
Write a two-part invention. An opening will be given.
Write a three- or four-voice fugal exposition.
Scores
Bach, Johann Sebastian. Chorale Harmonizations.
. Inventions and Sinfonias.
. The Well-Tempered Clavier.
Examination Requirements
For a given opening, candidates must compose one of
the following for keyboard or string quartet:
A movement in sonata form.
A set of five to eight variations on a given theme.
A movement in a given classical form other than sonata
form or theme and variations.
ARCT Diploma in Composition and/or Theory
46
Scores
Orchestration I
Examination Requirements
Candidates will be asked one of the following:
For a given text, compose a composition for voice and
piano accompaniment.
For a given melody, add a piano accompaniment.
For a given opening and/or other material, write a
composition for piano.
Scores
Examination Requirements
Orchestration II
Examination Requirements
Given a specific ensemble and musical element (such as
motive, pitch set or row, graphic representation, or ratio),
candidates will be asked to:
Write a short work.
Briefly explain how the composition is organized.
Examination Requirements
Analysis
The Analysis examination requires candidates to analyze
musical compositions from the Renaissance to the 20th
century.
Examination Requirements
Candidates will be asked to analyze musical works from
different historical style periods using the following:
general harmonic and formal analysis
analysis of voice-leading and contrapuntal techniques
various 20th-century techniques and serial procedures
Scores
Compositions by:
Claude Debussy, Igor Stravinsky, Bla Bartk, Paul
Hindemith, and Dmitri Shostakovich (20th-century
tonal techniques)
Arnold Schoenberg and his followers (serial techniques
including twelve-tone)
Witold Lutoslawski and Krzysztof Penderecki
(indeterminate/aleatoric notation)
Pierre Boulez and his followers (integral serialism)
Composers using extended instrumental and vocal
techniques
History I
The History I examination tests knowledge of Western
art music from the Medieval, Renaissance, Baroque,
Classical, and Romantic periods. Use of books or notes is not
allowed during the examination
Examination Requirements
Candidates will be asked to write essays demonstrating
knowledge of all musical eras, including:
Specific genres (for example, operas, sonatas, and
suites).
Biography, works, and significance of prominent
musicians.
47
Impact on music history of prominent historical
developments (for example, Protestant Reformation,
decline of the patronage system, and rise of
democracy).
Relevant compositions and technical procedures.
History II
The History II examination requires detailed knowledge
of music composed after 1900, with an emphasis on
Canadian music. Textbooks are permitted during the
examination.
Examination Requirements
Candidates will be asked to write two or three essays
demonstrating knowledge of:
General knowledge of music from the period.
Prominent compositional genres and techniques.
Ear Test
The Ear Test is given aurally (recording is provided at the
examination) and examines candidates skill in dictation.
Examination Requirements
Candidates will be given dictations in the following
areas:
Melodic dictation
Chord series dictation
Rhythmic dictation
Harmonic dictation: write soprano and bass parts for
four-part chorale style harmonic progressions, and give
a harmonic analysis. Skill level: Advanced Harmony
examination.
Part 2 Requirements
Length
3 compositions:
work for a solo instrument (with or without accompaniment)
2030 minutes
in total
or an electronic composition
chamber work for 310 performers
or a choral composition
ARCT in Theory
ARCT in Composition
and Theory
5,000 words
same as above
Submission Specifications
Candidates should submit the required compositions or research paper with an examination registration form and fee
before the registration deadline.
Submissions will be immediately accepted (a mark of special distinction), accepted pending revisions, or rejected.
If revisions are required, they must be completed within 90 days after the date on which the submission is returned to
the candidate.
Acceptance of revisions will be determined by the Office of the Chief Examiners.
48
Part 3 Requirements
Oral defense, including questions on the following:
the candidates submissions from Part 2
identification of music examples from Part 1 examination papers
general knowledge of the history and theory of music
Length
2 hours
49
V
Visit
examinations.rcmusic.ca
inatio
a
to register.
re
Online Registration
All registrations should be submitted using the online registration process.
Visit examinations.rcmusic.ca to register.
Examination Fees
Examination fees must be paid at registration using Visa or MasterCard. Fees for the
current academic year are listed online at examinations.rcmusic.ca.
50
Examination Centers
Examinations are conducted in more than 300 communities across North America. Each
examination center has a local Examination Center Representative who ensures that
students and teachers have a successful examination experience.
Examination Scheduling
Written Examinations
All candidates must verify their examination schedules online two weeks before the
examination day. Examination schedules will not be mailed. Teachers may verify their
students examination schedules by visiting examinations.rcmusic.ca.
Theory examinations must be written at the scheduled times, dates, and locations. No
changes are permitted, as theory examinations are written concurrently in all examination
centers.
Certain subjects are written at the same time, for example, History 2: Middle Ages to
Classical, and Counterpoint. In such cases, an alternate time for one of the examinations
may be arranged at the discretion of The Royal Conservatory Examinations.
Examinations Timetable
Theory examinations are written according to the following timetable:
Examination Subject
Friday
Saturday
Preparatory Rudiments
Basic Rudiments
Intermediate Rudiments
Advanced Rudiments
Introductory Harmony
Basic Harmony
Intermediate Harmony
Advanced Harmony
Counterpoint
Analysis
History 1: An Overview
Comprehensive Theory
51
Examination Regulations
Examination Procedures
An examination will be declared invalid if there is any infringement of the following
examination procedures:
Written Examinations
On the day of the examination, candidates must:
arrive at the examination center fifteen minutes prior to the scheduled examination time
bring a copy of the examination schedule
present the schedule to the presiding officer for admittance to the examination room
(photo ID may be requested)
bring all pencils, pens (blue or black ink only), erasers, and rulers to the examination
(keyboard facsimiles are not permitted)
leave all electronic devices, books, notes, bags, and coats in the area designated by the
presiding officer
During the examination, candidates:
must not communicate with other candidates
may not leave the examination room before the first thirty minutes have elapsed
may leave any time after the first thirty minutes when finished writing
must stop writing when the end of the examination is announced
must seal the examination paper and all rough work in the provided envelope and give it
to the presiding officer
may not remove any examination material from the room
must sign out before leaving the examination room
Candidatess arriv
arriving
more than
an thirty
thir
minutes late
ate wi
will not
be admitted to the
examination
mina
room.
Once candidates
da
leave the
e
examination room,
room
they will not
ot be
re-admitted.
e
Examination Regulations
The Credits/Refunds
Request Form
o is
available online
n
at
examinations.rcmusic.ca
ex
rcmu
a.
52
Requests for examination credits or refunds must be made to The Royal Conservatory
Examinations in writing and accompanied by the following documentation:
for medical reasonsa physicians letter and the candidates examination schedule
for direct time conflicts with school examinationsa letter from a school official on
school letterhead and the candidates Examination Schedule
Candidates who, for any reason, are unable to attend an examination should contact the
Center Representative listed on their Examination Schedule immediately.
Examination Credit
An examination credit (formerly called a fee extension) may be applied to the fee of a
future examination. Examination credits are valid for one year from the date of the original
scheduled examination.
Candidates must
Ca
indicate whether they
are app
applying for an
Examination Credit
Examin
or a F
Fee Refund
on
n the Credits/
Refunds Request
Refu
form. Changes are
form
not permitted after
submission. Changes
are not permitted
rm
afte
af
terr su
subm
bmis
mis
issi
sssion
on..
Examination credits can be redeemed when the candidate registers for their next
examination. The credit will be automatically applied during the online registration
process.
Fee Refund
Candidates who cannot redeem an examination credit within a year may apply instead for
a fifty percent refund of the examination fee.
Requests for examination refunds or credits must be made to The Royal Conservatory
Examinations in writing and accompanied by the necessary documentation (see above).
All requests must be submitted within two weeks following the examination by mail or by
fax. Requests received after this time will be denied.
Candidates may receive help in and out of the examination room if required. Please note
that helpers must remain in the waiting area during the actual examination.
Visually impaired candidates may request examination papers in enlarged print or Braille.
Such candidates may also bring a reader or Braille machine at their own expense.
Examination Results
Candidates and teachers can access examination results online starting approximately six
weeks after the examination.
Please note
te that
results will not be
mailed or given
gi
by
telephone.
lephone.
Examination Regulations
90100
8089
7079
6069
059
53
Re-Evaluation of Written Theory Examinations
All enquiries concerning re-calculation or re-evaluation of marks must be addressed
in writing to The Royal Conservatory Examinations. Candidates should submit all
documentation and fees as outlined below. Please allow four weeks for a reply. Please note
that a re-evaluation or re-calculation of marks may raise, lower, or confirm the original mark.
Candidates may appeal a theory examination mark for two reasons: a tabulation error,
or an inconsistent or incorrect marking. All appeals must be made in writing, with
documentation and appropriate fee, to the The Royal Conservatory Examinations office as
follows:
1. Tabulation error or unmarked question
To request a re-calculation of marks, the candidate must submit:
a copy of the examination paper(s)
a letter identifying the tabulation concerns
fee (found online at examinations.rcmusic.ca)
If an error is found in the candidates favor, the mark will be adjusted and the fee will be
refunded.
2. Inconsistent or incorrect marking
To request a re-evaluation of a theory paper, the candidate must submit:
a copy of the examination paper(s)
a letter giving reasons and examples for why the marking is incorrect or inconsistent
fee for theory examination re-evaluation (found online at examinations.rcmusic.ca)
The examination paper will be reviewed by a member of the College of Examiners and
returned with a written critique of the appropriate questions. If the re-evaluation results in
a higher mark, the fee will be refunded.
Deadlines for re-evaluation requests
February 15
theory examinations written in the previous December (winter session)
September 15 theory examinations written in the previous May (spring session)
October 15
theory examinations written in the previous August (summer session)
Practical Examinations
Practical examination certificates are awarded to candidates who successfully complete all
the requirements for their practical grade level. This includes successful completion of a
practical examination and its theory co-requisites and prerequisites.
Beginning in Grade 5, certificates are awarded after the theory co-requisites for that grade
have been successfully completed.
The following examination substitutions may be made for the purposes of obtaining a
practical certificate:
Intermediate Rudiments for Basic Rudiments
Advanced Rudiments for Basic Rudiments or Intermediate Rudiments
Intermediate Harmony for Basic Harmony
Advanced Harmony and Analysis for Basic Harmony or Intermediate Harmony
Candidates are strongly advised to complete their theoretical work before or at the same
time as their practical examination.
Theory co-requisites must be completed within five years of the original practical examination.
Examination Regulations
54
Candidates for Grade 10, ARCT in Performance, Teachers ARCT, or the ARCT in Piano
Pedagogy must complete the necessary theory co-requisites within five years of the
original practical examination, not any subsequent supplemental examinations.
Candidates for the ARCT in Performance, Teachers ARCT, or the ARCT in Piano Pedagogy
must complete all prerequisites at least one session prior to registering for the respective
examinations. Candidates may not complete their ARCT prerequisites in the same session
as their ARCT examination.
ARCT diplomas are awarded to candidates at the annual Convocation ceremony.
Candidates may not use the designation ARCT before Convocation.
Transfer Credits
Candidates who have taken theory examinations with other recognized examination
systems may apply to transfer these credits for the equivalent RCM Examinations theory
examinations. For more information, please download a Transfer Credits and Exemptions
request from website.
Exemptions
Candidates who hold music degrees or diplomas from other recognized institutions and
who wish to work towards the ARCT in Performance, Teachers ARCT, or ARCT in Piano
Pedagogy, may be exempted from all theory prerequisites and co-requisites by writing
the Comprehensive Theory Examination. Please see p. 43 for Comprehensive Theory
Examination requirements.
Candidates who have completed examination papers for the ARCT in Composition and/
or Theory may be exempt from some theory examinations required for the Grade 10
practical certificate or ARCT practical diplomas. For more information, please contact The
Royal Conservatory Examinations.
Candidates who have completed the following five examination papers for the ARCT in
Composition and/or Theory will be exempt from all theory examinations required for a
Grade 10 practical certificate or ARCT practical diploma:
Renaissance Counterpoint
History I (ARCT)
History II (ARCT)
Classical Harmony and Counterpoint
Romantic and Post-Romantic Harmony and Counterpoint
School Credits
The Royal Conservatory Examinations results can sometimes be used as a credit toward
high school graduation or toward university entrance. In Canada, the policies of provincial
education ministries can be found online under Candidate Recognition, Accreditation.
Candidates are advised to discuss the eligibility of their examination results with their
school principal or guidance counselor.
Medals
Each academic year (September to August) medals are awarded to the candidates who
achieve exceptional examination results in theoretical, pedagogical, and/or practical
examinations. No application is required.
Silver Medals
Practical Examinations
Silver medals are awarded by province or region to the candidates in Preparatory A,
Preparatory B, Introductory, and Grades 1 to 10 who receive the highest marks for the
Examination Regulations
55
respective practical examinations in each discipline. To be eligible, a candidate must
receive a minimum mark of 80 percent in the practical examination, and have completed all the
theory co-requisites for the respective grade.
Piano Pedagogy Examinations
Silver medals are also awarded by province or region to the candidates in Elementary
and Intermediate Piano Pedagogy who receive the highest average for Parts 2 and 3 (Viva
Voce and Written Examination) of the respective Piano Pedagogy level. To be eligible a
candidate must:
receive a minimum of 80 percent in each of the Part 2 and 3 examinations
have completed the Grade 9 Piano Certificate (for the Elementary Piano Pedagogy level) or
Grade 10 Piano Certificate (for the Intermediate Piano Pedagogy level)
Examination Regulations
56
RESPs
Use Education Funds for Music Studies
Candidates who have a Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP) may be eligible to use
these funds to support private studies in music at the Grade 9, Grade 10, Piano Pedagogy,
and ARCT levels. Candidates should consult their RESP providers for more information.
Examination Regulations
57
Correspondence Courses
To meet the needs of students who do not have access to qualified instructors, lessons
are available by correspondence through The Royal Conservatory for the following subject
areas:
Rudiments
Harmony
History
Counterpoint
Analysis
Pedagogy
For more information, please contact The Royal Conservatory at conservatoryschool@
rcmusic.ca, or by mail at:
Correspondence Courses
The Royal Conservatory
273 Bloor Street West
Toronto, ON Canada M5S 1W2
Examination Regulations
58
Appendix
Musical Terms and Signs
The definitions and translations that follow are recommended for use in Rudiments
examinations. Candidates may also use definitions and translations found in standard
reference books.
Terms
a tempo
accelerando, accel.
accent
ad libitum
adagio
agitato
alla, all
allargando, allarg.
allegretto
allegro
andante
andantino
animato
arco
assai
attacca
ben, bene
bewegt
brillante
calando
cantabile
cdez
cluster
col, coll, colla, colle
comodo
con
con brio
con espressione
con fuoco
con grazia
con moto
con pedale, con ped.
con sordino
crescendo, cresc.
da capo, D.C.
Appendix
59
dal segno, D.S.
D.C. al Fine
decrescendo, decresc.
diminuendo, dim.
dolce
dolente
e, ed
espressivo, espress.
fermata
fine
forte,
loud
fortepiano,
fortissimo,
giocoso
grandioso
grave
grazioso
langsam
largamente
larghetto
largo
legato
lger
leggiero
lentement
lento
listesso tempo
loco
ma
maestoso
mano destra, M.D.
mano sinistra, M.S.
marcato, marc.
martellato
mssig
meno
meno mosso
mesto
mezzo forte, F
mezzo piano, P
mit
mit Ausdruck
M.M.
moderato
modr
molto
60
morendo
mouvement
non
non troppo
ottava, 8va
pedale, ped.
pesante
pianissimo,
piano, p
pi
pi mosso
pizzicato
poco
poco a poco
polychord
little
little by little
a combination of two or more different chords
presto
very fast
prestissimo
primo, prima
quartal chord
quasi
quindicesima alta (15 ma)
as fast as possible
first; the upper part of a duet
a chord built on a series of 4ths
almost, as if
two octaves higher
rallentando, rall.
slowing down
repeat sign
ritardando, rit.
risoluto
ritenuto, riten.
rubato
scherzando
schnell
secondo, seconda
sehr
semplice
sempre
senza
seventh (7th) chord
sforzando,
simile
slur
sonore
sopra
sostenuto
sotto voce
spiritoso
staccato
stringendo
subito
Appendix
61
tacet
tempo
Tempo primo (Tempo I)
tenuto
tie
tranquillo
tre corde
triad
troppo
tutti
una corda
vite
vivace
vivo
volta
be silent
speed at which music is performed
return to the original tempo
held, sustained
hold for the combined value of the tied notes
quiet, tranquil
three strings; release the left (piano) pedal
a chord consisting of a root, a third, and a fifth
too much
a passage for the ensemble
one string; depress the left (piano) pedal
fast
lively, brisk
lively
time (for example, prima volta, first time; seconda volta,
second time)
turn the page quickly
Signs
accent
a stressed note
bar line
crescendo
becoming louder
decrescendo/diminuendo
becoming softer
fermata
pause; hold the note or rest longer than its written value
measure/bar
ottava, 8va
ottava, 8va
repeat sign
slur
staccato
detached
tie
62
Descriptions of Scores
Chorale Style
Keyboard Style
Four-part texture
Three notes in the upper staff and one note in the lower staff
Melody in the highest voice
Four-part texture
Each part on a separate staff (open score)
Soprano and alto in the treble clef at actual pitch
Tenor in the treble clef one octave higher than actual pitch. (In some publications a small
8 is written under the clef.)
Bass in the bass clef at actual pitch
Four-part texture
Each part on a separate staff (open score)
First and second violins in the treble clef, viola in the alto clef, and cello in the bass clef
Appendix
63
Chord Symbols
The following tables provide examples of the harmonic symbols and non-chord note
labels that will be printed on theory examinations.
Due to the multiplicity of systems in common use, it is essential that candidates
familiarize themselves with the following material. Candidates must be able to
comprehend these symbols as they will be used in questions with given chord symbols.
Candidates are strongly encouraged to use the following symbols and labels in their own
analyses. However, any system of harmonic notation found in standard textbooks will
be accepted. Candidates must use a consistent system of chord symbols; marks will be
deducted for inconsistent work.
Other keys will be required for each examination.
Chords listed are not exhaustive. Use of other chords may be required for each
examination.
Interval Structure
Symbol
Example
Triads
Major triad
Root
maj 3
P5
Minor triad
Root
min 3
P5
E means EG # B
letter only
Diminished triad
Root
min 3
dim 5
Augmented triad
Root
maj 3
aug 5
aug
Em means EGB
Eo means EGB b
Eaug means EG # B #
E7 means EG # BD
or dim
7th chords
Dominant 7th chord
(major-minor 7th)
Root
maj 3
P5
min 7
Root
min 3
dim 5
dim 7
min 7
Root
min 3
dim 5
Root
min 3
P5
min 7
m7
Root
maj 3
P5
maj 7
maj7
Emaj7 means EG # BD #
Interval Structure
Symbol
Root maj 3
[P5]
min 7 maj 9
Root maj 3
[P5]
min 7 min 9
7( b 9)*
Root [maj 3] P5
11
Root maj 3
[P5]
[P5]
Root maj 3
Example
E9 means EG # [B]DF #
E7( b 9) means EG # [B]DF
E11 means E[G # ]BD[F # ]A
E7 b 5 means EG # B b D
Appendix
64
Augmented 6th chords
The following chords are augmented 6th chords. The term original bass note (abbreviated as
Ob) is used instead of root when referring to augmented 6th chords because they are not
based on the principle of stacked 3rds.
Chord Type
Italian 6th chord
Interval Structure
Ob
maj 3
aug 6
maj 3
P5
maj 3
aug 4
Ob
Symbol
Example
It 6
aug 6
Ger 6
aug 6
Fr 6
* The use of the symbols # and b indicate raising and lowering of the pitches by one
semitone. Other systems of notation may use alternate symbols.
Inversions of chords
To indicate an inversion, write the chord symbol followed by a slash and the bass note, or
indicate the bass note under the chord symbol; for example:
#
E major triad in first inversion: E/G# or EG
E minor triad in first inversion: Em/G or Em
G
E major triad in second inversion: E/B or EB
Cadential chord in E minor: Em B7/B or EmBB7
Figured Bass
A Standardized Notation for Figured Bass
Figured bass was the common way of writing instrumental and vocal accompaniments
throughout the Baroque and early Classical eras. Realizing figured bass, whether in written
form or at the keyboard, was an essential part of a musicians education. The enormous
importance of figured bass is still reflected in the fact that symbols for designating
positions of chords currently in use worldwide for harmonic analysis are derived directly
from figured bass notation.
Over the three centuries when figured bass was in everyday use, countless variations
arose in the notation of the desired harmonies as well as the style of performing or setting
figured bass. The following summary outlines the most essential features of this system:
The bass part is always written out in full. It is played by the left hand notated on the lower
staff. The three upper parts (soprano, alto, and tenor) are played by the right hand and
are written on the upper staff in close position, with the distance between the voices not
exceeding an octave (Example 1). The bass range should conform to the range indicated in
Example 2. The soprano range should conform to the range indicated in Example 3.
All the principles of voice-leading, dissonance treatment, relative motion (the avoidance
of inappropriate parallel or similar motion) and doubling of the choral style harmony
are valid in figured bass setting. In general, voice crossing is avoided, but the unison is
entirely accepted (the direction of the stems and use of double noteheads is necessary to
indicate the exact structure of each chord; see Example 4).
Appendix
65
Chords are indicated by a system of figuration; that is, using figures. The notes in the
chords are represented by numerals corresponding to the intervals formed between the
bass and the other notes of each chord (Example 5). The numerals in the figuration are
written in descending order downward, regardless of the actual vertical arrangement
of the voices. Unison or octave doublings are usually not represented in the figuration,
unless it is necessary to clarify the voice-leading (as in the 87 progression, Example 6).
As in functional notation, some abbreviations are very common, such as the omission of
the third and/or fifth of the chord (Example 7).
The figuration always refers to the notes in the key signature and does not imply any
quality of chord. The accidentals are indicated by placing the appropriate sign beside
the numeral to the left of the note to be altered, and correspond to the accidental that is
actually needed in the music (Example 8). When the note to be altered is a third above
the bass, the accidental may be written alone, the 3 being implied (Example 9).
Dashes below a stationary bass indicate movement in the upper parts (Example 10). In
the case of dashes over a stationary bass it is the numeral at the end of the dashes that
represent the true chord (Example 11). Dashes below a moving bass indicate that the
notes in the upper parts remain stationary (Example 12).
A string of six chords with the bass moving up or down the scale may be set with only two
upper parts, thus creating a three-part texture of parallel first-inversion chords. Four-part
texture should resume when the string of six chords ends (Example 13).
Appendix
66
Functional Chord Symbols
All examples are given in C major and C minor only. Please note that the following
examples do not constitute a complete list of chords for any one grade.
Triads in major keys
Note: Accidentals are indicated differently in figured bass and in functional chord
symbols. Observe the following when realizing functional chord symbols.
For V and viio triads and chords derived from them, use the raised leading note unless
otherwise stated.
For I and III triads and chords derived from them, use the natural minor scale unless
otherwise stated.
Triad variants in minor keys
Altered triads
Inversions of triads
Appendix
67
Altered bass notes in inversions
Appendix
68
Modulation
Passing chord
Pedal point
Appendix
69
Inversions of French 6th chords
Non-chord Notes
Non-chord Note
Label
Approach
Departure
Metrical
Position
passing note
pn
by step
weak
apn
by step
strong
neighbor note
nn
by step
weak
ann
by step
strong
inn
by leap
by step
weak
appoggiatura
app
free
by step
strong
chappe
ech
by step
weak
suspension
susp
prepared
strong
anticipation
ant
free
weak
Appendix
70
Sequences
The name of each sequence represents the roots of the first four chords in the sequence.
The musical examples shown here are simple examples of the basic forms of the
sequences. Many variations are possible, including inversions of the chords, use of 7th
chords, etc. The following shows sequences moving through the diatonic scale, but
sequences moving through the chromatic scale are possible as well.
Dofatimi sequence
Root movement of the harmonic pattern: down a 5th
Interval of transposition: down a 2nd
Typical examples:
Major key: IIVviio iiiviiiVI
Minor key: iivVIIIIIVIiio Vi
Other names: descending 5ths, cycle of descending 5ths
Variants:
Dosolrela sequence
Root movement of the harmonic pattern: up a 5th
Interval of transposition: up a 2nd
Typical examples:
Major key: IViiviIVI
In major keys, the normal third phrase of this sequence is omitted to avoid the viio
triad.
Minor key: iVIIIVIivi
In minor keys, the normal second phrase is omitted.
Other names: ascending 5ths
Appendix
71
Dofaresol sequence
Root movement of the harmonic pattern: up a 4th
Interval of transposition: up a 2nd
Typical examples:
Major key: IIViiViiivi
Minor key: iIViiVIIIxVI
Other names: ascending 4ths, Sound of Music, Rosalia
Dosollami sequence
Root movement of the harmonic pattern: down a 4th
Interval of transposition: down a 3rd
Typical examples:
Major key: IVviiiiIVI
Minor key: IvVIIIIivi
Other names: descending 3rds variant, Pachelbel
Appendix
72
Resources
An annotated list of resources is available online at examinations.rcmusic.ca.
* Indicates resource materials that are suitable for candidates preparing for the ARCT in
Composition and/or Theory examinations.
Rudiments
Braaten, Brenda and Crystal Wiksyk. Sound Advice: Theory and Ear Training. 8 vols.
Toronto, ON: The Frederick Harris Music Co., Limited, 20056. Online audio tracks at
www.soundadvicedirect.com.
Sarnecki, Mark. The Complete Elementary Music Rudiments. 2nd ed. Toronto, ON: The Frederick
Harris Music Co., Limited, 2010.
. Elementary Music Rudiments. 2nd ed. 3 vols. Toronto, ON: The Frederick Harris Music
Co., Limited, 2010.
. Elementary Music Theory. 2nd ed. 3 vols. Toronto, ON: The Frederick Harris Music Co.,
Limited, 2010.
Resources
73
Vandendool, Grace. Keyboard Theory. 2nd ed. 3 vols. Toronto, ON: The Frederick Harris
Music Co., Limited, 2010.
. Keyboard Theory Preparatory Series. 2nd ed. 5 vols. Toronto, ON: The Frederick Harris
Music Co., Limited, 2001.
Wharram, Barbara. Elementary Rudiments of Music. 2nd ed. Ed. Kathleen Wood. Workbook
and Answer Book. Toronto, ON: The Frederick Harris Music Co., Limited, 2010.
Harmony
*Aldwell, Edward, and Carl Schachter. Harmony and Voice Leading. 3rd ed. New York, NY:
Schirmer Books, 2002.
Andrews, William and Molly Sclater. Materials of Western Music. Parts 1, 2, and 3. Toronto,
ON: Gordon V. Thompson Music (Warner Bros. Publications), 19871992.
Aston, Peter, and Julian Webb. Music Theory in Practice. Grades 68. London: Associated
Board of the Royal Schools of Music, 19921993.
Braaten, Brenda and Crystal Wiksyk. Sound Advice: Theory and Ear Training, Book 8. Toronto,
ON: The Frederick Harris Music Co., Limited, 2006. Online audio tracks at
www.soundadvicedirect.com.
Gauldin, Robert. Harmonic Practice in Tonal Music. 2nd ed. New York, NY: W.W. Norton, 2004.
Hindemith, Paul. Traditional Harmony. Parts I and II. London: Schott, 19431981.
*Kostka, Stefan, and Dorothy Payne. Tonal Harmony: With an Introduction to Twentieth-Century
Music. 6th ed. Boston, MA: McGraw-Hill, 2009.
Mackin, Barbara. Harmony: A Practical Approach. Parts I and II. Edmonton, AB: Concertino,
1996.
. Harmony: A Practical Approach. Part III. Edmonton, AB: Concertino, 2001.
Melcher, Robert, Willard F. Warch, and Paul B. Mast. Music for Study: A Source of Excerpts.
3rd ed., Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall, 1998.
Ottman, Robert W. Advanced Harmony: Theory and Practice. 5th ed. Upper Saddle River, NJ:
Prentice Hall, 2000.
. Elementary Harmony: Theory and Practice. 5th ed. With CD. Upper Saddle River, NJ:
Prentice Hall, 1998.
*Piston, Walter. Harmony. 5th ed. Rev. and expanded by Mark DeVoto. New York, NY:
W.W. Norton, 1987.
Sarnecki, Mark. Harmony. 2nd ed. 3 vols. Toronto, ON: The Frederick Harris Music Co.,
Limited, 2010.
Satory, Stephen. First-Year Harmony. Toronto, ON: Chorale Publishing, 2001.
Vandendool, Grace. The Basics of Harmony. 2nd ed. Workbook and Answer Book. Toronto,
ON: The Frederick Harris Music Co., Limited, 2010.
. Intermediate Harmony. 2nd ed. Workbook and Answer Book. Toronto, ON: The Frederick
Harris Music Co., Limited, 2010.
Counterpoint
Andrews, William and Molly Sclater. Elements of 18th Century Counterpoint. Toronto, ON:
Gordon V. Thompson Music (Warner Bros. Publications), 1986.
*Benjamin, Thomas. Counterpoint in the Style of J.S. Bach. New York, NY: Schirmer, 1986.
Gauldin, Robert. A Practical Approach to 18th Century Counterpoint. Long Grove, IL: Waveland
Press, 1995.
*Jeppesen, Knud. The Style of Palestrina and the Dissonance. New York, NY: Dover, 1970.
*Kennan, Kent W. Counterpoint: Based on 18th Century Practice. 4th ed. Englewood Cliffs, NJ:
Prentice Hall, 1999.
*Piston, Walter. Counterpoint. New York, NY: W.W. Norton, 1947.
Schubert, Peter. Modal Counterpoint, Renaissance Style. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1999.
Scott, Samuel, and Gustave Frederic Soderlund. Examples of Gregorian Chant & Other Sacred
Music of the Sixteenth Century. Long Grove, IL: Waveland Press, 1971.
*Soderlund, Gustave Frederic. Direct Approach to Counterpoint in Sixteenth Century Style.
Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall, 1947.
Resources
74
Analysis
*Benward, Bruce, and Marilyn Saker. Music in Theory and Practice. 8th ed. 2 vols. Boston, MA:
McGraw-Hill, 2009.
*Burkhart, Charles. Anthology for Musical Analysis. 6th ed. New York, NY: Schirmer Books,
2003.
Cadwallader, Allen. Analysis of Tonal Music: A Schenkerian Approach. Oxford: Oxford University
Press, 1998.
*Cook, Nicholas. Analysis through Composition: Principles of the Classical Style. New York, NY:
Oxford University Press, 1996.
Iliffe, Francis. Bachs 48 Preludes and Fugues Analyzed. 2 vols. London: Novello, [n.d.].
Kostka, Stefan. Materials and Techniques of Twentieth-Century Music. 2nd ed. Upper Saddle
River, NJ: Prentice Hall, 1999.
Lovelock, William. Form in Brief. Deacon House: Hammond, 1954.
MacPherson, Stewart. Form in Music. London: Stainer and Bell, 1978.
Morgan, Orlando. J.S. Bach: 48 Preludes and Fugues, Analysis of the Fugues. (Unknown Binding) 1931.
Rosen, Charles. Sonata Forms. 2nd ed. New York, NY: W.W. Norton, 1988.
*Salzer, Felix. Structural Hearing: Tonal Coherence in Music. 2 vols. New York, NY: Dover, 1962.
*Schoenberg, Arnold. Fundamentals of Musical Composition. Ed. G. Strang and L. Stein.
London: Faber, 1999.
Stainkamph, Eileen. Form and Analysis of the Complete Beethovens Pianoforte Sonatas. Melbourne:
Allans Music, 1968.
Keyboard Harmony
Andrews, William and Molly Sclater. Materials of Western Music. Parts 1, 2, and 3. Toronto,
ON: Gordon V. Thompson Music (Warner Bros. Publications), 19871992.
Arnold, F. T. The Art of Accompaniment from a Figured-Bass. 2 vols. Mineloa, NY: Dover
Publications, 1965.
Bach, Johann Sebastian. 69 Chorales and Figured Bass. [editions published by Kalmus,
Schirmer, Editio Musica Budapest, Belwin Mills]
Brings, Allen, et al. A New Approach to Keyboard Harmony. New York, NY: W.W. Norton, 1979.
Frackenpohl, Arthur. Harmonization at the Piano. 6th ed. Dubuque, IA: W.C. Brown, 1991.
Melcher, Robert. Music for Keyboard Harmony. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall, 1966.
and William F. Warch. Music for Score Reading. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall, 1971.
Morris, R.O. Figured Harmony at the Keyboard. 2 vols. London: Oxford University Press, 19321933.
and Howard Ferguson. Preparatory Exercises in Score Reading. London: Oxford University
Press, 1931.
History
General Reference
Bonds, Mark Evans. A History of Music in Western Culture. 2nd ed. Upper Saddle River, NJ:
Prentice Hall, 2005.
*Grout, Donald Jay, and Claude V. Palisca. A History of Western Music. 7th ed. New York, NY:
W.W. Norton, 2006.
Hanning, Barbara Rusanno. Concise History of Western Music. 3rd ed. New York, NY:
W.W. Norton, 2007.
Lang, Paul Henry. Music in Western Civilization. New York, NY: W.W. Norton, 1941; reprint with
new foreword by Leon Botstein, 1997.
Lopinski, Janet, Joe Ringhofer, and Peteris Zarins. Explorations 3 vols. Toronto, ON: The
Frederick Harris Music Co., Limited, 2010.
Machlis, Joseph, and Kristine Forney. The Enjoyment of Music. 10th ed. New York, NY: W.W.
Norton, 2007.
Resources
75
Miller, Hugh. History of Western Music. New York, NY: Harper Collins, 1991.
Schonberg, Harold C. Lives of the Great Composers. 3rd ed. New York, NY: W.W. Norton, 1997.
Stolba, K. Marie. The Development of Western Music: A History. 3rd ed. Boston, MA: McGrawHill, 1998.
Taruskin, Richard. The Oxford History of Western Music. 6 vols. New York, NY: Oxford University
Press, 2005.
Middle Ages
Gleason, Harold, and Warren Becker. Music in the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. 3rd ed.
Bloomington, IN: Frangipani Press, 1988.
Hoppin, Richard H. Medieval Music. New York, NY: W.W. Norton, 1978.
Reese, Gustave. Music in the Middle Ages. Rev. ed. New York, NY: W.W. Norton, 2000.
Yudkin, Jeremy. Music in Medieval Europe. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall, 1989.
Renaissance
Atlas, Alan W. Renaissance Music: Music in Western Europe 14001600. New York, NY:
W.W. Norton, 1997.
*Brown, Howard Mayer. Music in the Renaissance. 2nd ed. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall,
1999.
Knighton, Tess, and David Fallows. Companion to Medieval and Renaissance Music. Berkeley, CA:
University of California Press, 1998.
Reese, Gustave. Music in the Renaissance. Rev. ed. New York, NY: W.W. Norton, 1959.
Baroque
Burrows, Donald. Handel. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1994.
. Handel: Messiah. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1991.
*Palisca, Claude V. Baroque Music. 3rd ed. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall, 1991.
Sadie, Julie Anne. Companion to Baroque Music. Berkeley, CA: University of California Press,
1998.
Wolff, Christoph. Bach, The Learned Musician. New York, NY: W.W. Norton, 2000.
Classical
Cook, Nicholas. Analysis through Composition: Principles of the Classical Style. New York, NY:
Oxford University Press, 1996.
*Downs, Philip G. Classical Music: The Era of Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven. New York, NY:
W.W. Norton, 1992. (See also Anthologies.)
Heartz, Daniel. Haydn, Mozart, and the Viennese School, 17401780. New York, NY: W.W. Norton,
1995.
Landon, H. C. Robbins. Haydn, Chronicle and Works. 5 vols. London: Thames and Hudson,
1995.
Pauly, Reinhard G. Music in the Classic Period. 4th ed. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall,
2000.
*Rosen, Charles. The Classical Style: Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven. Expanded ed. New York, NY:
W.W. Norton, 1998.
Solomon, Maynard. Beethoven. New York, NY: Schirmer Trade Books, 2001.
. Mozart, A Life. New York, NY: Harper Perennial, 2005.
Romantic
Finson, Jon W. Nineteenth Century Music: The Western Classical Tradition. Englewood Cliffs, NJ:
Prentice Hall, 2002.
Garden, Edward. Tchaikovsky. New York, NY: Oxford University Press, 2000. (originally
published 1973)
Millington, Barry. Wagner. Rev. ed. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, 1992.
Plantinga, Leon, ed. Romantic Music. New York, NY: W.W. Norton, 1985.
Rosen, Charles. The Romantic Generation. With CD. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press,
1995.
Samson, Jim. The Music of Chopin. London: Routyhlege and Kegan Paul, 1985; Oxford: Oxford
University Press, 1994.
Resources
76
Post-1900
*Antokoletz, Elliott. Twentieth-Century Music. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall, 1992.
*Brindle, Reginald Smith. The New Music: The Avant-Garde Since 1945. 2nd ed. London: Oxford
University Press, 1987.
*Cope, David H. New Directions in Music. 7th ed. Prospect Heights, IL: Waveland Press, 2001.
Gridley, Mark C. Jazz Styles: History and Analysis. 10th ed. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice
Hall, 2009.
*Kostka, Stefan. Materials and Techniques of Twentieth-Century Music. 3rd ed. Upper Saddle
River, NJ: Prentice Hall, 2006.
Morgan, Robert P. Twentieth Century Music. New York, NY: W.W. Norton, 1991.
Salzman, Eric. Twentieth Century Music: An Introduction. 4th ed. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice
Hall, 2002.
Whittall, Arnold. Music Since the First World War. London: Oxford University Press, 2000.
Score Anthologies
Bach, Johann Sebastian. 371 Chorales. [editions published by Peters, Schirmer, Editio
Musica Budapest]
Bonds, Mark Evans. Anthology of Scores. 2nd ed. 2 vols. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall,
2005. (Accompanies Bonds, A History of Music in Western Culture. 2nd ed.)
Burkhart, Charles. Anthology for Musical Analysis. 6th ed. New York, NY: Schirmer Books,
2003.
Forney, Kristine, ed. The Norton Scores: A Study Anthology. 8th ed. 2 vols. New York, NY:
W.W. Norton, 1999. (Accompanies Machlis, The Enjoyment of Music.)
*Palisca, Claude V., ed. The Norton Anthology of Western Music. 5th ed. 2 vols. New York, NY:
W.W. Norton, 2005. (Accompanies Grout and Palisca, A History of Western Music.)
20th-Century Composition
Boulez, Pierre. Boulez on Music Today. Trans. S. Bradshaw and R.R. Bennett. London: Faber,
1979.
*Brindle, Reginald Smith. Serial Composition. London: Oxford University Press, 1965.
*Hindemith, Paul. Craft of Musical Composition. 2 vols. Mainz: Schott, 1942.
*Kostka, Stefan. Materials and Techniques of Twentieth-Century Music. 3rd ed. Upper Saddle
River, NJ: Prentice Hall, 2006.
Messiaen, Olivier. The Technique of My Musical Language. Tustin, CA: American Biography
(Reprint of 1954 ed.)
*Persichetti, Vincent. Twentieth-Century Harmony. New York, NY: W.W. Norton, 1961.
*Wuorinen, Charles. Simple Composition. New York, NY: Service. Reprint of 1956 ed. Peters,
1979.
Resources
77
Electronic and Computer Music
Chadabe, Joel. Electric Sound: The Past and Promise of Electronic Music. Englewood Cliffs, NJ:
Prentice Hall, 1997.
Dobson, Richard. A Dictionary of Electronic and Computer Music Technology: Instruments, Terms,
Techniques. Oxford; New York, NY: Oxford University Press, 1992.
Dodge, Charles, and Thomas Jerse. Computer Music. 2nd ed. New York, NY: Schirmer, 1997.
*Manning, Peter. Electronic and Computer Music. Rev. ed. London: Oxford University Press,
2004.
Wick, Robert L. Electronic and Computer Music. New York, NY: Greenwood, 1997.
Online Resources
Canadian Music Centre
www.musiccentre.ca
Encyclopedia of Music in Canada
www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com
Harvard College Library
hcl.harvard.edu/research/guides/music/resources/index.html
Library and Archives Canada, Music and Performing Arts
www.collectionscanada.gc.ca
Library of Congress
www.loc.gov/index.html
Naxos Music Library
www.naxosmusiclibrary.com/home.asp
Oxford Music Online:
Grove Music Online
Encyclopedia of Popular Music
The Oxford Companion to Music
The Oxford Dictionary of Music
The New Grove publications
www.oxfordmusiconline.com
Smithsonian Institution
www.si.edu
Resources
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79
Examination Results. This allows teachers to review marked papers with their students in
order to complete the learning process before proceeding to the next level. Theory results
are not mailed to candidates.
80
Points to Remember
Electronic devices, books, notes, bags, and coats must be left in the area designated by
the presiding officer.
Photo ID may be requested before candidates are admitted to the examination room.
Parents, other family members, friends, and teachers must wait in the designated waiting
area.
Standing and listening outside the examination room door is prohibited.
Recording devices are strictly prohibited in the examination room.