Advanced Placement and Transfer Credit

Advanced Placement

Advanced placement (and the AP credit it entails) is awarded only in music theory, and only on the basis of an advanced standing examination administered by the Department of Music; that is, credit cannot be earned on the basis of the AP, IB, or other examinations from outside Cornell, nor on the basis of coursework done elsewhere. Outstanding performance on the departmental advanced standing examination will earn students 3 credits and, if desired, placement directly into MUSIC 2102 (Tonal Theory II). In rare instances students may place into MUSIC 3101, in which case they will earn 6 credits.

The advanced standing exam has two parts, written and aural. The written part consists of (1) interval and chord recognition; (2) brief melodic and harmonic dictation; (3) realizing a figured bass line; (4) harmonizing a melodic line; and (5) exercises in harmonic analysis. Students who do exceptionally well on the first part will then be asked to sing and to play the piano for the aural component. Students must pass both components of the exam in order to place out of 2101/2103.

The examination is given every August, on the Sunday before courses begin, at 1:00 p.m. in 124 Lincoln Hall. Students wishing to take the exam need not sign up beforehand–just show up. Please arrive fifteen minutes early; the exam will begin promptly at 1:00 p.m. and dictation will not be replayed for latecomers. Bring two sharp, no. 2 pencils. Be sure you know your Cornell email address, as results will be distributed by email.
If demand exists, the advanced standing exam will also be given at the beginning of the spring term. Inquire at the Music Department office.

Transfer Credit

Students who have taken music courses at other institutions of higher education and who wish to have the credit transferred to Cornell must have the courses evaluated by the Director of Undergraduate Studies. This means that students should save the course syllabus and any written work or exams from courses taken elsewhere.

For non-majors, courses need not have exact equivalencies to Cornell music department courses in order for transfer credit to be awarded, but they must have been taught at an equivalent level.
For music majors seeking to replace a course required for the major, the material covered must be equivalent, especially in music theory, and the grade earned must be at least a B.
For more information about the procedures in the College of Arts and Sciences for transferring credit, click here.