M 541

Test 1

26 September 2005

Please Note: the three sections of the test and the instructions that go with them are from the ACTUAL test.  The paragraphs in blue are my descriptions of what will be in each section.

Part 1: Identifications and definitions (30 points total)

A. For the following terms, provide a brief definition and where applicable a musical example. (2 points each; choose 10 of  the 12 given)

Note: the terms are chosen from those presented in the textbook in boldface.  I cannot give you a list (you should be doing that on your own), but can tell you that there is one term from my lectures that is not in the textbook, and that is going to be obvious—I have used it a lot—and it  has an equivalent term  in the textbook.  I have selected some titles of large manuscripts or important works that include music.  Nothing in this list is going to be obscure or tricky.

B. Identify the following historical figures, giving a brief explanation of what they contributed to the history of medieval music. (2 points each; choose 5 of the 6 given)

Note: I have selected only important names  that appear in the textbook and that have appeared in my lectures.  They are all either composers or theorists.

Part 2: Listening examples (30 points total, 10 points per example)

Note: There will be three of these, and I can tell you that they are pieces I have NOT used on the quizzes.  The examples cover through NAWM 26 only.  The expectations are the same as those for Quiz 2; one example starts not at the beginning, but for that one I give you the text being sung in the excerpt.

Part 3: Short answers (40 points)

Choose 8 of the 10 questions below.  For each, provide a brief answer, consisting of diagrams, musical examples where appropriate, and a few short sentences.  (5 points each)

Note: These are NOT essay questions.  They focus on specific topics taken from lectures and readings—things like, to give you a couple of obvious questions, “how does the liturgical year work?” or “list the modes”—and can be answered very simply.  Obviously, I cannot tell you what they will be, but you should be able to come up with a relatively short and comprehensive list  if you take my two examples above and look through the textbook for topics that can be reduced to similar questions.