Trombone Studio Proficiency Exam Requirements

Adopted Spring 2002. All proficiency examinations after May 2002 will follow these requirements.  This exam is given after four semesters of study, usually at the end of the sophomore year - see policy statement.

Part 1 - All Degrees

Listening Examination - recognition, composer and title, of standard trombone solo literature (alto, tenor and bass) will be demonstrated.  This requirement can be completed anytime before Part 2.  A passing grade for the Proficiency Examination will not be recorded until the Listening Examination has been passed.  All policies concerning re-taking of the Proficiency Examination will apply.

Part 2 – Requirements for the specific degrees to be performed at the Proficiency Examination:

Bachelor of Arts

1. Solo – a piece with accompaniment as assigned. See tenor and bass solo literature pages for examples.
2. Scales - fluency in all keys, major and minor, must be demonstrated. All 12 major scales, 2 octaves, will be performed accurately within a three minute time period. Selected minor scales in three forms, one octave, will be performed.
3. Sight Reading – Tenor Trombone: tenor clef; Bass Trombone: bass clef
4. Jazz or Orchestral – as assigned (orchestral excerpts, jazz etude, jazz transcription, improvisation, etc.)

Bachelor of Music Education

1. Solo – a piece with accompaniment as assigned. See tenor and bass solo literature pages for examples.
2. Scales - fluency in all keys, major and minor, must be demonstrated. All 12 major scales, 2 octaves, will be performed accurately within a three minute time period. Selected minor scales in three forms, one octave, will be performed.
3. Sight Reading – Tenor and Bass Trombone: tenor clef
4. Orchestral Excerpts:
   1. Tenor Trombone
      1. Mozart -Tuba Mirum from Requiem
      2. Berlioz – Hungarian March from Damnation of Faust
      3. Wagner – Ride of The Valkyries from Die Valkyrie
      4. Student choice – 1 of the remaining 3 excerpts
   2. Bass Trombone
      1. Berlioz – Hungarian March from Damnation of Faust
      2. Wagner – Ride of The Valkyries from Die Valkyrie
      3. Schumann – Symphony No. 3 (Rhenish)
      4. Student choice – 1 of the remaining 3 excerpts
5. Jazz (optional)– as assigned: etude, transcription, improvisation, etc.

Bachelor of Music

1. Solo – a piece with accompaniment as assigned. See tenor and bass solo literature pages for examples.
2. Scales - fluency in all keys, major and minor, must be demonstrated. All 12 major scales, 2 octaves, will be performed accurately within a three minute time period. Selected minor scales in three forms, one octave, will be performed. 
3. Sight Reading – Tenor Trombone: changing tenor and bass clefs; Bass Trombone: tenor clef
4. Orchestral Excerpts:
   1. Tenor Trombone
      1. Mozart – Tuba Mirum from Requiem
      2. Berlioz – Hungarian March from Damnation of Faust
      3. Wagner – Ride of The Valkyries from Die Valkyrie
      4. Mahler – Symphony No. 3
      5. Brahms – Symphony No. 1
      6. Saint-Saens – Symphony No. 3
   2. Bass Trombone
      1. Berlioz – Hungarian March from Damnation of Faust
      2. Wagner – Ride of The Valkyries from Die Valkyrie
      3. Schumann – Symphony No. 3 (Rhenish)
      4. Beethoven – Symphony No. 9
      5. Haydn – The Creation
      6. Wagner – Entry of the Gods Into Valhalla from Das Rheingold
5. Jazz (optional, but required for Jazz Emphasis degree)– as assigned: etude, transcription, improvisation, etc.