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.