Admission Requirements for the String Instruments Division

Admission Requirements for the String Instruments Division

Written Exam

  1. Note writing (pitch and duration) in treble and bass clefs. 
  2. Identifying and writing various ascending and descending intervals (perfect, major, minor, augmented and diminished); identifying and writing interval inversions; classification of intervals into consonances and dissonances within an octave.
  3. Mastering the circle of fifths. 
  4. One-part dictations in major or minor modes (in scales with no more than 4 flats or sharps).
  5. Identifying and writing numerous meters and rhythmic patterns.
  6. Identifying and writing triads (major, minor, augmented and diminished), and dominant seventh chords, in all types of inversions.
  7. Transposing a given melody.
  8. Explaining basic music terms (dynamics, tempo, articulation, form, texture, genre etc.)

Oral exam

  1.  Singing and identifying the following patterns:
    • Ascending and descending melodic intervals within an octave.
    • Triads and dominant seventh chords in all inversions.
    • Major and minor scales (including natural harmonic and melodic minor scales).
  2. Sight singing a diatonic melody.
  3. Basic familiarity with the keyboard.
  4. Rhythmic aspects:  Identifying and writing rhythmic patterns which include division and sub-division of the beat, triplets, rests and ties, in basic, duple and triple meters (2/8, 2/4, 3/8, 3/4), as well as in compound meters (4/4 and 6/8). 

Instrument examination – minimum requirements

The applicant is required to arrange accompaniment for the exam. 

Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass

  1. Two movements from a suite, sonata or partita by J.S. Bach, or two movements from a sonata from the Baroque era by another composer
  2. 1st movement, or 2nd and 3rd movements of a classical, romantic or modern concerto
  3. A piece of the applicant’s choice

Harp

The candidate will play three pieces from different periods. One of the pieces can be an arrangement of a song, or an arrangement of a classical piece made by the candidate, or a piece composed by the candidate.
Examples of works of appropriate playing level: Passacaglia by Handel, "Autumn" by Grandjany, Etude by Bochsa or Zabel.

Classical Guitar

  1. One movement from a lute or cello suite by J.S. Bach
  2. A piece from the classical or the romantic era (e.g. Sor, Giuliani, Mertz, Coste, Regondi)
  3. One etude from the 12 Etudes by Villa-Lobos
  4. A piece of the applicant’s choice

Mandolin

  1. A movement from a violin partita or a cello suite by J. S. Bach
  2. A movement from a Baroque concerto for mandolin or violin
  3. A movement from a classical piano and violin sonata by Mozart or Beethoven
  4. An Israeli piece for solo violin or mandolin

Entrance Exam Requirements for Historical Instruments

Baroque Violin

  1. A complete sonata by G. F. Handel (1685-1759) or A. Corelli (1653-1713)
  2. Two movements from a partita or sonata by J. S. Bach (1685-1750)
  3. A piece of the applicant’s choice

Baroque Viola

  1. A suite by J. S. Bach (1685-1750) – two movements with different characters
  2. A complete late Baroque sonata
  3. A piece of the applicant’s choice

Baroque Cello

  1. A suite by J. S. Bach – two movements with different characters
  2. A complete late Baroque sonata
  3. A piece of the applicant’s choice

Baroque Double Bass / Violone

  1. Two movements (slow and fast) from a vocal work by J. S. Bach
  2. Two movements from a symphony by J. Haydn (1732-1809) or W. A. Mozart (1756-1791)
  3. A Baroque piece of your choice by a composer other than Bach, with continuo

Viola da Gamba

  1. A Ricercar by D. Ortiz (c. 1510-1570)
  2. A Prelude or Rondeau from a French suite
  3. A movement from a sonata by J. S. Bach or a solo Gamba piece by C. F. Abel (1723-1787)

Plucked Instruments (Baroque Guitar, Lute, Theorbo, etc.)

3 pieces in different styles composed between 1540 and 1800

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