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Transfer Students

Audition overview

Transfer applicants will participate in the same audition process as regular admission’s candidates. Audition information can be found here. Transfer students are encouraged to ask further questions during the audition interview.

Note: Transfer students applying for January admission must audition in November.

Transfer Student Credit Evaluation for all degrees in Music

Prospective students considering transferring to TCNJ should know that every course must be evaluated for transfer credit. All non-music courses will be evaluated by the admissions office, usually before Transfer Orientation. Music courses will be evaluated by the Music Faculty. Evaluation begins during the admission process and continues through Orientation and the first semester of matriculation. Students are strongly advised to begin this process as early as possible. Failure to initiate the evaluation process will most likely result in adding to the number of semesters required to complete the degree. 

Documents needed for the evaluation of music courses

  • Syllabi from courses taken
  • Repertoire lists and jury sheets or lesson evaluations from applied study

Requirements

Musicianship 1-4 (Music Theory and Aural Skills): To have previously earned credit accepted for transfer, all Transfer Students MUST complete the Musicianship 1 exam at the time of Transfer Orientation. Students are encouraged to meet with a member of the Musicianship faculty to discuss their options after this exam has been evaluated. Subsequent testing, if needed, must be completed before classes begin for the first semester of matriculation. Students are encouraged to contact the department of music with questions about the process or the skills required. For guidance, read the Musicianship Handbook.

Keyboard Skills: Evaluated by Dr. Tomoko Kanamaru via an Advanced Placement Audition. Additionally, syllabi from previously completed equivalent courses (along with the grades earned) must be submitted as part of the evaluation. The Advanced Placement Audition may be taken at Transfer Orientation or at an individually scheduled time, but either way, an arrangement has to be made in advance. Students who wish to be enrolled in Keyboard Skills I do not need to follow the above evaluation process, other than completing the prerequisite Musicianship 1, with a minimum grade of C-, before starting the Keyboard Skills sequence. For guidance, read the Keyboard Skills Advanced Placement document.

Historical and Cultural Studies in Music: Evaluated by Dr. Wayne Heisler. In addition to prerequisites, these courses may carry a college writing requirement.

Music Education: Evaluated by Dr. Colleen Sears. To be accepted, all courses must meet the state observation and in-class teaching components.

Applied Study: Evaluated at the first jury after a full semester of study to determine the number of further semesters required to satisfy TCNJ applied studio requirements. Transfer students are evaluated based on their skill level compared to other students in the same program. Other factors considered are:

  • The level and amount of repertoire previously studied (For vocal students, language of repertoire is also considered)
  • The length of previous lessons
  • The credits and grades earned for previous lessons

Conducting: Evaluated by Dr. Eric Laprade (Instrumental) or Dr. John Leonard (Choral).

For further guidance during this process please e-mail musicdept@tcnj.edu.