Competency Exams

The following keyboard requirement for the Music Major appears in the University Catalog:                                         Students register for MUKP 211 Piano Competency Exam in the spring of the sophomore year. A course fee is assessed. If students fail the competency exam in the sophomore year, they will register for Piano Competency each subsequent semester until they pass the exam. For transfer students, piano skills will be assessed in the first semester and a piano competency timeline will be created. 

All music majors must register for MUKP 211 Piano Competency, a zero-credit course, during the semester in which they take the CUI Music Department Piano Competency Examination. This course is graded on a pass-fail basis only. The examination will normally be scheduled in the second half of the semester. When registered, the student will be assessed a $25 examination fee. 

If the student does not pass, the student must register again for MUKP 211 in each subsequent semester until a pass is achieved. Students who pass a portion of the exam must retake only the items that they failed during previous attempts. 

 Passing of this course requirement is recorded on the student’s transcript and becomes part of the graduation check process in the Registrar’s Office.

 Specific skills expected for this competency are listed in the Instructions for the Piano Competency Examination.  Although not required, many students prepare for this exam by taking Piano Class and/or private piano lessons.

Voice competency is met by enrolling in any of the following:

• voice class for one semester

• private voice lessons for one semester

• a university choir for two consecutive semesters.

All music majors must fulfill voice competency.

This zero credit compentency course/exam will assess a student's ability to lead worship from a piano and or organ in a congregation which uses a hymnal (e.g. LSB) as its main resource for congregational song material. The exam may be repeated until the student obtains a passing grade. Private lessons are available for students who want to receive specialized instruction in order to prepare for this exam. This particular competency exam is typically taken in the junior or senior year of study, after completion of the music major piano competency exam. Course Fee: $25. Prerequisite: MUKP 211.

This zero credit competency course/exam will assess a student's ability to lead worship from the guitar. The exam may be repeated until the student obtains a passing grade. Private lessons are available for students who want to receive specialized instruction in techniques to help a student prepare for this exam. This particular competency exam is typically taken in the junior or senior year of study. Course Fee: $25. Prerequisite: MUE 282 and MUS 281.