One of the requirements of the MMus degree is the MMus Oral Examination, which takes place near the end of the second year of the degree (for you, April 2011). This exam consists of two parts: discussion of the student’s major composition and discussion of an assigned score. Each part includes a presentation by the student (15-20 minutes), which is followed by questions from the committee.

Your assigned score is: Benjamin Britten, *Still falls the rain; canticle III, for tenor, horn and piano. Op. 55** 

Analyze important musical factors of the work (pitch structure, motive/theme, form, rhythm, etc.). In addition to creating an analysis of the piece, consider the position of this work in the genre and in Britten's oeuvre, and Britten's oeuvre within in the context of contemporary and historical composition.

The score and recording will be available on Library Reserve under “Sallmen” (Score: M1621.3 .B75 S8 1;  Recording CD22391).

Oral Exam Policy