TExES Music EC–12 (177) Practice Test

Texas A&M University -Kingsville, School of Music

Test Preparation

1. We’ll be offering Study Sessions once classes resume! Keep an eye out for more details, and get ready to start acing the TExES music exam.
2. We use a third party that offers preparation and diagnostic practice tests: Certify Teacher. Music EC–12 (177) is an option in that program. The program costs $55 per area, but students can use a discount code to purchase it for $35.00. To use the discount code, students must provide their TAMUK email address, and the code is case-sensitive. If you need the discount code, kindly send an email to Dr. Tu at kumt2018@tamuk.edu.

Test Authorization (3 Steps)

Please follow the three-step process. We recommend that you complete each step thoroughly and accurately to ensure that your authorization is approved without any complications.

Step 1: Attend the Study Session

To prepare for the upcoming test, it is mandatory for you to attend a study session with Dr. Tu. We highly recommend that you participate in this session as it will help you become familiar with the test format and content, and make you feel more confident and prepared. After the study session, you will receive instructions on how to enroll in the free TExES practice exam Blackboard module.

Step 2: Take the Practice Test

Option 1: Take the Practice Test on certifyteacher

After the study session, you may register for Certifyteacher and take the practice test online whenever you want. After purchasing the exam, you will have access to it for a period of three years.To register, click on Certify Teacher. Music EC–12 (177) is an option in that program. The program costs $55 per area, but students can use a discount code to purchase it for $35.00. To use the discount code, students must provide their TAMUK email address, and the code is case-sensitive. If you need the discount code, kindly send an email to Dr. Tu at kumt2018@tamuk.edu.

In order to be authorized to take the actual TExES test in music, students are required to score 100% on all competencies of the practice test on CertifyTeacher. The in-person practice tests will be available for TAMUK students only when their classes resume. 

Option 2: Take an in-person test with Dr. Tu

Students may register for an in-person practice test with Dr. Tu. To pass, they must score at least 80% on all domains (not competencies).

The dates for the TExES practice exams are  Sundays, Jan.28, Feb. 4, 18, 25, and March 3, 2024 between noon and 2pm in the computer lab.

Passing the CertifyTeacher with 100% on all competencies or passing the in-person practice test with 80% on all domains will earn test authorization. Either way is acceptable. 

Step 3: Test Authorization

Once students have completed either option 1 or option 2, they must schedule a conference with Dr. Tu to obtain authorization for the TExES music exam. During this conference, they will create the test authorization forms which document all study hours and practice test scores, as required by TEA. Once this is completed, the College of Education will lift the registration hold. Subsequently, students will receive an email with instructions on how to register for the actual test.

Note: If you fail the actual test, you must wait for 30 days, complete another practice test, and attend an authorization conference with Dr. Tu in order to earn authorization to take the second try.

Practice Website and resource

• Pearson Test Guide
• TMEA-TExES Review
• Mometrix

• Copyright Fundamentals

• Copyright Law: What Music Teachers Need to Know 
• UIL Website
  • Constitution and Contest Rules (CCR)
  • Prescribed Music List (PML)

Please email Dr. Tu at kumt2018@tamuk.edu for more information.

Tips for Music History:

Look at the recent UIL music memory lists and make sure you recognize those pieces.

Be familiar with the “world music” terms and styles on the online TMEA study guides. https://www.tmea.org/divisions-regions/college/texes-review/practice-exam. For example, zydeco, calypso, reggae, ragas, zither, dulcimer, klezmer, sitar, tabla, pipa, balalaika, erhu, mbira, steel drum, didgeridoo, and gamelan. Be able to identify where they originated. Along these lines, this website is helpful: https://libguides.brooklyn.cuny.edu/music1300/chapter8. Finally, know the term ethnomusicology.

Two general music history sites:
https://ocw.mit.edu/courses/music-and-theater-arts/21m-011-introduction-to-western-music-spring-2006/
http://www.informusic.org/examprephome-737359.html

TExES Music Selected Bibliography by Domain(TMEA web resource)
Domain I: Listening

• Burkholder, J. Peter, and Palisca, Claude, ed. The Norton Anthology of Western Music. 7^th ed., Vol. I:  Ancient to Baroque. New York:  W. W. Norton, 2014.
• Burkholder, J. Peter, and Palisca, Claude, ed. The Norton Anthology of Western Music. 7^th ed., Vol. II:  Classic to Modern. New York:  W. W. Norton, 2014.
• Burns, K.; Berkowitz, S.; Botstein, S.; Cuscuna, M.; Miller, P.; Novick, L.; Olds-Neal, N.; and Young, B. (Compilers). Ken Burn’s Jazz:  The Story of America’s Music. (5 compact discs, 10 pack DVD). Sony Music Entertainment Inc., 2000.
• Crawford, R.; Hamberlin (Compiler). Recordings for an Introduction to America’s Music. (4 compact discs). Sony Music Entertainment Inc., 2013.
• Hast, Dorothea; Cowdery, James; and Scott, Stan. Exploring the World of Music Telecourse Textbook/Reader/CD Package. Dubuque, IA:  Kendall/Hunt Publishing, 1999.
• Hill, W. L., and Griffin, C. (Compilers). The Instrumental History of Jazz. (2 compact discs, Discogs). N2K Encoded Jazz, 1997.
• Nettl, Bruno; Capwell, Charles; Turnino, Thomas; Wong, Isabel; and Bohlman, Philip. Excursions in World Music. 6^th ed. Englewood Cliffs, N. J.: Prentice-Hall, 2011.
• Norton Recorded Anthology of Western Music: Volume I.  (6 compact discs). Sony Music Entertainment Inc., 2014.
• Norton Recorded Anthology of Western Music:  Volume II. (6 compact discs). Sony Music Entertainment Inc., 2014.

World Music Listening Examples

• Native American Anonymous, Yeibichai Song from Navajo Nightway Ceremony Worlds of Music (Disc 1)
• Latin American Anonymous, Amor imposible performed by Chaskinakuy from Worlds of Music (Disc 4)
• Sub-Saharan Africa Anonymous, Nhemamusasa performed by Chris Mhlanga & Bernard Matafi from Excursions in World Music3^rd Edition (Disc 2)
• Indian Classical Sudhir Phadke and Anand Badmikar, Hindustani recital piece performed by Sudhir Phadke & Anand Badamikar from Excursions in World Music Third Edition (Disc 2)
• Japanese Anonymous, Rokudan Performed by Zumi-Kai Instrumental Group from Excursions In World Music 3^rd Edition (Disc 2)
• Chinese Anonymous, Hua San Liu (beginning and end) Performed by Chunling, Hui & Shenglong from Excursions in World Music3^rd ed. (Disc 2)
• Indonesian Anonymous, Teruna performed by Gamelan Gong Kebyar from Excursions in World Music Third Edition (Disc 2)

Domain II: Music Theory and Composition

• Adler, Samuel. The Study of Orchestration. 4^th ed. New York:  W. W. Norton & Co., 2016.
• Adler, Samuel. Workbook for The Study of Orchestration. 4^th ed. New York:  W. W. Norton & Co., 2016.
• Benjamin, Thomas; Horvit, Michael; and Nelson, Robert. Techniques and Materials of Tonal Music from the Common Practice Period Through the Twentieth Century. 7^th ed. New York, NY: Schirmer Books, 2007.
• Benward, Bruce, and White, Gary. Music in Theory and Practice. Vol. I, 9^th ed. Madison, WI:  Brown & Benchmark Publishers, 2014.
• Burkhart, Charles, and Rothstein, William. Anthology for Musical Analysis. 7^th ed. New York, NY: Schirmer Books, 2011.
• Kostka, Stefan, and Payne, Dorothy. Tonal Harmony. 8^th ed. New York:  McGraw-Hill Book Co., 2017.
• Kostka, Stefan. Materials and Techniques of Twentieth-Century Music. 3^rd ed. Englewood Cliffs, NJ:  Prentice-Hall, Inc., 2005.
• Ottman, Robert W. Elementary Harmony Theory and Practice. 5^th ed.  Englewood Cliffs, NJ:  Prentice-Hall, Inc., 1998.
• Ottman. Robert W. Advanced Harmony Theory and Practice. 5^th ed.  Englewood Cliffs, NJ:  Prentice-Hall, Inc., 1992.
• Steinke, Greg. Bridge to Twentieth-Century Music. Rev. ed. Boston, MA:  Allyn & Bacon, 1998.
• Wallace, Barbara. Fundamentals of Music: A Practical Worktext in Beginning Music Theory. Garland, TX: Kees Academic Press, 2007.
• Wallace, Barbara. Beginning Aural Skills: An Introduction to Ear Training and Sightsinging. Vols. I, II, III, and IV. Garland, TX: Kees Academic Press, 2007.

Domain III: Music History and Culture

• Amati-Campery, Alexandra, and Harker, Mara. History of Western Music in Outlines and Tables.  Needham Heights, MA:  Simon and Schuster Custom Pub., 1998.
• Burkholder, J. Peter, Grout, Donald, and Palisca, Claude. A History of Western Music. 9^th ed.  New York: W. W. Norton, 2014.
• Crawford, Richard and Hamberlin, Larry. An Introduction to America’s Music. 2^nd ed. New York, NY:  W. W. Norton, 2013.
• Ferrin, Jean. America’s Musical Landscape. 6^th ed. New York, NY:  McGraw-Hill Book Co., 2010.
• Hanning, Barbara R. Concise History of Western Music. 5^th ed. New York: W. W. Norton, 2014.
• Hast, Dorothea; Cowdery, James; and Scott, Stan. Exploring the World of Music. 2^nd Dubuque, IA: Kendall/Hunt Publishing, 2010.
• Hitchcock, H. Wiley. Music in the United States. 4^th ed. Englewood Cliffs, NJ:  Prentice Hall, 1998.
• Kerman, Joseph. Listen. 8^th ed. New York:  Worth Publishers, 2014.
• Kingman, Daniel. American Music: A Panorama. 5^th ed. New York: Schirmer Books/Thomson Learning, 2011.
• May, Elizabeth, ed. Music of Many Cultures: An Introduction. Berkeley, CA:  University of California Press, 2000.
• Miller, Hugh M. and Cockrell, Dale. History of Western Music. 5^th ed. Harper Collins College Outline, 1991.
• Nettl, Bruno, et al. Excursions in World Music. 4^th ed. Upper Saddle River, NJ:  Prentice Hall, 2004.
• Sadie, Stanley, ed. The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians. 3^rd ed. London, England: MacMillan Publishers Limited, 2004.
• Shelemay, Kay Kaufman. Soundscapes (Exploring Music in a Changing World). 3^rd ed. New York, NY:  W. W. Norton, 2015.
• Starr, Larry, and Waterman, Christopher. American Popular Music. 4^th ed. New York, NY: Oxford University Press, 2013.
• Titon, Jeff Todd, ed. Worlds of Music: An Introduction to the Music of the World’s Peoples. 4^th Belmont, CA: Schirmer Books/Thompson Learning, 2002.
• Wold, Milo; Martin, Gary; Miller, James; and Cykler, Edmund. An Outline History of Western Music. 9^th New York: McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., 1998.

Domain IV: Music Classroom Performance

• Barrier, Julie; Hansford, Jim; and Johnson, Mark. The Instrumental Resource. Nashville, TN: Church Street Press, 2002.
• Bergonzi, Louis; Straub, Dorothy; and Witt, Anne. Strategies for Teaching Strings and Orchestra. Reston, VA: National Association for Music Education, 1996.
• Brinson, Barbara A. and Demorest, Steven. Choral Music Methods and Materials. 2^nd New York, NY: Schirmer Books, 2013.
• Caldwell, Robert and Wall, Joan. Excellence in Singing: Multilevel Teaching & Multilevel Learning. (5 volume set). Dallas, TX: Caldwell Publishing Co., 2001.
• Casey, Joseph. Teaching Techniques and Insight for Instrumental Music Educators.GIA Publications, 1991.
• Colson, John F. Conducting and Rehearsing the Instrumental Music Ensemble. Lanham, MD: Scarecrow Press, 2012.
• Colwell, Richard J.; Hewitt, Michael P. The Teaching of Instrumental Music. Boston, MA: Prentice Hall, 2011.
• Demorest, Steven M. Building Choral Excellence: Teaching SightSinging in the Choral Rehearsal. New York, NY: Oxford University Press, 2003.
• Ericksen, Connie. Band Director’s Curriculum Resource. 2^nd West Nyack, NY: Parker Publishing Co., 2005.
• Garretson, Robert L. Conducting Choral Music. 8^th Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice-Hall, Inc., 1998.
• Gillespie, Robert, and Hamann, Donald. Strategies for Teaching Strings: Building a Successful String and Orchestra Program. New York, NY: Oxford University Press, 2012.
• McKinney, James. The Diagnosis and Correction of Vocal Faults: A Manual for Teachers of Singing and for Choir Directors. Nashville, TN: Genevox Music Group, 2005.

Domain V: Music Education

• Abeles, Harold; Hoffer, Charles; and Klotman, Robert. Foundations of Music Education. 2^nd ed. New York, NY:  Schirmer Books, 1994.
• Anderson, W. M., and Campbell, P. S. (Compilers). Music Resources for Multicultural Perspectives. 3^rd National Association for Music Education, 2011.
• Hackett, Patricia, and Lindeman, Carolynn. The Musical Classroom. 8^th ed. Upper Saddle River, NJ:  Prentice-Hall, Inc., 2010.
• Hoffer, Charles. Teaching Music in the Secondary Schools. 5^th ed.  Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Publishing Co., 2001.
• Mark, Michael. Contemporary Music Education. 3^rd ed. New York, NY: Schirmer Books, 1996.
• Mark, Michael, and Gary, Charles. A History of American Music Education. 3^rd ed. New York, NY:  Schirmer Books, 2007.
• Nye, Robert; Nye, Vernice; Martin, Gary; and, Van Rysselberghe, Mary Lou. Music in the Elementary School. 6^th ed. Englewood Cliffs, NJ:  Prentice-Hall, Inc., 1992.
• Roach, Donald. Complete Secondary Choral Music Guide. West Nyack, NY:  Parker Publishing Co., 1989.
• Shehan-Campbell, Patricia. Lessons from the World. 2^nd ed. New York, NY:  Schirmer Books, 2001.
• Shehan-Campbell, Patricia, and Scott-Kassner, Carol. Music in Childhood. 3^rd ed. New York, NY:  Schirmer Books, 2006.