Using Admission Assessments to Predict Final Grades in a College Music Program

Abstract

Entrance examinations and auditions are common admission procedures for college music programs, yet few researchers have attempted to look at the long-term predictive validity of such selection processes. In this study, archival data from 93 student records of a German music academy were used to predict development of musicianship skills over the course of a 4-year program. Audition grades for the principal instrument, aural skills, and basic knowledge of music theory were correlated with similar data available for the final exams. Final high school grades also were available. Results indicated moderate correlations between entrance and final grades for aural skills ( r = .69) and music theory (.45). Piano majors did better at aural skills and music theory than other candidates. A positive influence of keyboard proficiency also was found for the nonpiano majors. The correlation between initial and final grade on the principal instrument was dependent on the instrument category: piano (.64), followed by voice (.55), winds (.24), and strings (.05). Stronger academic performance prior to college was associated with superior performance in academic subjects in college, whereas no influence was found for academic strength on students’ principal instrument performance.