The aim of the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) 2025 syllabus in Music is to prepare the candidates for the Board’s examination. It is designed to test their achievement of the course objectives, which are to:
1.appreciate and discuss music fairly and critically;
2.identify, through written/oral analysis, the features of the music of different periods of Western and African music theory history, peoples, its forms, and the media;
3.appreciate the influence of socio-cultural and technological factors on the lives and music of musicians.
4.attain a sound musical basis for further learning at the tertiary level.
SECTION A: RUDIMENTS OF MUSIC
Topic
1.The staff:
(a) great staff,
(b) ledger lines and spaces,
(c) open score (vocal score)and
(d) C clef, alto (viola clef), and tenor clef.
Objectives
Candidates should be able to identify all the components of the staff and their application.
Topic
2. Music Notes/Rests and their corresponding values.
Objectives
Candidates should be able to determine the relative duration of different notes and rests
Topic
3. Time/Time signature:(simple and compound time signatures), the correct grouping of notes, and barring of unbarred passages.
Objectives
Candidates should be able to interpret varied rhythmic patterns.
Topic
4. A–Key signatures and scales:
(i) technical names of the various degrees of the scale
(ii) diatonic major/minor (natural, harmonic, and melodic)
(iii) chromatic scales.
(iv) Determination of the key of a piece of music with or without key signature NOT exceeding two sharps and two flats.
Objectives
Candidates should be able to:
i. ascertain names of the various degrees of the diatonic scales.
ii. identify simple scale passages with or without key signature.
Topic
(a) Keyboard setting and enharmonic equivalents
(b) Accidentals
Objectives
Candidates should be able to identify the names of the white and black keys and their relationship, e.g. (C sharp = Dbb = Bxx)
Topic
6. Intervals:
6a. Recognition of diatonic/ chromatic intervals and their inversions (e.g. perfect unison, perfect 4th, perfect 5th, perfect 8ve), major/minor 2nd, 3rd, 6th, and 7th, diminished 5th, and augmented 4th
6b. Recognition of consonant and dissonant intervals.
Objectives
Candidates should be able to determine different qualities of intervals (melodic and harmonic)
Topics
Definition of simple musical terms, signs, and abbreviations
Objectives
Candidates should be able to interpret simple musical signs and terms.
Topic
8. (a) Transcription of music from staff into tonic solfa notation and vice-versa.
(b) Transposition using the treble (G) and bass (F) staves NOT exceeding two sharps and two flats
Objective
Candidates should be able to:
i.readmusic in any given notation.
ii. rewrite a music passage on a given stave.
SECTION B: ELEMENTARY HARMONY
1.Triads and their inversions in major/minor keys, NOT exceeding two sharps and two flats.
(a) Primary triads in major keys.
(b) Secondary triads in major keys.
NOTE A: CHORD INDICATIONS
(i) major triads are indicated with capital Roman numerals e.g. I
(ii) minor triads are indicated with small Roman numerals e.g. ii
(iii) diminished triads are indicated with small Roman numerals with a “o” sign, e.g.viioo
(iv) augmented triads are indicated with capital numerals with a “+”, e.g III++
NOTE B:(I) In any major scale, major triads are I, IV and V
(ii) minor triads are ii, iii and vi
(iii) diminished triad is viioo
NOTE C:
(i) In any harmonic minor, minor triads are i and iv
(ii) major triads are V and VI
(iii) diminished triads are iioo and viioo
(vi) augmented triad is III++
NOTE D: Primary triads are I, IV and V in major scales but i, iv, and V in harmonic minor scales
Objectives
Candidates should be able to:
i.identify triads;
ii. compare types of triads;
iii. determine the use of triads.
Topic
2.(a) Basic chord progressions in four parts vocal style (SATB) in major keys NOT exceeding two sharps and two flats.
(b) Dominant 7th chord in root position only
Objectives
Candidates should be able to:
i. determine the basic chord progressions in a music passage.
ii. recognize the dominant 7th chord
Topic
3. Kinds of motion; Parallel, similar, contrary and oblique
Objectives
Candidates should be able to identify the various kinds of motion in a musical passage
Topic
4.Cadences in major keys NOT exceeding two sharps and two flats.
(a) perfect/ full close cadence
(b) imperfect/ half close/ semi cadence.
(c) plagal/Amen cadence
(d) interrupted / deceptive / evaded / surprise cadence
Objectives
Candidates should be able to identify the various types of cadences in a musical score
Topic
5.Non-harmonic tones/Non-chord tones; identification and application of the following:
(a) neighboring tones/auxiliary notes
(b) passing tones/notes
Objective
Candidates should be able to relate harmonic or non-harmonic tones to the chords with which they are associated.
Topic
6.MODULATION
Simple diatonic modulations (using a single melodic line) from any given major key NOT exceeding two sharps and two flats to any of its closely related keys (dominant and subdominant).
Objectives
Candidates should be able to determine the key of a given melody and its modulation.
Topic
7.Elementary Composition:
(a) Setting of words to written melody:
(b) Recognition of suitable answers to given musical phrases
Objective
Candidates should be able to identify suitable melody to given words, compatible and balanced (parallel or contrasting) phrases
SECTION C: HISTORY AND LITERATURE OF AFRICAN MUSIC
Topic:
1.Nigerian folksongs, types, forms, and characteristics.
(a) Types: cradle, folk-tales, games, war, satirical, dirges/funeral, historical, praise and worksong,etc.
(b) Forms: call and response, strophic, through –composed, etc.
(c) Characteristics:
(i) Vocal styles: recitative, yodeling, ululation, incantation, heaving, whistling, etc.
(ii) Scales/modes: tritonic, tetratonic, pentatonic, hexatonic etc,
(iii) Metre/Rhythm: Metric and non-metric, polymetric, cross-rhythm, syncopation, hemiola, polyrhythm, etc
Objectives
Candidates should be able to:
i. identify various folksongs and their types;
ii. define and compare their forms and features
Topic
2.General knowledge of the features and forms of Nigerian traditional music and other arts.
(i) Festivals: e.g. Osun, Ifa, Ogun, Ekpo, Ofala, Iri-ji (New Yam Festival), Ovia Osese, Mmanwu (Masquerade), Ila-Oso, Argungu (Fishing), Eyo/Adamu –Orisa, Gelede, etc.
(ii) Dancesand other arts: Social, Ritual and Ceremonial e.g. Masquerade, Koroso, Atilogwu, Ikperikpe (Wardance), Egedeege, Kwaghir, Agbon, Nkwa Umuagbogho, Bata, Bori, Swange, Dundun, Kokoma, Abigbo, Okonko, etc
Objectives
Candidates should be able to:
i.analyse the features and forms of Nigerian traditional music and the arts;
ii. differentiate between the various types of festivals and dances
Topic
3.INSTRUMENTS: Nigerian traditional musical instruments:
CLASSIFICATIONS:
(a) Aerophones:
(i) kakaki, algaita, sarewa, pedete, obati, farai, kaho, imar, mongom, taluk, damalgo, etc.
(ii) oja, opi, pipilo, odu, nnuk,ofiom, akpele, etc.
(iii) ekutu, teremagbe, ayeta-ode, odikakora, etc.
(b) Chordophones:
(i) goge, kukuma, komo, kwamsa, kuntigi, lasha, molo, garaya, gurmi, etc.
(ii) une, ubo-akwara, etc.
(iii) goje, molo, etc
(c) Idiophones:
(i) kundung, karawa, shantu, etc.
(ii) oyo, ichaka, ogene, aja, ekpili, ekwe, udu, ikoro, ngedegwu, okpokoro, ekere, mgbiligba, alo, ubo-aka, etc.
(iii) sekere, agogo, agidigbo, alọ, oma, aro, ukuse, eromwon, etc
(d) Membranophones:
(i) ganga, tambari, taushi, banga, balle, kuntuku, kalangu, gangan-noma, tandu, etc.
(ii) igba, nsing, ban yogume, emoba, etc.
(iii) ipese, igbin, bata, bembe, gudugudu, kanango, dundun, agidigbo, gangan, etc
4.Knowledge of the lives and music of the following African traditional musicians:
Objectives
Candidates should be able to:
i.differentiate between the various types and classes of musical instruments;
ii. classify them into their categories
Topic
A. NIGERIANS
(i) Sani Sabulu, Sani Dan Indo, Hassan Wayam, Barmani Coge, Danlami Nasarawa, Garba Super, Dankwairo, Aminu mai Asharalle, Shehu Ajilo, Dan Maraya Jos, Dan Alalo, Mamman Shata, Haruna Uje, etc.
(ii) Ezigbo Obiligbo, Seven-Seven, Morocco Maduka, Okechukwu Nwatu, Mike Ejeagha, Afam Ogbuotobo etc.
(iii) Kokoro, (the blind Minstrel), Anikura, Tunde Alao,Olanrewaju Adepoju, Ademola Onibon-okuta, ElemureOgunyemi, Comfort Omogeetc
B. OTHER AFRICANS
Vinoko Akpalu, Daniel Amponsah (alias koo Nimo), EfuaBasa, Kwaa Mensah etc.
Objectives
Candidates should be able to:
i.identify different groups to which various musicians belong;
ii. trace their biographies;
iii. analyze their musical styles;
iv. assess their contributions to the music industry.
Topic
5.Evolution and Development of African Popular Music
Highlife, Afro-beat, Fuji, Apala, Reggae, Makosa, Ikwokirikwo, Okukuseku, Ekassa, Akuko na egwu, Awurebe, Waka, Hiplife, Hip-hop, Jujuetc.
6.Knowledge of the lives and music of the following African Popular Musicians.
Objectives
Candidates should be able to:
i.differentiate one musical genre from another;
ii. examine their influence on society
Topic
A. NIGERIANS:
Bongos Ikwe, Oliver De Coque, Nelly Uchendu, Osita Osadebe, Bright Chimezie, Bobby Benson, Victor Uwaifo, Sonny Okosun, Fela Anikulapo Kuti, I. K. Dairo, Victor Olaiya, Ebenezer Obey, Sunny Ade, Fatai Rolling Dollar, Bala Miller, Alhaji Uba Rawa, Zaaki Adzee, 2Face, PSquare, Djnee, Paul Play Dairo, Eedris Abdulkareem, D’Banj, SunnyNeji, Lagbaja, Zule Zoo, Daddy Showkey, Majek Fashek, Ras Kimono, Jeremiah Gyang,Flavour, Olamide, M.I, Iyanya, Wizkid,Davido, Omawunmi, Lara George, Sola Allynson, Ara, Asa, Onyeka Onwenu, Christy Essien-Igbokwe, Nasir Hausawa etc
B. OTHER AFRICANS:
Manu Dibango, E. T. Mensah, Jerry Hansen, Kofi Olomide, Awilo Logomba, Papa Wemba, Salif Kaita, Angelina Kidjo, Lucky Dube, Yvonne Chakachaka, Brenda Fasie,Sarkodieetc.
Objective
Candidates should be able to:
i.relate the musicians to the music they perform;
ii. trace their biographies
iii. examine their type of music;
iv. assess their contributions to the development of music.
Topic
7.Knowledge of the lives and music of the following African Art Musicians:
A. NIGERIANS:
W. W. C. Echezona, Laz Ekwueme, Sam Akpabot, Ikoli Harcourt Whyte, Joshua Uzoigwe, Mosun Omibiyi-Obidike, Tunji Vidal, Ademola Adegbite, Yemi Olaniyan, Ayo Bankole, Akin Euba, Sam Ojukwu, A. K. Achinivu, Bode Omojola, Felix Nwuba, ChristopherOyesiku, Dayo Dedeke, Adams Fiberesima, Dan Agu, Chris Onyeji, Godwin Sadoh, Meki Nzewi, etc.
B. OTHER AFRICANS:
Joseph S. Maison, N. Z. Nayo, J. H. Kwabena Nketia, GymahLabi,Philip Gbeho, Ephraim Amu, C.K. Adom, A.A. Mensah, C.W.K. Mereku, etc.
Objective
Candidates should be able to:
i.relate the musicians to the music they perform:
ii. trace their biographies;
iii. examine their type of music;
iv. assess their contributions to the development of music
Topic
SECTION D:
HISTORY AND LITERATURE OF WESTERN MUSIC
1.(A) Historical development of Western music styles in respect of the periods
(i) Medieval/Middle Age (800 –1400).
(ii) Renaissance period (1400 –1600).
(iii) Baroque period (1600 –1750).
(iv) Classical period (1750 –1820).
(v) Romantic period (1820 –1900).
Objectives
Candidates should be able to trace the stages of the development of western musical practice from the medieval to the end of the romantic period.
Topic
B. COMPOSERS
Palestrina, Claudio Monteverdi, Henry Purcell, J.S. Bach, G. F. Handel, W. A. Mozart, FranzJoseph Haydn, Ludwig van Beethoven, Franz Schubert, Frederic Chopin, etc.
Objective
Candidates should be able to:i.identify the composers;ii.assess their contributions.
2.MUSIC FORMS AND MEDIA
(i) Binary, Ternary, Rondo, SonataAllegro, Dance Suite, Canon, Free Fantasia, Theme and variation, etc.
(ii) Orchestral and Band instruments and classifications
(iii) The human voice (its types, ranges and qualities)
(iv) Keyboard Instruments–the organ, piano and electronic keyboard, e.t.c.
(v) Knowledge of the following instruments: ukulele,banjo, guitar, mandolin, harp, accordion, xylophone, marimba, etc.
(vi) Computer Music Technology: software (Finale, Sibelius,Cubase, Reason,Sound Forge Nero), tuning fork, pitch pipe etc
Objective
Candidates should be able to:
i. identify the general forms and various types of instruments in Western music.
ii. relate music to modern technology
Topic
SECTION E:
COMPARATIVE MUSIC STUDIES
1.An overview of the following black musicians (composers, performers, etc) in the diaspora. Mighty Sparrow, James Brown, Bob Marley, Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Lionel Richie, R. Kelly, Lorrinan Hill, Kirk Franklin, Tupac Shakur, Shabba Ranks, Quincy Jones, Boyz II Men, Sean Paul, Janet Jackson, Whitney Houston, Beyonce,Brandy, Usher, Kevin Lyttle, Bobby Brown, M. C. Hammer, L. L. Cool J., Dr. Dre, Snoop Doggy, Mary J. Blige, Jay Z, Chris Brown, Bruno Mars, Neo, Rihanna etc.
Objective
Candidates should be able to:
i. identify the musicians in the diaspora;
ii. assess their musical influence on the global society.
Topic
2. Forms to be examined include negro spiritual, gospel music, jazz, rhythm and blues, soul, calypso, rock ‘n’ roll, reggae, afro-beat, tango, rap, chachacha, bolero, twist, hip-hop, etc.
Objective
Candidates should be able to:
i.identify the various forms of musical genres;
ii. trace the origins of the musical genres.
Topic
3.The spirit of nationalism in Nigerian music.
Objectives
Candidates should be able to:
i. identify some of the features and materials used by nationalist composers to create, project and sustain cultural and patriotic awareness;
ii. assess their roles in Nigerian nationalism.
RECOMMENDED TEXTS
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Ekwueme, L. (1993).Choir Training and Choral Conducting for Africans, Lagos: Lenaus Advertising and Publishing Company.
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