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Key Facts: La Rioja PAU History of Music and Dance Exam Exam

90 min

Exam Duration

Universidad de La Rioja

0–10

Grading Scale

Comisión Organizadora PAU La Rioja

4.0

Minimum Access Pass Mark

PAU Regulations

EUR 55.43

Base Access Phase Fee

Universidad de La Rioja

The La Rioja PAU History of Music and Dance exam evaluates 2nd Bachillerato students on Western and Spanish musical history, organology, dance evolution, and traditional Spanish musical heritage. The test lasts 90 minutes and is graded on a 0-10 scale. The practice items in this portal are formatted as an English-language multiple-choice study adaptation of the official 2026 Universidad de La Rioja PAU curriculum.

Sample La Rioja PAU History of Music and Dance Exam Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to review concepts for the La Rioja PAU History of Music and Dance Exam exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1In Ancient Greece, what was the 'Doctrine of Ethos' in music theory?

A.The belief that music directly influences human behavior, character, and morality

B.The requirement that all vocal compositions be sung strictly in four-part harmony

C.A system for tuning stringed instruments based on twelve-tone equal temperament

D.The architectural rule for constructing acoustic amplifiers inside ancient amphitheaters

Explanation: The Ancient Greek Doctrine of Ethos asserted that different musical modes, rhythms, and instruments had a direct psychological and moral effect on the human soul and character. Philosophers like Plato and Aristotle emphasized that proper music education was essential for producing virtuous citizens.

2Which of the following is a fundamental characteristic of Gregorian Chant?

A.Monophonic texture sung in Latin with free, unmetered rhythm

B.Polyphonic vocal counterpoint accompanied by a pipe organ and brass instruments

C.Secular poetic verse set to dance rhythms accented by castanets

D.A four-part choral structure featuring chromatic microtonal harmonies

Explanation: Gregorian chant is the sacred monophonic, unaccompanied (a cappella) vocal music of the Roman Catholic Church, sung in Latin with a free, unmetered rhythm following prose text. Named after Pope Gregory I, it formed the foundation of medieval Western liturgical music.

3What were medieval secular poet-musicians from Southern France who composed songs of courtly love in Occitan called?

A.Troubadours (Trobadores)

B.Trouvères

C.Minnesänger

D.Goliards

Explanation: Troubadours were medieval lyric poet-musicians from Southern France (Occitania) who composed secular songs in the Occitan language during the 11th through 13th centuries, pioneering the theme of courtly love (fin'amor).

4Which major 13th-century Iberian manuscript collection of 420 monophonic songs dedicated to the Virgin Mary was sponsored by King Alfonso X 'El Sabio'?

A.Cantigas de Santa María

B.Llibre Vermell de Montserrat

C.Codex Calixtinus

D.Cancionero de Palacio

Explanation: The Cantigas de Santa María is a famous 13th-century collection of 420 monophonic songs written in Galician-Portuguese, compiled under the patronship of King Alfonso X 'El Sabio' of Castile and León. It is one of the largest collections of medieval secular-sacred monophony and provides rich iconographic evidence of contemporary musical instruments.

5What is the earliest recorded form of Western polyphony, originating in the 9th century by adding a secondary voice to a plainchant melody?

A.Organum

B.Madrigal

C.Ricercar

D.Chanson

Explanation: Organum is the earliest form of Western polyphonic music, first described in 9th-century treatises like Musica Enchiriadis. It originated by adding a parallel or independent voice (vox organalis) above or below a chant melody (vox principalis).

6Which 11th-century Benedictine monk invented the vocal mnemonic system solmization (Ut-Re-Mi-Fa-Sol-La) and four-line staff notation?

A.Guido d'Arezzo

B.Philippe de Vitry

C.Guillaume de Machaut

D.Hildegard von Bingen

Explanation: Guido d'Arezzo was an 11th-century Italian music theorist whose treatise Micrologus introduced the four-line musical staff and solmization syllables (Ut, Re, Mi, Fa, Sol, La) derived from the hymn Ut queant laxis, laying the foundation for modern sight-singing and Western musical notation.

7What French musical movement of the 14th century, named after a treatise by Philippe de Vitry, introduced duple meter and precise rhythmic notation?

A.Ars Nova

B.Ars Antiqua

C.School of Notre Dame

D.Florentine Camerata

Explanation: Ars Nova ('New Art') was the 14th-century French musical style championed by Philippe de Vitry and Guillaume de Machaut. It introduced mensural notation capable of expressing both duple and triple meters, syncopation, and complex rhythmic structures.

8Which French medieval master of the Notre Dame School is credited with compiling the 'Magnus Liber Organi' (Great Book of Organum)?

A.Léonin (Leoninus)

B.Pérotin (Perotinus)

C.Guillaume de Machaut

D.Franco of Cologne

Explanation: Léonin (c. 1150–c. 1201) was the first known composer of polyphonic church music at Notre Dame in Paris. He compiled the Magnus Liber Organi, a collection of two-voice organum setting responsorial chants for the liturgical year.

9What is the complete polyphonic setting of the Ordinary of the Mass composed by Guillaume de Machaut around 1360 called?

A.Messe de Nostre Dame

B.Missa Papae Marcelli

C.Missa L'homme armé

D.Missa Pro Defunctis

Explanation: Guillaume de Machaut's Messe de Nostre Dame is historic as the earliest known complete polyphonic setting of the Mass Ordinary (Kyrie, Gloria, Credo, Sanctus, Agnus Dei, Ite missa est) attributable to a single composer.

10In medieval notation, what are 'neumas' (neumes)?

A.Early musical symbols written above text to indicate melodic contour and pitch direction

B.Wooden percussion clappers used by troubadours to maintain dance rhythm

C.Modal scale formulas used exclusively for tuning harp strings

D.Latin liturgical prayers recited in monotone without pitch variation

Explanation: Neumes were graphic signs placed above liturgical Latin texts in early medieval manuscripts (starting around the 9th century) to guide singers on melodic contour, rising or falling pitch patterns, and vocal inflections before precise staff notation was invented.

About the La Rioja PAU History of Music and Dance Exam Exam

The La Rioja PAU History of Music and Dance (Historia de la Música y de la Danza) exam is an official university entrance evaluation administered by the Universidad de La Rioja and the Comisión Organizadora de la PAU de La Rioja for 2nd Bachillerato students. It assesses knowledge across musical historical periods from classical antiquity to contemporary avant-garde, polyphonic evolution, opera, dance and ballet history, as well as Spanish musical heritage, traditional Spanish dance, Escuela Bolera, and Flamenco. Please note: The official PAU examination consists of written essay prompts, score analysis, and listening commentary. The 100 practice questions presented here represent an English-language multiple-choice study adaptation designed to help students master core conceptual and historical knowledge.

Exam sponsor: Universidad de La Rioja (UR) / Comisión Organizadora de la PAU de La Rioja. The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.

Assessment

Question count not published by the exam provider

Time Limit

90 minutes (1.5 hours)

Passing Score

Marked on a 0–10 scale. Minimum 4.0 required in Access Phase to combine with Bachillerato GPA (60% Bachillerato + 40% PAU >= 5.0 to pass).

Exam / Certification Fees

EUR 55.43 base registration fee for PAU Access Phase set by Universidad de La Rioja / Gobierno de La Rioja.

Exam sponsor website

Fees, eligibility, and exam policies can change. Confirm them with the exam sponsor before applying or paying.

Official sources

Our practice resources: topics covered

We aim to reflect publicly available exam outlines and topic information in our study resources. Coverage, format, and difficulty may differ from the actual exam, and we cannot guarantee that every detail is accurate or current. Confirm exam requirements, fees, and policies with the official exam sponsor.

15%

Antiquity, Medieval Monophony, and Early Polyphony

Ancient Greek music theory, Gregorian chant modes, secular troubadour songs, Alfonso X's Cantigas de Santa María, and Ars Nova polyphonic notation.

20%

Renaissance Polyphony and Instrumental Music

Sacred polyphony (Palestrina, Victoria, Morales, Guerrero), secular villancicos, court dances (pavane, galliard), and Spanish vihuela repertoire.

20%

Baroque Era, Opera, Zarzuela, and Court Ballet

Basso continuo, opera birth (Monteverdi), French comédie-ballet (Lully), Bach and Handel concertos, Spanish organ music, and early Zarzuela.

25%

Classicism, Romanticism, and Ballet Evolution

Sonata-allegro form, Viennese Classicism (Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven), Romantic opera and program music, Noverre's ballet d'action, and 19th-century ballet.

20%

20th-Century Avant-Garde and Spanish Musical Heritage

Impressionism, serialism, Stravinsky, modern dance (Graham, Bausch), Spanish nationalism (Falla, Turina, Albéniz, Granados), traditional Spanish dance, Escuela Bolera, and Flamenco.

Preparing for the La Rioja PAU History of Music and Dance Exam Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: Marked on a 0–10 scale. Minimum 4.0 required in Access Phase to combine with Bachillerato GPA (60% Bachillerato + 40% PAU >= 5.0 to pass).
Assessment: Question count not published by the exam provider
Time limit: 90 minutes (1.5 hours)
Exam / certification fees: EUR 55.43 base registration fee for PAU Access Phase set by Universidad de La Rioja / Gobierno de La Rioja. Official sources

Using Our Practice Resources

Work through all 100 available questions
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La Rioja PAU History of Music and Dance Exam: Suggested Study Strategy

1Master the chronological progression of Western music and dance from Ancient Greece through medieval chant to 20th-century avant-garde.

2Focus key attention on Spanish Golden Age polyphony (Victoria, Morales, Guerrero) and Spanish Renaissance vihuelists (Narváez, Milán, Mudarra).

3Understand the structural developments of dance forms, from Renaissance pavanes to French Baroque court suites, Romantic ballet blanc (Giselle), and 20th-century modern dance.

4Study Spanish nationalist composers (Falla, Turina, Albéniz, Granados) as well as traditional Spanish dance, Escuela Bolera, and Flamenco history.

5Utilize these 100 practice questions to test term retention, style identification, and analytical concepts.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the format of the official La Rioja PAU History of Music and Dance exam?

The official PAU exam administered by Universidad de La Rioja consists of written text/score analysis, listening comprehension commentaries, and short essay questions. The 100 practice questions provided on this platform are an English-language multiple-choice study adaptation created to assist students and reinforce core facts.

What passing score is required on the PAU History of Music and Dance exam in La Rioja?

The exam is graded on a 0 to 10 scale. If taken as part of the compulsory Access Phase (Fase de Acceso), a minimum score of 4.0 is required so that it can be weighted with the Bachillerato GPA (60% Bachillerato + 40% PAU >= 5.0). In the voluntary Admission Phase (Fase de Admisión), scores above 5.0 add weighted points up to 14.0 total.

How much does it cost to take the PAU exam in La Rioja?

The base registration fee set for the PAU Access Phase in La Rioja is EUR 55.43. Reductions or exemptions are available for large family status (Familia Numerosa), disability, and other official categories.

Does the exam cover Spanish musical traditions and dance history?

Yes, the 2nd Bachillerato curriculum highlights Spanish musical heritage. Key topics include Spanish Golden Age polyphony, Renaissance vihuelists, Zarzuela, Spanish nationalism (Albéniz, Granados, Falla, Turina), Escuela Bolera, traditional Spanish folk dance, and Flamenco.

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