Auralia (software)

Auralia is a drill based Ear training software package. The software covers a range of lessons and ear training topics to improve musicianship skills and aural awareness. It caters for various pedagogical requirements by including integrated levels that are mapped to syllabi from around the world, plus customisation, testing and record keeping features.

Content

Auralia 4 contains 41 topics covering ear training fundamentals such as intervals, scales, chords, chord progressions, rhythm dictation and melodic dictation. It also contains units on jazz scales and harmony, modulation, tuning, sight-singing, forms and absolute pitch. Students may be asked to enter their answers on the staff, tap or play them in on a MIDI keyboard, sing them in with a microphone, or select them from a series of multiple choice options.

Each topic is supported by a series of lessons containing notated examples and audio extracts.

Eigenschaften

The software includes levels that are mapped to various syllabi from around the world. Students can select their syllabus and practise levels within that syllabus, choose to start a test, or work their way through a course which combines lessons, drills and tests in a single integrated learning pathway.

Teachers can create their own syllabus and define the contents of each level within that syllabus. They can also create tests and assign them as electronic worksheets for each class to complete. All results are recorded and can be viewed, printed and exported.

There are currently 2 different version of the software. The content in each is identical however there are differences in the administration and networking features.

Full version – The full version of the software can track results for an unlimited number of students, and can be run on a network. Student Version – The Student version will track results for a maximum of three (3) students and cannot be networked.

History

Version release dates:

• 1994 - Auralia 1.5 for Windows
• 1998 – Auralia 2.0 for Windows
• 1999 – Auralia 2.1 for Windows / Auralia 1.0 for Mac
• 2003 – Auralia 2.1 for Mac
• 2005 – Auralia 3.0 for Windows
• 2008 – Auralia 3.5 for Windows
• 2010 – Auralia 4 for Windows and Mac

Technical Information

Auralia is available for Windows and Macintosh computers and can be run on a network.

Known users

• University of Sydney, Australia
• Berklee College of Music, United States
• Guildhall School of Music and Drama, United Kingdom
• Auckland Grammar School, New Zealand
• University of Auckland, New Zealand
• Concordia College, Minnesota, United States
• UCSI University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
• North Sydney Boys High School, Australia

References

1. “Auralia wins prestigious award at music conference.” Sibelius http://www.sibelius.com/news/press71.html (accessed November 10, 2008).
2. “Roll up, Roll up, the Circus is in town”, The Guardian, Tuesday December 12, 2006. http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2006/dec/12/elearning.technology20 (accessed January 12, 2007).
3. “Sibelius Acquire Distribution of Auralia” Sibelius http://www.sibelius.com/news/press22.html (accessed March 12, 2002).
4. “Review of Auralia 2.0”, The Piano Education Page, http://www.pianoeducation.org/pnoaur2r.html, (accessed January 5, 2005).
5. “Auralia 3.5 Review”, Trainear. http://www.trainear.com//Auralia_3_5_Review_11_2009.php (accessed November 5, 2009).
6. “Music 211 - Teaching with Music Technology” http://www.csub.edu/~jscully/2007/winter/downloads/mu111syllabus.pdf (accessed October 28, 2009)

External links

• Auralia
• Musition music theory training software
• Sibelius Software