Faculty of Arts & Science
Music

An audition is required to ascertain the applicant’s abilities, musical development, overall musicianship, and potential.

Audition Dates

Fall Semester: Instrumental and vocal auditions for the Fall semester are held in March and May. Although a live audition is preferred, it is possible to send a videotape/DVD, which must be received by June 15.

Spring (January) Semester: Instrumental and vocal auditions are on the last day of classes in December. Although a live audition is preferred, it is possible to send a videotape/DVD, which must be received by November 15.

Note: Some Entrance Scholarships are available based on live auditions and completing the appropriate scholarship application form by the deadline. (Early Entrance - March 1; Others - June 1).

Audition dates and more audition information is available from the Faculty of Fine Arts.

Audition Application

Applications are available from the Faculty of Fine Arts.

Audition Accompaniment

Instrumental and vocal auditions must be accompanied unless the piece is written as an unaccompanied solo. Applicants are encouraged to supply the accompanist. If that is not possible, please call 403-329-2495 at least two weeks prior to the scheduled audition.

Composition Students who want an emphasis in composition must:

1. successfully complete an instrumental or vocal audition at the entry level for Music 2148 - Studio I, and
2. successfully complete a composition audition.

Studio Instructors

Requests for a specific studio instructor should be made at the time of the audition. Every effort will be made to accommodate the request, but final assignment of instructors rests with the Department of Music.

Late Auditions

Late auditions will be granted under extenuating circumstances, but admission to Studio classes is not guaranteed after the audition deadline.

Studio Audition Requirements

• Guitar:
• Two contrasting pieces (one may be an étude) that demonstrate range, technique, and expressive qualities of the instrument.
• Royal Conservatory Grade VII or higher.

• Woodwinds:
• Two contrasting pieces (one may be an étude) that demonstrate range, technique, and expressive qualities of the instrument.
• Scales may be required.
• Royal Conservatory Grade VIII or higher.

• Brass:
• Two contrasting pieces (one may be an étude) that demonstrate range, technique, and expressive qualities of the instrument.
• Scales may be required.

• Percussion:
• One solo or étude on three of the following: mallet, snare drum, timpani, drum set, and multiple percussion. Major scales and sight reading of a melodic line in both clefs are required.
• Piano One work by J.S. Bach and one contrasting piece. Royal Conservatory Grade VIII or higher. Memorization strongly encouraged.

• Strings:
• Two contrasting pieces (one may be an étude) that demonstrate range, technique, and expressive qualities of the instrument.
• Scales may be required. Royal Conservatory Grade VIII or higher.

• Voice:
• Prospective students are required to:
• Vocalize to various vowels to assess range and evenness of scale.
• Sing back various ear exercises.
• Demonstrate rhythmic acuity by clapping rhythms supplied (actual score).
• Perform, from memory, three contrasting classical selections, two of which must be in a language other than the student's native tongue. Repertoire may include operetta/light opera selections (e.g., Strauss, Lehar, Romberg, Gilbert and Sullivan).

• Composition:
• Portfolio that best represents the applicant’s current level of compositional ability.