Completed copies of both the University Application Form and the Audition Application must be received by the Music Department before students will be scheduled for an audition. The recommended deadline is 1 February. The University Application Form will be forwarded to the Registrar’s Office by the Music Department, along with the $50.00 application fee. Applications will be acknowledged upon receipt, and the audition day confirmed. The schedule for the various components of the Audition Procedures will be forwarded approximately two weeks in advance of the actual audition date. Students should arrive at the Music Department at least 30 minutes before the procedures are scheduled to begin. Practice and warm-up facilities will be made available.

Applicants for the B.A. (Music) program must be interviewed and must complete the written theory and ear tests, preferably on one of the Audition days listed above. They will perform an audition only if they wish to take Applied Music as an elective in their program. Such instruction will be approved only if faculty time permits.

Audition Procedures

The audition will take approximately 30 minutes, and will be performed before the music faculty. During the audition you will be asked to

• perform the audition pieces selected (please see below for information on repertoire to choose)
• play scales, arpeggios, and chords as requested
• sight-read a musical excerpt or moderate length
• have an informal conversation with the faculty concerning your music background, academic plans and career goals.

Once the schedule for the audition days has been established, you will be notified of when your audition and theory and aural skills assessments will take place. Plan to arrive at the Music Department at least 30 minutes before the earliest scheduled portion of your audition/assessment. Practice and warm-up facilities will be made available.

Accompanists

Where applicable, instrumentalists and singers are asked to provide their own accompanists. If this is not possible, copies of the music to be used in the audition should be forwarded with the application forms, and the Music Department will arrange to have an accompanist available at a cost of $30.00 to the person auditioning. Pre-recorded accompaniments are not acceptable.

Pianists are advised that a successful audition on piano will qualify for entrance on either piano or organ.

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Audition Requirements

Piano

1. A piece by J.S. Bach or any composer of the Baroque era (minimum level: any of the easier two-part inventions)
2. One movement of a sonata or Sonatina by Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, or Schubert (or an equivalent composer from the Classical era)
3. A piece by a Romantic, Impressionist, or Contemporary composer
4. Technique (e.g., scales, chords, and arpeggios)
5. Sight-reading

For sections 1 through 3, you may optionally perform one selection from each category of the Grade VIII Syllabus of the Royal Conservatory of Music. The pieces chosen should demonstrate contrasting styles and moods. Memorization of audition pieces is encouraged, but not mandatory.

Organ

1. J.S. Bach: one of the Chorale Preludes from Orgelbuchlein or one of the Eight Short Preludes and Fugues
2. One piece from the Romantic or Modern Eras
3. One piece from the Baroque Era by a composer other than J.S. Bach
4. Sight Reading

Brass, Woodwind and Percussion

1. Two pieces of contrasting style and period, to be played with accompaniment (Level: Grade VIII RCM, or equivalent)
2. Technical study
3. Major, minor, and chromatic scales
4. Sight-reading

Percussionists: Material prepared should include pieces for mallets, snare drum and timpani, as well as snare drum rudiments.

Voice

1. Three songs of contrasting style and period, to be sung with accompaniment (one song should be in a language other than English)
2. Technique (e.g., scales and arpeggios)
3. Sight-reading

Classical Guitar

1. Three classical guitar works in contrasting style which display the candidate’s technical ability and musicianship. It is better to choose easier pieces and play them well (e.g., easier pieces by Aguado, Bach, Brouwer, Carcassi, Giuliani, Milan, Ponce, Sanz, Sor, Tarrega).
2. Sight-reading

Highland Bagpipes

1. Submit two sets of Marches (2/4), Strathspeys and Reels. From the submitted selections, the candidate will be required to play one March, Strathspey and Reel for the adjudication.
2. Submit two Piobaireachds (Classical Music of the Great Highland Bagpipe). From the submitted Piobaireachd selections, the candidate will be required to play one Piobaireachd for adjudication.
3. Sight-reading
4. Candidates must be able to play various Piobaireachd Technical Exercises including Taurluaths, Crunluaths, Crunluath A Machs, Leamluaths, Edres, Dare movements, Darodos and Hiharins.

For each type of audition, more detailed suggestions and guidelines will be made available upon request.

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Recorded Auditions

Prospective students are strongly advised to audition in person in order to meet the music faculty, staff, and students and to view the music facilities. In cases where very long distance is involved, students may request permission to audition by video tape or DVD. Music scholarships awarded on the basis of recorded auditions are conditional, and students will be required to re-audition upon arrival in September to confirm the awards. To be considered for music scholarships, audition recordings and other materials must be postmarked no later than the second official audition date. Do not forward audition tapes without first submitting an Audition Application, the name and mailing address of a music teacher willing to supervise preparation of the audition recording and to administer the Preliminary Theory and Ear Tests, and then awaiting formal instructions from the Audition Co-ordinator.

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