Undergraduate Auditions
For admission to the BMus or BMus/Bed programs, or to be considered for an applied music course as a non-BMus student, applicants must audition on one of the two dates indicated below.
The first audition date for students entering in the academic year is March 2, 2024 (March 3 for String applicants). The deadline to submit an audition application form is February 15, 2024. Applicants submitting recorded video auditions should submit by February 26.
Applicants also have the option of auditioning on a later date of April 20 (and April 27 for Piano applicants). The deadline to submit an audition application form for this later date is April 5, 2024. Applicants submitting recorded video auditions for this later period should submit by April 12.
Applicants who live 100km or more away from Edmonton have the option of submitting a recorded video audition. Please follow the guidelines described here: Video Audition Guidelines
While the Department of Music prides itself on teaching courses that explore a diverse range of musical genres and styles, our music programs focus on classical training.
Please find all the necessary steps below.
Apply to Audition
For applicants to the Bachelor of Music or Bachelor of Music/Bachelor of Education combined degrees, please complete and submit the following form: BMus and BMus/BEd Audition Application
For applicants who wish to take an Applied Music course as part of a program other than BMus or BMus/BEd, please complete and submit the following form: Applied Music Audition Application
Please contact an Undergraduate Advisor if you have any questions or concerns.
Audition Requirements/Repertoire
Please ensure that you prepare the proper repertoire based on your instrument of study. The following is a list of specific audition material:
Note: Classical Guitar only. Must be equivalent to RCM Level 8 (equivalent to ABRSM grade 6) or higher. All to be performed from memory.
- Two studies of contrasting nature, one from the 19th century collections and one from the 20th century collections.
- The first movement of a solo recital work of two or three movements, or the same for guitar with orchestra or chamber ensemble (with piano reduction), or a significant solo recital work of one movement only. The music may be used if performing with a pianist.
- One movement from the unaccompanied works of J.S. Bach. Use a reputable standard edition transcribed for guitar.
- A scale in any key, to be chosen by one of the evaluators. Three octaves where possible, otherwise two.
- A short sight-reading excerpt, to be provided at the time of the audition.
- A composition of J.S. Bach
- Two other contrasting compositions
- Sight-reading and interview
- Snare drum: a solo, étude or excerpt
- Timpani: a solo, étude or excerpt
- Mallets (with accompaniment, as required): a solo or étude (2 or 4 mallets)
- Sight-reading
- A composition of J.S. Bach
- First movement of a classical sonata (Haydn, Mozart or Beethoven)
- A romantic or contemporary composition of the applicant's choice
- Sight-reading and interview
- An etude or caprice from a standard collection (Kreutzer, Rode, Dont, Fiorillo, Popper, Piatti, Dotzauer, Paganini, or equivalent)
- The first movement of a concerto or concert work (with accompaniment), performed from memory. Select from the RCM syllabus levels 8 (equivalent to ABRSM grade 6) and up; refer to the RCM syllabus online.
- A selection of your choice from Bach's unaccompanied works, performed from memory
- A short sight-reading excerpt, to be provided at the time of the audition
The performance will be followed by a short interview and a short aural skills test.
- Three selections with accompaniment: one in English, one in Italian, and one in either French or German
- Selections should be from the standard classical vocal repertoire
- Interview
- *Please note all auditioning voice students are required to bring their own accompanist. Pieces should be performed from memory.
For video auditions, voice applicants are encouraged to make use of the following pre-recorded accompaniment resources:
- A solo composition with accompaniment
- A study
- Sight-reading and interview
- NB: applicants should have a minimum of two to three years of training
- *Please note all auditioning wind students are required to bring their own accompanist