BMus entrance audition

for Bachelor of Music programs

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If you have not yet done so, please visit the Admissions website to submit your UCalgary application for admission.

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Audition info

Audition info - The BMus program requires either an in-person OR a video audition, which you will select in the UCalgary application. In-person auditions are preferred, but you may select ‘video audition’ if your home address is more than 150 km away from the University of Calgary. If you selected ‘video submission’ in your application, an Audition To-Do list item will generate in your Student Centre within 24-48 hours after you submit your application for admission. Your video submission should be uploaded to your To-Do list as a Word or PDF document that includes the appropriate video link.

Complete before deadline

Your UCalgary application is due March 1, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. If you have selected an in-person audition, you will be notified of the audition schedule after the deadline. Please note that the in-person auditions will take place on March 10, 11, and 13, 2025. Please make yourself available on these days for your audition.

Audition information for the Bachelor of Music can be found below. Any questions about the undergraduate application process can be emailed to the SCPA Admin.

Students may audition for the Classical, Jazz, or Traditional Musics of the World track for their lessons in the BMus degree. This means you will be able to study classical, jazz, a world traditional music, or a combination, in your lessons throughout your degree. If you would like to audition in a style of music that is not listed in the application, please apply and audition and we will consider you for the degree. Please scroll down to Audition Information for more information about the process..

Monday, March 10, 2025
Tuesday, March 11, 2025
Thursday, March 13, 2025

Students applying to any Music program must satisfy a theory requirement. This can be done in one of the following ways:

For Bachelor of Music (BMus) applicants:

1. By providing proof of completion of Advanced Rudiments or Level 8 Theory from the Royal Conservatory (ABRSM Level 5 will also be accepted).

If you are applying to the BMus program: you will be required to provide proof of completion for any theory examinations listed in your application, which should be submitted to the Theory To-Do list item, generated in your Student Centre within 24-48 hours after you submit this application for admission.

2. By passing a theory diagnostic exam offered online during the week of auditions. Students who do not have the above documentation (or who have not taken any formal examinations), will be required to complete this exam. If you do not upload proof of completion to your Theory To-Do list (see above), you will be notified with theory diagnostic exam instructions after the deadline.

3. Pass MUSI 209 Introduction to Music Theory. This is the last method of satisfying the requirement. This course is offered in the summer semester each academic year. *Please note that this course often fills up quickly.

Students who have not satisfied this theory requirement prior to September will not be able to take required courses MUSI 213 or 225.

For Bachelor of Arts (BA) music applicants/students:

BA applicants or students in music may request to take the theory diagnostic exam, as completion of the Royal Conservatory Level 8 Theory (formerly Advanced Rudiments), MUSI 209, or the music theory diagnostic exam is a pre-requisite for certain required music courses. Applicants are strongly encouraged to complete this requirement prior to the beginning of the BA Music program. If you would like to take the exam, please email scpa@ucalgary.ca and provide your full name and UCID number.

About the Theory Diagnostic Exam

The diagnostic exam will cover the following topics:
Rudiments (scales, key signatures, intervals, triads, seventh chords, meter & rhythm)
Transposition
Roman numeral analysis and identification of non-chord tones
Aural skills (identifying intervals and chord types, melodic dictation, error dictation)

You must receive at grade of at least 70% to pass this exam

A good book to assist you with your preparations is Tonal Harmony by Stefan Kostka, available in the Taylor Family Digital Library. If you are in Calgary and would like to work with a tutor to prepare you for the exam, please contact the Music Undergraduate Society at undmusic@ucalgary.ca.

You must complete your UCalgary application for admission by March 1, 2025.

If you selected an ‘in-person audition’ in your admission application, you will be notified with the exact date, time, and location of your audition shortly after the application deadline passes.

Auditioned students are assessed on technique, performance, talent, potential, and musicality during their audition. In addition to repertoire performance, both sight-reading and technique may be included as part of the audition. For more information about what to play at your audition please review the Audition Repertoire Suggestions (link) document.

Pianists and vocalists should be prepared to perform repertoire at the RCM Grade X level. All others should be prepared to perform repertoire at the RCM Grade VIII level. Students who have not reached the Grade VIII level but who have a serious interest in a career in music are encouraged to apply and to audition at the level of performance they have reached.

Accompanists:

An accompanist will be provided for all classical vocal auditions (though you are free to bring your own accompanist), and vocal jazz applicants should bring pre-recorded/iReal Pro tracks. A mic and sound system will be provided, with an auxiliary audio cable connection for your device.

Please review additional information available under Frequently Asked Questions.

If you live more than 150 km away and selected a 'video submission' in your admission application, an Audition To-Do list item will generate in your Student Centre within 24-48 hours after you submit your application for admission. Your video submission should be uploaded in your To-Do list as a Word or PDF document that includes the appropriate video link and password. Video auditions may be submitted as Vimeo or YouTube links by March 1, 2025.

Each piece or movement should be recorded in one continuous take without editing and with the musician's hands/body visible. It is recommended that recordings be of the highest quality possible, and on acoustic instruments. Auditions should be uploaded to an internet-accessible video platform (such as Vimeo or YouTube) as an unlisted video that can be accessed through the link you provide. Applicants should then submit a document with their name, UCID and audition video link(s) link(s) to their Student Centre (after submitting the application). Video recordings are required by March 1 to be uploaded for viewing by the evaluation committee.

Through a unique collaborative agreement, students interested in an enhanced performance-focused program can complete a BMus or MMus and the APP simultaneously. Academic courses are completed at University of Calgary, while Lessons on an instrument or voice are completed with an instructor from either the MRU Conservatory or the University of Calgary. Weekly masterclasses, chamber music, recitals, and other requirements are organized so that degree/APP requirements are not duplicated.

Interested students must audition and meet the admission requirements of both institutions. University of Calgary auditions typically take place in March for the BMus, and in February for the MMUS.

For more information on the APP program at MRU can be found here

If you are currently a UCalgary student applying for lessons OR a Change of Program for the Bachelor of Music (BMus), please complete the following two steps:

1. For current Change of Program students, submit your application through your Student Centre following the instructions here.

2. Submit your audition application form here.

Do I need to play with an accompanist?

Auditions may be played accompanied or unaccompanied.

Do I have to have all the pieces memorized?

No, you do not have to have your entrance audition pieces memorized. If you are able to do some of the repertoire from memory then it does demonstrate thorough study of the piece, but it is not necessary or expected that the audition pieces will be completely memorized.

Do I need to bring music for the adjudicating panel?

No, this is not necessary.

Will I be able to find out my audition results right away?

The audition is only one part of the admission process. After the auditions, the Division of Music will send their recommendations to the Admissions office; then the Admissions team will complete their review and update your admission status in your Student Centre. This may take some time as Admission decisions are ongoing. Please see your Student Centre for further details.

You will require the eID and password you created at the time of application in order to log into your Student Centre. If you forget your eID/password, please contact IT Support at itsupport@ucalgary.ca or 1-403-220-5555.

Contact IT Support

Will I be able to find out my music theory diagnostic exam results right away?

The Division of Music will send you an email with your music theory diagnostic exam results within 10 business days after the auditions close.

What are my options if I failed the music theory diagnostic exam?

There are four ways to satisfy the theory requirement, and passing the diagnostic exam is just one of them. You can also take a Royal Conservatory Level 8 Theory exam and send us proof of completion (RCM Advanced Rudiments or ABRSM Level 5 are also accepted).

Alternatively to the above, you can write the exam again in the last week of August. Finally, you can register in the MUSI 209 - Introduction to Music Theory course, which is offered in the Summer term. Passing any one of the above will satisfy the music theory requirement.

If you do not satisfy the music theory requirement before September courses begin, you may be switched into the BA Music program and required to register in the MUSI 209 - Introduction to Music Theory course, which is offered in the Summer term, to satisfy the music theory requirement. Then you may be able to submit a Change of Program to switch back into the BMus program.

If you do not satisfy the music theory requirement before registration begins, you will not be able to register in MUSI 211, 213 or 225.

Read more about the Change of Program process