Music: Undergraduate

Level 8 theory proof of completion

• Students applying to any Music program must provide proof of completion of Level 8 theory (formerly advanced rudiments) from the Royal Conservatory.
• If you are applying for the BMus program, submit a photocopy of the examination certificate with your BMus audition application form.
• If you are applying to the BA Music program, please email a copy of your certificate to musicug@ucalgary.ca and provide your name and UCID number.

Music diagnostic exam

• Students who do not have this documentation or who have not taken any formal examinations will be required to do a music theory diagnostic exam. The next sitting of this exam is scheduled for:
• August 29, 2018 from 12 to 1 p.m. (room TBA).
• An exam will also be scheduled on each day of the entrance auditions, February 28, March 1 and 4, 2019 from 12 to 1 p.m. (room TBA).
• If you would like to take the examination, please email musicug@ucalgary.ca and provide your name, your UCID number, and which date you would like to write the exam.

The diagnostic exam will cover the following topics:

• Rudiments (scales, key signatures, intervals, triads, seventh chords, meter & rhythm)
• Roman numeral analysis and identification of non-chord tones
• Aural skills (identifying intervals and chord types, melodic dictation, error dictation)

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

Preparing for the diagnostic exam

• A good book to assist with your preparation is Tonal Harmony by Stefan Kostka. It is 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

MUSI 209 "Introduction to Music Theory" Course

The last method of satisfying the theory requirement is the completion of the course, which is offered in the summer semester each academic year. *Please note that this course often fills up quickly.*

Students who have not completed the theory requirement prior to September will not be able to take required courses MUSI 211 or 225.

Application forms: After submitting a general application to the University of Calgary Admissions Office, students must submit a BMus audition application form to assist us in scheduling an audition, as well as informing the division of your past musical experience/abilities.

Auditions for fall 2019 BMus admission: 
Auditions for fall 2019 will occur on February 28, March 1 and 4, 2019 on the University of Calgary campus. Please note specific times will be assigned after the application deadline passes, but you will be able to see which day your instrument is planned for in the application.

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. Please review the audition repertoire suggestions for additional details.

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 not be provided; you are encouraged to supply your own accompanist. If this is not possible, please contact one of the accompanists listed on the audition repertoire suggestions at least two weeks prior to the audition. 

In person auditions: All application documents must be submitted online by Feb. 18, 2019.

Each applicant will be notified by email with the exact day, time and location of their audition shortly after the application deadline.

Please review additional information available in our FAQs tab.

If you still have questions, please email musicug@ucalgary.ca.

Applicants living more than 150 km from Calgary may submit a video audition. Video auditions may be submitted as Vimeo or YouTube links in the application, or as a DVD mailed to the SCPA.

AUDITION VIDEO REQUIREMENTS

Students are assessed on technique, performance, talent, potential, and musicality during their audition. Applicants should be prepared to perform two pieces (except for Piano, Voice and Strings; those students should be prepared to perform three pieces).

Please include a short personal introduction (please state your full name), and include details about what is included in the video, such as the sequence of your repertoire, the title of each piece and the name of each composer.

OPTIONS FOR SUBMITTING YOUR AUDITION VIDEO

Submitting your audition video via Vimeo

1. Sign-in to your Vimeo account, or sign-up for a free account with Vimeo
2. Upload your audition video
3. Set the privacy settings for your video and select a password. We encourage you to select the following privacy option: Only people with a password
4. Include the video URL and your password in your University of Calgary BMus Audition Application before submitting. (Please note: if submitting after application has been completed, you may email the link to us at musicug@ucalgary.ca by February 18, 2019.)

Submitting your audition video via YouTube

1. Sign-in to your YouTube account, or sign-up for a free account with YouTube
2. Upload your audition video
3. Set the privacy settings for your video. We encourage you to select the following privacy option: Unlisted Video
4. Include the video URL in your University of Calgary BMus Audition Application before submitting. (Please note: if submitting after application has been completed, you may email the link to us at musicug@ucalgary.ca by February 18, 2019.)

Submitting your audition video via DVD

Your DVD must play in a stand-alone DVD player. Please test your DVD to ensure that it plays before submitting. DVD materials will not be returned. Your DVD audition video must arrive at the Division of Music by Feb. 25, 2019. Please mail to:

School of Creative and Performing Arts – Music
ATTN: Undergraduate Program Administrator
Craigie Hall D100 
University of Calgary 
2500 University Drive NW 
Calgary AB T2N 1N4

If a video audition is submitted, the student may be required to perform a live audition upon arrival.

Video auditions: All application documents must be submitted online by Feb. 18, 2019 (DVD audition videos must arrive at the Division of Music by Feb. 25, 2019).

Can I change my repertoire?

Yes, within reason. Your audition repertoire must be listed on the audition form by the submission deadline (Feb. 18, 2019), but if you need to switch one piece then you can email the Undergraduate Program Administrator (UPA) at musicug@ucalgary.ca with your replacement request. The UPA will print your email and include it in your application folder.

Can I bring in a recording instead of an accompanist?

Live accompanists are preferred for instrumental auditions, and required for vocal auditions.
The rooms are not equipped with sound equipment so if you want to bring in a recording you will need to also provide your own tech equipment to play the track.

The rooms will be equipped with pianos if you want to bring an accompanist.

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.

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

The audition is only one part of the Admission process. The Division of Music will send their recommendations to the Admissions office; 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.

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?

If you do not pass, you can write the exam again in the last week of August, or you can register in the MUSI 209 - Introduction to Music Theory course, which is offered in the Summer term and 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 Winter 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.
Read more about the Change of Program process >

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.