Major/Specialist Auditions

MUSIC FOR ARTS & SCIENCE STUDENTS

The study of music through the Faculty of Arts & Science is concerned with the cultural history of music as it occurs in society both through the ages and throughout the world.

Program options are:

  • specialist (at least 10 credits out of 20)
  • specialist with ensemble option (at least 11.5 credits out of 20)
  • major (at least 7 credits out of 20)
  • major with ensemble option (at least 8 credits out of 20)
  • minor (4.0 credits).

For details see the Arts & Science Academic Calendar https://artsci.calendar.utoronto.ca/section/Music

Major/Specialist Program Auditions

Application Process

You must:

  • Prepare an audition video recording of you performing 3 contrasting pieces at the level of RCM Grade 8 repertoire, or higher.
  • Complete the Music Major/Specialist Student Profile and submit the links to your audition video recordings by August 1.
  • Submit evidence of achievement in Music Theory (Official transcripts from the RCM, or equivalent). Applicants are expected to have RCM Level 8 Theory, or equivalent, or to take a Faculty of Music entrance exam on these materials by no later than August 15. Official transcripts may be sent directly from the RCM to undergrad.music@utoronto.ca 
  • Take part in a Zoom interview on August 16, 2024
  • If you are interested in the Ensemble option, you must also complete the Mus120/220 Audition Request Form by the posted deadline (to arrange for an ensemble audition), and download the excerpts relevant to your instrument from the MUS120Y1 & MUS220Y1: Vocal and Instrumental Ensembles I & II webpage (Excerpts will be available in July).     

Once your Student Profile, video recording links, and the appropriate documents have been received, your interview time will be set. Notification of your Major or Specialist interview time will be sent out AFTER the Student Profile Form due date.

Auditions will take place via submitted video recording

Recorded Audition Guidelines:

Students auditioning on orchestral instruments and voice (excluding percussion) must perform with an accompanist for their audition.

  • The video recording must be of good quality (although professional not required).
  • Please record each piece of repertoire separately; if you have multiple movements you may stop between them, but they should be included in one video submission.
  • Identify yourself at the beginning of at least one of your videos clearly stating your first and last name, and instrument.
  • No edits or enhancements are permitted; each piece/movement must be performance in one take.
  • The performer must appear in the video frame. For instrumentalists, the head and both hands must be clearly visible. For vocalists, the performer must face the camera and the upper body and face must be clearly visible.

Recorded Audition Submission Guidelines

  • Recorded audition links should be provided as URLs, linking to an Unlisted YouTube link or via Dropbox, Google Drive, etc.
  • Links to be submitted with your application
  • In order to ensure that all adjudicators are able to access the recording, we ask that you do not place a password on your folder or your streamed videos.
  • Video submissions must be viewable/accessible for at least 6 months.  Do not set viewing of the link to expire.
  • Double check that your URL links open to the correct videos and do not contain any error messages prior to submitting them.

Interviews will be held over Zoom on August 16, 2024.

Candidates will be notified of their results the week following their audition/interview.

 Audition / Interview

At the Audition/Interview:

  • You will perform three pieces at a Grade 8 level RCM or higher, from different stylistic periods.  It is your responsibility to provide an accompanist, if needed.  All instruments must audition with an accompanist with the exception of the following: Accordion, Guitar, Harp, Organ, Percussion, and Piano.
  • You may be asked to sight-sing a short piece in the treble clef, sing back a short melody, and identify intervals and chords, during the interview. We recommend Zooming in from a device with a larger screen.
  • You will answer questions from the panel to demonstrate your knowledge of and interest in music, motivation for pursuing music study, and an ability to express ideas clearly

Ensemble Option Requirements

Students interested in pursuing the Major / Specialist with the Ensemble option will have an additional audition during the first week of classes in the Edward Johnson Building. The ensemble audition will be 5-10 minutes long.

Students are required to download the excerpts relevant to their instrument; the excerpts will be available in July on the Performance Office page.