Programs and Admissions > Undergraduate > - Audition Reqts.
Audition Requirements for the B.MUS. Program
General audition information
- In-person Audition Dates: March Auditions .
- Distance Auditions: Although we strongly prefer you to audition live, applicants living outside of British Columbia's Lower Mainland and Southern Vancouver Island, may submit a video (DVD) with good sound quality (Hint: use an external microphone not the camera microphone.) in lieu of auditioning in person. Applicants unsure of their eligibility to submit audition videos should contact the School of Music.
- You are welcome to audition on more than one instrument (or, on voice and one or more instruments).
- The School of Music supplies a collaborative pianist (accompanist) for vocalists only; however, any instrumentalist or vocalist may bring their own collaborative pianist (accompanist) or hire a School of Music collaborative pianist (accompanist).
- Applicants should prepare pieces that will show their ability to interpret music as well as their technical facility.
- Applicants whose auditions do not qualify them for the Advanced Performance majors are automatically considered for admission to the General Studies major - only one audition is required.
- Re-auditions may take place only at the end of a student's first year of study as a year-end jury, with permission of the division.
- In-person auditions: Arrive early on your audition day. Practice rooms will be available for you to warm-up in after you check-in at our student run Welcome desk in the School of Music lobby.
Specific audition requirements
- Composition
- Music Scholarship
- Voice (including Opera)
- Instruments
- Guitar
- Harpsichord
- Organ
- Percussion
- Piano
- Strings (incl. harp)
- Woodwinds and Brass
1. Composition
- Students applying for enrolment in the Composition Major must enter with proficiency on at least one instrument. Requirements are the same as those for the General Studies concentration on all instruments except piano, where a somewhat lower level (about RCM Grade 8 for 1st year) will be given consideration if the applicant is especially strong creatively.
- If you have chosen the Composition Major (regardless of whether it is your first or second choice) you must submit 3-6 original scores to the School of Music, which are bound double-sided paper copies, plus corresponding labelled CD recordings to the School of Music. Please submit copies (NO hand-written pencil or ink masters) of original scores.
2. Music Scholarship
- Students are not admitted to the major in Music Scholarship until the beginning of their third year of studies and may be enrolled in the General Studies Major during their first two years.
- To gain admission in third year to the Music Scholarship program, students must enter with proficiency on at least one instrument; requirements are the same as those for the third year of the General Studies Major.
- Normally an applicant will not be admitted without at least an overall 80% average in the first- and second-year core courses in music theory and history, at least a 75% average in first-year English.
- Students applying to transfer into the third year of the Music Scholarship major must also:
a) Submit original research papers on historical or analytical topics to the School of Music. One paper is sufficient, but two (good papers) give a better idea of your range of skills, especially if one paper is a history essay and the other a musical analysis.
b) Include an explanation of interest in the Music Scholarship specialization when completing the BMUS Supplementary Application Personal Goals essay question.
3. Voice (incl. Opera)
For both Performance and General Studies majors:
- 1st and 2nd Year: There is no specific grade level required. Students should be prepared to sing five or six pieces from the standard concert repertoire and may include traditional folk songs, if desired. An ability to perform in a language other than English is an advantage, but not a requirement for 1st year. Accompaniment is provided.
- 3rd Year: There is no specific grade level required. Students should be prepared to sing five or six pieces from the standard concert repertoire and may include traditional folk songs, if desired. Those students transferring from a college into 3rd year should display familiarity with languages and show some degree of technical proficiency as demonstrated through the selection of appropriate repertoire. Accompaniment is provided.
4. Instruments
Performance Major:
- 1st Year: For Performance Majors, a 30-minute program including two studies of a RCM Grade 8-9 level is required. Knowledge of all major, harmonic and melodic minor scale patterns is expected. Suggested 1st year audition pieces: here. At the audition, your program is reviewed and select pieces performed.
- 2nd Year: For Performance Majors, a 30-minute program including two studies of a RCM Grade 8-9 level is required. Knowledge of all major, harmonic and melodic minor scale patterns is expected. At the audition, your program is reviewed and select pieces performed.
- 3rd Year: Performance Majors should have the equivalent of a 2nd year UBC jury program (i.e. a 50-minute program with at least one major work and two advanced studies). At the audition, your program is reviewed and select pieces performed.
General Studies Major:
General Studies Major:
- 1st and 2nd Year: Students applying for the organ concentration in General Studies (including the Education streams) must prepare two contrasting works at a minimum level of Grade 10 RCM or equivalency.
- 3rd Year: as above at a level of the Associate Diploma (ARCT) of the RCM or equivalency.
- All auditions will include sight reading. Technique (scales, chords, and/or arpeggios) may be requested by the auditioning committee.
- No repertoire for the current audition may have been performed for any previous audition at UBC.
Performance Major:
- Any year: All students applying for enrolment as a Performance Major must prepare at least three contrasting works from different major periods.
- All auditions will include sight reading. Technique (scales, chords, and/or arpeggios) may be requested by the auditioning committee.
- No repertoire for the current audition may have been performed for any previous audition at UBC.
For both Performance and General Studies Majors:
- All applicants will be expected to play mallets, timpani, and snare drum for this audition.
- Any applicants having advanced playing skills in world percussion instruments or drums set are encouraged to demonstrate these skills as an additional part of their audition. Any applicant choosing to do so must inform the School of Music in order that we may adjust your audition time to accommodate the extra material being presented.
- 1st Year: Applicants will be expected to play the pieces supplied by the School of Music (see bolded note below). For the Bach, you need only play up to letter B, but you are welcome to play the entire movement if you choose. In addition, one work of a substantial nature of the player's choice may be added if desired. These works can be played with or without accompaniment. Audition will include sight reading and testing basic technique such as rolls, rudiments, scales, etc.
- 2nd Year: Applicants will be expected to play the pieces supplied by the School of Music (see bolded note below). In addition, applicants should prepare one or two other works to represent their current level of performance. These works can be played with or without accompaniment. Audition will include sight reading and testing basic technique such as rolls, rudiments, scales, etc. Note: you must contact Vern Griffiths, percussion instructor, at verngriffiths(at)telus.net to discuss and receive approval of appropriate audition material.
- 3rd year: Applicants must play the works supplied by the School of Music (see bolded note below). In addition, applicants should prepare two other works to represent their current level of performance. These works can be played with or without accompaniment. Audition will include sight reading and testing basic technique such as rolls, rudiments, scales, etc. Note: you must contact Vern Griffiths, percussion instructor, at verngriffiths(at)telus.net to discuss and receive approval of appropriate audition material.
- Percussion audition material: Please bring one copy of your added piece(s) for the committee. First and Second year applicants – print out these audition pieces which must be performed for your Percussion audition along with one or two pieces of your choice, as outlined above. Third year applicants – print out these audition pieces which must be performed for your Percussion audition along with two pieces of your choice, as outlined above.
Performance Major:
- Any year: All students applying for enrolment as a performance Major must prepare a memorized program of advanced repertoire which includes a complete (all movements) classical sonata, a virtuoso etude of any period, and at least one other contrasting work. Concerti are not permissible.
- All auditions will include sight reading. Technique (scales, chords, and/or arpeggios) may be requested by the auditioning committee.
- No repertoire for the current audition may have been performed for any previous audition at UBC.
General Studies Major:
- 1st and 2nd Year: Students applying for the piano concentration in General Studies (including the Education streams) must prepare two contrasting works at a minimum level of Grade 10 RCM or equivalency; memorization is strongly suggested.
- 3rd Year: Students applying for the piano concentration in General Studies (including the Education streams) must prepare two contrasting works at a minimum level of the Associate Diploma (ARCT) of the RCM or equivalency; memorization is strongly suggested. Please note that a movement of a sonata counts as one work and that concerti are not permissible.
- All auditions will include sight reading. Technique (scales, chords, and/or arpeggios) may be requested by the auditioning committee.
- No repertoire for the current audition may have been performed for any previous audition at UBC.
Performance Major:
- 1st and 2nd Year: For applicants wishing to enter the Orchestral Instrument Major, a Grade 10 RCM level is required. Applicants will be asked to play one piece. For the Orchestral Instrument Major, this piece should be a sonata or concerto movement. All students will be asked to play some scales. The selections may be played with or without accompaniment. No sight reading requirement.
- 3rd Year: Transfer applicants must demonstrate competence on their instrument appropriate to the Performance Major and must be prepared to play a 30-minute audition of contrasting works. All students will be asked to play some scales. The selections may be played with or without accompaniment.No sight reading requirement.
General Studies Major:
- 1st and 2nd Year: For General Studies Majors, a Grade 6 RCM level or better is required. Applicants will be asked to play one piece of their choice. All students will be asked to play some scales. The selections may be played with or without accompaniment.
- 3rd Year: Transfer applicants must demonstrate competence on their instrument appropriate to the 3rd year level of the General Studies program. All students will be asked to play some scales. The selections may be played with or without accompaniment.
For both Performance and General Studies Majors:
- Bass Trombone: Print out these audition pieces which must be performed for your Bass Trombone audition along with a piece of your choice. Note: For 2nd Year Transfer applicants your piece of choice must be one work of a substantial nature. For 3rd Year Transfer applicants your piece(s) of choice must be two contrasting works or movements.
- Bassoon: Print out these audition pieces which must be performed for your Bassoon audition along with a piece of your choice. Note: For 2nd Year Transfer applicants your piece of choice must be one work of a substantial nature. For 3rd Year Transfer applicants your piece(s) of choice must be two contrasting works or movements.
- Clarinet: Print out these audition pieces which must be performed for your Clarinet audition along with a piece of your choice. Note: For 2nd Year Transfer applicants your piece of choice must be one work of a substantial nature. For 3rd Year Transfer applicants your piece(s) of choice must be two contrasting works or movements.
- French Horn: Print out these audition pieces which must be performed for your French horn audition along with a piece of your choice. Note: For 2nd Year Transfer applicants your piece of choice must be one work of a substantial nature. For 3rd Year Transfer applicants your piece(s) of choice must be two contrasting works or movements.
- Flute: Print out these audition pieces which must be performed for your Flute audition along with a piece of your choice. Note: For 2nd Year Transfer applicants your piece of choice must be one work of a substantial nature. For 3rd Year Transfer applicants your piece(s) of choice must be two contrasting works or movements.
- Euphonium: Print out the trombone audition pieces (below) which must be performed for your Euphonium audition along with a Euphonium piece of your choice. Note: For 2nd Year Transfer applicants your piece of choice must be one work of a substantial nature. For 3rd Year Transfer applicants your piece(s) of choice must be two contrasting works or movements.
- Oboe: Both live and taped Oboe audition guidelines are listed here.
- Saxophone (applicants may audition on alto, tenor or baritone saxophone): All Major scales should be ready and Minor scales to 3 sharps and 3 flats. Print out these audition pieces which must be performed for your Saxophone audition along with a piece of your choice. Note: For 2nd Year Transfer applicants your piece of choice must be one work of a substantial nature. For 3rd Year Transfer applicants your piece(s) of choice must be two contrasting works or movements.
- Trombone: Print out these audition pieces which must be performed for your Trombone audition along with a piece of your choice. Note: For 2nd Year Transfer applicants your piece of choice must be one work of a substantial nature. For 3rd Year Transfer applicants your piece(s) of choice must be two contrasting works or movements.
- Trumpet: Print out these audition pieces which must be performed for your Trumpet audition along with a piece of your choice. Note: For 2nd Year Transfer applicants your piece of choice must be one work of a substantial nature. For 3rd Year Transfer applicants your piece(s) of choice must be two contrasting works or movements.
- Tuba: Print out these audition pieces which must be performed for your Tuba audition along with a piece of your choice. Note: For 2nd Year Transfer applicants your piece of choice must be one work of a substantial nature. For 3rd Year Transfer applicants your piece(s) of choice must be two contrasting works or movements.
