Accompaniment Guidelines - Classical; Admissions Scholarships; Application Process; Auditions; Audition & Interview - Classical; Audition Repertoire Guidelines; Composition Program - Direct Entry; Entrance Theory Exam - Classical; Fees and Supporting Documentation; How to Apply ; Important Dates and Deadlines; Mature Students; MUSIC QUESTIONNIARE; Non-Degree Students; Non-Degree Visiting Students; Quick Study Requirement-Piano; Recording Guidelines; Residence; Theory Requirements - classical applicants; Transfer Students; Tuition & Fees; What's Next?
Applicants may apply to only one (1) Music Program on the OUAC application. However, you may select up to three (3) programs and/or instruments on the supplementary Music Questionnaire. Please ensure that you list all Music programs of interest on your Music Questionnaire.
Please note: Applicants applying to both a Classical program and a Jazz program must follow all requirements and meet the deadlines for both programs in order to ensure that they will be considered.
Domestic applicants and most International applicants who have never attended the University of Toronto must submit an online application to the Ontario Universities Application Centre (OUAC) by January 15, 2024.
International Applicants who reside outside of Canada and who are not currently studying, nor have previously studied in Canada, and who are interested in only applying to the University of Toronto may apply using the University of Toronto International Application by January 15, 2024.
Applicants who are registered (or have ever been registered) at the University of Toronto must complete the Internal Application form by January 15, 2024.
Providing that your OUAC application has been filled out completely and all appropriate service fees have been paid, the OUAC will forward your completed OUAC form to the Office of University Admissions and Outreach at the University of Toronto. Once the application has been received by the Office of University Admissions and Outreach, an acknowledgement email will be sent to the email address that you have provided. This acknowledgement will contain your U of T applicant ID number.
All applicants to any Bachelor of Music Program or any Artist Diploma Program are required to complete the supplementary MUSIC QUESTIONNAIRE ONLINE. Applicants are required to submit their Music Questionnaire by January 15, 2024.
· Within the Music Questionnaire, all applicants will be asked to provide their program choices, musical and academic background, references, and repertoire selection. They will also be required to write a short essay on their career goals and why they believe the University of Toronto Faculty of Music is a good fit for them.
· NOTE: Please be advised that applicants do not need to wait to receive their applicant ID from the Office of University Admissions and Outreach to fill out the Music Questionnaire. Applicants may submit this application without providing the applicant ID.
· NOTE: The Faculty of Music will be closed from December 21, 2023 to January 2, 2024. If you experience any technical difficulties with the online Music Questionnaire during this time, please email us. Please be specific in describing the technical problem that you are experiencing and ensure that the subject heading is "Technical difficulties with online Questionnaire".
All applicants must pay a non-refundable $67.00 CAD Faculty of Music Audition/Interview fee (per audition). The Audition/Interview fee must be submitted online with the Music Questionnaire.
Official Academic Transcripts, References and Official RCM Transcripts (if applicable) must also be submitted. See Fees and Supporting Documentation and Classical Theory Requirements sections for details.
All applicants applying for Direct Entry into Composition must submit an electronic copy of their portfolio of compositions by February 1, through the Music Questionnaire. (See Undergraduate Composition Portfolio Submission Instructions for details).
For 2024 admissions, the following applies for all Classical applicants for their Audition/Interview:
In addition to the OUAC application fees paid directly to the Ontario Universities Application Centre, all applicants must pay a non-refundable $67 CAD Faculty of Music Audition/Interview fee (per audition) through the Music Questionnaire.
· All applicants are required to submit their audition/interview fee along with their Music Questionnaire online by the required Music Questionnaire deadline.
· Applicants applying for a Jazz program and a Classical program or applicants auditioning on more than one instrument will be required to pay $67 CAD for each audition/interview required. If you are uncertain about whether you will be required to complete two auditions, please contact us directly at undergrad.music@utoronto.ca
All Classical applicants, with the exception of Accordion, Guitar, Harp, Harpsichord, Organ, Percussion and Piano, require an accompanist (pianist) for their audition. Applicants should follow the Classical Accompaniment Guidelines 2024 for recommendations regarding accompaniment for their in-person/recorded audition.
If you need help finding an accompanist for your audition, you may contact the Faculty of Music at undergrad.music@utoronto.ca to have a list of potential accompanists sent to you via email.
Applicants will be responsible for arranging an accompanist and the cost of their service. Applicants will also be responsible for arranging rehearsals.
Within the Music Questionnaire, all applicants must provide the name and contact information (including email and phone number) of three (3) people who are willing to provide a reference on their behalf. Referees may include: music teachers, high school teachers, or any other qualified individual who is unrelated to you and able to comment on your musical and/or academic abilities. We will contact your referees directly once you have submitted your Music Questionnaire.
References are confidential and will not be shared with the applicant.
We recommend all applicants contact their referees well in advance, to obtain their permission and most up-to-date contact information.
All applicants must provide academic transcripts. Grades for current Ontario high school students will be submitted electronically by their high school through the OUAC. All other applicants must provide academic transcripts for all high school and any post-secondary institutions attended. Documents must be submitted electronically via Parchment/Naviance/OUAC whenever possible. Where an electronic transfer of documents is not possible, you will be required to upload a copy of your transcript(s) and complete the Self-Reported Grades Form on the University of Toronto applicant portal at join.utoronto.ca.
Please do not send official academic transcripts to the Faculty of Music. If an official transcript is required, you will be notified by the Office of University Admissions and Outreach. Any hard copies of official transcripts must be sent directly from the issuing academic institution to the following address:
Office of University Admissions and Outreach
University of Toronto
172 St. George Street
Toronto, Ontario
M5R 0A3
For more detailed information see the Required Documents section on our Office of University Admissions and Outreach website.
Classical applicants who have completed exams with the Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM) must have a copy of the official transcript sent to the attention of the Admissions & Recruitment Officer at the address below. Jazz applicants may elect to send RCM transcripts as well if they feel it will strengthen their overall application; however, it is not mandatory.
Admissions & Recruitment Officer
Faculty of Music, University of Toronto
Edward Johnson Building
80 Queen’s Park, Rm.145
Toronto, Ontario
M5S 2C5
An official RCM transcript request form can be obtained by calling RCM Examinations at (416) 408-5019 or through the following link: www.rcmusic.com/learning/examinations/forms-and-services
Please do not send copies of certificates. Examination certificates are not considered official transcripts. You must contact the RCM directly to request an Official transcript.
See Classical Theory Section for more information on theory requirements.
If you are applying to be considered for both a Classical Program and a Jazz Program remember to:
MUSIC REQUIREMENTS FOR CLASSICAL APPLICANTS TO ANY CLASSICAL PROGRAM
In addition to meeting the academic admission requirements, applicants must also meet the theory requirement as well as complete an audition/interview. Pieces prepared for the audition must meet the Audition Repertoire Guidelines.
All Undergraduate applicants must complete an audition and interview as part of the admissions process.
Applicants may audition on any standard orchestral or band instrument, classical guitar, free bass accordion, historical instrument, piano, organ or voice. Please ensure you follow the repertoire guidelines for your instrument.
All applicants to a Classical program, with the exception of Accordion, Guitar, Harp, Harpsichord, Organ, Percussion and Piano, must provide their own accompanist. If you do not have your own accompanist, you may contact the Faculty of Music to have a list of potential collaborative pianists sent to you via email.
Please be sure to review the Classical Accompaniment Guidelines 2024.
Note: If you require an accommodation due to a disability, please contact Jennifer Panasiuk by January 15, 2024.
Applicants who reside within 300km of Toronto music must audition/interview in-person. Applicants who reside further than 300km from Toronto may choose to submit a Recorded Audition and complete a Zoom interview (which may contain a short skills assessment). However, all applicants are encouraged to come for an in-person audition if possible.
All applicants should review the Undergraduate Classical. Audition Repertoire Guidelines
Note: applicants auditioning via recording should review the Undergraduate Recording Guidelines with Upload and Share Instructions.
2. You may be asked to sight read a short piece on your instrument and/or sight sing a short piece, identify intervals and chords, and sing or playback a short melody. Sight reading repertoire is typically two grade levels below solo repertoire required for the audition.
3. You will be asked questions to assess your knowledge of repertoire for your instrument, general repertoire, and structural features of your chosen audition repertoire. Applicants will also be asked to comment on musical interests and career goals. We recommend that you prepare by making sure you have done some research on the composers of your pieces.
In-person audition/interviews and online virtual Zoom interviews (for applicants who meet the distance requirement) will take place beginning February 1st.
Note: applicants who are auditioning via Recorded Audition must submit their video recording by February 1, 2024.
In-person audition/interviews and online virtual Zoom interviews are scheduled by the Faculty of Music once an applicant's Music Questionnaire and audition/interview fee payment have been submitted.
If you are aware of any dates in February or early March on which you will not be available to audition/interview you will be able to indicate those on your Music Questionnaire. We will try our best to accommodate your requests, however applicants should be prepared to audition/interview at any time in February and early March.
Applicants are encouraged to apply early and submit their Music Questionnaire and payment as early as possible to increase the amount of notice they will receive regarding their audition/interview date.
Once your date has been set, it will not be possible to reschedule, except under documented extenuating circumstances, such as illness.
If you require an accommodation due to a disability, please contact Jennifer Panasiuk at undergrad.music@utoronto.ca by January 15, 2024.
Important Note: If you are applying to multiple schools, it is strongly suggested that you provide different dates of availability to each school to avoid scheduling conflicts.
Applicants who meet the distance requirement and choose to submit a Recorded Audition will also be required to complete a separate online Zoom interview (please review the above information on "Scheduling an In-Person Audition/Interview or Virtual Interview"). To submit their recording URLs, applicants will log back into the Music Questionnaire dashboard by February 1 and paste their links where indicated.
Please ensure you follow the Repertoire Guidelines for your instrument and the Audition Recording Guidelines with Upload and Share Instructions.
Deadline for the submission of the recorded audition is February 1.
Applicants to the Common Year, Composition & Music Education – Bachelor of Music Degree Program should perform repertoire at the RCM Grade 8 Level or above, unless specified differently within the instrument requirements in the Undergraduate Classical Audition Repertoire Guidelines.
Applicants to the Performance Program should perform repertoire at the RCM Grade 10 level or above, unless specified differently within the instrument requirements in the Undergraduate Classical Audition Repertoire Guidelines.
As an applicant, if you are applying to two programs, one of which is Performance, your repertoire must be at the higher performance repertoire level.
All applicants are responsible for following the guidelines specific to their instrument.
Any questions regarding the appropriateness of your audition repertoire should be emailed to undergrad.music@utoronto.ca
Classical applicants applying on Accordion, Guitar, Harp, Harpsichord, Percussion, or Piano do not require any accompaniment for their in-person or recorded audition. Applicants applying on any other classical instrument should follow the guidelines below for recommendations regarding accompaniment for their in-person or recorded audition. Applicants are responsible for arranging and employing their own accompanist.
For the 2024 Admissions cycle, all applicants auditioning in-person should audition with a pianist.
If you do not have your own accompanist, or if your regular accompanist is not available on our assigned audition date, you may contact the Faculty of Music at undergrad.music@utoronto.ca to have a list of potential accompanists sent to you via email.
You will be responsible for arranging an accompanist and the cost of their service. You will also be responsible for arranging rehearsals.
The Faculty of Music provides all applicants with space to rehearse and/or warm-up on the day of their audition.
For the 2024 Admissions cycle, all applicants auditioning via video recording should audition with a pianist. If public health guidelines change in your area and you are not able to audition with a pianist for your video recording, you may follow the guidelines below for alternative accompaniment:
No accompaniment (solo) – if you are not able to safely perform with a pianist, please perform your repertoire without accompaniment.
No accompaniment (solo) – if you are not able to safely perform with a pianist, please perform your repertoire without accompaniment.
Please DO NOT record your audition with pre-recorded accompaniment.
STRINGS
No accompaniment (solo) – if you are not able to safely perform with a pianist, please perform your repertoire without one. If you are performing your repertoire without accompaniment, please replace your sonata with a solo work for your instrument if possible.
Please DO NOT record your audition with pre-recorded accompaniment.
Please do not record your audition material without accompaniment unless the piece has specifically been written to be performed without accompaniment.
CLASSICAL APPLICANTS
A minimum grade of at least 60%, in Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM) Level 8 Theory, or equivalent, is a required prerequisite for admission to any Bachelor of Music or Artist Diploma program. Classical applicants without this qualification must successfully complete the Faculty of Music Classical Entrance Theory Exam with a minimum grade of 60% or higher.
If you are applying for both a Jazz program and a Classical program, you must complete the theory requirements for both programs.
If you are applying to a Classical program and do not have the required RCM Level 8 Theory, or equivalent, you will need to write the Faculty of Music Classical Entrance Theory Exam.
The exam covers the following material:
Applicants who receive a conditional offer of admission into the program and who do not have RCM Level 8 Theory, or equivalent, will be required to write the Faculty of Music Entrance Theory Exam.
RCM Level 9 Harmony, or equivalent, is strongly recommended to provide a solid foundation for the theory courses in first year. Classical students admitted without this qualification will be placed into an intensive theory tutorial in first year. Applicants admitted without this qualification may elect to write the Faculty of Music Harmony Placement Test in September.
The Harmony Placement Test (administered in September for incoming students) covers the following material:
Classical applicants without the Level 8 Theory, or equivalent, must write the Faculty of Music Classical Entrance Theory Exam.
The Faculty of Music Entrance Theory Exams will be administered electronically/online on April 13, 2024.
There is no extra fee to write the Entrance Theory Exams.
If you are applying to both a Classical program and a Jazz program, you must complete both Jazz and Classical theory requirements.
Composition Portfolio
Direct entry into the composition program in first year is designed to accommodate applicants who have already demonstrated significant commitment to the creation of music in a style based upon traditional and/or recent Western art music procedures.
Admission into this Classical program is highly competitive due to limited enrolment. Admission is based on demonstrable achievement in composition through a review of student portfolios.
In addition to the academic, audition/interview and theory requirements, applicants who wish to be considered for entry into the composition program in first year must submit a portfolio of compositions by February 1, through the Music Questionnaire. (See Undergraduate Composition Portfolio Submission Instructions for details). Applicants who do not submit the required portfolio by the posted Music Questionnaire deadline will not be considered for direct entry into the composition program, but will be considered for entry into the Common Year of the Bachelor of Music program.
The Portfolio should include the following:
At the Interview candidates will be expected to demonstrate:
All applicants will be informed of their in-person audition/interview date and time or their Zoom interview date and time via email, once their application and required supporting documents have been sent in by the required deadlines. In-Person audition/interviews and Zoom interviews will take place in February and early March.
Classical applicants without the required RCM Level 8 Theory or equivalent and all Jazz applicants will be required to write the Faculty of Music’s Entrance Theory Examination online/electronically on April 15.
Audition results and Admission offer recommendations will be sent out from the Faculty of Music via email by mid-April.
Official Admissions decisions will be available on the Join U of T portal for all applicants when their academic assessments have been deemed complete by the Office of University Admissions and Outreach. We encourage applicants to submit all required documents by the posted deadlines to ensure the decision is not delayed.
Residence is guaranteed for all new full-time students entering their first year of university in an undergraduate program for the first time, provided that they have indicated their interest in residence by completing the First Year StarRez application by March 31, and have received and accepted an offer of admission by June 3. Students must respond to all deadlines and meet all deposit requirements in order to maintain their eligibility. More on housing and residence options...
If you think you might be interested in staying in residence on-campus, you must indicate your interest by March 31 at the very latest.
Applicants should also complete the UTAPS Application via the U of T Need Navigator, and complete the Awards Profile , on the Join U of T website, to maximize consideration for all entrance scholarships. More on scholarships...
The UTAPS application deadline for admissions purposes is currently February 28, 2024.
Transferring to the Faculty of Music
Applicants with previous post-secondary studies in music may request consideration for Advanced Standing on the supplementary Music Questionnaire. Advanced Standing (being admitted into a program higher than first year) is based upon the level of performance that one demonstrates during their audition, and prior post-secondary academic record.
Candidates must complete a minimum of two full years of study in the Faculty of Music in order to earn a University of Toronto degree or diploma.
Transfer Credits
Transfer credit for work done at another recognized institution will be assessed on the basis of individual course content, grade achieved and equivalency to courses relevant to the student’s program at the University of Toronto, Faculty of Music. Transfer credits will not be assessed unless you have been accepted to the program. Transfer credits are processed in August, by application, after an offer of admission has been made and accepted.
Courses that may possibly transfer are IB, AP, CEGEP, College and University level courses
For more information on Advanced Standing and the Transfer Credit process (including transfer credit application forms) please see Undergraduate Admissions - Advanced Standing and Transfer Credit.
Candidates who do not meet the published academic admission requirements may qualify for admission through either the Academic Bridging Program, or the Transitional Year Program. Candidates who have already attempted degree studies are not eligible for these programs.
The Academic Bridging Program is intended for Canadian citizens/permanent residents/protected persons (convention refugees) who do not hold the published admission requirements to qualify for degree studies. Detailed information, including applications and deadlines is available here.
The Transitional Year Program (TYP) is designed for those who could not finish high school because of financial constraints, family difficulties or other circumstances beyond their control. It is a one-year, full-time program that fulfills the academic requirements for admission into the Faculty of Music.
Candidates attempting either of these options are still required to audition/interview as part of the application process.
Non-degree students are registered in the Faculty but are not proceeding towards a degree or diploma offered by the Faculty. Most Non-degree students have completed a degree and are taking further courses for their own purposes, including admission to graduate studies. Students admitted as degree students cannot become Non-degree students unless they have completed a four year Bachelor of Music degree, or are returning to the Faculty as Non-degree students on a Letter of Permission from another institution.
Students wishing to complete their last year at the Faculty of Music or to visit for a year while receiving their degree from another institution must present a "Letter of Permission" and official transcripts from their home university, meet the academic requirements of the University of Toronto and complete an audition (if seeking to take performance courses). An academic advisor from the home university should be consulted with regard to the equivalencies of courses offered here at the Faculty of Music, to ensure concordance with degree requirements. All programs begin in September.
Applying early is recommended, as space availability is an issue.
Guidelines for Visiting Student Applicants
Application for Visiting Students
U of T Music offers a wide range of programs of study at the undergraduate and graduate levels. To learn about the possibilities, seclect a PROGRAM of STUDY and then a DEGREE option from the drop-down boxes above.
To Prospective Undergraduate Applicants: Please direct any questions about the undergraduate application process, including Bachelor of Music programs, Diploma in Operatic Performance and the Advanced Certificate in Performance to undergrad.music@utoronto.ca
Note that the extension only applies to the supplementary application (Music Questionniare). OUAC applications are still due at 11:59PM on January 15.
To Prospective Graduate Applicants: Please direct any questions about the application process to grad.music@utoronto.ca .
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