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COVID-19 Update
We are currently in the process of planning and updating our audition process for the 2021 audition cycle in accordance with health and safety guidelines provided by the university and public health officials, and your safety being of top priority. Please note that the audition requirements will not change.
If you have any questions about the audition process, please contact musicauditions@wlu.ca.
For the latest updates regarding COVID-19, visit Laurier's coronavirus information page.
Admission Requirements
Laurier’s Faculty of Music is a barrier free environment, should you require access accommodations to support your audition please email musicauditions@wlu.ca.
Admission to the Bachelor of Music in Community Music is based on the collective results of:
Academics
- Minimum 75% average.
- English at 60%.
- Requirements for transfer students are available in our admissions toolkit.
Audition
See our audition requirements below to determine what you need to prepare.
Theory and Ear Training Test
On your audition day you’ll write a basic theory test to the best of your ability. As a diagnostic tool, this will reveal what you know about western theory-harmony, but will not be a sole determinant of your admissibility to the program.
Aural Skills Assessment
You will be asked to repeat a short melody or rhythmic theme. Assessment will be based on your ability to adapt the given example. This could mean anything from an exact replication to appropriately improvising in the style given.
Interview with a Faculty Member
This is a chance for us to get to know you and for you to ask questions you have about studying at Laurier.
Portfolio (Optional)
An optional portfolio of composed and/or original music may be submitted to the auditions coordinator via USB or video links. This does not replace any part of your in-person audition.
Application Process
- Apply through the Ontario Universities’ Application Centre (OUAC). You can visit our undergraduate admissions toolkit for help if you need it.
- Once your application is received by Laurier from OUAC, you will be emailed login information for Laurier’s Online Audition Portal (starting Dec. 15).
- Laurier’s Online Audition Portal requires you to submit:
- Your contact information.
- Your preferred choice of audition date. You will rank three dates from a set list.
- Contact information for one reference (reference will be contacted by Laurier via email to complete a reference questionnaire).
- Your current academic information.
- Details on your musical background and career goals.
- An optional portfolio composed and/or original music may be submitted in the portal through video or audio links.
- $60 audition fee. (payable by credit card)
- Once this information and your $60 audition fee is submitted through the Online Audition Portal you will receive a confirmation email with your audition date and time.
You should audition in person, but if you live further than 400 km from Laurier, you can audition by video. If you choose this option in the Laurier Audition Portal, you’ll receive instructions from our auditions coordinator on how to prepare and submit your video.
Audition Requirements
Prepare three pieces (any genre or genres) that display your musical and stylistic range. You may perform on more than one instrument if you wish.
Pieces may be chosen from one or more of the following categories:
- A solo piece or pieces that demonstrate your level of singing and/or playing.
- A piece or pieces that you will perform with other players and/or singers (e.g., with a jazz combo or vocal ensemble).
- An improvisation with another musician.
2019/20 Application Timeline
Auditions: Acceptance deadline: Past Webinars:
What to Expect on Your Audition Day
Arrive and park at Wilfrid Laurier University. Head towards the Faculty of Music, John Aird Centre building. We suggest arriving 30 minutes early.
Immediately check-in with an audition assistant. Signs in the main entrance of the Faculty of Music will list which floor our check-in table is on.
Once you check-in our audition assistant will lead you to a practice room so you can warm up.
We encourage you to arrive at the audition room 10 minutes prior to your audition time.
You audition will take roughly 15-20 minutes and will also include a short discussion with the panel of faculty members, which will include the aural skills assessment.
- Bring one copy (photocopies are acceptable) of your music for the audition panel.
- Professional piano accompanists are provided (no extra fee) by the Faculty of Music. You must provide a copy of the music for the accompanist. If you prefer, you may bring your own accompanist.
Immediately following your audition, you will be led to your interview by an audition assistant. You will be interviewed by a faculty member who was not on your audition panel. Interviews last roughly 10-15 minutes.
Your theory and ear training test must be completed on your audition day. You have the option to write your theory test at 11 a.m. or 2 p.m. You must write your test at the time that does not conflict with your scheduled audition time. There is no time limit to write the test. Most students complete the test in 1.5 hours.
Example: If your audition was scheduled for 11:30 a.m. you would have to write the 2 p.m. theory test.
After Your Audition
Most applicants will hear from us once all audition candidates for their instrument have been auditioned. In some cases, this may not be until late April or May.
If your audition is successful, you will receive an email from the Faculty of Music recommending you for admission. This is not a guarantee of your acceptance. Providing that you meet all academic admission requirements of the university and you have received a recommendation from the Faculty of Music, Laurier’s Recruitment and Admissions Office will send you your official offer of admission.
If your audition is unsuccessful, you will be automatically considered for an alternate offer of admission to another Laurier program and contacted by Recruitment and Admissions.
Regardless of outcome, the Faculty of Music will contact all students by email with their audition results.
Theory and Ear Training Test
All students, no matter their academic or musical standings, will write the theory and ear training test on the day of their audition. The test is designed to assess a candidate’s knowledge of theory rudiments and to gauge ear training skills for possible advanced standing credit.
Our test will be based on material found in the Royal Conservatory of Music's Level 8 Theory, formerly Advanced Rudiments.
Laurier offers online theory tutoring classes (via Skype) which can help prepare you to write our theory and ear training test. Contact choosemusic@wlu.ca for more details.
Rudiments
- values of notes and rests
- rhythmic patterns
- accidentals
- intervals
- key signatures
- harmonic function of triads
- meanings of time signatures
- clefs
- enharmonic equivalents
- scales
- triads
Dictation
- intervals: melodic and harmonic
- triad colours
- one-measure rhythmic patterns
- four-measure melodies
- rhythm dictation
- melodic dictation
Contact Us:
Want to learn more about the Faculty of Music at Laurier? Come visit us or request our viewbook.
