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PROGRAMS

  • Bachelor of Music (BMus): Music Performance (4-year)
  • Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Music: Biomedical Track (4-year)
  • Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Music: Music Therapy Track (4-year)
  • Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Music (4-year or 3-year)
  • Bachelor of Education (BEd) with Music Specialization (through the School of Education)
  • Music Minor

Entering a music degree program assumes that an acceptable standard of proficiency in an instrumental or vocal area has already been acquired (excepting the music minor). Applicants must declare a principal instrument (e.g. voice, piano, cello, etc.) when they apply and then present a performance audition on this instrument (NB: music majors & BEd music specialization applicants only; music minors do not audition). Upon acceptance into the program, students will continue to pursue lessons on this instrument. Lessons are available on most standard instruments (subject to instructor availability) including guitar, piano, organ, percussion, strings, voice, and winds (brass/woodwinds).

While courses in the Music Department explore a diversity of musical genres and styles, our music programs focus on classical training. In addition to lessons, all music programs include coursework in music theory, aural and keyboard skills, music history, conducting, and ensemble participation. 

NB: All music majors enter a common first year (BA). The BMus program begins in year two; entrance is determined by audition at the end of year one.

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A. MUSIC ENTRANCE PROCESS (STEPS 1-5)

NB: Due to COVID-19 restrictions, all auditions for 2023-2024 admissions will be via pre-recorded video. 

STEP 1 - On your application to Burman University please indicate that you wish to take music (as a major, minor, or School of Education specialization).

STEP 2 - You are evaluated for conditional admission to the University (you must have English 30-1, plus 4 other grade 12 level courses, 3 of which must be academic courses).

STEP 3 - If you meet conditional admission criteria, you will be sent an offer of conditional admission and the Music Theory Evaluation to complete. 

STEP 4 - Upon notification of conditional admission, please prepare and submit the following to Music Department chair Dr. Wendy Markosky at wmarkosk@burmanu.ca by one of the 2023 audition dates (below):

      a. Your completed Music Applicant Information Form.

      b. A video file or YouTube link of your audition performance (see section "C.2." below). NB: Not required for music minor applicants

      c. Your completed Music Theory Evaluation (see section "C.3." below)

      d. Your piano level (for applicants whose primary instrument is not piano): official documentation or demonstration of minimum required playing level or higher (see section "C.4." below)

STEP 5 – Your audition video and Music Theory Evaluation (MTE) are reviewed by the music faculty.  

Following a successful audition, the music department will notify you and the university registrar of your acceptance as a music major, music minor, or music specialization student.  

If the Music Theory Evaluation indicates your need of foundational work in music theory, you will register for MUCT 100 Music Fundamentals (3 credits) when it is offered in the regular rotation of courses, prior to registration in MUCT 251 Music Theory I and MUCT 261 Musicianship Skills I.

 

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B. GENERAL AUDITION SUBMISSION DATES

For September admission, the audition submission deadlines are:

·     1st of June (of each year)

·     1st of August (of each year)

For January  admission the audition submission deadline is:

·     1st of December (of each year)

 

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C. AUDITION INFORMATION (STEP 4 of Music Entrance Process) 

Applicants living within 100 km from Burman University will do in-person auditions*.

Applicants living more than 100 km from Burman University may submit a video audition; in which case the sight-reading and interview components will be done via Zoom*.

*Due to COVID-19 restrictions, all auditions for 2023-24 admissions will be done via video recording.

 

1. MUSIC APPLICANT INFORMATION FORM ("STEP 4.a." of Music Entrance Process)

Complete your Music Applicant Information Form.

 

2. AUDITION ELEMENTS BY PROGRAM ("STEP 4.b." of Music Entrance Process)

NB: Minimum audition levels are indicated by Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM) & Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM) levels or equivalents.

 

BA Music and BMus (alphabetically by performance area)

Due to the online audition process during COVID-19 restrictions, all sight-reading and interview components of the audition process are suspended until further notice.

 

CLASSICAL GUITAR

NB: Classical Guitar only. Applicants should have a minimum of two to three years of training.

All of the following (prepared) elements must be taken from the appropriate RCM or ABRSM Syllabus or equivalent (minimum: RCM Level 6 or ABRSM Level 4 for all BA applicants; and RCM Level 8 or ABRSM Level 6 for BMus applicants). All pieces to be performed by memory except where noted.

  1. One concert piece that demonstrates range, technique, and expressive qualities of the instrument. Music may be used if performing with accompaniment. 
  2. One movement from the unaccompanied works of J. S. Bach. Use a reputable standard edition transcribed for guitar.
  3. A scale in any key, to be chosen by one of the evaluators. Three octaves where possible, otherwise two.
  4. A short sight-reading excerpt to be provided at the time of the audition; and brief interview 

 

HARPSICHORD

NB: Applicants may audition on piano (no prior harpsichord lessons) or on harpsichord* (two to three years of prior harpsichord lessons). *Acoustic, not electronic instrument

All of the following (prepared) elements must be taken from the appropriate RCM or ABRSM Syllabus or equivalent (minimum: RCM Level 7 or ABRSM Level 5 Piano for all BA applicants; and RCM Level 9 or ABRSM Level 7 Piano or RCM Level 8 or ABRSM Level 6 Harpsichord for BMus applicants). At least one piece should be performed by memory.

  1. A composition of J. S. Bach
  2. One other contrasting composition by another composer of the baroque or pre-classic era
  3. A short sight-reading excerpt to be provided at the time of the audition; and brief interview

 

ORGAN

NB: Applicants may audition on piano (no prior organ lessons) or on organ* (a pianist with at least one year of prior organ lessons). *Pipe organ or church-model electronic organ with full pedalboard

All of the following (prepared) elements must be taken from the appropriate RCM or ABRSM Syllabus or equivalent (minimum: RCM Level 7 or ABRSM Level 5 Piano for BA applicants; and RCM Level 7 or ABRSM Level 5 Organ or RCM Level 9 or ABRSM Level 7 Piano). Performing pieces by memory is optional.

  1. A composition of J. S. Bach.
  2. One other contrasting composition.
  3. A short sight-reading excerpt to be provided at the time of the audition; and brief interview

 

PERCUSSION

All of the following elements must be taken from the appropriate RCM or ABRSM Syllabus or equivalent (minimum: RCM Level 6 or ABRSM Level 4 for all BA applicants; and RCM Level 8 or ABRSM Level 6 for BMus applicants). NB: applicants should have a minimum of two to three years of training.

  1. Snare drum: a solo, étude or excerpt
  2. Timpani: a solo, étude or excerpt
  3. Mallets (with accompaniment, as required): a solo or étude (2 or 4 mallets)
  4. A short sight-reading excerpt to be provided at the time of the audition; and brief interview

 

PIANO

All of the following (prepared) elements must be taken from the appropriate RCM or ABRSM Syllabus or equivalent (minimum: RCM Level 7 or ABRSM Level 5 for all BA applicants; and RCM Level 9 or ABRSM Level 7 for BMus applicants). All pieces to be performed by memory.

  1. A composition of J. S. Bach
  2. One of the following: 
    1. First movement of a classical sonata (Haydn, Mozart or Beethoven), or
    2. A romantic or contemporary composition of the applicant's choice
  3. Major scales, broken 4-note chords, and arpeggios (root position only) up to three sharps or flats and at a moderate tempo
    1. Scales and arpeggios — 2 octaves (BA); 4 octaves (BMus)
    2. Chords — 2 octaves
  4.  A short sight-reading excerpt to be provided at the time of the audition; and brief interview

 

STRINGS

All of the following (prepared) elements should be taken from the appropriate RCM or ABRSM Syllabus or equivalent (minimum: RCM Level 7 or ABRSM Level 5 or higher for all BA applicants; and RCM Level 8 or ABRSM Level 6 or higher for BMus applicants). 

  1. One étude or caprice
  2. One scale system in three octaves including arpeggios, double stops (thirds, sixths, and octaves)
  3. The first movement of a concerto or concert work (with accompaniment), performed from memory
  4. One selection of your choice from J. S. Bach's unaccompanied works, performed from memory
  5. A short sight-reading excerpt to be provided at the time of the audition; and brief interview

 

VOICE

Audition repertoire must be taken from the appropriate RCM or ABRSM Syllabus or equivalent, e.g. standard classical / musical theatre repertoire (minimum: RCM Level 6 or ABRSM Level 4 for all BA applicants; and RCM Level 8 or ABRSM Level 6 for BMus applicants).

  1. Two contrasting selections with accompaniment*: one in English and one in Italian, French, or German. Pieces to be performed from memory.
  2. A brief interview 

* For in-person auditions, voice applicants are required to bring their own accompanist. For video auditions, voice applicants are encouraged to use live piano accompaniment or the following pre-recorded accompaniment resources:

 

WOODWINDS & BRASS

All of the following (prepared) elements must be taken from the appropriate RCM or ABRSM Syllabus or equivalent (minimum: RCM Level 6 or ABRSM Level 4 for all BA applicants; and RCM Level 8 or ABRSM Level 6 for BMus applicants). Performing by memory is optional but highly recommended.

NB: applicants should have a minimum of two to three years of training

  1. One solo composition with accompaniment*
  2. One etude or study
  3. A short sight-reading excerpt to be provided at the time of the audition; and brief interview

*All auditioning wind students are required to provide their own accompanist

 

Music Specialization: BEd program (School of Education)

Recommended minimum performance level of RCM Level 4 or ABRSM Level 3 or equivalent. Performing by memory is optional. Audition elements are:

  1. One (1) selection that represents your current level in your main performance area. Please provide composer and title of selection. Non-keyboard applicants should audition using live piano accompaniment (preferred) or recorded track (if necessary).
  2. A brief interview on your music background and goals

 

Music Minor program

No audition; no minimum performance level.

Required: A brief interview on your music background and goals

 

3. MUSIC THEORY EVALUATION ("STEP 4.c." of Music Entrance Process)

All applicants to any music program must take the Music Theory Evaluation (MTE). This written test covers key signatures, major and minor scales, triads, intervals, meter and rhythm, and clefs.

For accurate evaluation, please work alone (no help). Simply complete what you know and leave blank what you don’t know - your evaluation result has no influence on your acceptance into a music program!

Students scoring less than 80% on the MTE must register for MUCT 100 Music Fundamentals when it is offered in the regular course rotation, and prior to registration in MUCT 251 Theory I and MUCT 261 Musicianship Skills I.

 

4. PIANO LEVEL ("STEP 4.d." of Music Entrance Process)

Students entering any music program (major, BEd specialization, or minor) with a piano level less than RCM Level 4 or ABRSM Level 3 or equivalent must register for MUSI 120 (1 credit) in each of their first two semesters of program study for a total of 2 credits.

Entering students whose main instrument is not piano but who already play at RCM Level 4 or ABRSM Level 3 or equivalent (or higher) must arrange for their official RCM or ABRSM (or equivalent) piano level transcript to be sent to the Registrar documenting this minimum (or higher) piano level or students may demonstrate this minimum piano level (or higher) as part of their audition performance (one piece only).

 

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FINAL CHECKLIST

  1. Have you completed and submitted your Music Applicant Information Form?  
  2. Have you completed and emailed your video file or Youtube link to Music Department Chair Dr. Markosky? (wmarkosk@burmanu.ca)
  3. Have you completed, scanned, and emailed your Music Theory Evaluation to Dr. Markosky?
  4. If your main instrument is not piano but you already play piano at RCM Level 4 or ABRSM Level 3 or equivalent (or higher), have you requested RCM or ABRSM to send documentation to the Burman University Registrar or have you demonstrated your piano playing level as part of your audition video recording*?

(*For music minors in this category, demonstration of piano playing level is the only element for video recording.)

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