Music

Requirements

The Music program requires applicants to do a music audition for proper course placement.

Applicants from Ontario will be considered for general undergraduate admission based on the following requirements:

• Successful completion of Grade 12U English
• Five additional Grade 12 U or M level courses
• Minimum grade average of 65%
• No O-level courses or Co-op courses used

Not from Ontario?

Audition information

All prospective music majors and minors are required to complete a music audition during the application process.

Below is important information to consider as you visit Redeemer for your music audition, including a description of the types of assessment we will do, as well as how you can prepare for them.

Theory Assessment

We will give you a short test that will assess your knowledge of basic theory including major and minor scales, key signatures, and intervallic relations. You will also have a basic ear training and rhythmic dictation test.

Primary Area of Study

As a music student, you will choose a primary area of study (instrumental, vocal, or piano). You will be able to elect to take lessons in another area but we require you to choose one area that you focus on to achieve an artistic level of performance. If you are unsure of your primary area, please call Dr. Christiaan Teeuwsen at 905-648-2139 ext. 4252.

Audition Preparation

Please come to your audition prepared to sing or play two pieces (preferably memorized). The two pieces should be contrasting pieces from larger movements or works (Renaissance, Baroque, Classical, Romantic periods). Please note that an accompanist will not be provided for your audition.

Piano Proficiency Level

Upon entrance to Redeemer’s music program, you must have a base level of keyboard proficiency. For students whose primary area of study is not piano, they should have at least Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM) Grade 4. If a student does not enter the program with Grade 4 RCM proficiency, they will be assigned to a keyboard class at the time of their audition. We have a sequence of 3 levels of keyboard classes to help students achieve this proficiency. Students with no piano background, for example, will be placed in level I. Please come with a piano piece to play at a level you feel very comfortable with.

For students whose primary area of study is piano, they should begin with a minimum level of Grade 8 RCM.

Ensemble

An opportunity will be available to you to audition for any of the following vocal or instrumental ensembles while you are on campus:

• Concert Choir
• Instrumental Ensemble
• Jazz Ensemble

For some of you, your audition for the primary applied area will suffice as an audition for ensemble (e.g., a vocal audition will double as an audition for choir). We also host auditions in the first week of the fall term. Following are guidelines for your preparation for ensemble auditions.

Concert Choir

• Come prepared to sing the hymn or song of your choosing in your appropriate voice range
• Sight-read a short passage

Instrumental Ensemble or Jazz Ensemble 

• Come prepared to play one piece on your instrument, with or without accompaniment.
• Be able to play one major and one minor scale
• You will be asked to sight-read a short passage at your appropriate level
• If you would like to audition for instrumental jazz ensemble and are comfortable with improvisation then you can demonstrate that for us.