Application Deadline
Audition Information
Audition Repertoire Requirements:
MMus Voice
MMus Accompanying and Chamber Music
MMus in Musical Theatre
MMus Candidates in Conducting
Recorded Auditions
Graduate Program Requirements
Graduate work at the master's level may focus on scholarly study in musicology, music theory or music education, or on concentrated professional training in composition or music performance.
Admission to master's programs requires a four-year honours degree with a music major or its equivalent from an accredited university. A minimum of a B average must have been achieved in undergraduate studies, with normally an A average in the proposed area of concentration.
For the PhD program, an applicant must have a master's degree or equivalent.
Applicants whose first language is not English must provide evidence of proficiency in the use of the English language by achieving a TOEFL score of at least 86, with no individual score below 20. All candidates for admission must have a fluency in written and spoken English. Some command of French is also advantageous.
Candidates in the PhD program may be required to have, or acquire, a reading knowledge of German and any other languages necessary for their research. All language requirements must be met prior to the defense of the thesis.
Applications for September admission should be submitted by January 15, 2012. Those received after January 15 will be considered only if places are still open.
A complete application consists of the following:
- Application:
- Teaching Assistant Questionnaire
- Studies in Progress Form (if applicable)
- Audition Form (if applicable)
- Other supplementary materials as listed below
Auditions are required for MMus Literature & Performance Students and DMA candidates. Students must submit the Audition Form by the application date.
Live Auditions
Auditions will be held on February 17, 18 & 19, 2012. Please email musicgradaudition@uwo.ca or phone 519-661-2111, ext. 85402 to arrange your audition. A list of professional accompanists as well as information on accommodation will be provided when you audition is booked.
MMus Candidates in Voice are required to prepare
3 Opera arias, at least one in Italian
1 Oratorio aria
3 Art Songs
1 Art song composed after 1960 in addition to the above.
This repertoire will offer contrast between languages and styles. One selection must be in English.
Auditions typically last for 15 minutes, followed by a five minute interview.
MMus Candidates in Accompanying and Chamber Music are required to prepare the first two movements of any duo sonata by either Beethoven or Brahms, and the following five songs in the original key (for both recorded and live auditions):
- Liebesbotschaft, F. Schubert
- Allerseelen, R. Strauss
- Clair de Lune, G. Fauré
- Green, C. Debussy
- Das Verlassene Mägdlein, H. Wolf
In addition, candidates are required to prepare a song of their choice to be sung and played. The candidate may also perform one short solo piano piece if he/she chooses. The audition will include an opportunity to demonstrate competence in sight-reading (for live auditions only). Upon request, the Faculty of Music will assist candidates in securing instrumentalists and/or singers for their respective auditions.
MMus Candidates in Musical Theatre should prepare the following for their audition:
- 4 selections of contrasting Musical Theatre styles
- 2 monologues, including one Shakespeare
- A summary of your dance/movement training
MMus Candidates in Conducting are required to submit a face-to-the-camera, video recording (DVD) of the applicant conducting a rehearsal and interacting with an ensemble he or she regularly conducts and a brief résumé of conducting experience.
The musical portion of the tape should be approximately 20 minutes in length and include literature of the applicant’s choice. Selections may be incomplete, and a variety of different styles is encouraged. An example of the applicant conducting in performance is desirable but not required.
The videotape should also include the applicant verbally speaking about the following:
- Speak briefly about yourself and your musical background;
- Describe the conductor’s role in rehearsal and in concert; and
- Describe your goals in pursuing graduate studies in conducting.
Your name, address, telephone, e-mail, the names of the works and movements, and the degree program to which you are applying should be clearly indicated on the tape so that it can easily be identified. The application should be accompanied by sample programs of concerts conducted.
Recorded Auditions
Recorded auditions (with the exception of conducting applicants) are only allowed for an MMus application in exceptional circumstances, usually when the candidate is applying from out-of-province. The recording must be accompanied by a letter signed by a responsible person, other than the applicant, certifying that the recording is an accurate record of the applicant's performance. The audition must be recorded on CD or DVD (preferred) and of high quality. They must also have been completed in one session and must remain unedited.
MA in Musicology
- A Bachelor of Music in Music History, Bachelor of Arts with Honours Music, or equivalent
- Demonstrated knowledge of bibliographical and research techniques (candidates may be allowed to make up deficiencies in these areas after admission)
- Submission of a recently written research paper
- A statement of goals and research interests
MA in Music Theory
- A Bachelor of Music degree in Music Theory or its equivalent (including courses in harmony, counterpoint, and analysis of tonal and post-tonal 20th-century works)
- Submission of recent work in counterpoint and analysis
- Submission of a recent writing sample
MMus in Music Education
- An Honors Bachelor of Music Education degree and a Bachelor of Education
- Two years successful music teaching experience (or equivalent experience)
- An interview
- Submissions of two recent writing examples
MMus in Composition
- A Bachelor of Music in Composition or its equivalent, including three years of composition study
- Submission of recent original scores as well as recent work in counterpoint, analysis, and orchestration
MMus in Literature and Performance
- A Bachelor of Music in Performance or its equivalent, including related literature and pedagogy courses
- An indication of exceptional ability and potential through the audition comparable to an A standard of the final undergraduate year
- A successful audition
(New) DMA in Performance
- A Masters of Music in Performance, or its equivalent
- Submission of all required materials
- A successful audition and interview
PhD in Music
- A master's degree, typically in Composition, Musicology, Music Theory or Music Education
- Evidence of previous research and writing
- A statement of goals and research interests
- Candidates for the program typically come from a variety of backgrounds: Musicology, Music Theory, Music Education and related fields.
Each student's advisory committee will determine his or her course of study, which will include a minimum of four full graduate courses as well as comprehensive examinations, an area examination and the dissertation.
The student's academic qualifications and previous experience in research will determine the period of study required (the minimum is six terms of full-time registration beyond the master's degree).
Please send all suplimentary application materials to:
Shelly Koster
Graduate Program Assistant
Don Wright Faculty of Music
The University of Western Ontario
1151 Richmond Street
London, ON
N6A 3K7
Canada
Contact Information
Graduate Program Assistant
Shelly Koster
E-mail: skoster@uwo.ca
Phone: (01) 519-661-2111 ext 85354
Associate Dean (Graduate Studies and Research)
Dr. Kari Veblen
E-mail:kveblen@uwo.ca
Also from this web page:
Students
1151 Richmond Street, TC 210, UWO, London, Ontario, Canada, N6A 3K7, Tel: 519-661-2043
Updated February 28, 2012
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