How to apply
Applications for fall 2025 will open in November
Admissions process overview
Application deadline is May 15
Step 1: Complete Concordia's online admissions application
For Music and Jazz applicants:
Step 2: Create and submit Music Department Admissions Package
For Electroacoustic Studies applicants:
Step 2: Create and submit Music Department Admissions Package
Step 1: Complete Concordia's online admissions application
All new applicants must complete Concordia University's online admissions application before completing the Music Admissions Package in Slideroom. (see instructions in Step 2)
If you are already a student at Concordia please review the following instructions:
Students enrolled in other Faculty
Concordia students currently enrolled in another faculty (Arts and Science, Gina Cody School, or JMSB) complete the following:
- Request an undergraduate degree transfer
- Submit the apporiate form at Slideroom (Music Admission Package).
- Complete your Music Admission Package in Slideroom (see instructions in Step 2)
You must submit this first in order to be allowed to sign up for an audition and/or interview. The deadline to submit this request is March 15, 2024.
Students enrolled in the Faculty of Fine Arts
- Complete the Internal Transfer of Program Request Form, and upload it in Slideroom (Music Admission Package).
- Complete your Music Admission Package in Slideroom (see instructions in Step 2)
For Music & Jazz applicants
Step 2: Create and submit your admission package at Slideroom
In Slideroom, choose the program that you wannt to apply. Then:
- Provide information about your musical background
- Complete a basic theory screening test
- Take theory and ear-training placement tests
- For applicants to the Specialization in Jazz Studies, upload a video audition. Be sure to review the Video Audition Guidelines below, and then begin your music admissions process.
- For applicants to the Major in Music, upload a video audition and/or a creative portfolio. Applicants to the Major in Music may choose to submit either an instrumental audition or a creative portfolio—both are valued equally in the admissions process. Students can also submit both, but at least one is required. While submitting an instrumental audition is optional, it is required for those who wish to register for individual performance lessons (Private Study) in their chosen instrument. Accepted students may also audition later in their studies if desired. Be sure to review the Video Audition Guidelines and/or Creative Portfolio Guidelines below, and then begin your music admissions process.
Students interested in the Minor in Music:
- Applicants to the Minor in Muisc must submit the Transfer of Program Request see Option 4 – Concordia student currently enrolled in a degree program and wish to add a Fine Arts Minor to current degree program form to: music@concordia.ca, by March 1st for entry September the following year.
- The Minor in Music does NOT require a performance audition, but candidates must do all the other tests and activities on the SlideRoom application site. (see the section below, Theory tests for Music applicants. Please note, for Minor in Music, you don’t need to submit the Video Audition).
Music applicants must do the Basic Theory Test and must pass it. You must do the Classical Sight Singing Level I question. You must attempt the following other theory and ear-training placement tests, as they can lead to course exemptions:
- Classical Dictation I
- Exemption Test MUSI 251 (basic harmony work)
- Exemption Test MUSI 252 (counterpoint).
The only optional tests are Classical Dictation II and its Sight Singing Level II question, for exemption from MUSI 212. For the placement/exemption tests, note that materials range quite broadly, from very basic rudiments up to intermediate harmony, counterpoint, and formal analysis.
Applicants are required to do an online written theory test to demonstrate solid musical knowledge, and also for course placement (exemptions from some courses may be granted based on test results). Materials range quite broadly, from very basic rudiments up to intermediate harmony, counterpoint, and formal analysis.
Take note of the following guidelines when preparing your audition video:
- Your video audition should include 3-4 pieces, with a total of no more than 15 minutes, with a good variety of styles, tempi, and sounds.
- Please upload short separate videos for each piece.
- Singers must sing in at least 2 languages, and must perform from memory.
- If the piece requires accompaniment, you must perform it with an accompanist. If you are having trouble finding an accompanist, please contact music@concordia.ca
- Place the camera so that you, your instrument, and your full range of motion are in the frame at all times. It is not necessary to show accompanists.
- State your name and say “This is my audition for the Concordia University Music Department”.
- State the title and composer before each piece.
- If you perform your own work, please upload the score.
- You may video a live performance if you are featured and the video is focused on you.
If you choose to submit a creative portfolio, please upload a selection from the following:
- Musical tracks, songs, or pieces you have composed or produced. If you compose using traditional notation, you may also include music scores. For original songs, feel free to upload lyrics or lead sheets.
- Videos of you performing or showcasing your music. This could include solo performances, band performances, laptop/synth setups, DJ sets, or similar.
All jazz auditions must include three pieces as follows:
- One blues
- One ballad
- One standard of your choice
Aim for a high standard of performance, a well-balanced program, and demonstrate your strengths and joy in making music.
Points to observe for video auditions
- Place the camera so that you, your instrument, and your full range of motion are in the frame at all times. It is not necessary to show accompanists. Choose a medium distance that shows as much detail as possible while still allowing the image to be framed as described above.
- State your name and say, “This is my audition for the Concordia University Music Department.”
- State title and composer before each piece is played.
- The whole video recording should not exceed 15 minutes.
- Composers/arrangers may perform one piece of their own work and are asked to upload or send in scores.
Jazz Voice
The three selections are as for all jazz auditions: one blues, one ballad, and one standard of your choice. Vocal improvisation (scat singing) or vocalise is optional.
Jazz Bass, Guitar and Piano, Vibraphone/Marimba
It is essential to demonstrate both accompaniment and solo skills in the audition.
Drum Set
In your three selections, be sure to cover the following:
- Play swing time
- Play with brushes
- Play a Latin rhythm
For Electroacoustic Studies applicants
Step 2: Create and submit your Music Department Admissions Package at Slideroom
In Slideroom, choose BFA Electroacoustic Studies. Then,
- Provide information about your background, in particular your:
- Music and sound interests and activities
- Technical (familiarity with software and hardware)
- Professional/work experience (if applicable)
- Other arts activities
- Define a list of terms
- Provide a letter of intent - Please describe your interest and motivation to succeed in this program
- Complete a basic theory screening test
- Take theory placement tests
- Upload a portfolio
Electroacoustics Portfolio Guidelines
Read the portfolio guidelines below and then begin your electroacoustics admissions process.
Important
The portfolio is the most important part of your application to the Electroacoustic Studies program, and the committee listens to your portfolio in great detail. The works must be technically correct, normalized and accurate. When reviewing your portfolio the committee will pay attention to the following:
- Is the work simply sampled from low-quality mp3 samples?
- Is the work made from carefully selected soundscape recordings?
- Does the work use off-the-shelf DAW processing plugins in standard or clichéd ways?
- Does the work show careful attention to all of the sounds, all the time?
Select your best, most representative examples of creative sound work that show your breadth and depth of interest in the field. Electroacoustic compositions and or sound art demonstrating sound generation and manipulation techniques are the most suitable for this application. The committee looks for the amount and quality of sound design being done, the kinds of manipulation, the creative ways in which the sound is put together.
Submit 3 to 5 electroacoustic compositions and/or sound design material
- Duration can be 2-5 minutes for each
- For each example, there is space to give a description
- Label your works clearly and provide context in the online admissions form:
- Give the title, duration, program/production notes, and your intention in creating the work (for a video, for coursework, for the portfolio etc.)
- Identify the hardware/software you used, and the source sounds and processes
- Indicate if you recorded your own sounds for the work
- Tell us if the work was a collarborative piece, and if so, identify your role
To get an idea of suitable material, research and listen to examples of electroacoustic and/or acousmatic music online.
Please contact an instructor if you would like additional guidance before submitting your admissions form:
- Mark Corwin: mark.corwin@concordia.ca
- Kevin Austin: kevin.austin@concordia.ca
- Ricardo Dal Farra: ricardo.dalfarra@concordia.ca
SPECIAL NOTE: Please do not, for any reason, send your portfolio files via email or web file transfer services. ONLY use the upload site provided above.