Music: Application process
Applications now open
Fall admissions
Application deadline: April 3, 2026
Out-of-Province Awards
In recognition of your academic achievement, and to help offset the tuition increases, we are offering new Out-of-Province Awards.
Admissions process overview
Step 1: Complete Concordia's online admissions application
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.
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
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.
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
Step 2: Create and submit your admission package at Slideroom
All Music and Jazz Programs (Including the Minor in Music)
In Slideroom, choose the program that you want to apply.
- Provide information about your musical background
- Complete required placement tests
Concordia welcomes students from diverse musical backgrounds and experience levels. Placement tests help determine the appropriate course level for your studies.
Please do not send your portfolio files via email or web file transfer services. Only use the upload site, Slideroom.
Additional steps
Application requirements vary by program. All applicants are assessed to ensure appropriate course placement and a strong start to their studies.
Applicants must upload a video audition in addition to the admissions package.
Upload a video audition, a creative portfolio, or both – depending on your profile (music performer and/or music creator). Both options are valued equally in the admissions process. However, submitting an instrumental audition is required if you wish to register for individual performance lessons (Private Study) on your instrument during your studies. You may choose to apply with a portfolio only and complete the audition process later, once admitted.
Upload a creative portfolio. You may optionally submit an instrumental audition if you wish to register for individual performance lessons (Private Study) on your instrument during your studies. You may choose to apply with a portfolio only and complete the audition process later, once admitted
Applicants must upload a video audition in addition to the admissions package.
- Applicants to the Minor in Music must submit the Transfer of Program Request form to: music@concordia.ca (Deadline: March 1 for entry September the following year.)
- The Minor in Music does not require a performance video audition, but candidates must do all the other tests and activities on the Slideroom application site.
- Note that only current Concordia students are eligible to apply to the Minor in Music, which can be added to an existing degree after the first year of study.
Placement tests & audition guidelines
Placement tests for Music applicants: Music applicants must complete and upload a basic music literacy test, a harmony exemption test and an ear-training exemption test.
Placement tests for Jazz applicants: Jazz applicants must complete and upload a basic music literacy test, a jazz harmony exemption test and a jazz ear-training exemption test.
Take note of the following guidelines when preparing your audition video:
- Your video audition should include 3–4 different pieces or tracks, totalling 10–15 minutes. Please upload a separate video for each piece or track.
- Videos may be recorded specifically for the audition and/or include footage from live performances. If you record new videos for the audition, please state the title and composer before each piece.
- If your piece requires accompaniment, a live accompanist is strongly preferred but not mandatory.
- It is important that the videos clearly show you and your instrument in full, with any technical aspects of performance visible (for example, a pianist’s hands on the keyboard). It is not necessary to show accompanists.
- If you are submitting a creative portfolio and an audition, you may combine both. For example, a singer-songwriter applying to the Specialization in Music Composition and Production and wishing to take individual voice lessons can submit videos of themselves performing their own songs – these videos would count as both an audition and a portfolio.
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 the 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 follows 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
Your creative portfolio may include any of 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, you may upload lyrics or lead sheets. For electronic tracks, you may include screenshots of your DAW sessions.
- Videos of you performing or showcasing your music. This could include solo performances, band performances, laptop or synth setups, DJ sets, or similar.
- If you are submitting a creative portfolio and an audition, you may combine both. For example, a singer-songwriter applying to the Specialization in Music Composition and Production and wishing to take individual voice lessons can submit videos of themselves performing their own songs – these videos would count as both an audition and a portfolio.
Step 2 for Electroacoustic Studies applicants
In Slideroom, choose BFA Electroacoustic Studies.
- 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
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 collaborative 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:
- Norah Lorway: norah.lorway@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.
Please contact an instructor if you would like additional guidance before submitting your admissions form:
- Norah Lorway: norah.lorway@concordia.ca
- Ricardo Dal Farra: ricardo.dalfarra@concordia.ca