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McGill.CA / Music / Ï㽶ÊÓƵ / Graduate Ï㽶ÊÓƵ / Graduate auditions

How to Audition

Screening Material

Note: As of September 2023, screening is no longer required for applicants to the MMUS, GDP, or Art Dip programs for classical voice or early music voice.

Applicants to all graduate programs in: conducting, jazz, and DMus performance will be prompted to upload their screening material directly to their online application when they submit it by December 1.

  • Review the required repertoire for your audition screening.
  • Please note that this material cannot be edited after submission.
  • You will receive the results of your pre-screening by Early January.
  • Applicants choosing a recorded audition do NOT need to submit the screening material and should only submit their full recorded audition by December 15.

Guidelines to follow:

  • Your screening material should include video as well as audio.
  • Your recording must be less than 6 months old.
  • Performances should include accompaniment where appropriate.
  • Recordings of recent live performances are acceptable.
  • You may upload separate videos for each piece, or submit the entire audition in one video.

On-Campus Auditions

Before you arrive:

  • Save the date for your instrument's assigned audition day.
  • Check your email for your individual audition date and time and your assigned accompanist’s contact information.
  • If you are coming from outside Canada, check with for travel document requirements.
  • Applicants with disabilities who require accommodations in order to participate in the audition process must notify the admissions.music [at] mcgill.ca (subject: Graduate%20Ï㽶ÊÓƵ) (Ï㽶ÊÓƵ Office) in advance of their audition date.

Accompanists:

  • The Schulich School of Music will provide an accompanist free of charge for the audition time only. Rehearsal costs are the responsibility of the applicant and vary depending on the accompanist.
  • Contact your accompanist as soon as you can to confirm your audition repertoire and arrange rehearsal times.
  • Applicants may bring their own accompanists if they wish. If you would like to do so, please advise us at the admissions.music [at] mcgill.ca (subject: Graduate%20Ï㽶ÊÓƵ) (Ï㽶ÊÓƵ Office)

On audition day:

If you are experiencing travel delays on the day of your audition or you are unable to attend your audition, please email our admissions.music [at] mcgill.ca (subject: Graduate%20Ï㽶ÊÓƵ) (Ï㽶ÊÓƵ office)

Check-in:

  • A minimum of one hour prior to your audition, you must check-in at the Strathcona Music Building lobby ().
    *Check-in is also mandatory for current students.
  • • Practice rooms will be available to you on your audition day. During check-in, directions to your audition location and practice rooms will be provided.

Details will be available at the check-in desk.

Where to stay:

Book a hotel in Montreal:

Special accommodations have been arranged with several downtown hotels. All hotels are within walking distance of the Schulich School of Music.

Special room prices are available to the Ï㽶ÊÓƵ community: staff, students, visitors, etc. 

If you are making reservations by phone, be sure to mention Ï㽶ÊÓƵ.

Events & Montreal:

Consult our Events Calendar for Schulich School of Music concerts and related events.

See the website for happenings in the Greater Montreal area.

Recorded Auditions

After you submit your online application and pay the fees, you will receive your personalized applicant checklist and access to upload all of your supporting documents to your applicant portal, including your recorded audition, by December 15

  • Recorded auditions are not permitted for applicants to any graduate program in conducting, and will only be permitted on a case-by-case basis for applicants to the DMUS performance program.
  • Applicants choosing a recorded audition do NOT need to submit the screening material and should only upload their full recorded audition.
  • Review the required repertoire for your recorded audition.
  • Your recorded audition should be uploaded to the Multimedia Portfolio option on your checklist. Be sure to click ‘submit’ after you have finished uploading your files to your Multimedia Portfolio. You cannot edit this after it is submitted.

Other guidelines for your recorded audition:

  • Your audition should include video as well as audio.
  • Your recording must be less than 6 months old.
  • Performances should include accompaniment where appropriate.
  • Recordings of recent live performances are acceptable.
  • You may upload separate videos for each piece, or submit the entire audition in one video. Please note that for recorded auditions for classical guitar, applicants must submit one 40-minute video. The video must be un-edited and in one take (no edits between pieces or at any time).
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