Bachelor of Applied Music

CREDENTIAL: Bachelor's Degree

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Get comprehensive, top-tier training from working professionals in music theory, performance, and collaboration.

Tuition: 6843*

Credential: Bachelor's Degree

Length: 2 0 years

Hours: Full-time

Delivery: Class-based

Campus: Broadway Broadway

Start Dates: Jan, Sep

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Bachelor of Applied Music

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Meet instructors, ask questions, and tour our facilities.

Entrance award

September intake of this full-time program is eligible for financial award.

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What you will learn

Advanced vocal, instrumental, or compositional techniques
Solo and ensemble performance craft
Production, communication, and stage skills
Performance practice and learning new repertoire
Advanced improvisation
Interpretation and stylistic nuance
Musical form, structure, and texture
Instrumental range, timbre, and idiomatic writing
Instrumentation, orchestration, and conducting
Cultural migration, fusion, and trends
Recording contracts and copyright law
Unions and professional organizations
Self-employment, publicity, and marketing
Private teaching
Working with music and arts organizations
Collaboration in dance, theatre, and electronic media
Current computer technologies
Music and arts promotion
Professionalism, responsibility, and accountability

What to expect

Program Duration and Maximum Time for Completion

The Bachelor of Applied Music is a two year, four term program.

Monday to Friday daytime classes
Occasional evening or weekend rehearsals or performances
Classroom instruction
Individual instruction
Lab activities
Rehearsals
Regular jury performances
Recitals
Outreach activities
Public performances
Assignments
Quizzes and exams
Work experience practicum

Admission requirements

Program-specific

Successful completion of the VCC Music Diploma or equivalent with a minimum B average and minimum A- in specialized performance or academic area.
Written proposal to the School of Music outlining applicant’s goals and proposed program of work. The letter of intent must clearly state how the program will fit the career aspirations of the applicant. This may be written under the supervision of or with the assistance of VCC Bachelor of Applied Music advisors. The intention of the written proposal is to assist the student in identifying their career plans and establishing the extent of research the applicant has undertaken in preparation for the degree program.
Two letters of recommendation written by persons other than family or close acquaintances who may be able to assess the applicant’s potential success in the degree program and who can speak to the applicant’s ability to carry out the proposed plan of work. The letters of recommendation must be dated no more that three months prior to the application deadline.
Successful audition in specialized performance area (i.e. voice, instrument). See the Apply Now section below for details.
Students wishing to pursue an academic stream must submit academic work in lieu of an audition. See the Apply Now section below for details.
Applicants whose first language is not English and who are presenting foreign documents are required to do the VCC English Language Assessment.
- NOTE: The VCC English Language Assessment is currently not available. Please contact the department at music@vcc.ca for other options.

Program-specific

Successful completion of the VCC Music Diploma or equivalent with a minimum B average and minimum A- in specialized performance or academic area.
Written proposal to the School of Music outlining applicant’s goals and proposed program of work. The letter must clearly state how the program will fit the career aspirations of the applicant. This may be written under the supervision of or with the assistance of VCC Bachelor of Applied Music advisors. The intention of the written proposal is to assist the student in identifying their career plans and establishing the extent of research the applicant has undertaken in preparation for the degree program.
Two letters of recommendation written by persons other than family or close acquaintances who may be able to assess the applicant’s potential success in the degree program and who can speak to the applicant’s ability to carry out the proposed plan of work. The letters of recommendation must be dated no more that three months prior to the application deadline and must be submitted in a sealed envelope, with the recommender’s signature over the back flap of the envelope.
Successful audition in specialized performance area (i.e. voice, instrument). For students in composition, the audition will consist of a demonstration (live or recorded) of 3 *recently composed short compositions (between 5 and 8 min. in length) or a *larger single work (minimum 20 min in length).
Students wishing to pursue an academic stream must submit two **recent 3500 word papers or studies in lieu of an audition.

Applicants whose first language is not English and who are presenting foreign documents are required to do the VCC English Language Assessment. The following minimum scores are required:

Minimum total score of 145 with:

Speaking minimum of 27/30

Listening minimum of 27/30

Essay score minimum of 16/30

Reading minimum of 50/70

*The submitted work(s) must have been composed in the 12 month period preceding the application to the Bachelor of Applied Music.

**The submitted papers or studies must have been written in the 12 month period preceding the application to the Bachelor of Applied Music.

General

This program is available to Canadian citizens and permanent residents. See program options for international students at VCC International.
Applicants who self-identify as Indigenous are strongly encouraged to connect with VCC’s Indigenous Education and Community Engagement team to learn more about VCC’s Indigenous Enrolment policy, application preparation/completion, program advising, and a range of other individualized services.
Applicants must be 16 years of age or older or a graduate of a secondary school. (Some exceptions may apply.)
Applicants must submit official transcripts and other documents as required by their course or program. Seats are offered to eligible applicants with completed applications, in order of application completion date (except for programs with competitive admissions). A complete application includes an application form, evidence of educational pre-requisites (e.g. transcripts), any required supporting documents (e.g. language proficiency, audition video), and the required deposit or fee payment. If you do not meet the requirements for the term applied, your application may be cancelled.

Missing prerequisites? Learn more about VCC's tuition-free academic upgrading or English as a Second Language (ESL) courses, or discover which university transfer options are right for you.

Recommended Characteristics

Ability to communicate effectively
Outstanding potential in area of specialization
Strongly motivated and proven ability to work to deadlines
Good organizational skills
Basic computer, word processing, and music notation software skills

Courses *

Prior learning assessment and recognition

Plan of Study Grid
Term Five		Credits
MUSC 3109 or MUSC 3130	Performance Concentration 5 or Classical Voice 5	3
MUSC 3104	Performance Techniques 5	2
MUSC 3113 or MUSC 3117	Conducting 1 or Creative Music Improvisation 1	2-3
MUSC 3103	Materials of Music 5	3
MUSC 3106	Music and Culture 1	3
MUSC 3107	Career Opportunities 2	3
MUSC 3190	Directed Ensemble 5 ^**	1
	Credits	17-18
Term Six
MUSC 3209 or MUSC 3230	Performance Concentration 6 or Classical Voice 6	3
MUSC 3204	Performance Techniques 6	2
MUSC 3213 or MUSC 3217	Conducting 2 or Creative Music Improvisation 2	2-3
MUSC 3206	World Music 2	3
MUSC 3208	Rhythm Studies 3	3
MUSC 3290	Directed Ensemble 6 ^**	1
Electives in Humanities/Technology/Business/Sciences ^*		3
	Credits	17-18
Term Seven
MUSC 4209 or MUSC 4230	Performance Concentration 7 or Classical Voice 7	3
MUSC 4204	Performance Techniques 7	2
MUSC 4107	Career Opportunities Practicum	5
MUSC 4106	Music Seminar 1	2
Electives in Humanities/Technology/Business/Sciences ^*		6
	Credits	18
Term Eight
MUSC 4309 or MUSC 4330	Performance Concentration 8 or Classical Voice 8	3
MUSC 4304	Performance Techniques 8	2
MUSC 4206	Music Seminar 2	2
Music Electives		3
Electives in Humanities/Technology/Business/Sciences ^*		6
	Credits	16
	Total Credits	68-70

First and Second Year College and University lower level courses are acceptable non-music electives.

In special circumstances, subject to approval of School of Music faculty, a student may enroll in a directed ensemble outside her/his/their applied music concentration.

* This information is intended as a guideline only. Program and course details are subject to change with the approval of VCC's Board of Governors.

Fees and other costs *

Tuition Deposit	0 (0 non-refundable) Tution deposits are payable usually within two (2) weeks after a Letter of Offer is issued.

Tuition Deposit

0 (0 non-refundable)

Tution deposits are payable usually within two (2) weeks after a Letter of Offer is issued.

Fee description	Fee Amount	Notes
Application fee	36
Tuition Tuition	6843	Breakdown Tuition Breakdown 0 - 1 0 - 2 0 - 3 0 - 4 0 - 5
Student union	273
College initiative	197
Materials	0	not including textbooks
Campus resource	274
Laundry	0
Tools (deposit)	0
Coverall (deposit)	0
Uniform (deposit)	0
Medical and Dental	550
Temporary Medical Insurance	0
U-PASS	677
Graduation	45
Program-specific extra fees	0
Total

* Fees are approximate and subject to change with the approval of VCC's Board of Governors. Students are required to pay any applicable fee increases. Application and assessment fees are non-refundable. Tuition fees include a $300 non-refundable deposit.

Fees listed are for domestic students. For international programs, visit VCC International.

Any refunds are issued according to VCC's refund policy.

Apply now

Audition Information:
See the Application and Audition Requirements - Bachelor of Applied Music for Music Supplemental Application and audition instructions. If you complete all steps by one of the deadlines below, you will be invited to the next scheduled audition interview date. Auditions take place by video submission and Zoom interview.

Upcoming Important Dates:
Applications open: See When to Apply

Deadline to apply for 2025:

Information coming soon

Audition interviews for 2025:

Information coming soon

Contact music@vcc.ca if you have questions.

ONLINE

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MAIL

Fill out a PDF form and mail to:
VCC Registrar's Office
1155 East Broadway
Vancouver, B.C., V5T 4V5

Attend an Information Session

Meet instructors, ask questions, and tour our facilities.

Entrance award

September intake of this full-time program is eligible for financial award.

Lean more

Bachelor of Applied Music

Bachelor of Applied Music

Attend an Information Session

Entrance award

What you will learn

What to expect

Program Duration and Maximum Time for Completion

Admission requirements

Program-specific

Program-specific

General

Recommended Characteristics

Courses *

Prior learning assessment and recognition

Fees and other costs *

Apply now

Attend an Information Session

Entrance award

Ask a question