Launch your career in music and music-related professions by learning from some of Canada’s finest performers, composers, and producers. Audition and specialize in any genre including classical, jazz, contemporary, and electronic music.
What you will learn
- Professional vocal, instrumental, or compositional techniques
- Solo and ensemble performance
- Rehearsal methods
- Pre-stage and backstage preparation
- Solo and ensemble psychology
- Audience engagement and interaction
- Instrument ergonomics
- Performance evaluation and critique
- Rhythm and melody
- Improvisation
- Cadences and song forms
- Major and minor scales, diatonic modes
- Acoustics
- Notation systems
- Orchestration
- Historical and comparative musicology
- Ethnomusicology
- Critical listening and self-evaluation
- Historical and contemporary performance contexts
- Self-promotion and music industry careers
What to expect
Program Duration and Maximum Time for Completion
The Music Diploma is a two-year, four-term program. Maximum time for completion is five years.
- Monday to Friday daytime classes
- Occasional evening or weekend rehearsals or performances
- Classroom instruction
- Individual instruction
- Lab activities
- Rehearsals
- Regular jury performances
- Outreach activities
- Public performances
- Assignments
- Quizzes and exams
Admission requirements
Program-specific
ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS
- Grade 12 graduation, GED or equivalent
Note: Applicants who have not graduated from high school may still be considered, with permission from the Music Department Leader.
2. English 12 or Communications 12 with a pass, or equivalent.
MUSIC REQUIREMENTS
1. Audition requirements differ for each instrument. See specific Application and Audition Requirements - Music Diploma and Music Prep Certificate
2. Entrance auditions and musicianship examinations are held from February through May. Applicants for admission to the Music Diploma program will write a diagnostic examination in theory and are tested on aural perception and rhythmic skills. Minimum standards are equivalent to Preparatory Music Theory 1 & 2 (MUSC 1013 and MUSC 1033), and Preparatory Musicianship 1 & 2 (MUSC 1011 and MUSC 1031). Students who are accepted at the audition but who require upgrading of theory and musicianship may register concurrently in the recommended preparatory courses (MUSC 1011, 1013, MUSC 1031 and MUSC 1033). Students may also register for the other preparatory-level courses (MUSC 1010, 1030, 1054, 1064) and the following diploma-level courses: MUSC 1305, MUSC 1319, and MUSC 2490 (instructor permission and available space required. Students will be wait-listed until available space and instructor permission are confirmed).
ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY REQUIREMENTS
English language proficiency at an English 12 level, or equivalent
Please note all English assessments must have been written in the previous calendar year, with the exception of English 12 taken in Canada.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The Music Department is located at the Broadway Campus on the 3rd floor. Applications, along with transcripts and all supporting documents, will be accepted by VCC between November 1st and April 1st. An entrance audition or interview will be scheduled once all required documents are received. Applications received after April 1st will be considered subject to space availability.
Program-specific
ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS
- Grade 12 graduation, GED or equivalent
Note: Applicants who have not graduated from high school may still be considered, with permission from the Music Department Leader.
2. English 12 or Communications 12 with a pass, or equivalent.
MUSIC REQUIREMENTS
- Successful audition in major performance area. See the VCC Music Application and Audition Requirements for details.
- Submit the Supplemental Application form
Note: Entrance auditions and musicianship examinations are held from February through May. Applicants for admission to the Music Diploma program will write a diagnostic examination in theory and are tested on aural perception and rhythmic skills. Minimum standards are equivalent to Preparatory Music Theory 1 & 2 (MUSC 1013 and MUSC 1033), and Preparatory Musicianship 1 & 2 (MUSC 1011 and MUSC 1031). Students who are accepted at the audition but who require upgrading of theory and musicianship may register concurrently in the recommended preparatory courses (MUSC 1011, 1013, MUSC 1031 and MUSC 1033). Students may also register for the other preparatory-level courses (MUSC 1010, 1030, 1054, 1064) and the following diploma-level courses: MUSC 1305, MUSC 1319, and MUSC 2490 (instructor permission and available space required. Students will be wait-listed until available space and instructor permission are confirmed).
ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY REQUIREMENTS
English language proficiency at an English 12 level, or equivalent
Please note all English assessments must have been written in the previous calendar year, with the exception of English 12 taken in Canada.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The Music Department is located at the Broadway Campus on the 3rd floor. Applications, along with transcripts and all supporting documents, will be accepted by VCC between November 1st and April 1st. An entrance audition or interview will be scheduled once all required documents are received. Applications received after April 1st will be considered subject to space availability.
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 verbally and in writing
- 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 *
Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Some evenings and weekends may be required for rehearsals, performances and other activities.
This program must be completed within five years.
A minimum full-time course load is 9 credits per term. Dropping below 9 credits requires approval from the Music Department Leader.
Prior learning assessment and recognition
Generally, each course for which the student is requesting PLAR will require the following:
- Practical and/or written examinations that demonstrate ability at or above the final exam and learning outcomes of the VCC course in question.
2. A successful interview with the Music Department Leader and one other regularized music faculty member.
The average course load is 15.0 credits per semester. Students may not register for more than 18.0 credits without written permission from the Music Department Leader.
A minimum full-time course load is 9 credits per term. Dropping below 9 credits requires approval from the Music Department Leader. Normally, students taking fewer than 9 credits in a term will not be entitled to individual instruction. In exceptional circumstances, students will be allowed to register for individual instruction with fewer than 9 credits total. However, in order for such an exception to apply, the student must have previously completed all academic and skills-course requirements for the term of individual instruction in which they are registering.
Note that the Music Diploma requires a minimum of 60 credits for graduation.
| Term One | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| MUSC 1301 | Musicianship 1 | 3 |
| MUSC 1303 | Theory and Practice of Music 1 | 3 |
| MUSC 1104 | Performance Techniques 1 | 1 |
| MUSC 1305 | Music in Context 1 | 3 |
| MUSC 1319 | Music and Media 1 | 1.5 |
| MUSC 1310 | Individual Instruction 1 | 2 |
| MUSC 2490 | Performance Ensemble | 1.5 |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Term Two | ||
| MUSC 1401 | Musicianship 2 | 3 |
| MUSC 1403 | Theory and Practice of Music 2 | 3 |
| MUSC 1204 | Performance Techniques 2 | 1 |
| MUSC 1405 | Music in Context 2 | 3 |
| MUSC 1419 | Music and Media 2 | 1.5 |
| MUSC 1410 | Individual Instruction 2 | 2 |
| MUSC 2490 | Performance Ensemble 1 | 1.5 |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Term Three | ||
| MUSC 2301 | Musicianship 3 | 3 |
| MUSC 2303 | Theory and Practice of Music 3 | 3 |
| MUSC 2104 | Performance Techniques 3 | 1 |
| MUSC 2305 or MUSC 2304 or MUSC 2317 |
Musicology 1 2 or Electronic Music 1 or Improvisation 1 |
3 |
| MUSC 2307 | Social Media for the Self-employed Musician | 1.5 |
| MUSC 2310 | Individual Instruction 3 | 2 |
| MUSC 2490 | Performance Ensemble 1 | 1.5 |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Term Four | ||
| MUSC 2401 | Musicianship 4 | 3 |
| MUSC 2403 | Theory and Practice of Music 4 | 3 |
| MUSC 2204 | Performance Techniques 4 | 1 |
| MUSC 2405 or MUSC 2404 or MUSC 2417 |
Musicology 2 2 or Electronic Music 2 or Improvisation 2 |
3 |
| MUSC 2407 | Career Opportunities for Musicians 1 | 1.5 |
| MUSC 2410 | Individual Instruction 4 | 2 |
| MUSC 2490 | Performance Ensemble 1 | 1.5 |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Total Credits | 60 | |
- 1
”Performance Ensemble” is repeatable for credit. Students require 4 terms (6 cr.) of “Performance Ensemble” to graduate. Students may participate in any VCC ensemble (or community ensemble as approved by the Department Head), subject to audition and/or entrance requirements.
- 2
Students enrol in two terms of Musicology OR Electronic Music OR Jazz Improvisation
* 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.
Discover Open Studies
Open Studies lets you take courses from credit programs without having to be accepted into one. Based on availability, you can sample different courses, earn credits, and build new skills.
Explore your optionsFees and other costs *
| Fee description | Fee Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Application fee | 36 | |
| Tuition Tuition | 6808 | |
| Student union | 256 | |
| College initiative | 171 | |
| Materials | 156 | not including textbooks |
| Campus resource | 273 | |
| Laundry | 0 | |
| Tools (deposit) | 0 | |
| Coverall (deposit) | 0 | |
| Uniform (deposit) | 0 | |
| Medical and Dental | 550 | |
| Temporary Medical Insurance | 0 | |
| U-PASS | 619 | |
| Graduation | 45 | |
| Program-specific extra fees | 0 | |
| Total |
In addition to the total fees above, other surcharge fees will apply:
| $738 | surcharge - private instruction (major) |
| $387 | surcharge - private instruction (minor) - elective credit |
* 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 - Music Diploma and Music Prep Certificate 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.
Get started
Entrance award
September intake of this full-time program is eligible for financial award.