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
- 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
1. 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.
ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY REQUIREMENTS
1. English language proficiency at an English 12 level, or equivalent
Note: English assessments must have been written in the previous calendar year, with the exception of English 12 taken in Canada.
MUSIC REQUIREMENTS
1. Audition requirements differ for each instrument. See the Application and Audition Requirements - Music Diploma and Music Prep for details.
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).
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
*Program general hours
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.
| 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.
Fees and other costs
*| Fee description | Fee Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Application fee | 35 | |
| Tuition Tuition | 6675 |
Tuition Breakdown
1693 - Year 1
1693 - Year 2
1645 - Year 3
1645 - Year 4
|
| Student union | 256 | |
| College initiative | 167 | |
| Materials | 153 | not including textbooks |
| Campus resource | 267 | |
| Laundry | 0 | |
| Tools (deposit) | 0 | |
| Coverall (deposit) | 0 | |
| Uniform (deposit) | 0 | |
| Medical & Dental | 550 | |
| U-PASS | 619 | |
| Graduation | 40 | |
| 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 |
Need help with tuition?
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* 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
MONTH/TERM APPLICATION
OPEN DATE APPLICATION STATUS*
STATUS INFORMATION
- Apply Now: Qualified applicants may receive offers of admission if seats are available, or placed on waitlists if seats are full.
- Closed: Applications are not accepted.
- For details about application availability based on study permit status and recommendations if the application status is closed, visit the Availability Status page.
Now accepting applications for September 2022! Auditions take place by video submission and Zoom interview.
Please refer to the Application and Audition Requirements - Music Diploma and Music Prep for information on how to complete the application and audition process. Applicants who complete all steps by one of the deadlines below will be invited to the next scheduled date for a Zoom interview and musicianship skills evaluation.
Upcoming Deadlines: May 24
For more information, please contact music@vcc.ca
Get started
Contact us
- Call 604.871.7000, option 2