Music Diploma
Faculty of Fine & Applied Arts School of Performing Arts
Credential
Diploma
Duration
2 year(s)
Program Highlights
The Music Diploma (Classical) Program provides a rich learning environment that nurtures the artistic and creative potential of each student.
The program integrates theoretical, historical and performance studies, offering concentrations in piano, voice, guitar, strings, woodwinds, brass, percussion and composition.
This two-year Diploma is transferable to a Bachelor of Music Degree and provides the foundation for further studies in Music Education and the Liberal Arts.
If you want to get into the Bachelor of Music Therapy program, apply to the Music Diploma program to meet the Bachelor of Music Therapy admission requirements.
After completing your diploma, you'll be ready to transfer into the degree.
Contact music@capilanou.ca to learn about preparing to study music therapy at CapU.
- Demonstrate the ability to hear, identify and work conceptually with the melodic, harmonic and rhythmic elements of tonal music, including sight-reading, keyboard proficiency and analysis, and to use these skills to solve musical problems and evaluate the way music is shaped by artistic movements and cultural forces.
- Demonstrate a working knowledge of music history and literature and the development of musical forms and genres from the Western art tradition up to the present time including the aural recognition of styles, forms and genres.
- Demonstrate research skills and an ability in written communication and critical inquiry appropriate to third-year university level of study.
- Competently perform repertory appropriate to third-year university entry level as individuals and as members of ensembles, utilizing skills and knowledge gained from the learning outcomes in theory, musicianship skills, keyboard skills and music history.
- Demonstrate familiarity with music technology in its various forms for composition and scholarly pursuits.
Intakes
| Campus | Terms | Full/Part Time |
|---|---|---|
| North Vancouver | Fall | Full-time or part-time |
Tuition and Fees Per Year
| Domestic Students | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Tuition | Fees | Total |
| Year 1 | $6238 | $1638 | $7876 |
| Year 2 | $6238 | $1638 | $7876 |
| Year 3 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Year 4 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Year 5 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total | $12476 | $3276 | $15752 |
Note: Fees are subject to change. Some programs have fees for supplies and equipment that aren’t included in the estimate. To get an idea of what you’ll pay to study at CapU, try out our Tuition & Fees Estimator.
Total program credits: 62.00
Program Notes
For students who take MUS 109 to fulfill the theory requirement, please note that credits from MUS 109 cannot be counted towards completion of the Music Diploma and must be taken in addition to the required courses.
Students interested in applying to the Bachelor of Music Therapy Degree can contact the Music Department for a list of recommended courses that should be taken in addition to the Music Diploma.
Important Dates
Application Dates
Oct 6, 2020 - Aug 3, 2021
Course Registration & Waitlisting Starts
Jul 5, 2021
Fee Payment Deadline
Aug 23, 2021 4:00 PM
Application Dates
Oct 5, 2021 - Apr 5, 2022
Course Registration & Waitlisting Starts
Jul 4, 2022
Fee Payment Deadline
Aug 22, 2022 4:00 PM
Note: Dates are subject to change.
How to apply
- Check the admissions requirements.
- Check the application and document deadlines for your program.
- Complete and submit your application through EducationPlannerBC.
- Upload all your required/supporting official documents.
- Pay your application fee.
- Admissions will review your application and contact you.
Admission Requirements
Admission Notes
First year students can fulfill the theory requirement by successfully completing the Royal Conservatory of Music Level 8 Theory (Advanced Rudiments/Grade Two Rudiments), by achieving a minimum grade of 70% on the CapU Music Theory Placement Exam, or by achieving a minimum grade of C+ in MUS 109. Please note that MUS 109 credits cannot be counted towards completion of the Music Diploma and must be taken in addition to the required courses.
Students interested in applying to the Bachelor of Music Therapy Degree can contact the Music Department for a list of recommended courses that should be taken in addition to the Music Diploma.
Additional Admission Information
Audition
All students planning to enter the Music Diploma program must audition. This process includes a performance of repertoire, an ear test, an interview and a theory exam. Applicants must demonstrate a thorough and fluent knowledge of the fundamentals of music (Rudiments).
Approximately three weeks after their audition, students will receive notification of their acceptance or nonacceptance to the Music Diploma program.
Audition Requirements
All prospective students wishing to enter the Music Diploma Program are required to audition on their primary instrument. Those students unable to attend a live audition may submit a tape/CD or video recording for assessment. Due to enrolment demands and to be eligible for entrance scholarships, applicants are strongly advised to audition as early as possible.
When filling out the application form please include which instrument(s) you will be auditioning on in the comments section of the form.
Students will be notified of their audition date in early spring.
The audition process consists of the following four parts:
1. Repertoire
Applicants must perform two contrasting selections, preferably by memory and not to exceed 15 minutes. One copy of each selection must be provided for the audition committee. A list of repertoire studied within the last two years and a letter of reference from the applicant's current teacher should be presented at the audition, if possible. Where an accompanist is needed, it is suggested the applicant provide his or her own pianist or perform without accompaniment (an accompanist provided by the university may be available on certain audition dates).
Sight-Reading may be required at the discretion of the audition committee.
Performance Level Required:
- Piano: Royal Conservatory of Music Grade Ten or equivalent.
- Applicants below this level may enrol in a preparatory year.
- Voice: There is no specific grade level required. An ability to perform in a language other than English is an advantage, but not required.
- Wind/Brass/Strings/Guitar/Percussion: Royal Conservatory of Music Grade Six or equivalent.
The above grade levels are approximate guidelines and those applicants who are below the indicated level and demonstrate good potential for future growth and development will be given consideration.
2. Musicianship Skills Assessment
- Tap or clap a short rhythmic excerpt
- Identify intervals within an octave (ascending and descending)
- Identify chords (major, minor, dominant and diminished sevenths in root position)
- Pitch Matching (match one to three pitches with the voice after being heard on the piano)
3. Interview
Applicants will be asked about their musical background and future music, career and personal goals.
4. Theory Exam
Applicants must demonstrate a thorough and fluent knowledge of the fundamentals of music (pitch, key signatures, scales, rhythm, intervals, chords, transposition and musical terms).
Applicants who have successfully completed the Royal Conservatory of Music Level Eight Theory (Advanced Rudiments/Grade Two Rudiments) Exam will be granted exemption, however, are required to bring a copy of their RCM certificate to the audition.
A sample theory exam is available from the music office or by downloading the following PDF files:
Sample Theory Placement Exam (pdf)
Recommended Texts for Preparation:
- Berlin, Boris, Molly Sclater and Kathryn Sinclair. Keys to Music Rudiments. Toronto: Gordon V. Thompson (Warner Bros. Publications), 1968-1969.
- Lawless, James. The New Theory Workbook. 3 vols. Waterloo, Ontario: Waterloo Music, 1991.
- Sarnecki, Mark. The Complete Elementary Music Rudiments. Mississauga, Ontario: Frederick Harris Music, 2001.
- Vandendool, Grace. Keyboard Theory. 3 vols. Mississauga, Ontario: Frederick Harris Music, 2001.
- Wharram, Barbara. Elementary Rudiments of Music. Mississauga, Ontario: Frederick Harris Music, 1969.
Go to www.musictheory.net or Music Fundamentals worksheets and answer sheets for additional music theory and ear training resources.
5. Distance Audition Information
- What format should I use to record my audition?
You can use any format that will allow us to clearly hear and see your performance. Typically applicants either send a DVD or use a website such as YouTube to post their performance online. If you send a DVD, please ensure that the file name is a standard one i.e. Mp4, which is usable by most computers or DVD players. Recordings should be in one uninterrupted take for each piece performed. Generally, two pieces in contrasting styles are sufficient.
Submit DVDs to (please note DVDs will not be returned):
Music Office
Capilano University
2055 Purcell Way,
North Vancouver, BC V7J 3H5
Submit YouTube auditions to music@capilanou.ca quoting the exact URL link for your audition. - How will I write the theory placement test?
Please provide the name and contact information of the music educator who will oversee your writing of the theory placement test. We will email or fax them the test and they will be required to return the test to us for marking. You must write the test with the following guidelines: one-hour time limit, no help from the overseeing teacher, and no outside resources in the room. - How will my interview and musicianship testing be done?
This part of the audition is typically done by telephone or Skype. If you are able to assure us of your proficiency in musicianship skills, the test can be postponed until after you have received a letter of admittance - the musicianship test is really just a placement test. It does not normally prevent an applicant from being admitted to the program unless they have some kind of hearing disability. The telephone or Skype sessions will be arranged.
For the official publication of programs, course descriptions and admission requirements please view the Capilano University Calendar.
Apply NowContact
Have questions about this program?
School of Performing Arts
Student Information Services
604 984 4900 604 984 1798 (fax) Birch Building, room BR230 registration@capilanou.ca