Audition Information - Instrument Requirements

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Meet the Faculty 

Brass
Keyboard
Percussion
Popular Music
String
Woodwind
Voice

We strive to make auditions at the Don Wright Faculty of Music a welcoming, friendly and enjoyable experience. Audition requirements can vary by instrument or program, as detailed below.

Need more information about applying to Western Music? We're here to help! Contact Admissions Assistant Odilla Van Delinder at ovandeli@uwo.ca or 519-661-2044


Bachelor of Music Auditions

Brass, Guitar, Harp, Organ, Piano, Strings, and Woodwinds

Applicants are required to play two contrasting pieces. Memorization is not required. 

Percussion

Percussion instruments for auditions will be provided. Prospective students will audition on snare drum, timpani and any keyboard mallet instrument. The audition will be comprised of a minimum of 3 prepared pieces and should include:

  • 1 standard timpani etude
  • 1 or 2 snare drum solos displaying rudimental & orchestral techniques
  • 1 or 2 mallet solos demonstrating 2 and/or 4 mallet techniques

Voice

Applicants are required to sing three contrasting songs with at least one of these being in a language other than English. Musical Theatre and Contemporary Commercial Music repertoire are welcome.


Bachelor of Arts Auditions

Bachelor of Arts – Music

For BA Major in Music / Honours Specialization in Music, no audition is required. 

Music Administrative Studies

For BA Specialization in Music Administrative Studies, applicants are required to submit a recording of one or two classical or pop pieces that best represent their technical, artistic and musical ability. Please see our guidelines on how to prepare and send a recorded audition.

Popular Music Studies

For BA Major in Popular Music Studies, applicants should prepare one recorded pop piece on any instrument. Please see our guidelines on how to prepare and send a recorded audition.

  • Popular Music Studies: Instrumentalists
    The backing track for a solo must not contain the solo you intend to play. In other words, do not play along with a pre-recorded solo. Guitarists may use effects pedals for their solo. Drummers must play to pre-recorded tracks that do not have drums on them.
     
  • Popular Music Studies: Singers
    The backing track for the song must not contain the vocal you intend to sing. In other words, do not sing along with a pre-recorded vocal.
     
  • Popular Music Studies: Laptop Musicians, Songwriters and Producers
    Students who are interested in modern electronic musicianship and laptop production and performance—e.g. laptop performance modalities, songwriting and production—are encouraged to submit one or more audio recordings that demonstrate their skills in lieu of the performance requirements specified above for instruments and voice. Links to YouTube, SoundCloud or Spotify pages are acceptable, as are .wav or .aiff files.