Get comprehensive, top-tier training from working professionals in music theory, performance, and collaboration.
Bachelor of Applied Music
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 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
- Seats are offered to applicants who have met all admission requirements, on a first-qualified, first-served basis.
- International applicants must be 17 years of age or older or a graduate of a secondary school. (Some exceptions may apply.)
- Applicants must submit official transcripts and educational documents as required by their course or program.
- All VCC applicants are required to function successfully in an English-speaking classroom. English requirements vary by program. For details, visit VCC International - English Requirements.
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
-
Term Five | Credits | |
---|---|---|
²Ñ±«³§°äÌý3109 or ²Ñ±«³§°äÌý3130 |
Performance Concentration 5 or |
3 |
²Ñ±«³§°äÌý3104 | Performance Techniques 5 | 2 |
²Ñ±«³§°äÌý3113 or ²Ñ±«³§°äÌý3117 |
Conducting 1 or Creative Music Improvisation 1 |
2-3 |
²Ñ±«³§°äÌý3103 | Materials of Music 5 | 3 |
²Ñ±«³§°äÌý3106 | Music and Culture 1 | 3 |
²Ñ±«³§°äÌý3107 | Career Opportunities 2 | 3 |
²Ñ±«³§°äÌý3190 | Directed Ensemble 5 ** | 1 |
Ìý | Credits | 17-18 |
Term Six | ||
MUSCÌý3209 or MUSCÌý3230 |
Performance Concentration 6 or |
3 |
MUSCÌý3204 | Performance Techniques 6 | 2 |
MUSCÌý3213 or MUSCÌý3217 |
Conducting 2 or Creative Music Improvisation 2 |
2-3 |
MUSCÌý3206 | World Music 2 | 3 |
MUSCÌý3208 | Rhythm Studies 3 | 3 |
MUSCÌý3290 | Directed Ensemble 6 ** | 1 |
Electives in Humanities/Technology/Business/Sciences * | 3 | |
Ìý | Credits | 17-18 |
Term Seven | ||
MUSCÌý4209 or MUSCÌý4230 |
Performance Concentration 7 or |
3 |
MUSCÌý4204 | Performance Techniques 7 | 2 |
MUSCÌý4107 | Career Opportunities Practicum | 5 |
MUSCÌý4106 | Music Seminar 1 | 2 |
Electives in Humanities/Technology/Business/Sciences * | 6 | |
Ìý | Credits | 18 |
Term Eight | ||
MUSCÌý4309 or MUSCÌý4330 |
Performance Concentration 8 or |
3 |
MUSCÌý4304 | Performance Techniques 8 | 2 |
MUSCÌý4206 | Music Seminar 2 | 2 |
Music Electives | 3 | |
Electives in Humanities/Technology/Business/Sciences * | 6 | |
Ìý | Credits | 16 |
Ìý | Total Credits | 68-70 |
* | First and Second Year College and University lower level courses are acceptable non-music electives. |
** | ÌýIn 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 deposits are payable usually within three weeks after a Letter of Offer is issued.
Tuition Deposit: 10600 (10000 non-refundable).
Tution deposits are payable usually within two (2) weeks after a Letter of Offer is issued.
Tuition Deposit |
10600 (10000 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 | 145 | |
Tuition Tuition | 35816 |
Breakdown
Tuition Breakdown
0 - 1
0 - 2
0 - 3
0 - 4
0 - 5
|
Student union | 273 | |
College initiative | 207 | |
Materials | 0 | not including textbooks |
Campus resource | 358 | |
Laundry | 0 | |
Tools (deposit) | 0 | |
Coverall (deposit) | 0 | |
Uniform (deposit) | 0 | |
550 | ||
Temporary Medical Insurance | 149 | |
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.
Fees listed are for international students. For domestic programs, visit vcc.ca.
Any refunds are issued according to VCC's international 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.
Audition Information:
See the Application and Audition Requirements - Bachelor of Applied Music for Music Supplemental Application (PDF file open in new tab) 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 2024:
- January 1, 2024 (for January 22 audition interview)
- January 24, 2024 (for February 14 audition interview)
- February 26, 2024 (for March 11 audition interview)
Audition interviews for 2024:
- January 22, 2024
- February 14, 2024
- March 11, 2024
Contact music@vcc.ca if you have questions.
For more information and tips, see Apply page