Undergraduate candidates should prepare:

• two pieces or contrasting movements from a large work, minimum level RCMT Grade VIII or equivalent;
• technical study;
• scales: major, minor and chromatic;
• sight-reading

Students applying to the Bachelor of Music (B. Mus.) or to the combined Bachelor of Music and Science (B. Mus./B. Sc.) must demonstrate an advanced level of technical proficiency and performance ability.

For graduate candidates, the audition should consist of around forty-five minutes of music, and must include at least three works from different style periods.

For more information, please contact Brass sector coordinator Douglas Burden or Winds sector coordinator Shauna Barker (McDonald).

Undergraduate candidates should prepare:

• two pieces or contrasting movements from a large work, minimum level RCMT Grade VIII or equivalent;
• technical study;

Students applying to the Bachelor of Music (B. Mus.) or to the combined Bachelor of Music and Science (B. Mus./B. Sc.) must demonstrate an advanced level of technical proficiency and performance ability.

For graduate candidates, the audition should consist of around forty-five minutes of music, and must include at least three works from different style periods.

For more information, please contact Louis Trépanier, coordinator of the guitar sector.

Undergraduate candidates should prepare their own choice of study on the following:

• Timpani
• Snare drum
• Xylophone or Marimba
• All major scales on keyboards.
• Demonstrate loud and soft rolls on timpani and snare drum.

Students applying to the Bachelor of Music (B. Mus.) or to the combined Bachelor of Music and Science (B. Mus./B. Sc.) must demonstrate an advanced level of technical proficiency and performance ability.

For graduate candidates, the audition should consist of around forty-five minutes of music, and must include at least three works from different style periods.

There must be two additional copies of audition material submitted to the jury at the time of audition.

For more information, please contact Jonathan Wade, percussion sector coordinator.

Undergraduate candidates should prepare:

• a piece from the Baroque period;
• two movements from a Classical sonata (Haydn, Mozart, or Beethoven);
• a Romantic, 20th century, or contemporary piece.

Minimum level: R.C.M.T. grade IX

Students applying to the Bachelor of Music (BMus) or the Combined Bachelor of Music and Science (BMus/BSc) must demonstrate an advanced level of technical proficiency and performance ability

Candidates for the MMus in Piano Performance and the Graduate Diploma in Performance must prepare around forty-five minutes of solo music, from memory, including at least three works from different style periods.

Candidates for the MMus in Collaborative Piano and the Graduate Diploma in Performance (Collaborative Piano) must submit a video audition containing each of the following:

• One solo piano piece, 7 to 10 minutes in duration. Memorization is encouraged but not mandatory.
• The first two movements from any sonata for violin, cello or viola by either Beethoven or Brahms, with a collaborator of your choice.
• 3 songs chosen from the standard lied/art song repertoire, performed with a singer. The songs must be chosen among the works of the following composers: Schubert, Schumann, Strauss, Wolf, Duparc, Debussy, Fauré, or Brahms."

For more information, please contact David Jalbert, piano sector coordinator.

Undergraduate candidates should prepare: 

• Violin
   
  • 1st movement of a concerto, with cadenza (if applicable)
  • Two contrasting movements of a solo Bach work
  • Caprice - Paganini, Wienawski, or Dont Op. 35
  • Sight-reading may be required
• Viola
   
  • One movement of a concerto or sonata
  • Two contrasting movements of a solo Bach Suite
  • One étude of the candidate's choice
  • Sight-reading may be required
• Cello
   
  • 1st movement of a concerto, with cadenza (if applicable)
  • Two contrasting movements of a solo Bach Suite
  • Etude - Popper
  • Sight reading may be required
• Double bass
   
  • Two contrasting movements of a concerto, sonata, or solo Bach Suite
  • One étude of the candidate's choice
  • Sight reading may be require
• Harp
   
  • Three solo works from contrasting periods
  • One cadenza from the following list:
    • Tchaikovsky - Waltz of the Flowers
    • Britten - Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra
    • Ravel - Tzigane

Students applying to the Bachelor of Music (B. Mus.) or to the combined Bachelor of Music and Science (B. Mus./B. Sc.) must demonstrate an advanced level of technical proficiency and performance ability.

Graduate candidates for MMus:

• Violin
   
  • Two contrasting movements of a major concerto, with cadenza (if applicable)
  • First 2 movements of Sonata 1, 2 or 3; or Chaconne - Bach
  • Caprice - Paganini
  • Another piece of the candidate's choice, from a period different from the other works performed
  • Sight-reading may be required
• Viola
   
  • Two movements of a Bach Suite including a Prelude
  • Fist movement of a major Sonata
  • Two movements of a major concerto, with cadenza (if applicable)
  • Sight-reading may be required
• Cello
   
  • Two contrasting movements of a major concerto, with cadenza (if applicable)
  • Two movements of Bach Suites 4, 5 or 6
  • Caprice - Piatti
  • Another piece of the candidate's choice, from a period different from the other three works performed
  • Sight reading may be required
• Double bass
   
  • Two contrasting movements from a J.S. Bach Suite (one must be a Prelude)
  • 1st and 2nd movements from a concerto (for example, Bottesini, Koussevitsky, Sperger, Dittersdorf), with cadenza (if applicable)
  • Three Orchestral excerpts, one from each list (A, B, and C)
    • A.
      • Beethoven Symphony #5 (3rd mvt.)
      • Mozart Symphony #40 (1st mvt.)
      • Mendelssohn Symphony #4 (1st mvt.)
      • Schubert Symphony #9 (3rd mvt.)
    • B.
      • Verdi Otello
      • Haydn Symphony #31
      • Britten Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra
    • C.
      • Beethoven Symphony #9 (4th mvt. recitatives)
  • Sight reading may be required
• Harp
   
  • One complete sonata
  • Three movements from a suite by J.S. Bach or one sonata by D. Scarlatti
  • One major work for solo harp by any of the following composers: Britten, Caplet, Damase, Fauré, Grandjany, Parish-Alvars, Renié, Salzedo, Spohr, or Tournier
  • One work written after 1970

Graduate candidates for the Graduate Diploma in Music Performance:

• Violin
   
  • Two contrasting movements of a major concerto, with cadenza (if applicable)
  • First 2 movements of Sonata 1, 2 or 3; or Chaconne, from a solo Bach
  • Caprice - Paganini
  • Three orchestral excerpts (candidate’s choice)
  • Sight-reading may be required
• Viola
   
  • Two contrasting movements of a major concerto, with cadenza (if applicable)
  • Three movements of solo Bach
  • One Romantic or 20th century sonata
  • Three orchestral excerpts (candidate’s choice)
  • Sight-reading may be required
• Cello
   
  • Two contrasting movements of a major concerto, with cadenza (if applicable)
  • Two movements of Bach Suites 4, 5 or 6
  • Caprice - Piatti
  • Three orchestral excerpts (candidate’s choice)
  • Sight reading may be required
• Double bass
   
  • Two contrasting movements from a J.S. Bach Suite (one must be a Prelude)
  • 1st and 2nd movements from a concerto (for example, Bottesini, Koussevitsky, Sperger, Dittersdorf), with cadenza (if applicable)
  • Three Orchestral excerpts, one from each list (A, B, and C)
    • A.
      • Beethoven Symphony #5 (3rd mvt.)
      • Mozart Symphony #40 (1st mvt.)
      • Mendelssohn Symphony #4 (1st mvt.)
      • Schubert Symphony #9 (3rd mvt.)
    • B.
      • Verdi Otello
      • Haydn Symphony #31
      • Britten Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra
    • C.
      • Beethoven Symphony #9 (4th mvt. recitatives)
  • Sight reading may be required

For more information, please contact Paul Marleyn, string sector coordinator, or Natalie Hoffman, instructor of harp.

Undergraduate candidates should prepare, from memory:

• one aria / song of the Baroque period;
• one mélodie française (in original language);
• one German lied (in original language);
• one of candidate's own choice.

The audition will include some sight singing, and may include a short aural skills test.

Students applying to the Bachelor of Music (B. Mus.) or to the combined Bachelor of Music and Science (B. Mus./B. Sc.) must demonstrate an advanced level of technical proficiency and performance ability.

For graduate candidates, a thirty (30) minute audition program performed from memory is required, which should include:

• *two operatic arias;
• *one oratorio or cantata aria;
• a selection from songs, mélodies, and/or lieder;
• one work composed after 1960.

*at least one of the three requested arias must have a significant recitative

The major musical periods, and the following languages: English, French, Italian and German should be represented in the audition program.

For more information, please contact Professor Christiane Riel, Head of the Vocal Sector.

• Baroque Ensembles (MUS3912)

  Baroque Ensemble normally consists of several small groups of students in voice, organ, harpsichord, woodwinds and/or strings that study repertoire such as trio sonatas and vocal solo or duo pieces with solo instrumental parts. Participants must be capable of singing or playing solo parts. The ensemble usually presents one or two concerts within the academic year and participates in the university’s Musical Offering for Christmas, held in December.

• Brass Ensemble (MUS3910)

• Chamber Music Ensembles (MUS3944, 4944, 7902)

  Chamber music ensembles of the University of Ottawa are made up of undergraduate (performance) and graduate students from the string, piano and wind sectors. Students are formed into ensembles of approximately three to eight performers and are assigned a professor as coach. They are encouraged to rehearse independently twice per week (in addition to their weekly coaching sessions), to perform in a weekly chamber music masterclass taught by rotating faculty and guest faculty members, and to perform the works being studied at the end of each semester. Repertoire is decided together with the coordinator and coaches.

• Contemporary Music Ensemble (MUS3914)

  The Contemporary Music Ensemble is devoted to understanding and performing the music of our time. Participation is open to any singer or instrumentalist in the School of Music. Students (combined in various groupings) study the many diverse and fascinating styles of composition, notation and expression that make today’s music a rich and exciting experience. Rehearsals are held once per week for two hours, and the ensemble performs in at least one concert during the academic year.

• Flute ensemble

• Jazz Ensemble (MUS3908)

  Students in this ensemble, both vocalists and instrumentalists, have the opportunity to learn jazz theory and performance at a professional level and are trained in both classical and jazz techniques. There are varied performing opportunities within the School of Music throughout the year as well as outside the school at venues such as the Ottawa International Jazz Festival.

• University of Ottawa Orchestra (MUS3901)

  The Orchestra at the University of Ottawa is a pre-professional training ensemble c. With approximately 50 student musicians, the orchestra has two-hour rehearsals twice per week and is compulsory for string instrument majors. Faculty members often appear as soloists, and concerts are broadcast on the Rogers Television network. In addition, the university produces a number of CDs of the orchestra’s performances. Many orchestra members audition and play for the OSO.

• University of Ottawa Wind Ensemble (MUS3911)

  The University of Ottawa Wind Ensemble is composed of undergraduate wind, brass and percussion students in the School of Music. The ensemble consists of approximately 45 members and performs varied repertoire from the finest original wind band works to select transcriptions and arrangements. Participation by personnel from outside the School of Music is subject to the permission of the conductor (Daniel Gress) and requires an audition. In addition to four regular concerts on campus, the Wind Ensemble occasionally presents masterclasses, clinics and concerts in cooperation with local school music programs and on tour.

• Baroque Ensembles (MUS3912)

  Baroque Ensemble normally consists of several small groups of students in voice, organ, harpsichord, woodwinds and/or strings that study repertoire such as trio sonatas and vocal solo or duo pieces with solo instrumental parts. Participants must be capable of singing or playing solo parts. The ensemble usually presents one or two concerts within the academic year and participates in the university’s Musical Offering for Christmas, held in December.

• Contemporary Music Ensemble (MUS3914)

  The Contemporary Music Ensemble is devoted to understanding and performing the music of our time. Participation is open to any singer or instrumentalist in the School of Music. Students (combined in various groupings) study the many diverse and fascinating styles of composition, notation and expression that make today’s music a rich and exciting experience. Rehearsals are held once per week for two hours, and the ensemble performs in at least one concert during the academic year.

• Guitar Ensembles (MUS3907)

  All undergraduate guitar students are placed into a small ensemble (duo, trio or quartet) with other students of a similar level. These ensembles work together over the course of the year with one-hour coaching sessions each week provided by a professor (member of the resident Canadian Guitar Quartet) or graduate guitar performance student within the School of Music. All guitar ensembles perform in class concerts as well as public concerts; more advanced ensembles have opportunities to perform in recruitment tours and in other venues.

• Contemporary Music Ensemble (MUS3914)

  The Contemporary Music Ensemble is devoted to understanding and performing the music of our time. Participation is open to any singer or instrumentalist in the School of Music. Students (combined in various groupings) study the many diverse and fascinating styles of composition, notation and expression that make today’s music a rich and exciting experience. Rehearsals are held once per week for two hours, and the ensemble performs in at least one concert during the academic year.

• Jazz Ensemble (MUS3908)

  Students in this ensemble, both vocalists and instrumentalists, have the opportunity to learn jazz theory and performance at a professional level and are trained in both classical and jazz techniques. There are varied performing opportunities within the School of Music throughout the year as well as outside the school at venues such as the Ottawa International Jazz Festival.

• Percussion Ensemble (MUS3913)

  The University of Ottawa Percussion Ensemble is open to all students in the percussion sector and is led by co-directors Ken Simpson and Jonathan Wade who are both percussionists in the National Arts Centre Orchestra (NACO). The ensemble meets once per week for 1-½ hours, and participants must be willing to also rehearse outside of class time. At least two public concerts are performed during the academic year.

• University of Ottawa Orchestra (MUS3901)

  The Orchestra at the University of Ottawa is a pre-professional training ensemble c. With approximately 50 student musicians, the orchestra has two-hour rehearsals twice per week and is compulsory for string instrument majors. Faculty members often appear as soloists, and concerts are broadcast on the Rogers Television network. In addition, the university produces a number of CDs of the orchestra’s performances. Many orchestra members audition and play for the OSO.

• University of Ottawa Wind Ensemble (MUS3911)

  The University of Ottawa Wind Ensemble is composed of undergraduate wind, brass and percussion students in the School of Music. The ensemble consists of approximately 45 members and performs varied repertoire from the finest original wind band works to select transcriptions and arrangements. Participation by personnel from outside the School of Music is subject to the permission of the conductor (Daniel Gress) and requires an audition. In addition to four regular concerts on campus, the Wind Ensemble occasionally presents masterclasses, clinics and concerts in cooperation with local school music programs and on tour.

• Accompaniment (MUS3917)

  This course offers piano students training in vocal and instrumental accompaniment. Participation is compulsory for all third-year piano majors, and course times are scheduled in consultation with the professor.

• Baroque Ensembles (MUS3912)

  Baroque Ensemble normally consists of several small groups of students in voice, organ, harpsichord, woodwinds and/or strings that study repertoire such as trio sonatas and vocal solo or duo pieces with solo instrumental parts. Participants must be capable of singing or playing solo parts. The ensemble usually presents one or two concerts within the academic year and participates in the university’s Musical Offering for Christmas, held in December.

• Chamber Music Ensembles (MUS3944, 4944, 7902)

  Chamber music ensembles of the University of Ottawa are made up of undergraduate (performance) and graduate students from the string, piano and wind sectors. Students are formed into ensembles of approximately three to eight performers and are assigned a professor as coach. They are encouraged to rehearse independently twice per week (in addition to their weekly coaching sessions), to perform in a weekly chamber music masterclass taught by rotating faculty and guest faculty members, and to perform the works being studied at the end of each semester. Repertoire is decided together with the coordinator and coaches.

• Contemporary Music Ensemble (MUS3914)

  The Contemporary Music Ensemble is devoted to understanding and performing the music of our time. Participation is open to any singer or instrumentalist in the School of Music. Students (combined in various groupings) study the many diverse and fascinating styles of composition, notation and expression that make today’s music a rich and exciting experience. Rehearsals are held once per week for two hours, and the ensemble performs in at least one concert during the academic year.

• Jazz Ensemble (MUS3908)

  Students in this ensemble, both vocalists and instrumentalists, have the opportunity to learn jazz theory and performance at a professional level and are trained in both classical and jazz techniques. There are varied performing opportunities within the School of Music throughout the year as well as outside the school at venues such as the Ottawa International Jazz Festival.

• Piano Duos (MUS3916)

  Piano Duos is offered to undergraduate piano students as an introduction to the art of ensemble playing, studying works for one and two pianos, four-hands. Participation is compulsory for all first- and second-year piano majors. Instruction is given by piano professors, and the content of the course may include topics such as sight-reading and keyboard skills.

• Baroque Ensembles (MUS3912)

  Baroque Ensemble normally consists of several small groups of students in voice, organ, harpsichord, woodwinds and/or strings that study repertoire such as trio sonatas and vocal solo or duo pieces with solo instrumental parts. Participants must be capable of singing or playing solo parts. The ensemble usually presents one or two concerts within the academic year and participates in the university’s Musical Offering for Christmas, held in December.

• Chamber Music Ensembles (MUS3944, 4944, 7902)

  Chamber music ensembles of the University of Ottawa are made up of undergraduate (performance) and graduate students from the string, piano and wind sectors. Students are formed into ensembles of approximately three to eight performers and are assigned a professor as coach. They are encouraged to rehearse independently twice per week (in addition to their weekly coaching sessions), to perform in a weekly chamber music masterclass taught by rotating faculty and guest faculty members, and to perform the works being studied at the end of each semester. Repertoire is decided together with the coordinator and coaches.

• Contemporary Music Ensemble (MUS3914)

  The Contemporary Music Ensemble is devoted to understanding and performing the music of our time. Participation is open to any singer or instrumentalist in the School of Music. Students (combined in various groupings) study the many diverse and fascinating styles of composition, notation and expression that make today’s music a rich and exciting experience. Rehearsals are held once per week for two hours, and the ensemble performs in at least one concert during the academic year.

• University of Ottawa Orchestra (MUS3901)

  The Orchestra at the University of Ottawa is a pre-professional training ensemble c. With approximately 50 student musicians, the orchestra has two-hour rehearsals twice per week and is compulsory for string instrument majors. Faculty members often appear as soloists, and concerts are broadcast on the Rogers Television network. In addition, the university produces a number of CDs of the orchestra’s performances. Many orchestra members audition and play for the OSO.

• Baroque Ensembles (MUS3912)

  Baroque Ensemble normally consists of several small groups of students in voice, organ, harpsichord, woodwinds and/or strings that study repertoire such as trio sonatas and vocal solo or duo pieces with solo instrumental parts. Participants must be capable of singing or playing solo parts. The ensemble usually presents one or two concerts within the academic year and participates in the university’s Musical Offering for Christmas, held in December.

• Calixa-Lavallée Choir (MUS3905)

  This is the chamber choir of the School of Music. Participation in this ensemble, which is conducted by Laurence Ewashko, allows singers to expand their knowledge in many ways: by performing a wide variety of vocal styles and repertoire; by developing a sense of blend; and by improving their sight-reading, linguistic and vocal/choral ensemble skills. While limited to 24 singers who are primarily voice majors, competition is open to the entire student body through audition. Rehearsals take place once per week for two hours. The Calixa-Lavallée Choir performs regularly throughout the school year in a variety of concerts, both at the university and within the community at large.

• Chamber Music Ensembles (MUS3944, 4944, 7902)

  Chamber music ensembles of the University of Ottawa are made up of undergraduate (performance) and graduate students from the string, piano and wind sectors. Students are formed into ensembles of approximately three to eight performers and are assigned a professor as coach. They are encouraged to rehearse independently twice per week (in addition to their weekly coaching sessions), to perform in a weekly chamber music masterclass taught by rotating faculty and guest faculty members, and to perform the works being studied at the end of each semester. Repertoire is decided together with the coordinator and coaches.

• Choral Ensemble (MUS3904)

  This ensemble allows singers to expand their knowledge by performing a wide variety of vocal styles and repertoire, and developing a sense of blend; and by improving their sight-reading, linguistic, and vocal/choral ensemble skills. There is no audition requirement. Participation is compulsory for all undergraduate music students in their first and second year who are not involved in the orchestra. Director Laurence Ewashko divides the rehearsals into three sessions per week: one women’s sectional, one men’s sectional and one joint rehearsal. Each session is 1-½ hours in duration. The Choral Ensemble performs at three major events during the academic year: the university’s Musical Offering for Christmas in early December, the Intervarsity Choral Festival and the year-end concert of the University of Ottawa Orchestra.

• Contemporary Music Ensemble (MUS3914)

  The Contemporary Music Ensemble is devoted to understanding and performing the music of our time. Participation is open to any singer or instrumentalist in the School of Music. Students (combined in various groupings) study the many diverse and fascinating styles of composition, notation and expression that make today’s music a rich and exciting experience. Rehearsals are held once per week for two hours, and the ensemble performs in at least one concert during the academic year.

• Opera Workshop (MUS3903)

  Opera Workshop offers young singers the opportunity to experience the preparation of an entire opera or selected scenes, culminating in four to six fully staged performances. Sandra Graham, music and stage director for the annual production and professor of the class, coordinates the myriad activities involved in this ensemble including musical rehearsals, movement and staging classes, as well as information sessions on make-up, costumes, props and sets. Participation is compulsory for all voice performance majors in the third and fourth year of the Baccalaureate of Music program, and by audition for all other interested students. Opera Workshop rehearses two hours per week, with an additional two-hour rehearsal as optional.

• University of Ottawa Choir (MUS3906)

  This ensemble allows singers to expand their knowledge by performing a wide variety of vocal styles and repertoire, developing a sense of blend; and by improving their sight-reading, linguistic and vocal/choral ensemble skills. It is an amateur choir of approximately 90 auditioned voices, open to all students within the university as well as to the general public. Rehearsals are held once per week for three hours, with occasional extra rehearsals held on Saturdays during each semester. The University of Ottawa Choir, conducted by Laurence Ewashko, prepares two major concerts during the academic year, performing large-scale works that usually involve orchestra and vocal soloists. This award-winning choir has performed in various centres across Canada and Europe.