Master of Sacred Music Admissions

All applicants are reminded that use of photocopied materials without permission is prohibited. Materials submitted will not be returned to applicants.

 
CONDUCTORS: Additional Requirements

In addition to the general application procedures, applicants are asked to prepare the following materials to be included with the application, and received by the application deadline:

1. A digital video (DVD, youtube/internet link) showcasing leadership of three contrasting works including a brief warm up segment, rehearsal segment and final presentation. This audition video should document about 30 minutes of music making.
         a.  For rehearsal segment - each work featured requires footage of at least 5 minutes showing applicant's leadership via facial, gesture, posture expressions, and rapport with the choir/orchestra. Brief footage of the choristers/orchestra is expected. No significant editing of rehearsal footage is permitted.
          b. For final performance - each work featured requires footage of at least 3 minutes showing applicant's leadership via facial, gesture, posture expressions and rapport with the choir and/or orchestra. No significant editing of performance footage is permitted.
          c. Audition pieces should be of different musical periods (e.g. Renaissance, Baroque, Classical, Romantic, 20th Century, etc.) and be contrasting in musical character and genre (e.g. Accompanied, Unaccompanied, European, Non-Western, Folk, Gospel, etc.)
2. Applicants are asked to provide a comprehensive list of the repertoire they have studied, and performed within the last 12 months to be included in the application package. The repertoire is to be listed in the following manner:
          a.  Works formally studied (e.g. graded conducting course, masterclass, etc.)
          b. Significant Works publicly performed as choral singer (e.g. Bach's B minor Mass, etc.)c. Works publicly performed as conductor (e.g. concert setting, religious occasions, etc.)
3. For more information, contact the Director of the Master of Sacred Music program.

ORGANISTS: Additional Requirements

In addition to the general application procedures, applicants are asked to prepare the following materials to be included with the application, and received by the application deadline:

1. Applicants should arrange well in advance for rehearsal time on a local instrument, followed by a performance and personal interview. The audition will have about 30 minutes of organ music prepared on the level of a third-year undergraduate performance program (comparable to, or above, the RCM Grade 10 repertoire requirements), including one anthem accompaniment, and one hymn with all verses. The repertoire must be submitted as supplemental material by the application deadline. The organ repertoire must also include: i) One Prelude and Fugue or major Chorale Prelude by J.S. Bach; ii) One composition selected from any era (not a chorale prelude); iii) One composition from the twentieth century.
2. A comprehensive list of literature studied and performed within the last 12 months and relevant recital programs to be included in the application package.
3. For more information, contact the Director of the Master of Sacred Music program.

VOCALISTS: Additional Requirements

In addition to the general application procedures, applicants are asked to prepare the following materials to be included with the application, and received by the application deadline:

1. Thirty minutes of repertoire to be memorized and presented for the audition. These are to be on the level of a third-year undergraduate music performance program (comparable to, or above, the RCM Grade 10 repertoire requirements).The accompanist will be arranged by the applicant. Audition pieces should include, at minimum: i) One aria by J. S. Bach; ii) One aria from an oratorio; iii) One classical sacred song (Barber, Vaughan Williams, Britten, etc); iv) One spiritual (contemporary arrangement).
2. A comprehensive list of literature studied and performed within the last 12 months and relevant recital programs to be included in the application package.
3. For more information, contact the Director of the Master of Sacred Music program.

GUITARISTS and PIANISTS: Additional Requirements

In addition to the general application procedures, applicants are asked to prepare the following materials to be included with the application, and received by the application deadline:

1. Thirty minutes of repertoire to be memorized and presented for the audition. These are to be on the level of a third-year undergraduate music performance program (comparable to, or above, the RCM Grade 10 repertoire requirements). Audition pieces should be of different musical periods (e.g. Baroque, Classical, Romantic, 20th Century, etc.) and be contrasting in musical character.
2. A comprehensive list of literature studied and performed within the last 12 months and relevant recital programs to be included in the application package.
3. For more information, contact the Director of the Master of Sacred Music program.

COMPOSERS: Additional Requirements

In addition to the general application procedures, applicants are asked to prepare the following materials to be included with the application, and received by the application deadline:

1. Thirty minutes of composition scores of contrasting genres (e.g. solo, hymn, choral, instrumental ensemble, etc.) set on the level of a third-year undergraduate music performance program (comparable to, or above, the RCM Grade 10 repertoire requirements).
2. A comprehensive list of literature studied and performed within the last 12 months and relevant recital programs to be included in the application package.
3. For more information, contact the Director of the Master of Sacred Music program.

Admission into the MSMus program requires both audition and interview. Both of these will be scheduled through the Admissions Office.

The audition will be adjudicated by the Director (or designate), Faculty of Music liaison officer (or proxy) and an instructor skilled in the arts of the medium selected. The candidate should prepare 30 minutes of music, demonstrating breadth and depth of repertoire; it is likely that the entirety of every piece may not be heard. The expectation is that the candidate will perform minimally at the level of a third-year Bachelor of Music undergraduate of the University of Toronto (comparable to, or above, the RCM Grade 10 repertoire requirements).

For long-distance application, as well as choral conducting track applicants, arrangements should be made to submit a digital recording (DVD) directly to the Admissions Office. Documentation needs to accompany this digital media certifying the authenticity of the recording has been made solely by the applicant in one continuous taping session established by auto date and time stamp.

The interview component is focused on understanding the applicant's vocational aptitude and aspiration. Applicant should be prepared to speak about their musical background, spiritual experiences and life's journey as related to their intention to undertake this course of studies. Adjudicators will communicate expectations of persons accepted into the program and respond to questions about the MSMus program.

For more information, contact the Director of the Master of Sacred Music program.