Text size:   A   A   A 

Printable version:

Apply NOW Program FAQ

Music - Diploma

The Music Diploma Program:

- Provides professional training for potential and practicing musicians.

- Provides necessary courses of instruction for performance-oriented students who may wish to pursue their studies at a more advanced level following the completion of the college program.

For post-secondary students who have not yet decided on specialized career training, the Music Diploma Program is designed with maximum flexibility, allowing all students the opportunity to choose alternate courses of study at any time during the two-year program.

Other options include:
- specialized training in individual courses for part-time students (space permitting)
- college community ensembles such as the Willan Choir, Wind Ensemble, Latin Jazz Ensemble, Madrigal Singers and various small ensembles
Our faculty includes some of Canada's finest musicians whose years of training and experience guide students into the professional music community.

MUSIC DIPLOMA

Students must complete the minimum number of credits required for their major study areas and a minimum grade point average of 2.00 to be eligible for the Vancouver Community College Diploma.

If you know the admission requirements,

Find out more about this program:

Program Description Career Prospects Admission Requirements Program Status

Apply to this Program Fees and Other Costs Additional Information Courses

Program Description

MAJOR STUDY

Required courses (including individual instruction, ensembles and pedagogic studies) vary according to the student's major instrument and/or chosen area of specialization.

MAJOR STUDY AREAS

All full-time students choose a discipline for major study from the following:
1. Instrumental Studies
2. Composition
3. Classical Voice
4. Jazz and Contemporary Voice
5. Composition/Arranging
6. Keyboard Studies
7. Jazz and Contemporary Instrumental Music

ELECTIVES

Students select courses to complete their program from (i) music electives, and/or (ii) English. Students intending to continue their studies at a university are advised to take two terms of English.

COURSE LOADS

While the normal course load in the Music Diploma Program varies from option to option, an average load is 17 credits. Students may not register for more than the maximum number of credits in their option without written permission from the Head of the School. A minimum full-time course load is 12 credits per term, but dropping below 15 credits requires approval from the Head of the School. Students with fewer than 12 credits will have the balance of private instruction for the term discontinued.

JURY EXAMINATIONS

Near the end of each term, each student enrolled in individual instruction is required to perform for a faculty committee. The committee members each submit a written analysis of the performance to the individual instructor, who discusses the analysis with the student. Jury exams are mandatory to receive a Performance Concentration grade.

Topic

Guidelines to the Course Numbering System and Course Descriptions

The number of hours of lectures, seminars or tutorials and laboratory/rehearsal work per week is shown following the course description. For example 2:0:0 indicates that a course consists of 2 hours of lecture, 0 hours of seminar, and 0 hours of laboratory/rehearsal time per week. The number of credits is shown following the course name.

Courses not in the area of the core curriculum may be cancelled because of insufficient enrollment.

Visit the School's website at: http://www.vcc.ca/music

Start Length Credential Campus Part or Full‑time September 2 years Diploma Broadway Full-time

Career Prospects

Information about graduate outcomes

Admission Requirements

General

VCC welcomes applications from Canadian citizens, permanent residents and international students.

Exceptions
International students

As Vancouver Community College is a post-secondary institution committed to educating adult learners, applicants should be 18 years of age or older or a graduate of a secondary school.

Please note that you must submit official transcripts and educational documents to support your application; unfortunately, we cannot accept photocopies or fax versions.

Program Specific

ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS

1) Grade 12 graduation, GED or equivalent

See the School of Music website for further application information.

MUSIC REQUIREMENTS

Audition requirements differ for each instrument and vary from option to option. For specific audition requirements, see the School of Music website.

Entrance auditions and musicianship examinations are held in the spring and summer. Applicants for admission to the Music Diploma program will write a diagnostic examination in theory (the course content of Basic Theory 1003) and are tested on aural perception and rhythmic skills. Minimum standards are equivalent to:

Basic Theory 1003

Kodaly Solfege 1001

DEPOSIT

All new students, upon notification of acceptance into the full-time program, are required to pay a $100 non-refundable deposit. This deposit is deducted from tuition fees at the fall term registration.

PROBATIONARY STATUS

Promising students with deficiencies may be admitted on a probationary basis at the recommendation of the audition committee.

Such students' performances are evaluated by a jury committee at the end of the first term. Academic work is evaluated by the probation committee. Recommendations for continuance in the program or changes in course load are based on the results of these assessments.

Program Status

Accepting applications

Apply to this Program

Complete both the department and college application and attach your high school and/or university transcripts. Forward your application with a $30 fee to:
Registrars' Office
VCC - Broadway campus
1155 E Broadway,
Vancouver, BC V5T 4V5

If you have any questions, visit the School's website or call 604.871.7297 or email: music@vcc.ca

INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS

Submit both the I.E. and School of Music application forms together with a $125 CAD application/audition fee to the Registrar's Office. You must submit your high school and/or university transcripts and proof of a recent TOEFL iBTscore of 550 or higher. If you have not completed the equivalent of BC high school, you may still be considered for admission by permission of the Head of the School.

You may send an audition tape or CD if you are living outside of Vancouver and cannot come in person for an audition. Please refer to the School's website at: http://www.vcc.ca/music for specific audition requirements. Arrangements can be made to write the theory placement exam in your country. For information on this, please phone or email at the above addresses.

When accepted into the program, a $500 CAD non-refundable deposit is required. Tuition fees for international students are approximately $300 CAD per credit. An average full-time term consists of 17-21 credits per term, but reduced loads are considered with permission from the Head of the School.

For more information about student authorizations, visas, medical insurance, accommodation and services for international students, please contact the International Education Department at 604.443.8600, or email: study@vcc.ca.

Online     Fax     In Person If you're ready and know the program you want, apply now. Download and complete the (PDF) application form and fax to 604.871.7458. Visit us at one of our campus locations.

After you apply, you can check your to see if all of the requirements have been met or to update contact information. Please use the temporary login ID and Personal Identification Number (PIN) that you used to complete your original online application.

Fees and Other Costs

Application Fee Tuition Fee $30.00 $76.25 per credit hour

International Tuition Fees

Application Fee Tuition Fee Ancillary Fee $125.00 $333.05 per credit $8 per credit

Other Costs

Cost Type Details College initiative fee $2.20 per credit hour Student union fee $23.69 per term Other costs Private Instruction: $560 to $630 per term and varies according to the instrumentMaterials Fee: $30Vocal Ensemble Accompanist Surcharge: $30Student Union Health Plan: $47.38/termStudent Union Dental Plan: $45.14/term

Additional Information

Visit the VCC School of Music website at: http://www.vcc.ca/music

Courses