Get comprehensive, top-tier training from working professionals in music theory, performance, and collaboration.
Changes are coming! Courses, fees, admissions requirements, and intakes are subject to change for Fall 2026.
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 of intent 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.
- Successful audition in specialized performance area (i.e. voice, instrument). See the Apply Now section below for details.
- Students wishing to pursue an academic stream must submit academic work in lieu of an audition. See the Apply Now section below for details.
- Applicants whose first language is not English and who are presenting foreign documents are required to do the VCC English Language Assessment.
- NOTE: The VCC English Language Assessment is currently not available. Please contact the department at music@vcc.ca for other options.
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
- This program is available to Canadian citizens and permanent residents. See program options for international students at VCC International.
- Applicants who self-identify as Indigenous are strongly encouraged to connect with VCC’s Indigenous Education and Community Engagement team to learn more about VCC’s Indigenous Enrolment policy, application preparation/completion, program advising, and a range of other individualized services.
- Applicants must be 16 years of age or older or a graduate of a secondary school. (Some exceptions may apply.)
- Applicants must submit official transcripts and other documents as required by their course or program. Seats are offered to eligible applicants with completed applications, in order of application completion date (except for programs with competitive admissions). A complete application includes an application form, evidence of educational pre-requisites (e.g. transcripts), any required supporting documents (e.g. language proficiency, audition video), and the required deposit or fee payment. If you do not meet the requirements for the term applied, your application may be cancelled.
Missing prerequisites? Learn more about VCC's tuition-free academic upgrading or English as a Second Language (ESL) courses, or discover which university transfer options are right for you.
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 *
| Term Five | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| MUSC 3109 or MUSC 3130 |
Performance Concentration 5 or Classical Voice 5 |
3 |
| MUSC 3104 | Performance Techniques 5 | 2 |
| MUSC 3113 or MUSC 3117 |
Conducting 1 or Creative Music Improvisation 1 |
2-3 |
| MUSC 3103 | Materials of Music 5 | 3 |
| MUSC 3106 | Music and Culture 1 | 3 |
| MUSC 3107 | Career Opportunities 2 | 3 |
| MUSC 3190 | Directed Ensemble 5 ** | 1 |
| Credits | 17-18 | |
| Term Six | ||
| MUSC 3209 or MUSC 3230 |
Performance Concentration 6 or Classical Voice 6 |
3 |
| MUSC 3204 | Performance Techniques 6 | 2 |
| MUSC 3213 or MUSC 3217 |
Conducting 2 or Creative Music Improvisation 2 |
2-3 |
| MUSC 3206 | 3 | |
| MUSC 3208 | Advanced Rhythm Studies | 3 |
| MUSC 3290 | Directed Ensemble 6 ** | 1 |
| Electives in Humanities/Technology/Business/Sciences * | 3 | |
| Credits | 17-18 | |
| Term Seven | ||
| MUSC 4209 or MUSC 4230 |
Performance Concentration 7 or Classical Voice 7 |
3 |
| MUSC 4204 | Performance Techniques 7 | 2 |
| MUSC 4107 | Career Opportunities Practicum | 5 |
| MUSC 4106 | Music Seminar 1 | 2 |
| Electives in Humanities/Technology/Business/Sciences * | 6 | |
| Credits | 18 | |
| Term Eight | ||
| MUSC 4309 or MUSC 4330 |
Performance Concentration 8 or Classical Voice 8 |
3 |
| MUSC 4304 | Performance Techniques 8 | 2 |
| MUSC 4206 | Music Seminar 2 | 2 |
| Music Electives | 3 | |
| Electives in Humanities/Technology/Business/Sciences * | 6 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Total Credits | 68-70 | |
- *
First and Second Year College and University lower level courses are acceptable non-music electives.
- **
In 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 *
| Fee description | Fee Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Application fee | 36 | |
| Tuition Tuition | 6980 | |
| Student union | 283 | |
| College initiative | 201 | |
| Materials | 0 | not including textbooks |
| Campus resource | 280 | |
| Laundry | 0 | |
| Tools (deposit) | 0 | |
| Coverall (deposit) | 0 | |
| Uniform (deposit) | 0 | |
| Medical and Dental | 570 | |
| Temporary Medical Insurance | 0 | |
| U-PASS | 705 | |
| 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. Tuition fees include a non-refundable deposit ($300 or $500, depending on program).
Fees listed are for domestic students. For international programs, visit VCC International.
Any refunds are issued according to VCC's refund policy.
Apply now
Audition Information:
See the Application and Audition Requirements - Bachelor of Applied Music for Music Supplemental Application 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 2025:
- January 22 (for January 29 audition interview)
- February 5 (for February 26 audition interview)
- March 5 (for March 26 audition interview)
- April 2 (for April 23 audition interview)
- April 14 (for May 5 audition interview)
- May 7 (for May 28 audition interview)
- June 15 (for June 16 or June 30 audition interview)
- July 1 (individual audition interview dates)
Audition interviews for 2025:
- January 29
- February 26
- March 26
- April 23
- May 5
- May 28
- June 16
- June 30
- July - individual dates
Contact music@vcc.ca if you have questions.
Get started
Entrance award
September intake of this full-time program is eligible for financial award.