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Music

CREDENTIAL: Diploma
START DATES

Launch your career in music and music-related professions by learning from some of Canada’s finest performers, composers, and producers. Audition and specialize in any genre including classical, jazz, contemporary, and electronic music.

Tuition: 6808*
Credential: Diploma
Length: 2 0 years
Hours: Full-time
Delivery: Class-based
Program Flyer: Download
Campus: Broadway Broadway
Start Dates: Sep
 

Entrance award

September intake of this full-time program is eligible for financial award.

 

ENTRANCE AWARDS

September intake of this full-time program is eligible for financial award.

Learn more

What you will learn

  • Professional vocal, instrumental, or compositional techniques
  • Solo and ensemble performance
  • Rehearsal methods
  • Pre-stage and backstage preparation
  • Solo and ensemble psychology
  • Audience engagement and interaction
  • Instrument ergonomics
  • Performance evaluation and critique
  • Rhythm and melody
  • Improvisation
  • Cadences and song forms
  • Major and minor scales, diatonic modes
  • Acoustics
  • Notation systems
  • Orchestration
  • Historical and comparative musicology
  • Ethnomusicology
  • Critical listening and self-evaluation
  • Historical and contemporary performance contexts
  • Self-promotion and music industry careers

What to expect

  • Monday to Friday daytime classes
  • Occasional evening or weekend rehearsals or performances
  • Classroom instruction
  • Individual instruction
  • Lab activities
  • Rehearsals
  • Regular jury performances
  • Outreach activities
  • Public performances
  • Assignments
  • Quizzes and exams

Admission requirements

Program-specific

ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS

  1. Grade 12 graduation, GED or equivalent

Note: Applicants who have not graduated from high school may still be considered, with permission from the Music Department Leader.

   2. English 12 or Communications 12 with a pass, or equivalent.

MUSIC REQUIREMENTS

1. Audition requirements differ for each instrument. See specific Application and Audition Requirements - Music Diploma and Music Prep Certificate

2. Entrance auditions and musicianship examinations are held from February through May. Applicants for admission to the Music Diploma program will write a diagnostic examination in theory and are tested on aural perception and rhythmic skills. Minimum standards are equivalent to Preparatory Music Theory 1 & 2 (MUSC 1013 and MUSC 1033), and Preparatory Musicianship 1 & 2 (MUSC 1011 and MUSC 1031).  Students who are accepted at the audition but who require upgrading of theory and musicianship may register concurrently in the recommended preparatory courses (MUSC 1011, 1013, MUSC 1031 and MUSC 1033). Students may also register for the other preparatory-level courses (MUSC 1010, 1030, 1054, 1064) and the following diploma-level courses: MUSC 1305, MUSC 1319, and MUSC 2490 (instructor permission and available space required.  Students will be wait-listed until available space and instructor permission are confirmed).

ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY REQUIREMENTS

English language proficiency at an English 12 level, or equivalent

Please note all English assessments must have been written in the previous calendar year, with the exception of English 12 taken in Canada.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

The Music Department is located at the Broadway Campus on the 3rd floor. Applications, along with transcripts and all supporting documents, will be accepted by VCC between November 1st and April 1st. An entrance audition or interview will be scheduled once all required documents are received. Applications received after April 1st will be considered subject to space availability.

Program-specific

ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS

  1. Grade 12 graduation, GED or equivalent

Note: Applicants who have not graduated from high school may still be considered, with permission from the Music Department Leader.

   2. English 12 or Communications 12 with a pass, or equivalent.

MUSIC REQUIREMENTS

Note: Entrance auditions and musicianship examinations are held from February through May. Applicants for admission to the Music Diploma program will write a diagnostic examination in theory and are tested on aural perception and rhythmic skills. Minimum standards are equivalent to Preparatory Music Theory 1 & 2 (MUSC 1013 and MUSC 1033), and Preparatory Musicianship 1 & 2 (MUSC 1011 and MUSC 1031).  Students who are accepted at the audition but who require upgrading of theory and musicianship may register concurrently in the recommended preparatory courses (MUSC 1011, 1013, MUSC 1031 and MUSC 1033). Students may also register for the other preparatory-level courses (MUSC 1010, 1030, 1054, 1064) and the following diploma-level courses: MUSC 1305, MUSC 1319, and MUSC 2490 (instructor permission and available space required.  Students will be wait-listed until available space and instructor permission are confirmed).

ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY REQUIREMENTS

English language proficiency at an English 12 level, or equivalent

Please note all English assessments must have been written in the previous calendar year, with the exception of English 12 taken in Canada.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

The Music Department is located at the Broadway Campus on the 3rd floor. Applications, along with transcripts and all supporting documents, will be accepted by VCC between November 1st and April 1st. An entrance audition or interview will be scheduled once all required documents are received. Applications received after April 1st will be considered subject to space availability.

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 verbally and in writing
  • 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 *

Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Some evenings and weekends may be required for rehearsals, performances and other activities.

This program must be completed within five years.

A minimum full-time course load is 9 credits per term. Dropping below 9 credits requires approval from the Music Department Leader.

Prior learning assessment and recognition

Generally, each course for which the student is requesting PLAR will require the following:

  1. Practical and/or written examinations that demonstrate ability at or above the final exam and learning outcomes of the VCC course in question.

   2. A successful interview with the Music Department Leader and one other regularized music faculty           member.

Fees and other costs *

Tuition Deposit

0 (0 non-refundable)

Tution deposits are payable usually within two (2) weeks after a Letter of Offer is issued.

Fee descriptionFee AmountNotes
Application fee36
Tuition Tuition 6808
Student union256
College initiative171
Materials156 not including textbooks
Campus resource273
Laundry0
Tools (deposit)0
Coverall (deposit)0
Uniform (deposit)0
Medical and Dental 550
Temporary Medical Insurance 0
U-PASS 619
Graduation45
Program-specific extra fees0
Total
Textbooks or other supplies may be required for this program. For information and prices, visit the VCC Bookstore.

In addition to the total fees above, other surcharge fees will apply:

$738 surcharge - private instruction (major)
$387 surcharge - private instruction (minor) - elective credit

Need help with tuition?


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Apply now

Sep 2025
(Fall term)
September 20, 2024
ONLINE
You will be directed to EducationPlannerBC
Get started
MAIL
Fill out a PDF form and mail to:
VCC Registrar's Office
1155 East Broadway
Vancouver, B.C., V5T 4V5

Entrance award

September intake of this full-time program is eligible for financial award.

 

ENTRANCE AWARDS

September intake of this full-time program is eligible for financial award.

Learn more

music@vcc.ca

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