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.
What you will learn
Upon successful completion of this program, graduates will be able to:
- Perform/compose in solo and ensemble contexts in one or many idioms.
- Demonstrate critical awareness and the ability to self-evaluate, think and listen critically about core concepts of musicianship.
- Demonstrate awareness of historical and contemporary styles and practices in academic, practical skills and other performance contexts.
- Meet or exceed standards of musical literacy appropriate at a second-year level of instruction.
- Demonstrate successful mastery of vocal, instrumental and/or compositional performance techniques.
- Promote themselves as professionals in the music industry and related professions.
What to expect
Program Duration and Maximum Time for Completion
The Music Diploma is a two-year, four-term program. Maximum time for completion is five years.
The Music Diploma is a full-time program. Most classes are scheduled Monday to Friday from 8:30 to 16:30, but evenings and weekends will sometimes be required for rehearsals, performances and other activities.
A combination of classroom instruction, lab activities, rehearsals, performances, and outreach activities will be included in the program.
Admission requirements
Program-specific
ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS
- 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 ɫbetween 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
- 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
- Successful audition in major performance area. See the ɫMusic Application and Audition Requirements for details.
- Submit the Supplemental Application form
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 ɫbetween 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 ɫInternational.
- 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.
Program Considerations
- 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:
- Practical and/or written examinations that demonstrate ability at or above the final exam and learning outcomes of the ɫcourse in question.
2. A successful interview with the Music Department Leader and one other regularized music faculty member.
The average course load is 15.0 credits per semester. Students may not register for more than 18.0 credits without written permission from the Music Department Leader.
A minimum full-time course load is 9 credits per term. Dropping below 9 credits requires approval from the Music Department Leader. Normally, students taking fewer than 9 credits in a term will not be entitled to individual instruction. In exceptional circumstances, students will be allowed to register for individual instruction with fewer than 9 credits total. However, in order for such an exception to apply, the student must have previously completed all academic and skills-course requirements for the term of individual instruction in which they are registering.
Note that the Music Diploma requires a minimum of 60 credits for graduation.
| Term One | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| ѱ1301 | Musicianship 1 | 3 |
| ѱ1303 | Theory and Practice of Music 1 | 3 |
| ѱ1104 | Performance Techniques 1 | 1 |
| ѱ1305 | Music in Context 1 | 3 |
| ѱ1319 | Music and Media 1 | 1.5 |
| ѱ1310 | Individual Instruction 1 | 2 |
| ѱ2490 | Performance Ensemble | 1.5 |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Term Two | ||
| MUSC1401 | Musicianship 2 | 3 |
| MUSC1403 | Theory and Practice of Music 2 | 3 |
| MUSC1204 | Performance Techniques 2 | 1 |
| MUSC1405 | Music in Context 2 | 3 |
| MUSC1419 | Music and Media 2 | 1.5 |
| MUSC1410 | Individual Instruction 2 | 2 |
| ѱ2490 | Performance Ensemble 1 | 1.5 |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Term Three | ||
| MUSC2301 | Musicianship 3 | 3 |
| MUSC2303 | Theory and Practice of Music 3 | 3 |
| MUSC2104 | Performance Techniques 3 | 1 |
| MUSC2305 or MUSC2304 or MUSC2317 |
Musicology 1 2 or Electronic Music 1 or Improvisation 1 |
3 |
| MUSC2307 | Social Media for the Self-employed Musician | 1.5 |
| MUSC2310 | Individual Instruction 3 | 2 |
| ѱ2490 | Performance Ensemble 1 | 1.5 |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Term Four | ||
| MUSC2401 | Musicianship 4 | 3 |
| MUSC2403 | Theory and Practice of Music 4 | 3 |
| MUSC2204 | Performance Techniques 4 | 1 |
| MUSC2405 or MUSC2404 or MUSC2417 |
Musicology 2 2 or Electronic Music 2 or Improvisation 2 |
3 |
| MUSC2407 | Career Opportunities for Musicians 1 | 1.5 |
| MUSC2410 | Individual Instruction 4 | 2 |
| ѱ2490 | Performance Ensemble 1 | 1.5 |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Total Credits | 60 | |
- 1
”Performance Ensemble” is repeatable for credit. Students require 4 terms (6 cr.) of “Performance Ensemble” to graduate. Students may participate in any ɫensemble (or community ensemble as approved by the Department Head), subject to audition and/or entrance requirements.
- 2
Students enrol in two terms of Musicology OR Electronic Music OR Jazz Improvisation
* 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 | 7224 | |
| Student union | 290 | |
| College initiative | 181 | |
| Materials | 165 | not including textbooks |
| Campus resource | 289 | |
| Laundry | 0 | |
| Tools (deposit) | 0 | |
| Coverall (deposit) | 0 | |
| Uniform (deposit) | 0 | |
| 570 | ||
| Temporary Medical Insurance | 0 | |
| U-PASS | 657 | |
| Graduation | 45 | |
| Program-specific extra fees | 0 | |
| Total |
In addition to the total fees above, other surcharge fees will apply:
| $738 | surcharge - private instruction (major) |
| $387 | surcharge - private instruction (minor) - elective credit |
* 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 ɫInternational.
Any refunds are issued according to VCC's refund policy.
Apply now
Audition Information:
See the Application and Audition Requirements - Music Diploma and Music Prep Certificate 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.
Deadline to apply, submit audition video, and complete theory assessment for 2026:
- January 12 (for January 26 audition interview)
- February 9 (for February 23 audition interview)
- March 16 (for March 30 audition interview)
- April 13 (for April 27 audition interview)
- April 28 (for May 12 audition interview)
- May 12 (for May 26 audition interview)
- June 12 (for June 23 audition interview)
- June 26 (for July 7 audition interview)
Audition interviews for 2026:
- January 26
- February 23
- March 30
- April 27
- May 12
- May 26
- June 23
- July 7
Contact music@vcc.ca if you have questions.