Audition Dates
- You will receive your individual date and time as well as your accompanists' information by email.
- Review the assigned date(s) for your instrument below and plan accordingly, as we cannot accommodate live auditions on alternative dates. If multiple dates are listed for your instrument, and you have a preference, contact admissions.music [at] mcgill.ca (subject: Graduate%20Admissions) as soon as possible.
- Note that all DMUS applicants will audition and interview on the designated dates for DMUS, and not the other dates listed for their instrument.
On-campus Audition Dates 2026: TBD
Screening Materials
Screening video material is only required for graduate programs in conducting, jazz, and DMus performance. Upload your screening video directly to their online application by December 1.
- Review the required repertoire for your audition screening.
- You will receive the results of your pre-screening by early January.
- Applicants choosing a recorded audition do NOT need to submit the screening material and should only submit their full recorded audition by December 1.
Guidelines to follow
- Screening material should include video and audio.
- Recording must be less than 6 months old.
- Performances should include accompaniment where appropriate.
- Recordings of recent live performances are acceptable.
- You may upload separate videos for each piece, or submit the entire audition in one video.
On-Campus Auditions
Before you arrive
- Save the date for your instrument's assigned audition day.
- You will receive notification through your application portal. It will include details such as individual audition date, time, location and if applicable, your assigned accompanist and contact information.
- Confirm or refuse your audition date and time by clicking “Confirm my audition” in your audition notification. If you decide to refuse, the admissions.music [at] mcgill.ca (subject: Graduate%20Admissions) (Admissions Office )will contact you to reschedule. However, if your instrument only has one scheduled audition day, it’s unlikely a different date can be accommodated, and you may be asked to submit a recorded audition instead.
- If you are travelling from outside of Canada, research travel document requirements through Immigration Canada.
- Applicants with disabilities who require accommodations in order to participate in the audition process must notify the admissions.music [at] mcgill.ca (subject: Graduate%20Admissions) (Admissions Office) in advance of their audition date.
Accompanists
- The Schulich School of Music will provide an accompanist/jazz rhythm section free of charge for the audition time only. Rehearsal costs are the responsibility of the applicant and vary depending on the accompanist.
- Contact your accompanist as soon as you can to confirm your audition repertoire and arrange rehearsal times (if applicable).
- Applicants may bring their own accompanists. If you decide to do so, advise the admissions.music [at] mcgill.ca (subject: Graduate%20Admissions) (Admissions Office) or through your application portal.
On audition day
- If you are experiencing travel delays on the day of your audition, or you are unable to attend your audition, email the admissions.music [at] mcgill.ca (subject: Graduate%20Admissions) (Admissions Office) or call 514 398-4546.
- Print one list of your pieces to hand to the audition panel. For voice applicants, prepare five printed copies of your repertoire.
Check-in
- A minimum of one hour prior to your audition, you must check-in at the Elizabeth Wirth Music Building lobby (527 Sherbrooke Street West, Montreal, Quebec).
*Check-in is also mandatory for current students. - Practice rooms will be available to you on your audition day. During check-in, directions to your audition location and practice rooms will be provided. Details will be available at the check-in desk.
- Applicants in Organ will check-in at their audition location. Practice time will be arranged in advance of the audition.
Where to stay
- Special accommodations have been arranged with several downtown hotels. All hotels are within walking distance of the Schulich School of Music.
- Special room prices are available to the McGill University community: staff, students, visitors, etc.
- If you are making reservations by phone, be sure to mention McGill University.
Recorded Auditions
After you submit your online application form and pay the fees, you will receive your personalized checklist and access to upload all of your supporting documents on your applicant portal, including your recorded audition, by December 1.
Recorded auditions are not permitted for applicants to any graduate program in conducting, and are usually not permitted for DMUS. Exceptions will only be permitted on a case-by-case basis by contacting the admissions.music [at] mcgill.ca (subject: Graduate%20Admissions) (Admissions Office. )
Guidelines to follow
- If you are submitting a recorded audition, you do not need to submit the screening material and should only upload your full recorded audition. Your audition will be used for screening and admission evaluation.
- Review your repertoire requirements and ensure your selected pieces meet them exactly. If no sample pieces are provided, choose material from your instrument’s standard repertoire that best showcases your musicianship and technical skill.
- Upload your recorded audition to the Multimedia Portfolio option on your checklist. You can upload one long video or multiple shorter videos as long as they still meet the repertoire requirements (except classical guitar). Upload all videos at the same time and click submit.
- Your audition should include video as well as audio.
- Your recording must be less than 6 months old.
- Performances should include accompaniment where appropriate.
- Recordings of recent live performances are acceptable.
- All applicants, except those in classical guitar, can submit separate single-take videos for each piece. Classical guitar applicants must record their entire audition program in a single video.
- Please review your recorded material for sound quality, video clarity or any errors. Rerecord if necessary, as glitches, errors, or edits may result in your video audition not being evaluated.
- Label your video(s) with your family name followed by the name of piece and composer (for example: Smith_ PianoSonata_No14_Beethoven.mp4). Do not use any other characters including spaces or dashes, only use underscores.
