For admission to the winter semester, interviews and auditions generally take place in November.

For candidates from the Faculty of Music, the bachelor’s recital also serves as an entrance exam for the DESS. The assessment jury gives its decision at one and the same time on the value of the bachelor’s recital and on the candidate’s eligibility for the DESS.

For the other candidates, the audition will last 30 minutes and must consist of 4 works in different styles, representative of the instrument’s repertoire and demonstrating the candidate’s musicality and technical abilities.

Specific information:

Piano

• concertos and chamber music are not permitted, and works must be performed from memory.

Classical singing

• The audition must consist of works in different styles in at least 3 different languages.

Flute

• The audition must consist of 4 works in different styles, including the 1st movement of a concerto by Mozart, Fauré’s Morceau de concours and Dutilleux’s Sonatine (or Sancan’s Sonatine or Casella’s Sicilienne et burlesque).

1 work chosen from each of the following groups:

Group A:

• Works for solo piano
• A fast classical-sonata movement from those by Mozart, Schubert, Haydn or Beethoven
• A large-scale romantic or modern work (own-choice)

 

Group B:

• Instrumental
• A movement chosen from the following romantic works:
• Brahms: Sonatas
• Beethoven: Sonatas and Variations
• Franck: Sonata
• Reinecke: Flute Sonata

 

• Vocal
  
  
• 2 contrasting lieder by at least 2 different composers: Schubert, Schumann, Brahms, R. Strauss, Wolf

 

Group C :

• Instrumental
  
  
• 1 movement chosen from the following modern works:
• Prokofiev: Sonatas
• Debussy: Sonatas
• Poulenc: Sonatas

 

• Vocal
  
  
• 2 contrasting art songs by at least 2 different composers: Fauré, Debussy, Ravel, Chausson, Duparc, Barber and 

 

Britten

Group D:

• Instrumental
  
  
• 1 first movement from a romantic or modern concerto or work for soloist and orchestra
• Vocal
  
  
• An aria from an oratorio or cantata
• A romantic or modern opera aria

 

Group E:

• Sight reading

The repertoire or any exception must be approved by the piano accompaniment program head.

Candidates must supply their own instrumentalist or singers.

The audition will last 20 minutes. It will consist of works from the orchestral repertoire specific to the instrument, and must demonstrate the candidate’s musicality and technical abilities.

A written invitation will be sent out to determine the period set for the audition.

A work chosen from each of the following groups: 

Group A:

• Works for solo piano
• A classical-sonata fast movement from those of  Mozart, Schubert, Haydn or Beethoven
• A large-scale romantic or modern work (own-choice)

 

Group B:

• Instrumental 
• A movement chosen from the following romantic works:
• Brahms: Sonatas
• Beethoven: Sonatas and Variations
• Franck: Sonata
• Reinecke: Flute Sonata

 

• Vocal
  
  
• 2 contrasting lieder by 2 different composers: Schubert, Schumann, Brahms, R. Strauss, Wolf

 

Group C:

• Instrumental
  
  
• A movement chosen from the following modern works:
• Prokofiev: Sonatas
• Debussy: Sonatas
• Poulenc: Sonatas

 

• Vocal
  
  
• 2 contrasting art songs by 2 different composers: Fauré, Debussy, Ravel, Chausson, Duparc, Barber and 

 

Britten

Group D:

• Instrumental
  
  
• A first movement from a romantic or modern concerto or work for soloist and orchestra
• Vocal
  
  
• An aria from an oratorio or cantata
• A romantic or modern opera aria

 

Group E:

• Sight reading

The repertoire or any exception must be approved by the piano accompaniment program head.

Candidates must supply their own instrumentalist or singers.

The candidate must submit to a 30-minute instrumental audition, which will consist of at least 4 or 5 pieces, 2 of them chosen from a repertoire of 20 memorized standards, with theme and improvisation, and another own-choice piece.

At the audition, the candidate must submit the list of 20 memorized standards to the members of the jury.
 
Specific information 

For international students

Candidates from abroad will have to submit an audiovisual document of 4 or 5 pieces of music (jazz standards), comprising:

• 1 ballad
• 1 Latin-style piece
• 2 or 3 other own-choice jazz standards

Candidates will also have to submit with their application a list of 20 jazz standards that they already know.

For bachelor’s students in jazz performance

The bachelor’s recital cannot be used as an entrance exam for a master’s. Faculty of Music candidates must follow the audition process above.

For candidates from the Faculty of Music, the bachelor’s recital also serves as an entrance exam for a master’s. The assessment jury gives its decision at one and the same time on the value of the bachelor’s recital and on the candidate’s eligibility for the master’s.

For other candidates, the audition will last 30 minutes and must consist of 4 works in different styles, representative of the instrument’s repertoire and demonstrating the candidate’s musicality and technical abilities.

Specific information:

Piano

• Concertos and chamber music are not permitted, and works must be performed from memory.

Classical singing

• The audition must consist of works of different styles in at least 3 different languages.

Flute

• The audition must consist of 4 works in different styles, including the 1st movement of a concerto by Mozart, Fauré’s Morceau de concours and Dutilleux’s Sonatine (or Sancan’s Sonatine  or Casella’s Sicilienne et burlesque).

Preliminary audition

High-quality video recording via an unindexed link on the YouTube or Vimeo platforms, directly accessible without password. Keys are at the performers’ choice.

McGill-UdeM Piano-Vocal Arts Residency

BLOCK A (an own-choice piece, performed with singer)

• Schubert, ”Der Musensohn”
• Schubert, ”Ganymed”
• Schubert, “Im Frühling”
• Schubert, “Liebesbotschaft”

BLOCK B (an own-choice piece, performed with singer)

• Debussy, Ariettes oubliées: “Il pleure dans mon cœur”
• Debussy, Ariettes oubliées: “Green”
• Duparc, “Chanson triste”
• Fauré, La bonne chanson: “L’hiver a cessé”
• Fauré, Cinq mélodies de Venise: ”Mandoline”
• Fauré, 3 Chansons, Op. 18: “Nell”
• Poulenc, Fiançailles pour rire: “Il vole”

BLOCK C (a compulsory piece, performed with singer)

• Strauss, ”Allerseelen”

BLOCK D (an own-choice piece, performed with singer) 

• Barber, Hermit Songs, Op. 29 : “St. Ita’s Vision” 
• Barber, Hermit Songs, Op. 29 : “The Monk and His Cat” 
• Berg, Sieben Frühe Lieder, “Die Nachtigall” 
• Britten, On This Island, “Let the Florid Music Praise” 
• Copland, 12 Poems of Emily Dickinson: “Heart! We Will Forget Him!”

BLOCK E (an own-choice piece; the pianist must play and sing at the same time)

• Puccini, La bohème: Act I up to Schaunard’s entrance
• Mozart, Le nozze di Figaro: Finale, Act II up to bar 605 
• Bizet, Carmen: “Nous avons en tête une affaire”   
• Strauss, Ariadne auf Naxos : “Sein wir wieder gut”

BLOCK F (solo piece) 

A piece, or a movement, from the classical period lasting a maximum of 7 minutes.
It is not compulsory to perform the piece from memory.

Final Audition 
If your situation allows, auditions in person are encouraged. One or more singers will be provided for in-person auditions.

If it’s not possible to travel to Montréal for the audition, a virtual audition will be permitted : in that case you will be responsible for providing the singers for your audition. Recordings will not be accepted for this stage. 

BLOCK A (two own-choice pieces, recorded with singer) 

• Schubert, ”Der Musensohn”
• Schubert, ”Ganymed”
• Schubert, “Im Frühling”
• Schubert, “Liebesbotschaft”

BLOCK B (two own-choice pieces, performed with singer) 

• Debussy, Ariettes oubliées: “Il pleure dans mon cœur” 
• Debussy, Ariettes oubliées: “Green” 
• Duparc, “Chanson triste” 
• Fauré, La bonne chanson: “L’hiver a cessé” 
• Fauré, Cinq mélodies de Venise: “Mandoline” 
• Fauré, 3 Chansons, Op. 18: “Nell”
• Poulenc, Fiançailles pour rire: “Il vole” 

BLOCK C (a compulsory piece and an own-choice piece, performed with singer) 

• Strauss, ”Allerseelen”  (Compulsory)  
• Brahms, ”Meine Liebe ist grün”  
• Strauss, ”Cäcilie,” Op. 27, No. 2  
• Wolf, “Ich hab in Penna,”  

BLOCK D (two own-choice pieces, performed with singer) 

• Barber, Hermit Songs, Op. 29 : “St. Ita’s Vision” 
• Barber, Hermit Songs, Op. 29 : “The Monk and His Cat” 
• Berg, Sieben Frühe Lieder: “Die Nachtigall”
• Britten, On this island, “Let the Florid Music Praise” 
• Copland, 12 Poems of Emily Dickinson: “Heart! We Will Forget Him!”

BLOCK E (the pianist must play and sing at the same time) 

• Mozart, Idomeneo: Ilia’s recitative, “Quando avran fine omai” 

BLOCK F (two own-choice pieces; the pianist must play and sing at the same time) 

• Puccini, La bohème: Act I up to Schaunard’s entrance
• Mozart, Le nozze di Figaro: Finale, Act II up to bar 605
• Bizet, Carmen: “Nous avons en tête une affaire”   
• Strauss, Ariadne auf Naxos: “Sein wir wieder gut” 

BLOCK G (solo piece) 

A piece, or a movement, from the classical period lasting a maximum of 7 minutes.
It is not compulsory to perform the piece from memory. 

BLOCK H 

Sight reading

BLOCK I 

Audition on the instrument will be followed by a short interview with the co-directors of the residency.

1 work chosen in each of the following groups: 

Group A:

• Works for solo piano
• A fast classical-sonata movement from those by Mozart, Schubert, Haydn or Beethoven
• A large-scale romantic or modern work (own choice)

 

Group B:

• Instrumental 
• 2 contrasting movements chosen from the following romantic works:
• Brahms: Sonatas
• Beethoven: Sonatas and Variations
• Franck: Sonata
• Reinecke: Flute Sonata

 

• Vocal
  
  
• 4 contrasting lieder by at least 3 of the following composers: Schubert, Schumann, Brahms, R. Strauss, Wolf

 

Group C:

• Instrumental
  
  
• 2 contrasting movements chosen from the following modern works:
• Prokofiev: Sonatas
• Debussy: Sonatas
• Poulenc: Sonatas

 

• Vocal
  
  
• 4 contrasting art songs by at least 3 of the following composers: Fauré, Debussy, Ravel, Chausson, Duparc, Barber and Britten

 

Group D:

• Instrumental
  
  
• A first movement from a concerto or a work for soloist and orchestra
• Vocal
  
  
• An aria from an oratorio or a cantata
• A romantic or modern opera aria

 

Group E:

• Sight reading

The repertoire or any exception must be approved by the piano accompaniment program head.

Candidates must supply their own instrumentalist or singers.

For candidates from the Faculty of Music, the master’s recital also serves as an entrance exam for the DEPA. The assessment jury gives its decision at one and the same time on the value of the master’s recital and on the candidate’s eligibility for the DEPA.

For other candidates, the audition will last 30 minutes and must consist of works in different styles, representative of the instrument’s repertoire and demonstrating the candidate’s musicality and technical abilities.

Candidates must provide a copy of the scores for the pieces they’ll be presenting in their audition for the jury.

Specific Information:

Piano

• The program presented must include at least 1 virtuoso work highlighting the candidate’s technical abilities.
• Concertos and chamber music are not permitted, and the works must be performed from memory.

Classical singing and monadic instruments

• Candidates must arrive at their admission audition with their piano accompanist. This service is not available from the Faculty of Music.
• External candidates who cannot fulfil this requirement are requested to communicate with the Faculty as soon as possible by calling 514 343-7998.

One work chosen in each of the following groups: 

Group A:

• Works for solo piano
• A fast classical-sonata movement from those by Mozart, Schubert, Haydn or Beethoven
• A large-scale romantic or modern work (own choice)

 

Group B:

• Instrumental 
• 2 contrasting movements chosen from the following romantic works:
• Brahms: Sonatas
• Beethoven: Sonatas and Variations
• Franck: Sonata
• Reinecke: Flute Sonata

 

• Vocal
  
  
• 4 contrasting lieder by at least 3 of the following composers: Schubert, Schumann, Brahms, R. Strauss, Wolf

 

Group C:

• Instrumental
  
  
• 2 contrasting movements chosen from the following modern works:
• Prokofiev: Sonatas
• Debussy: Sonatas
• Poulenc: Sonatas

 

• Vocal
  
  
• 4 contrasting melodies by at least 3 of the following composers: Fauré, Debussy, Ravel, Chausson, Duparc, Barber and 

 

Britten

Group D:

• Instrumental
  
  
• A first movement from a romantic or modern concerto or work for soloist and orchestra
• Vocal
  
  
• An aria from an oratorio or a cantata
• A romantic or modern opera aria

 

Group E:

• Sight reading

The repertoire or any exception must be approved by the piano accompaniment program head.

Candidates must supply their own instrumentalist or singers.

For candidates from the Faculty of Music, the master’s recital also serves as an entrance exam for the doctorate. The assessment jury gives its decision at one and the same time on the value of the master’s recital and on the candidate’s eligibility for the doctorate.

For other candidates, the audition will last one hour and must consist of works in different styles, representative of the instrument’s repertoire and demonstrating the candidate’s musicality and technical abilities.

Candidates must provide a copy of the scores for the pieces they’ll be presenting in their audition for the jury.

Specific Information:

Piano

• The program presented must include at least 1 virtuoso work highlighting the candidate’s technical abilities.
• Concertos and chamber music are not permitted, and works must be performed from memory.

Classical singing and monodic instruments

• Candidates must arrive at their admission with their piano accompanist. This service is not available from the Faculty of Music.
• External candidates who cannot fulfil this requirement are requested to communicate with the Faculty as soon as possible by calling 514 343-7998.

**Complete program for A-2021**

The audition takes place with two pianos. 

Debussy, Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun (version for two pianos by the composer)

Beethoven, Symphony No. 3 in E-flat major, Op. 55, Eroica (version for two pianos), complete

Stravinsky, The Rite of Spring (version for two pianos by the composer)

• “Glorification of the Chosen One” (one bar before no. 104 up to no. 122)
• “Sacrificial Dance” (three bars before no. 142 until the end)

1 work (or a movement from a work) at the candidate’s choice, performed on his or her instrument (unaccompanied).