VCM/Camosun Information
What is the affiliation between the VCM and Camosun College?
Would I be a student of the VCM or Camosun College?
What benefits do I get from the VCM and Camosun College?
Application and Auditions
What is the application deadline?
When are auditions held?
Can I start the program in January?
(Scroll down for all of the FAQ answers, the links are a work in progress. Thanks)
VCM/Camosun Information
What is the affiliation between the VCM and Camosun College?
Under the terms of a unique partnership arrangement, the VCM is the Music Department for Camosun College, through which it has offered a range of fully accredited credentials at the post-secondary level since 1974: Diploma in Music, and now Diploma in Jazz Studies and Certificate in Music Foundations.
Would I be a student of the VCM or Camosun College?
Under the partnership students of the Diploma in Music, Diploma in Jazz, and Certificate in Music Foundations are students of both the VCM and Camosun College and can access the services and benefits of each school.
What benefits do I get from the VCM and Camosun College?
As a student of both VCM and Camosun, students gain the full range of services offered by each institution. At the VCM students have use of practice, rehearsal and performance spaces; use of musical equipment and instruments; and full services of the VCM library as a part of their course of studies. A full listing of Camosun services can be found at http://camosun.ca/services/.
Application and Auditions
What is the application deadline?
Applications must be received by February 28th and all application materials (transcripts, letters of reference, and audition recordings if not taking a live audition) must be on file at the VCM not later than March 15. For the period March 1 to June 1, applications may be accepted for “space available:” please note, all application materials for late applications must be received by the VCM before an admission audition is scheduled, and in no circumstances later than June 1.
When are auditions held?
Candidates for admission must complete a live or recorded audition. If submitting a recorded audition, this recording must accompany your application: please consult the Registrar for specific requirements for recorded auditions. If completing a live audition, program auditions are held on selected weekends between March 15 and April 15: a specific audition date within this window will be assigned according to instrument and program. Live auditions for “space available” applications will be held one weekend in May and one weekend in June.
Can I start the program in January?
Unfortunately, no; at least, not easily. The programs are designed for fall intake only. Students transferring from other institutions, however, may be able to be admitted mid-year.
Is there a required instrument performance level for entrance?
While there is no set performance level for entrance, candidates must present evidence through an audition that their personal performance skills are sufficient to suggest success with the demands of the program of their choice. In most cases successful candidates for the Diploma in Music will audition at the VCM or RCM Grade 9 level or higher. Most successful candidates for Certificate in Music Foundations will audition at the VCM or RCM Grade 7 level or higher. Most successful candidates for the Diploma in Jazz Studies will audition with a technical level equivalent to VCM or RCM Grade 9 or higher, although a greater emphasis is placed on improvisation for this discipline than on learned repertoire. For all programs, candidates of exceptional promise may be admitted with a lower level of attainment. If you are in doubt about present level or if you are seeking pre-audition assistance, please contact:
Post-Secondary Registrar
shier@vcm.bc.ca
250-386-5311 ext 2360
Do I need to be working currently with a private instructor on my instrument?
Most successful candidates will be working privately with an expert on the candidate’s instrument in preparation for the audition. If you do not have an instructor, we are happy to assist in finding one. Please feel free to contact:
Post-Secondary Registrar
shier@vcm.bc.ca
250-386-5311 ext 2360
How do I prepare for my instrumental / vocal audition?
At the audition, candidates for admission will be asked to demonstrate their highest level of performance attainment on their first instrument. The audition committee will hear portions of prepared repertoire pieces, a selection of appropriate technical exercises and patterns (major and minor scales, triads, arpeggios, etc.), and sight-reading for classical music applicants or improvisation for jazz applicants. It is advised that candidates prepare for the audition with a professional teacher of the candidate’s instrument. Questions about the audition requirements may be directed to the appropriate Head of Department at the VCM. Please feel free to contact:
Post-Secondary Registrar
shier@vcm.bc.ca
250-386-5311 ext 2360
Is there a required music theory level for entrance?
There is no theory entrance level requirement for Certificate in Music Foundations. Candidates for entrance to Diploma of Music or Diploma in Jazz Studies must demonstrate current fluency with the theory rudiments of music: VCM Grade 8 or RCM Grade 2 music theory. A Theory Entrance Examination will be written at the time of your audition for Diploma-level studies. If in doubt about your present level of theory or if you are seeking pre-examination assistance, please contact:
Post-Secondary Registrar
shier@vcm.bc.ca
250-386-5311 ext 2360
What if I need to upgrade for the Theory Entrance Examination?
If you are far enough in advance of the time when you will take the Theory Entrance Examination, you may be able to enroll in a class of the appropriate level for you or you may enroll in private theory lessons with a highly-qualified theory instructor. If time is short or you just need to do a little brush-up, private theory lessons with a highly-qualified theory instructor would be in order. For assistance in setting up studies with the VCM Theory Department please contact:
Post-Secondary Registrar
shier@vcm.bc.ca
250-386-5311 ext 2360
What if I do not believe that I will be able to meet the theory entrance level in time for the Theory Entrance Examination?
Our advice is that candidates for Diploma-level study prepare themselves for the Theory Entrance Examination as well as possible, with the desired goal of taking the Examination at the time of audition whether you feel prepared or not. If it happens that you do not do well on the Examination but that you do well on your performance audition, it is possible for us to grant provisional acceptance on the provision that you up-grade your Theory to the full entrance level prior to July 31. There would be a reassessment fee and you would have to re-sit the examination at a specified day July 28-31: about 20% of our entering Diploma students exercise this option each year.
What if I do not score well on the Theory Entrance Examination?
If it happens that you do not do well on the Theory Entrance Examination but that you do well on your performance audition, it is possible for us to grant provisional acceptance on the provision that you up-grade your Theory to the full entrance level prior to July 31. There would be a reassessment fee and you would have to re-sit the examination at a specified day July 28-31: about 20% of our entering Diploma students exercise this option each year. Many candidates in this situation opt to take the VCM Theory Summer School Diploma Entrance Course during the month of July. In the past two years, all students taking this course have exceeded the Theory Entrance Examination before the July 31 deadline.
What if I choose to up-grade my music theory with a private instructor or alternate course instead of the through the VCM Theory Summer School Diploma Entrance Course?
This is your choice, of course. Our best advice is, however, that candidates complete any necessary up-grading through the VCM Theory Summer School Diploma Entrance Course. Doing so permits our VCM / Camosun theory faculty to advance a candidate to the Diploma-level of theory even if the mark on the retake of the Examination is marginal. Because we would have experience working with you, we would have first-hand knowledge of where your strengths lie and how your working habits are. This sometimes gives us the confidence to know that with the proper support we would feel confident that a candidate “on the edge” can still be very successful in Diploma-level Harmony courses. Without this first-hand knowledge, a candidate with a marginal performance in theory is unlikely to be advanced to Diploma-level.
Are there advantages to completing a live audition rather than a recorded audition?
Yes, absolutely! A live audition allows the audition committee to interact with you which helps us help if there is a good fit between you and our program. A candidate is far more likely to be able to express her/his potential, not just attainment through a live audition than through a recorded audition. Often in the context of a live audition conversation and the opportunity to work with the candidates sheds up possibilities for success that cannot me gained by the somewhat artificial means of a recorded audition. There is no disadvantage to and every advantage to be gained by a live audition.
Are there advantages to completing a recorded audition rather than a live audition?
No! In fact, it is very difficult to accept any candidate except for the most proficient performers on the basis of a recorded audition. Only the most exceptional candidates are able to express their fullest performance skills, musicality, and music potential through the medium of a recorded audition. Often candidates who audition through a recorded audition are still called in for a live audition before any offer of acceptance can be made.
What if I cannot make myself available for a live audition during the audition window?
If you would like to complete a live audition but the timing of the audition window makes it impossible for you to do so, you may submit a recording of a recent performance in order to potentially hold a place for yourself in one of the programs pending live audition.
What if I cannot make myself available for a live audition because of distance?
Please do submit a recorded audition. If we would like to hear more from you before making a final decision on acceptance, we will contact after reviewing your recorded materials. We cannot encourage you enough, however, to make every attempt to travel to Victoria to complete a live audition.
What if I am a long-distance candidate, and am already scheduled to be in Victoria at a time other than a posted audition date?
While we cannot guarantee it, we would like to facilitate a live audition for you when you are in Victoria even if it is not at a time we would otherwise be hearing auditions. Depending on where we are in the audition cycle, we may request that you send a recorded audition to potentially hold a place for you pending your live audition. Your completed paper application and audition fees must be submitted prior to setting a specially-timed audition such as this.
What if I must reschedule a set audition?
Illness and other emergencies happen. If you must cancel an audition due to illness or other emergency, we will do everything possible to schedule an audition for the available date. Unfortunately, the next date may be after the first-round of acceptances have been given out and you may, at that time, be auditioning only for “space available.” Additionally, for some instruments and disciplines, there is only one available audition date each spring. If you have originally been scheduled for this one date and subsequently cancel this audition, it may not be possible to set a new audition time. It is best to carefully consider whether or not it is best to cancel a set audition. A “no-show” audition, as opposed to a properly cancelled and rescheduled audition, will be rescheduled only after payment of new audition fee.
Do I need a piano accompanist for my audition?
If you are performing works for your audition which include piano accompaniment, then yes, you need to bring
What if I do not believe that I will be able to meet the performance level time for a March / April audition?
Our advice is that you complete an entrance audition in March / April to the best of your abilities and let us place you according to our best assessment of your current level. To delay taking your audition in the pursuit of greater preparation runs the risk of a program being full before you have the opportunity to perform for us. Taking you audition early allows us to hold a seat for you in one of our programs pending possible up-grade. Candidates for Diploma-level study who are not yet at the required level for entrance to one of those programs may be offered placement in the Certificate of Music Foundations program to gain an extra year’s focused practice and experience. Candidates for Diploma-level study who are just at the edge of required level for entrance to one of those programs may be offered simultaneously a guaranteed placement in Certificate of Music Foundations AND provisional placement in one of the Diploma programs pending a second audition in mid-June for additional fee. Candidates not yet prepared for post-secondary music study will be advised of best-steps for gaining entrance through a future audition.
What if I need to upgrade my English?
Students must achieve a C+ or better in grade 12 English to be accepted into the program. If a student needs to upgrade they may do so through Camosun College’s Academic Upgrading Programs http://camosun.ca/learn/programs/prep/index.html. There are also a number of open learning agencies who can assist with academic upgrading.
Program Information
Where would I attend classes?
All required music classes (MUS, MUSF, and JAZZ) are held on the VCM campus. Required English courses may be offered at VCM or at Camosun Lansdowne Campus subject to enrolment. Students are encouraged to take non-music course at either of the Camosun College campuses as part of their elective fulfillment.
Can I choose my instructor?
Student placements depend on who is available and the recommendation of the Department Head. We will take student choice under consideration in making these decisions but we cannot promise a placement with a specific instructor.
How much does the program cost?
Tuition rates for the courses are set through Camosun College on a course by course basis, so the yearly total is dependant on the course of study.
Is there financial assistance available?
For students enrolled in Camosun College financial assistance is available through Student Aid BC (http://www.aved.gov.bc.ca/studentaidbc/) and Camosun College (http://camosun.ca/services/financialaid/). For students enrolled in the VCM only, limited bursaries are available through student accounts.
Is this program transferable?
The website of the BC Council on Admissions and Transfer http://bccat.bc.ca/ will indicate which course are transferable with Camosun College as the sending institution. For out of province or international transferability, the receiving institution will make a decision on a course by course basis. The VCM/Camosun College makes no guarantee that each and every course will be transferable to each and every receiving institution.
Do I have to follow a set program?
Students of post-secondary age who wish to explore their musical interests may design an individualized program specific to their current goals and interests. These programs are not affiliated with Camosun College and do not result in a diploma.
Can I study part time?
Part time studies are available through the VCM Self Directed Studies as well as Certificate in Music Foundations and the Diploma in Music/Jazz. .
Are there performance opportunities?
Students enrolled in the VCM/Camosun Programs are provided with a number of performance opportunities. There are a number of performances build into the lessons/ensembles as well as a monthly lunchtime concert available for post-secondary students.
How can I get an AVCM?
The VCM examination system allows for the awarding of the AVCM (Associate to the Victoria Conservatory of Music) certificates in the following areas: Performance, Teaching and Collaborative Piano. This is available to students solely enrolled in the VCM as well as those in Camosun affiliated programs. These certificates represent the highest level of study achieved by VCM students. For more information see http://www.vcm.bc.ca/024_Examinationsa/130_Certificates.html.
Campus Information
Are there practice spaces available?
There are many practice rooms available. Students enrolled in post-secondary programs may access these rooms on a first come first serve basis.
Are accommodations are available?
Camosun College does not have student residences, but there is housing available in the city. An excellent place to start looking for student housing is the UVic off-campus housing listings.
International students may gain the assistance of the International Education Department at Camosun College to set up housing and home stay arrangements.
Is the campus accessible?
There is access through the main school entrance off Johnson Street. There is also elevator access to all floors of the building.
Is there parking?
On-site parking is reserved for staff and faculty. McCall Bros. has generously donated the use of their parking lot for VCM students, parents, concert-goers at the following times:
Weekdays: 5pm – 2am
Weekends: *Anytime
*subject to change depending on availability
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Is the school on a bus route?
The VCM is located on or near a number of bus routes. It is easily accessible from most parts of the city.
