Auditions and Placement Tests

Theory and Ear Training Requirements

You should have the equivalent of McGill Conservatory Secondary V, RCM Grade 2 Rudiments or Vincent d’Indy 6e année in theory in order to successfully complete the Marianopolis Theory course. The  practice test questions and audio file in the buttons below give you an idea of some of the skills you should have mastered. The ear training skills you need are in the list below.

Theory Practice Test
Ear Training Practice Test
Ear Training Audio
Auditions

Pre-Audition at Marianopolis College
The first stage of the audition process is a pre-audition at the College. Pre-auditions last 20 minutes and will take place on Tuesdays between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. There is no application fee and no obligation to apply to Marianopolis after your pre-audition. Classical singers and instrumentalists must prepare two contrasting pieces for the pre-audition. They may be performed with or without accompaniment. Pieces do not need to be memorized. Jazz singers and instrumentalists must prepare two pieces, at least one of which should be a jazz standard. Jazz drummers should prepare a snare study and demonstrate the ability to play different styles (swing, Latin, funk, etc.). You may perform with a backing track or with live accompaniment if you wish, but it is not mandatory. The ability to improvise is an asset, but not required.

Schedule a Pre-Audition

Formal Audition at the Schulich School of Music at McGill University
The second stage is a formal audition at McGill University, which determines whether you are accepted into the Marianopolis Music Program. After you successfully complete your pre-audition, and after the March 1 deadline to apply to the College, we will schedule your audition at McGill. Details will be communicated to you once you have passed the pre-audition and applied to the Music Program. Classical requirements are the same as the pre-audition except for pianists, who must prepare three pieces for the McGill audition.  Singers and pianists must memorize their pieces. Jazz performers must perform 2 jazz standards and a blues at the McGill audition. They may also be asked to bring a short (8-16 measures) transcription to play.

Theory, Ear Training, and Solfege Placement Test at Marianopolis College
There will also be a Theory, Ear Training, and Solfege placement test at Marianopolis College on Saturday, March 15 from 9:00 a.m. until approximately noon. If you do not pass the placement test but you do pass the audition, you will receive conditional acceptance and be asked to retake all or part of the placement test before classes start in August. This will give you more time to prepare and attain the level required to join the Music program. To better understand the required level, please review the list below and consult the practice tests available at the top of the page.

Ear Training
  • identifying major and minor (natural, harmonic and melodic) scales
  • identifying melodies for quality (major or minor) and for type of motion (conjunct or disjunct)
  • identifying scale degrees (1, 2 , 3 … 7) after the scale has been heard
  • identifying intervals and their qualities (major 3rd, perfect octave, etc.) and be able to write them
  • notating short heard melodic fragments (two to three notes)
  • simple melodic dictation
  • identifying the quality of major and minor triads
  • identifying the root notes of simple chord progressions
  • rhythmic dictation from pitched and unpitched examples
Sight-Singing or Solfège
  • sing back simple melodies which the instructor will play or sing
  • clap back simple rhythms
  • sing from written examples of simple to more complex melodies, using solfège syllables, numbers or note names
Your principal instrument can be:
  • Any traditional Jazz instrument such as saxophone, guitar, bass, piano, clarinet, etc.
  • Jazz Voice
  • Jazz Drums
  • Classical Piano
  • Classical Voice
  • Strings
  • Woodwinds
  • Brass
  • Percussion
  • Early Music Instruments
  • Harp
  • Organ

Want to know more?

If you have questions about the Music program, please contact:

Nancy Berman
Coordinator, Music Program
514.931.8792, ext. 372
n.berman@marianopolis.edu

For more information on applying

Admissions Office
514.931.8792, ext. 300
admissions@marianopolis.edu