978: Applied Music (Drums and Percussion) Virtual Audition Requirements

*THE FOLLOWING IS FOR APPLICANTS OVER 100KM SEEKING TO DO A VIRTUAL AUDITION. WE ENCOURAGE EVERYONE WHO CAN TO DO AN IN-PERSON AUDITION WHERE POSSIBLE 

Overview 

Your audition is made up of 4 parts: 

  1. Performance 

  1. Theory test 

  1. Ear-training test 

  1. Question-and-Answer session 

Applicants will first submit their performance section of the audition virtually. You will then be invited to do an online theory test, ear-training test and then question and answer session. 

We will notify you if we feel that you are not at the performance level for our Applied Music program and provide you some feedback on areas that we feel you should improve before re-applying. 

 

1. Performance 

The performance section of your audition depends on if you are a drummer or percussionist.  

 

Drums 

Please perform the following grooves: 

  • Rock 

  • Funk 

  • Swing 

  • 3/4 Jazz Waltz 

  • 1 Latin feel (e.g. Bossa Nova, Samba).  

 

Please do the following for each style: 

  • Be between 8-16 bars in length.  
  • Demonstrate at least one of the above grooves using brushes. 
  • Performed at a tempo of your choice 

Drummers are expected to keep a steady tempo and feel throughout each example.  

 

Percussion 

Please perform the following: 

  1. Two contrasting pieces on a mallet instrument of your choice (e.g. vibraphone, xylophone, marimba). Please note the following: 

    1. The contrasting pieces should show your stylistic interests and technical ability on your instrument. 

    2. We do not specify a level for the pieces, though we typically expect a minimum grade 6 or 7 Royal Conservatory technical level. 

  2. An even snare drum roll for 5 seconds. You can add dynamic variation if you want. 

 

2. Theory Test 

The online theory test covers the following music theoretical topics: 

  • Interval identification: including major, minor, diminished and augmented compound intervals 

  • Writing and identifying key signatures and scales for all 12 major, minor harmonic and minor melodic scales. 

  • Writing and identifying rhythms and meters with correct grouping in simple and compound duple, triple, and quadruple meter. 

  • Writing and identifying major, minor, diminished and augmented triads in root position and inversions. 

  • Writing and identifying tonic, subdominant, and dominant triads of a key in root position and inversions. 

  • Transposing a melody up or down any interval up to an octave. 

  • Providing the meaning of common terms used in music (e.g. crescendo). 

  • Writing and identifying basic jazz and popular music chord symbols. 

Exemptions and special accommodations for the theory test: 

  • Royal Conservatory of Music: Our theory test is around the same level as the Level 8 theory exam from the Royal Conservatory of Music, though ours also includes some contemporary music elements. If you have passed your Level 8 or higher Royal Conservatory of Music theory exam within the last 3 years, you may be exempt from the theory test. Please send a message to the music auditions department to apply for this exemption: music.auditions [at] mohawkcollege.ca (music[dot]auditions[at]mohawkcollege[dot]ca)  

  • Mohawk College Applied Music Preparatory Program: Students who have successfully completed MUSC MU021 in our Applied Music Preparatory program with a 70% or higher within the last 3 years are exempt from the theory test. Please send a message to the music auditions department to apply for this exemption or are currently in the Preparatory program and are on target to complete the course: music.auditions [at] mohawkcollege.ca (music[dot]auditions[at]mohawkcollege[dot]ca)  

  • If you require any accommodations for the test, please send a message to the music auditions department: music.auditions [at] mohawkcollege.ca (music[dot]auditions[at]mohawkcollege[dot]ca) along with any documentation that you have. 

 

3. Ear-Training Test 

The online ear-training test covers the following topics: 

  • Interval recognition of two notes, sounded separately and/or simultaneously: all intervals up to an octave. 

  • Chord quality and inversion recognition: major, minor, diminished and augmented triads. 

  • Melodic and rhythmic dictation. 

Exemptions and special accommodations for the ear-training test: 

  • Royal Conservatory of Music: Our ear-training test is around the same level as the Level 7 performance exam from the Royal Conservatory of Music. If you have passed your Level 7 or higher Royal Conservatory of Music performance exam within the last 3 years, you may be exempt from the ear-training test. Please send a message to the music auditions department to apply for this exemption: music.auditions [at] mohawkcollege.ca (music[dot]auditions[at]mohawkcollege[dot]ca)  

  • Mohawk College Applied Music Preparatory Program: Students who have successfully completed MUSC 10023 in our Applied Music Preparatory program with a 70% or higher within the last 3 years are also exempt from the ear-training test. Please send a message to the music auditions department to apply for this exemption or are currently in the Preparatory program and are on target to complete the course: music.auditions [at] mohawkcollege.ca (music[dot]auditions[at]mohawkcollege[dot]ca)  

  • If you require any accommodations for the test, please send a message to the music auditions department: music.auditions [at] mohawkcollege.ca (music[dot]auditions[at]mohawkcollege[dot]ca) along with any documentation that you have. 

 

4. Question-and-Answer session 

The question-and-answer session is our opportunity to get to know you and your musical goals. This session is not graded. We will discuss your career aspirations and how Mohawk’s music program can help you achieve those goals. It is also your opportunity to ask us questions about the program and what you will be studying.