Applying to a university music program is different from applying to other programs.  Not only will you have to have high enough grades for admission to the university, you will also have to do an audition, do an interview and take a theory & ear-training exam.

You should start preparing for auditions as soon as you decide you might be interested in a career in music.  Many pianists and string players have been playing since they were three years old.  If you are in your final year of high school and have just decided that you want to study music in university, you've got a lot of hard work ahead of you.  It is possible, just know that it will take dedication and perseverance, especially if you have not taken private lessons before!  Be prepared to put in several hours a day of practice time, and to continue to do so throughout your time in school.  If this sounds like something you do not want to do, you might want to consider choosing a different career.

University auditions are highly competitive.  Being the best flute player at your high school may have been easy for you, but remember that you are competing against ALL of the best flute players from high schools across the country for a small number of available spots.  Work hard, know your music so well that you could play it without the notes in front of you.  Listen to multiple recordings of your piece(s) - enough times that you could sing the entire piece, INCLUDING the piano part!  Practice smart, practice hard, and you have a chance.

An audition is your chance to show your playing abilities to the representatives of the school you wish to attend.  A typical school audition will have two or three people on the "panel".  They will listen to your prepared piece(s), study(ies) and technique.

The audition will usually last approximately 15 minutes, which will give the panel enough time to estimate your playing level.

The following information applies to Classical music degrees at Canadian universities.  Schools from other countries or programs in other genres (e.g. jazz) will likely have different entrance requirements.

Different schools ask for different things.  For non-performance programs (such as Music Education, Music Theory/Composition or Music History) most schools require that you play at a minimum of a Grade VIII (8) level according to the Royal Conservatory of Music syllabus.  You are not expected to have completed the RCM exam, but you should be comfortable playing repertoire at this level.  For performance-based degrees, you will be looking at repertoire at the RCM Grade X (10) level. 

***Check the audition requirements for the school you hope to attend.  Otherwise, you could spend several months preparing a piece that is not on that school's list.


Technically, you should (at a minimum) be comfortable playing all of your major and minor scales from low C (or B, if you have a B-foot on your flute) up to the B-flat or C an octave and a half above the staff.  Aim for a solid performance at a good tempo (e.g. quarter note to 120bpm in eighth notes) and be able to use a variety of articulations (slurred, tongued and mixed).

Once you've got your scales under control, work on your arpeggios, dominant seventh chords, scales in thirds, fourths, sixths...

During the interview, you will likely be asked questions about:
    :: why you want to attend this particular school
    :: your instrument and its repertoire
    :: your playing background
    :: your tastes in music
    :: which music program you are hoping to study (education, performance, etc.)
   
The interviewer will also give you a chance to ask him / her about the program.  Be prepared to ask questions - it shows you are interested!

The purpose of the interview is to get a sense of your personality and to see if you will be a good fit for the program. 

Most schools will also ask you to take a theory / ear-training exam to determine if you have the background to handle the work you will be assigned in class.  Most schools require a minimum of RCM Grade 2 theory.

The audition process can seem overwhelming, but there are somethings you can do to make it easier.  

    :: Find a good private teacher who plays your instrument and has been through the process.     :: Be prepared.  Know your repertoire, studies and technique inside and out.
    :: Remember that this is a two-sided process.  Not only is the school checking to see if you're a good fit for them, you are checking to see if you like the school.

Last tips:  Dress professionally, treat the panel with respect and smile.

Take a look at the following websites for some of Canada's universities.  Get an idea of what each school has to offer.  Once you decide which schools you are going to apply to, make a list of their audition requirements and get your private teacher to help you prepare.

Acadia University (Nova Scotia)
Dalhousie University (Nova Scotia)
McGill University (Québec - English)
Memorial University (Newfoundland)
Queen's University (Ontario)
University of Alberta (Alberta)
University of British Columbia (British Columbia)
Université de Montréal (Québec - French)
University of Ottawa (Ottawa)
University of PEI (Prince Edward Island)
Université de Québec à Montréal (UQAM) (Québec - French)
University of Toronto (Ontario)
University of Victoria (British Columbia)
University of Western Ontario (Ontario)
University of Windsor (Ontario)
Wilfrid Laurier University (Ontario)
York University (Ontario)