The one-year Music Preparatory Program is designed to:

1. provide an opportunity for students who have a general interest in music to broaden their knowledge and skills;
2. provide an entry-level opportunity for students with limited formal musical training who are considering a career in music and intend on pursuing the Music Diploma program.

In this program you will learn the fundamentals of reading, writing, hearing, and performing music. Through classroom instruction and private lessons you will gain valuable knowledge and will sharpen your playing skills. Optional participation by audition in small and/or large ensembles will allow you to further develop your performance abilities.

The program has three main components:

1. Core Classes: All students are required to take classes in music rudiments and aural skills, introductory music history, basic piano, and communications (or English). These courses will provide fundamental training in the basics of music.

2. Primary Instrument Study: Each semester of the program you will take private lessons on the instrument on which you had a successful entrance audition. Lessons are available on most standard instruments (subject to instructor availability). Current options include:

• Voice
• Woodwinds
• Brass
• Percussion
• Strings
• Classical Piano
• Jazz Piano
• Organ
• Classical Guitar
• Electric Guitar
• Bass Guitar

3. Optional Classes: Depending on your interests, course load and performance abilities, a variety of music ensembles are open to all students on the basis of audition.

Note: Completion of the Preparatory Program does not guarantee admission into the Music Diploma Program.

Students who wish to pursue the two-year Music Diploma program at RDC after completing the Music Preparatory program will be required to re-audition on their primary instrument. Since there is some overlap in course requirements between the two programs, students who complete the Music Preparatory program will have already fulfilled some of the requirements for the Music Diploma.

Admission Requirements

Academic Requirements

1. High School Diploma with a minimum mark of 50% in ELA 30-1 or ELA 30-2

OR

2. Mature Student: You must be 19 years of age or older, out of high school at least one full year before the program starts, and have a minimum mark of 50% in ELA 30-1 or ELA 30-2

OR

3. a minimum score of 80 on the Reading component, 86 on the Sentence component and 5 on the written essay component of the College Board Placement Test.

AND

Other Requirements

1. Audition: College music study assumes that an acceptable standard of proficiency in an instrumental or vocal area has already been acquired. You must declare a principal instrument (eg. guitar, voice, piano, etc.) when you apply and then present a performance audition on this instrument. You will continue to pursue lessons on this instrument during your time in the program. The audition consists of the following elements:

• A polished performance of two contrasting pieces of your choice that demonstrate your performance abilities.
• A demonstration of technical skills appropriate to your instrument (eg. scales, chords, arpeggios, long tones, tonguing, rudiments, etc. as appropriate to your instrument).
• Aural tests (eg. recognition of chord qualities and melodic intervals, clap back of rhythmic patterns).
• Playing or singing a short unfamiliar excerpt at sight.
• A brief interview to discuss your musical background, interests and goals.

2. Theory placement test : This written test covers key signatures, major and minor scales, triads, intervals, meter and rhythm, clefs, cadences, and common musical terms. A score of 75% or greater is required. Students with Royal Conservatory Advanced Rudiments (or equivalent) are exempt. Requests for exemption should be directed to the Assessment & Test Centre.

Note: In addition to the program admission requirements applicants, whose first language is not English, must demonstrate English language proficiency. Refer to the Admission section of the Academic Calendar for further information. https://rdc.ab.ca/future-students/admissions/admission/application-information

Note: The audition requirements and the theory placement test are the same for both the Music Preparatory program and the Music Diploma program. The results of these evaluation tools will determine the appropriate program placement.

For further guidelines regarding audition expectations and the theory placement test check out the Auditions page on our Music Department website.

Communications Course Placement Testing

Students will be required to take a College placement test before registering in a written communications course. (Students with 60% or greater in ELA 30-1 will be exempted from this test.) Students who do not achieve a satisfactory mark in this test will be required to complete COMM 150 before they can register in the required course, COMM 250. Students should take the placement test early in the event preparatory work (COMM 150) is required.

Program Content

• MUSI 194 Introductory Music Theory I
• MUSI 195 Introductory Aural Skills I
• MUSI 196 Introductory Music Theory II
• MUSI 197 Introductory Aural Skills II
• MUSS 145/MUSS 145 Private Lessons (repeated for credit)
• MUSI 233 Introduction to Music History
• MUSI 241/MUSI 242 Basic Piano I & II*
• COMM 250 Business and Workplace Writing** (ENGL 219, ENGL 210 or ENGL 200 may be substituted if you have English 30-1)
• Open Option (may include Music) (3 credits)

* (Students with Gr. 4 Piano from the Royal Conservatory or equivalent are exempt from Basic Piano. Requests for exemption should be directed to the Assessment & Test Centre).

** See "Communications Course Placement Testing" above.

Other approved music options may be selected providing you have the necessary prerequisites and the courses fit your timetable.

Special Fees and Expenses

Note: For each semester add $440 if taking MUSS private lessons.

Note: In addition to tuition and course fees, you should budget each year for the following: music scores (approximately $150), instrument purchase (if necessary), instrument maintenance (strings, reeds, drum heads, etc.; approximately $200.00), plus textbooks and materials (approximately $1000).

Music is one of the largest and fastest-growing industries in North America. The following is a short list of opportunities in this field:

• Performance: Solo, small and large ensembles (eg. bands, orchestras) music theatre accompanying, recording artist, studio musician, conductor.
• Composition: Song writing, arranging, transcription, film scoring, computer- generated music.
• Music Business: Promotion/publicity, management, music sales, budgeting/ accounting, copyright.
• Technology: Recording engineer, sound technician, equipment maintenance and set up, concert hall technical director.
• Teaching: Private and group instruction in a home studio, private and group instruction in music academies, colleges, and universities.

Graduates of the Music Diploma may be able to pursue university degree studies in a variety of areas. These include baccalaureate degrees in Music, Arts, and Education as well as a number of more specialized areas such as Music Business and Music Therapy.

Individual courses in the Music Diploma program can be transferred to many North American universities on a course-by-course basis.

Transfer arrangements are different at each university and you are advised to consult the Alberta Transfer Guide, your Chairperson, Academic Advisors and the university to which you will transfer for more information.

The following transfer arrangements are currently in place:

The University of Alberta - Augustana Faculty:

Music Diploma graduates who have a GPA of 2.30 and have majored in classical piano, organ, classical voice, classical guitar or an orchestral instrument may be accepted into the B.Mus. or B.A. (Music) program at the University of Alberta - Augustana Faculty.

The University of Lethbridge:

Music Diploma graduates who have a GPA of 2.50 and have majored in classical piano, classical voice, classical guitar or an orchestral instrument may be accepted into the Post-Diploma B.Mus./B.Ed program at the University of Lethbridge. Students who wish to pursue a more general music and education combination may also choose the B.A. (Music)/B.Ed. route.

Canadian University College:

Music Diploma graduates who have a GPA of 2.50 and have majored in classical piano, organ, classical voice, classical guitar or an orchestral orchestral instrument may be accepted into the B.Mus. or B.A. (Music) program at Canadian University College.

1. High School Diploma with a minimum mark of 50% in ELA 30-1 or ELA 30-2

OR

2. Mature Student

You must be 19 years of age or older, out of high school at least one full year before the program starts, and have a minimum mark of 50% in English 30 or ELA 30-1 or ELA 30-2, or a minimum score at the 50th percentile on the English component of the College Board Placement Test (written on campus) or the Test of Adult Basic Education (written off campus) and a score of 2-3 on a writing sample.

1. Audition: College music study assumes that an acceptable standard of proficiency in an instrumental or vocal area has already been acquired. You must declare a principal instrument (eg. guitar, voice, piano, etc.) when you apply and present a playing audition on this instrument. You will continue to pursue lessons on this instrument during your time in the program.

The audition consists of the following elements:

• A polished performance of two contrasting pieces of your choice that demonstrate your playing or singing abilities.
• A demonstration of technical skills appropriate to your instrument (eg. scales, chords, arpeggios, long tones, tonguing, rudiments, etc.as appropriate to your instrument).
• Aural tests (eg. recognition of chord qualities and melodic intervals, clap back of rhythmic patterns).
• Playing or singing a short unfamiliar excerpt at sight.
• A brief interview to discuss your musical background, interests and goals.

2. Theory placement test: This written test covers key signatures, major and minor scales, triads, intervals, meter and rhythm, clefs, catences and common musical terms. A score of 75% or greater is required. Students with Royal Conservatory Advanced Rudiments (or equivalent) are exempt. Requests for exemption should be directed to the Test & Assessment Centre.

Note: In addition to the program admission requirements applicants, whose first language is not English, must demonstrate English language proficiency. Refer to the Admission section of the Academic Calendar for further information. http://rdc.ab.ca/future-students/admissions/admission/application-information

Note: The audition requirements and the theory placement test are the same for both the Music Preparatory program and the Music Diploma program. The results of these will determine the appropriate program placement.

For further guidelines regarding audition expectations and the theory placement test, check out the Auditions page on our Music Department website.

You must pass all courses for Year 1 and 2 and achieve a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0. Those students considering a transfer to the Post-Diploma B. Mus./B.Ed. at the University of Lethbridge should be aware that a minimum GPA of 2.50 is required for admission.

Note: Those students considering a transfer to the Post-Diploma B. Mus./B.Ed. at the University of Lethbridge or the B. Mus at Canadian University College should be aware that a minimum GPA of 2.50 is required for admission. Those students considering a transfer to the B. Mus. at the University of Alberta-Augustana Faculty should be aware that a minimum GPA of 2.30 is required for admission.

Year 1

• MUSI 257/MUSI 258 Comprehensive Music Theory I & II
• MUSI 259/MUSI 260 Comprehensive Aural and Keyboard Skills I & II
• MUSE 201/MUSE 202 Symphonic Winds or MUSE 205/MUSE 206 Jazz Ensemble or MUSE 217/MUSE 218 Chamber Choir I & II
• MUSP 145/MUSP 245 Private Lessons
• MUSI 233 Introduction to Music History
• MUSI 241/MUSI 242 Basic Piano I & II*
• ENGL 219 Language & Literature (COMM 250 may be substituted if you have English 30-1)

* (Students with Gr. 4 Piano from the Royal Conservatory or equivalent are exempt. Requests for exemption should be directed to the Test & Assessment Centre).

Year 2

• MUSI 346/MUSI 347 Comprehensive Music Theory III & IV
• MUSI 348/MUSI 349 Comprehensive Aural and Keyboard Skills III & IV
• MUSE xxx Performance Ensemble (4 credits)
• MUSP 360/MUSP 460 Principal Instrument Study III & IV
• MUSI 321 Music Business: Career and Products or MUSI 322 Music Business: Performance

Note: Students who wish to attend the NAMM Winter Show in Los Angeles are required to enroll in MUSI 321.

Year 1 or 2

Choose one of the following music history classes:

• MUSI 304 History of Medieval, Renaissance & Baroque Music
• MUSI 301 History of Classical and Romantic Music
• MUSI 302 History of Post-Romantic & 20th Century Music AND Music Option (3 credits)
• Open Options (may include Music) (6 credits)

Note: Options should be selected after consultation with your music faculty advisor.

Note:

• For each semester add $200 if taking MUSP private lessons and $440 if taking MUSS private lessons.
• In addition to tuition and course fees, you should budget each year for the following: music scores (approximately $150.00), instrument purchase (if necessary), instrument maintenance (strings, reeds, drum heads, etc. approximately $200.00), plus textbooks and materials (approximately $1000.00).
• MUSI 321 - Special materials fee of $550 for the NAMM field trip.