MUSIC ‑ Undergraduate Application & Audition

Quick Links:
Getting ready to audition  
Audition repertoire (including guidelines for submission of composition portfolio)
Deadlines

The Application and Audition Process

Step 1: Apply 
Your first step will be to apply online for undergraduate admission to Dalhousie University or to the University of King’s College. For Dalhousie admissions information, visit http://dal.ca/admissions. For King’s admissions information, visit http://ukings.ca/admissions. If you are applying as an exchange student, please visit http://dal.ca/exchange to learn more about that application process.

To be considered for entrance scholarships, your application must be complete by January 31, 2025. 

Step 2: Audition
We recommend that you audition in person if possible, as this gives you a chance to meet our faculty in person, see our world-class performance spaces, and get a feel for what it will be like to be a student at the Fountain School. If you are unable to travel to Halifax, we can accept a video audition. 

Our in-person auditions will take place on Friday, February 7 and Saturday, Feburary 15, 2025 at the Fountain School of Performing Arts, 1385 Seymour Street, Halifax. You will be able to select your preferred audition date in the online application, and staff members will be in touch with you to confirm your exact schedule for the day.

• If your audition pieces require piano accompaniment, you can either bring your own accompanist to the audition or request that the Fountain School provides one for you. You will have time to warm up and rehearse with the accompanist in advance of your audition time. 
• During your audition, you will perform your audition repertoire and have a conversation with the faculty members about your background and interests. You are very welcome during this time to ask any questions you might have as well. 
• After your audition, one of our instructors will take you through a brief assessment of your skills in music theory, keyboard, and aural skills, so that we know best how to support your university studies in Music. 
• If you wish, a staff member can take you on a tour of our facilities, and you can meet with the Academic Advisor for Music to discuss the program in more depth. 

If you are auditioning by video, we must receive your audition materials by February 7, 2025 to consider you for entrance scholarships. We can still assess video auditions for admission without funding after that date.

• Upload your video files to the "portfolio" section of the application portal, or provide a web link to your video via an online video sharing platform (YouTube or Vimeo). 
  • Audition should follow the repertoire guidelines listed for your instrument. 
  • Videos must provide a clear view of your face, hands, and instrument as appropriate.
• We will also ask you to provide materials that we can use to assess your skills in music theory, keyboard, and aural skills. 
• Faculty members will contact you to arrange a follow-up video call so they can get to know you a bit more and you can ask them any questions you may have about the program.

All auditions must follow the guidelines for audition repertoire.

Not sure how to get started? See steps to prepare for your audition.

Step 3: Admission Decisions
The Fountain School's Director will communicate audition results to you and to the Registrar's Office by email. The Registrar's Office will inform you of your academic admissibility to Dalhousie University or the University of King's College. Please note that acceptance by both the Fountain School and either Dalhousie or King's is required. The Fountain School cannot override admission decisions made by the university.

Deadlines

Applications to Dalhousie and to the Fountain School should be governed by the following dates. To be considered for a Music Entrance Scholarship, your online undergraduate application must be complete (including all transcripts) by Friday, January 31, 2025.