The Master of Music (M.Mus.) degree in Voice performance is offered to students who have achieved necessary levels of attainment and productivity at the undergraduate level, and who give reasonable promise of further significant accomplishment. This degree is often a final academic performance step for the musician who wishes to enter the professional world, although it may prove an intermediate step for those wishing to prepare for doctoral training. Performance candidates present a recital in lieu of a thesis. A two-year residency is the norm.
For specific program requirements, please refer to the departmental program website
The Voice department offers many performance and study opportunities. In past years, we have held masterclasses with prestigious alumni like Ben Heppner, Judith Forst, and David Agler, Renée Fleming, Sondra Radvanovsky, Angela Meade, Eric Owens, Luca Pisaroni and Jane Archibald.as well as a host of other fine performers, coaches and conductors.
Voice performance Majors will work intensively with Prof. Rena Sharon, Dr. Terrence Dawson and other Voice faculty members in their preparations for their recital performances or special events. Opportunities to participate in Chamber music and Small Ensembles such as Contemporary Players and the Early Music Ensemble are also possible and encouraged.
Students in the M.Mus. in Voice Performance are also encouraged to participate in the Opera Workshop to broaden their experience. Students should contact Prof. Hermiston, Chair of Voice and Opera Divisions if they are interested.
The thesis for the M.Mus. students in Voice Performance is a one-hour recital The thesis solo recital is normally performed in the second year. We highly recommend that the student use their first-year jury which will consist of thirty minutes of solo repertoire as a recital opportunity as well. Please note that only one Opera or Oratorio aria may be performed in a 30 min. recital. In a full one- hour recital one oratorio and one opera aria are allowed. Each program proposal should be accompanied by a short rationale describing the idea(s) or theme(s) for the recital and/or reasonings for the choice of repertoire. Considerable thought should be given to this, and the result should not be a random selection of works. The two recitals together should display a varied and balanced repertoire, encompassing a wide-range of works acceptable to the committee. The rationale/comments may also be spoken from the stage.
Graduate students maintain continuous registration, and may perform recitals at any time with the approval and availability of their individual committee members.
An audition, either in-person or via video, is required.
We strongly encourage applicants to do an in-person audition. This facilitates the student to actually see the faculty members with whom they will be working, the facilities, if possible an in -person lesson with some of the teachers and a general feel for the university as a whole.
It also helps the committee to get to have a personal contact with the student, hear them in one of the venues in which they will perform and promotes an in-person conversation between both student and professors.
We realize that an in-person audition is sometimes not possible and are also open to video applications. Please ensure that the video is of a high quality, showing you at your best.
The Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies establishes the minimum admission requirements common to all applicants, usually a minimum overall average in the B+ range (76% at UBC). The graduate program that you are applying to may have additional requirements. Please review the specific requirements for applicants with credentials from institutions in:
Each program may set higher academic minimum requirements. Please review the program website carefully to understand the program requirements. Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission as it is a competitive process.
Applicants from a university outside Canada in which English is not the primary language of instruction must provide results of an English language proficiency examination as part of their application. Tests must have been taken within the last 24 months at the time of submission of your application.
Minimum requirements for the three most common English language proficiency tests to apply to this program are listed below:
Overall score requirement : 4.5
Reading
4.5
Writing
4.5
Speaking
4.0
Listening
5.0
Overall score requirement : 90
Reading
22
Writing
21
Speaking
21
Listening
22
Overall score requirement : 6.5
Reading