Music Program & Audition FAQ

The BA Music program offers two streams:

• Worship Arts
• Performance

The Worship Arts stream is for students pursuing careers in music ministry.

• students develop a solid basis musically, biblically, and practically
• students will emerge from the program able to lead music ensembles and congregations in worship music with confidence and theological awareness
• Worship Arts stream offers 3 concentrations for students to choose from:
  • Voice Performance
  • Piano Performance
  • Guitar Performance

The Performance stream is for students pursuing careers as solo performers, music teachers and recording artists.

• students develop a solid basis musically, practically, and biblically
• students will emerge from the program as creative musicians with a solid foundation in performance as solo artists and an ability to teach beginner private music lessons in their discipline
• Performance stream offers 3 concentrations for students to choose from:
  • Voice Performance
  • Piano Performance
  • Guitar Performance

Yes! Tyndale is a fully accredited University and your BA Music from Tyndale will prepare you for graduate studies at any university going forward. 

View Tyndale's Accredidation

Both streams (performance and worship arts) in the Music program allow students to gain exposure to a wide range of musical traditions, styles, concepts and artistic expressions through both popular music and sacred music genres. The most common musical genres studied in both streams are Christian contemporary, traditional hymns, classical, jazz, pop, musical theatre, gospel, folk, etc.

Music students must select a primary concentration (voice, piano, or guitar) and may audition on a single instrument only. Applied courses are available to students in other disciplines after a number of credits are completed in your primary instrument, however, you are required to select one concentration for your music studies at Tyndale.

• Live auditions for the BA Music program are held at the end of March, April and August of each year, and the first week of September.
• Video auditions for the BA Music program are accepted from April to mid-August each year.
• Auditions for current Tyndale students wanting to audition for Tyndale Music Ensembles are held at the beginning of each semester – late August, early September, and early January.

All live auditions are held in the chapel at Tyndale University.

For the Worship Arts stream:

• Prepare TWO contrasting sacred music songs (songs of the Church), that demonstrate your strengths, abilities and musicianship – 2 sacred songs that differ in style or tempo (i.e, a contemporary worship ballad and a hymn
• arrangement or a slow gospel ballad and a fast contemporary rock ballad etc.)
• You may be asked to play an improvisation over a harmonic vamp, or harmonize with a standard vocal melody.
• You may be asked a series of questions by the audition panel asking you to expand upon your philosophy on worship (as described on your Music Audition Form).

For the Performance stream:

• Perform TWO contrasting songs of your choice (2 songs that differ in style or tempo) that demonstrate your strengths and musicianship (i.e., - 1 slow art song or aria, 1 fast-paced musical theatre piece).
• You may be asked to sight-read a musical excerpt and perform a basic ear training exercise, demonstrating your aural skills.

Please note:

• Your two selections should be at a RCM grade eight level or higher. It is most important however that you demonstrate your strengths, abilities, and musicianship at your audition as the panel will be assessing potential and abilities.
• If you do not already have RCM certification, not to worry, simply audition with 2 songs that show your level of musicianship and abilities.
• While it is recommended that vocal and guitar applicants have a minimum of Grade 6 RCM piano proficiency, applicants without such proficiency will still be permitted to audition and assessed for their abilities and potential.

• Tone: Does the performer perform with a tone that is pleasant to the ear?
• Diction (for singers): Are the performer’s words understandable?
• Intonation (accuracy of pitch): Can the performer stay in tune throughout the songs?
• Expression: Does the performer perform with an understanding of the meaning of the songs?
• Stage presence : Does the performer exhibit confidence on the platform (since music careers require the performer to frequently stand in front of audiences and confidently lead or perform)?
• Sight-reading: Is the performer able to read sheet music on the spot with minimal guidance? If not, please note that we can work with this if other audition criteria is at a high level.
• Worship Arts applicants: Does the artist have an understanding of worship with a sound philosophy and a workable understanding of worship leadership?
• Overall performance: What is the overall perception of this performer and suitability for a potential career in music?

Be sure to bring 3 COPIES of the sheet music or chord chart for each song with you for the audition panel.

Instrumentalists:

• Guitarists: be sure to bring your guitar with you to your audition as Tyndale does not provide guitars for auditions.
• Pianists and Keyboardists: Tyndale is equipped with a grand piano and Roland 88-key keyboard for your use in your audition.

Auditions are from 10-15 minutes total.

The 2 required audition songs need to sound different from one another in order to show your versatility as an artist. This may involve the choice of 2 different styles of music, or 2 different tempos. (i.e., a slow worship ballad and an upbeat musical theatre song).

No! Tyndale proudly provides professional accompaniment free of charge to all applicants. Simply indicate your need for an accompanist on the online Music Audition Form and email Professor Joy Lee at JLee2 [at] tyndale [dot] ca with a PDF copy of your two audition pieces, at least 3 days before your audition.

Accompaniment is required for all vocal and guitar auditions.

Live auditions:

• Recorded accompaniments are not permitted for Performance stream live auditions.
• For Vocal applicants, your audition must be performed with an accompanist on piano.
• For Guitar Applicants, you may request piano accompaniment from Tyndale (please indicate this on the Music Audition Form), or you may use another musician of your choice to accompany you at your audition.

All auditioning applicants are asked to perform their audition dressed in professional business attire (as if attending a job interview).

While being able to play piano as a vocalist is an asset, it is not required for admission for those studying in the Voice performance concentration.

All auditions are performed in the chapel at Tyndale University with amplification. Microphones are available for vocalists. Amps and amplification are available through the sound system for instrumentalists. DI boxes and amps are provided for guitarists. Electric guitarists may wish to bring their own additional equipment.

Please note:

• Guitarists must bring your guitar with you to your audition as Tyndale does not provide guitars for auditions.
• Pianists and Keyboardists: Tyndale is equipped with a grand piano and Roland 88-key keyboard for your use in your audition.

Music students must select a primary concentration (voice, piano, or guitar), and may audition on a single instrument only. Applied courses are available to students in other disciplines after a number of credits are completed in your primary instrument. However, you are required to select concentration for your music studies at Tyndale.