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Laurier is a small school where you won't get lost in the crowd. However, you still have the advantages of larger institutions. Our modern facilities are perfect for studying and practicing, while our faculty members will inspire you to achieve more than you ever thought possible. The Waterloo region is a dynamic area for music, including groups and venues like the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony, Kitchener-Waterloo Chamber Music Society, Jazz Room, plus all of the guest artists who drop in at Laurier.
Laurier's world-class program is competitive with other large institutions but still has a "small" school feeling. Similarly, KW has a small-town atmosphere while having all the amenities of a big city and an incredibly vibrant arts scene.
The small size of our bass studio allows for so much interaction between students and faculty members and fosters a collaborative atmosphere among students. Faculty have had the opportunity to study with a broad range of bass teachers from the European and North American schools and are proficient in both bow grips.
Admission to the Bachelor of Music is based on the collective results of your audition, academics, theory and ear training test, interview, reference and optional portfolio.
Audition repertoire should be performed at a Grade 8 RCM level or higher. RCM formal training and exams are not required.
Perform one sonata (two contrasting movements, one fast and one slow) with piano accompaniment from this list:
Perform one étude from the list below without accompaniment:
Free lessons with a faculty member are available to all applicants, and you can choose to schedule one before the audition to work on repertoire and calm nerves. The audition panel will be friendly, but we understand that playing in such a situation can still be stressful.
We'd recommend listening to many recordings of the repertoire, even on different instruments, to get a good sense of how the piece should sound. While memorization is not required, it's a good idea to be very familiar with the piece you choose to perform.
If possible, rehearse your sonata with a pianist before the audition to feel secure with the accompaniment.
Create "mock auditions" to simulate the audition day and invite your friends, teachers, and family member to listen to you play the repertoire. Try using a larger room for your mock audition to replicate performing in a similar space to where auditions will be held. Don't hesitate to contact the audition coordinator with any questions well in advance of your audition.