Mount Allison's Music and Fine Arts Programs: Audition and Portfolio Requirements for Admission

Two Applications in One

Applying to Mount Allison's Bachelor of Music or Fine Arts program means clearing two separate hurdles. You still need to meet the university's regular academic admission requirements, based on your high school or CEGEP average and prerequisite courses. On top of that, the Department of Music or the Fine Arts admissions office reviews an audition or portfolio that academic grades alone can't demonstrate. Neither side substitutes for the other, so treat them as parallel applications running on their own timelines.

Bachelor of Music: What an Audition Usually Covers

Music school auditions across Canada tend to follow a similar shape, and Mount Allison's Department of Music, reachable through its program page , runs its Bachelor of Music admission this way. Expect to prepare pieces on your primary instrument or voice, usually chosen from contrasting style periods to show range rather than one narrow skill. Alongside your prepared repertoire, plan for a sight-reading component and often a basic theory or aural skills check, since the department needs to place you correctly in first-year coursework as much as it needs to judge your performance.

Some music schools accept a recorded video submission when an in-person audition isn't practical, alongside or instead of a live audition slot. Confirm directly with Mount Allison's Department of Music at music@mta.ca or 506-364-2374 whether a recorded option exists for your cycle, along with the exact repertoire expectations and submission deadline, since these details change between application years and weren't available to confirm at the time of writing.

Fine Arts: Building Your Portfolio

Visual Arts portfolio reviews at Canadian universities generally ask for a set number of recent original pieces, spanning a few different media if you have work in more than one, along with a short artist statement describing your interests and process. Some programs also want to see at least one observational or life drawing piece, to demonstrate foundational technical skill alongside your more personal work.

Pull Mount Allison's exact current piece count, accepted media, submission platform and deadline directly from the Fine Arts admissions office before you assemble your portfolio, since generic conventions from other schools won't necessarily match Mount Allison's specific requirements.

Meeting the Academic Requirement Too

An audition or portfolio review doesn't replace Mount Allison's regular entrance requirements. You still need to meet the university's standard high school or CEGEP admission average and complete any prerequisite courses tied to your intended major. Apply early on both fronts, since audition and portfolio review windows commonly run on an earlier timeline than the university's general admission deadline, and missing the earlier window can cost you a spot even with strong academic grades.

Instrument and Stream Considerations

Audition slots can run more competitive for some instruments than others in a given year, depending on how many spots the department has open in your specific area. Some Canadian music schools also separate classical and jazz or commercial music streams for audition purposes, each with its own repertoire expectations. Ask the Department of Music directly whether Mount Allison separates streams this way, and prepare repertoire that matches the stream you're applying into rather than a generic list.

Financial Considerations for Arts Applicants

Music and Fine Arts programs commonly carry entrance scholarships judged partly on artistic merit, on top of the general academic entrance awards Mount Allison offers every applicant. Ask the department directly whether your audition or portfolio automatically enters you into consideration for these awards or whether a separate scholarship application is required, since the process differs between schools and missing a separate deadline can cost you an award you'd otherwise qualify for.

Timing Your Application

Start reaching out to the department the year before you plan to apply, especially if you play an instrument or work in a medium that takes months to build strong material for. Confirm whether Mount Allison holds audition or portfolio review dates on set days each year or reviews submissions on a rolling basis, since that changes how far ahead you need your material ready. Building in a buffer before the deadline gives you room to fix a weak piece or re-record a performance rather than submitting your first attempt under time pressure.

How to Prepare

1. Contact the Department of Music or the Fine Arts admissions office early to get the current requirements in writing, rather than relying on last year's version.

2. Start rehearsing repertoire or building portfolio pieces months ahead of your audition or submission date, not the weeks before.

3. Ask whether a recorded audition or a digital portfolio submission works if traveling to campus isn't realistic for you.

4. Ask a current music or art teacher to run a mock audition or portfolio review with you before the real one, so you get feedback while you can still act on it.

5. Keep a copy of every piece of correspondence with the department, including any confirmation of your audition slot or portfolio submission, in case you need to reference it later in the admission process.