Entrance Scholarship Application Process

The Music Department offers several Entrance Scholarships from the following: the Jean Caya Music Award and the Rudolf and Hedwig Rempel Award. 

These scholarships are normally awarded at $12,000 over 4 years, at $3,000 per year.

  • University applicants who wish to pursue a music major, and have been accepted to the University of Waterloo. Note: An audition is not required to apply to the University of Waterloo programs for Honours Arts (regular or co-op) nor Honours Arts and Business (regular or co-op). 
    Application must be submitted by March 1st.
  • Current University of Waterloo students who wish to declare a music major plan.
    Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

Applicants will be invited to campus for a campus tour, interview and opportunity to demonstrate musical experiences and interests (composition, or writing about music, or an audition, etc) for faculty.

These take place in-person whenever possible so that ability is showcased most effectively. Dates for 2026 are:

  • Friday, February 6 (select open house events available)
  • Saturday, March 28 (full campus-wide open house day)

    Other dates might be possible, upon request.

There is no fee to apply or audition. All applicants must fill out this application form after reading the information below.

student on computer for application

University Applicants

Applicants who have applied to the University of Waterloo are encouraged complete this entrance scholarship application. These scholarships are assessed using a combination of secondary school grades, interview with a faculty member, and the demonstration of your musical experiences and interests (composition, or writing about music, or an audition, etc).

Part 1

All Applicants

  1. Secondary School Transcript (pdf): faculty will consider Grade 11 and 12 grades, including music courses.
  2. A brief resumé (pdf) detailing music experiences (one page max)
  3. Written Statement (pdf): a written statement for faculty to learn more about you and your musical experiences and interests. (400 words or less).   In the statement, written in English, you should:
    1. Tell us about who you are.  How would your community (family, friends, teachers) describe you?
    2. What are your musical interests?
    3. Why have you decided to study music at the post-secondary level?
  4. Interview with Faculty member:  during your visit to Conrad Grebel University College’s campus, you will meet with a faculty member to learn more about the program at University of Waterloo and for faculty to learn more about you and your musical experiences and interests. 

Part 2

Choose either “Demonstrated Experiences in Music” or “Auditions”

  1. Demonstrated Experiences in Music: applicants will submit one or more of the following:
  • An audio or video recording of a song or piece of music written by the applicant (mp3, wav, mp4, mov, or URL link to Youtube, Sound Cloud, Vimeo, etc)
  • an original musical score composed by the applicant (pdf)
  • a piece of original writing about a musical topic such as a past writing assignment, essay or reflection (pdf)
  • a 2-3 min. video statement for faculty to learn more about you and your musical interests (mp4, mov, or URL link to Youtube, Sound Cloud, Vimeo, etc)

OR

  1. Audition:  Students may elect to perform an on-campus musical audition to demonstrate musical abilities (Two contrasting pieces, sight-reading. See details below).  A successful audition will also serve to pre-approve applicants to enrol in the Music 226 studio course.  Auditions take place at the same time as the interview with the faculty member.

Applicants may elect to complete an audition on their chosen instrument or voice OR demonstrate their music experiences using some of the options above.  It is not required to do both.   Please contact the Music Department directly with any questions about these requirements.

Current UWaterloo (undeclared Arts Students) or Transfer Students:

Current University of Waterloo Students (Arts Students, or students from another faculty who wish to add Music as a double major) or students transferring from another post-secondary institution may be considered for Entrance Scholarships when they declare Music as a major. 

Applicants will be invited to demonstrate musical experiences and interests (composition, or writing about music, or an audition, etc) for faculty.

Part 1

All Applicants

  1. University of Waterloo Transcript (or from other institution) (pdf): faculty will review current transcript including and University of Waterloo Music courses already completed.
  2. A brief Resumé (pdf) detailing music experiences, including those at University of Waterloo, or another institution.
  3. Written Statement (pdf): a written statement for faculty to learn more about you and your musical experiences and interests. (400 words or less).   In the statement, written in English, you should:
    1. Tell us about who you are.  How would your community (family, friends, teachers) describe you?
    2. What are your musical interests?
    3. Why have you decided to study music at the post-secondary level?
  4. Interview with Faculty member:  Students will meet with a faculty member to discuss musical goals and interests and to get to know the student better.

Part 2

Choose either “Demonstrated Experiences in Music” or “Auditions”

  1. Demonstrated Experiences in Music.  Applicants will submit one or more of the following:
  • an audio or video recording of a song or piece of music written by the applicant (mp3, wav, mp4, mov, or URL link to Youtube, Sound Cloud, Vimeo, etc)
  • an original musical score composed by the applicant (pdf)
  • a piece of original writing about a musical topic such as a past writing assignment, essay, or reflection (pdf)
  • a 2-3 min. video statement for faculty to learn more about you and your musical interests (mp4, mov, or URL link to Youtube, Sound Cloud, Vimeo, etc)

OR

  1. Audition:  Students may elect to perform a musical audition to demonstrate musical abilities (Two contrasting pieces, sight-reading. See details below), if the student has not already done so at University of Waterloo. A successful audition will also serve to pre-approve applicants to enrol in the Music 226 studio course. Auditions take place at the same time as the interview with the faculty member.

Students may elect to complete an audition on their chosen instrument or voice OR demonstrate their music experiences using some of the options above.  It is not required to do both.   Please contact the Music Department directly with any questions about these requirements.

Please make sure you have read the above application information first. 

For those who choose to do an audition as part of your application, see the detailed information below. 

Note: An audition will be scheduled for the same day as your Interview.

Scheduling My Audition

After carefully reading the information below, proceed to the scholarship application form. Auditions will take place at the same time as the interview with faculty member on the dates noted above.

Requirements

Performance standards

Acceptance into Music Studio is by audition. The minimum acceptable level of performance is approximately equivalent to Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM) Grade 8 or The Associated Board of Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM) Grade 7; the audition process will assess ability to sight-read, musicality, preparedness, and potential for further study. 

Audition requirements

Prepare two contrasting pieces (or movements of longer works) by different composers (voice may swap one for a different genre). Each piece will last 3-5 minutes. Voice and piano students are encouraged to perform their selected works from memory. At least one of your pieces must be with piano accompaniment (except piano, guitar, harp and percussion).
Percussion should choose one mallet solo demonstrating 2 and/or 4 mallet technique, and one or two contrasting snare drum solos or one timpani etude or solo. 
Short sight-reading (approximately Grade 6 RCM level) will take place right after the audition.

For remote auditions only: this can include an accompaniment track or a pre-recorded piano accompaniment and will include a live, remote sight-reading (approximately Grade 6 RCM level) and a brief interview by a faculty member. Further instructions will be sent once an audition date is booked.

No theory test is required to be written. No keyboard skills are tested.

Piano accompaniment

We provide a professional accompanist at no cost for in-person auditions.

Results

A letter will be sent by email indicating audition results sometime during the week after your audition. Scholarship offers will be offered separately a week after the last audition date, or earlier. Other financial aid is also available for current students.

If you do not pass the audition at this time, you may re-audition as a current student, unless told otherwise.

Questions?

View "How to Audition for Music at Grebel" on YouTube