Music Performance, Diploma

Program at a glance

Credential

Diploma

Work experience

None

Study options

Full-time

Part-time

Open to International

Yes

Area of study

Arts & Humanities

Length

2 years

One-to-one studio instruction

Music students receive intensive one-to-one studio instruction from Faculty at the Victoria Conservatory of Music (VCM).

Cultivates flexible, strong, creative musician

Start in September

The Music Performance diploma program is offered through a partnership between the Victoria Conservatory of Music and Camosun College.

This program is designed to meet a heightened requirement for versatility in performance style. Increasing demand on artists to participate in creation, along with the quick implementation of music technologies to create, capture, and transfer music, indicates the need for non-traditional training.

Last Night, an original composition written and performed by guitar and vocal student Jeronimo Aviles, MUSC 113 Tonal Harmony II

Get the technical skills to be an elite performer

This is a first-of-its-kind credential–one that deliberately blends practitioners of all styles in a common first year, proceeds with a highly specialized second year, and steeps the whole in a performance orientation.

The Music Performance diploma is offered over four 14-week semesters, running from September to early April over two years; select courses may be offered during spring/summer terms. You may elect to study full-time or part-time; however, you should be prepared to dedicate both daytime and evening hours to scheduled courses, and if you select a part-time option you should be aware that alternate-year delivery schedule of some courses may add significantly to the length of the full program. Courses are taught on the Victoria Conservatory of Music campus at 900 Johnson Street in downtown Victoria, or by distance learning.

Upon successful completion of the diploma, you will have deep, practical training in music, instilling the skills vital for success in the 21st-century music workplace.

Related programs

What you'll learn

Current students wanting information about your program, go to student planning in myCamosun.

Program outline

For more details, including courses, please see the program outline in the Academic Calendar.

Program outline

What you'll learn

Musicians of any musical genre will find a place in our innovative training environment. Classical, Contemporary (includes folk, jazz and rock), and cutting-edge musicians work side-by-side in the vibrant musical atmosphere of our campus at the Victoria Conservatory of Music. The Diploma in Music Performance will increase your personal strengths in music making through a balance of performance and hands-on application of practical skills. Intensive one-on-one studio instruction, group performance, music theory and contexts, music technologies, and career skills will give you the foundations for success in the 21st-century music profession.

Year 1

A common first year for musicians of all genres will lay the ground work for future specialized study. Performance, music theory and contexts, aural skills, and music technologies are taught.

Year 2

In the second year, you will choose areas of musical specialization. Areas of performance, contexts and creativity, composition, improvisation, performance practice, and stagecraft are emphasized.

Tuition and fees

Effective from September 1, 2023, to August 31, 2024

Estimated tuition

Tuition estimates are for the entire program.

Music Performance, Diploma

$17,555 (domestic)
$40,860 (international)

Domestic tuition fees vary depending on the individual course fees for the classes you select.

For International students visit: International Tuition & Fees.

Student fees

In addition to tuition estimates, student fees are calculated based on your enrolment. Refer to: Student Fees.

Financial assistance

You may need to find more than one source of funding to help pay for your education and living costs while attending college. Check out sources of money you don't need to pay back as well as those that need to be repaid.

Financial Aid & Awards

Curriculum & courses

Admission requirements

One of:

C+ in English 12
C in English 12 Camosun Alternative

And all of:

Applicants will submit two application forms:
- Camosun application
- Victoria Conservatory of Music (VCM) application

The program has three intake deadlines: February 28, April 15 and June 1

Your VCM Application requires a $75 Application fee. See the VCM website for more information

Submit proof of assessment of:
- Performance: Demonstrated ability on a principal instrument through performance of repertoire and technique in keeping with their expressed professional goals, and give evidence of past music endeavors and personal music habits.
- Aural Theory: Demonstrated ability to match with voice pitches played on the piano, sing basic melodic intervals, identify by ear basic chords and scales, and express quality of intonation.
- Written Theory: At the time of the audition, students will take a Theory Placement Assessment (sample TPA) to determine the level of music theory knowledge. Students who have completed MUSF 121, MUSC 111, or RCM Grade 8 theory with a C grade or higher are exempted from this requirement.

When you apply you will need to submit proof that you meet the program admission requirements listed above. Where a letter grade is specified, you must have proof of that grade or higher.

For more details, including courses, please see the program outline in the Academic Calendar: Loading...