Application Process Diploma in Operatic Performance

Admission Requirements

Academic Requirements

Applicants must present proof of completion of the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent.

International students must demonstrate a high level of English Language Proficiency to be admitted to the University of Toronto. Please visit the University of Admissions & Outreach web page on English Requirements to see if you will need to provide proof of English facility.

Audition Requirements

All applicants for the Diploma in Operatic Performance must complete an audition.  Singers must submit a video for pre-screening.  Successful applicants will be invited to the in-person auditions. As this program is run in conjunction with the Master of Music Opera program, a high level of performance is required.

See the full repertoire and audition details below. 

  • There are two parts to the audition for singers:

    A pre-audition video recording is required and must be submitted to the Faculty of Music by the posted deadline. Based on the Opera Department's assessment of the pre-audition video, applicants may be invited to an audition/interview. 

    Repertoire for the Pre-Audition Video

    • Two contrasting arias, one of which must be in English (an aria in English translation is acceptable).
    • The video recording must be made with a collaborative pianist in-person.  
    • See guidelines and submission instructions below.

    Applicants invited to audition/interview based on their pre-audition video must audition in person.

    Repertoire for In-Person Audition/Interviews

    • Three contrasting arias, one of which must be in English (an aria in English translation is acceptable).
    • Applicants may use their pre-audition arias and include one additional aria for their in-person audition.
    • A collaborative pianist will be provided at the in-person auditions.  

  • Prepare the required repertoire as follows:

    1. Piano piece to show technical proficiency (not more than 5 minutes in duration)
    2. Any two operatic arias, in any language, to be sung and played simultaneously.
    3. Two operatic excerpts from below to be played and sung where possible.
      1. One of the following:
        1. Trio “Cosa sento” - Le nozze di Figaro (Mozart) Act I in Italia;  or
        2. Duet “All’idea di quel metallo” - Il Barbiere di Siviglia (Rossini) & Act I in Italian
      2. And one of the following:
        1. Scene beginning “Je vais danser en votre honneur” through to entry of chorus Carmen (Bizet) Act II in French; or
        2. Scene beginning “Mimi! - Speravo di trovarvi qui” through to end of Mimi’s aria “Donde lieta” -La Bohème (Puccini) Act III in Italian.
    4. Orchestral Music – From one of the following:
      1. Madama Butterfly (Puccini) Introduction to Act III; or
      2. Carmen (Bizet) Prelude to Act IV

    The audition will also include a sight-reading component and an interview with the Music Staff and Stage Directors of the Opera Division.

    Note: Applicants should be aware that any of the music they have selected to play may be used as material to demonstrate an ability to play under the direction of a conductor.

  • At the audition applicants will be asked to stage an opera scene working with current students during the process. The selected scene will be chosen by the Opera Department in advance and communicated to applicants prior to their audition date.   

    The audition will also include an interview with Music Staff and Stage Directors of the Opera Division.

Application Timelines

DescriptionDates
Applications openMid October
Application deadlineDecember 6, 2024
Supporting documents deadline
(including pre-audition recordings)		December 16, 2024
Pre-audition resultsMid January
AuditionsMid-late February
ResultsLate April

How to Apply

  • All applicants must submit the Diploma in Operatic Performance Application Form and the non-refundable audition/interview fee ($69.00 CAD).

    The application form for the Diploma in Operatic Performance will be available at the end of October.

  • Official academic transcripts

    * Secondary and post-secondary

    Applicants must arrange to have official transcripts sent directly from all academic institutions to the Faculty of Music; this includes high school and all post-secondary institutions attended.

    If you have studied in a language other than English, you must submit both the official transcripts in the original language and notarized translations of your transcripts.

    Note: For 2025 admissions, we will accept transcripts emailed directly from the institution, from an official email address, to the Faculty of Music at undergrad.music@utoronto.ca.   However, the Faculty of Music reserves the right to request a hard copy of your official transcript at a later date.

    If your institution is not able to send your transcripts directly from an official institutional email address, then official transcripts should be sent directly from the institution to the following address:

    Admissions & Recruitment Officer

    Faculty of Music, University of Toronto

    80 Queen’s Park., Rm. 145

    Toronto, ON  M5S 2C5

    Two letters of reference

    Two (2) letters of reference are necessary to support your application. Your references should be individuals who can write a letter commenting on your musical qualifications objectively who are not related to you.

    For referees:  These letters are confidential and must be sent directly to the Faculty of Music to undergrad.music@utoronto.ca with the subject line “Reference for Opera Diploma Applicant”. Please attach the letter as a PDF and ensure that it includes the following: your full name, applicant’s full name, your contact information and signature.

    Resume

    Submit an updated artistic resume.

    Financial Need Form

    * Applicable to residents of Ontario only

    To assist with scholarship allocation, if you are an Ontario resident, you must submit the Opera Diploma Financial Need Form along with your supporting documentation. Opera Diploma Financial Need Form will be available at the end of October.

  • Audition information

    Review the audition requirements for what to prepare for the audition.

    Opera Diploma auditions are typically scheduled on the third Saturday in February.

    Singers will be notified of their pre-audition results by mid-January.

    All auditions will be held in-person at the Edward Johnson Building. A warm-up room will be made available to you 30 minutes in advance of your scheduled audition time.

    Accessibility: If you require an accommodation for the audition due to a disability, please contact undergrad.music@utoronto.ca by the supporting document deadline.

     

    Accompaniment guidelines

    *Singers only

    All singers must perform with collaborative piano accompaniment at the audition. An accompanist will be provided for your audition; contact information will be provided with your audition date/time notification.

     

    Pre-Screening Recording Guidelines & Submission

    Singers only

    Guidelines

    • The audio-visual recording must be of good quality (although professional not required).  
    • Please review the pre-audition repertoire prior to making the recording.
    • Identify yourself by clearly stating your first and last name, your voice type and the program to which you are applying.   
    • You must face the camera and the upper body and face must be clearly visible in the frame.   
    • Each piece must be performed in one take.   
    • No edits or enhancements are permitted.   
    • Any performance submitted should have been recorded within 5 months of the submission deadline. 
    • Applicants are responsible for employing an accompanist for the pre-audition video.

    Submission

    • Create an online folder (e.g. Dropbox, Google Drive) where you can upload all performances of your chosen pieces. 
      • Upload your recordings to a streaming service (e.g. YouTube, Vimeo, SoundCloud). Create a playlist for your recordings and provide one stable direct link to this playlist which you will email to undergrad.music@utoronto.ca by the posted deadline.  
      • You do not need to provide links for each individual recording, a link to the playlist is sufficient. 
      • Your recordings should be formatted for streaming, not downloading (the above platforms should do this for you automatically).  Please note that we do not accept downloadable recording files (e.g. MP3)  
      • Video submissions must be viewable/accessible for at least 6 months.  Do not set viewing of the link to expire.
    • Double-check that your URL links open to the correct videos and do not contain any error messages prior to submitting them.
    • Once you have uploaded all your recordings to your online folder, submit your links via the online form: Opera Diploma Application – PreScreening Audition Submission.

  • Audition Results

    Admission results will be released by the end of April, to successful applicants who have submitted the required documentation, and have a complete academic file.

    Scholarships & Fees

    Applicants are automatically considered for scholarships for this program. Scholarship details are sent after the offer of admission is made.