Erased Voices: Interrogating Music Audition Requirements in Higher Education

Abstract

This research interrogates the current entrance audition requirements for select faculties of music in Ontario, Canada. This article engages with a literature review for the purpose of investigating and articulating the foundations of white supremacy and Eurocentric elitism of Western classical music as the gatekeeper for entrance into schools of music. Utilizing critical policy analysis and latent content analysis on the data gathered from university websites, this research aims to address the following questions: In what ways do post-secondary faculties of music uphold Eurocentric elitism of Western classical music and maintain white supremacy? What populations do faculty of music entrance audition requirements serve and invite? Whom do these audition requirements exclude? The findings of this research highlight the issues with current entrance audition requirements and suggests further reflection on the issues found in an effort to disrupt exclusionary structures.