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Located in the southeast sector of Ottawa, (Ontario, Canada) Canterbury is a hub of creative activity for over 1100 students. It is a school with a 55-year tradition of excellence made up of students from our local community and students who have auditioned for the specialized Arts Canterbury program. Students in the Arts Canterbury program enroll in one of the following art disciplines: dance, drama, literary arts, music, or visual art. There is rich diversity in the school population that is respected and encouraged. As a result, the students are motivated, creative, energetic and committed to their studies, their school, and their community. Extra-curricular clubs and athletics at Canterbury lend balance to both academics and arts. Our goals are to nurture excellence in our students by challenging them with the best of the academic, artistic, and athletic worlds, and to help students become well-rounded individuals who care about and understand our greater community.
IMPORTANT DATES and DEADLINES (Save the Dates!)
2 ARTS OPEN HOUSE DATES
(for students who wish to enter Fall 2026)
NOTE: Families are welcome to attend 1 or both Open Houses, please be aware that students can only APPLY for ONE art form: 1 - dance, 2 - drama, 3 - literary art, 4 - music (strings, winds/percussion or vocals) or 5 - visual art.
OPEN HOUSE No 1 for Drama, Dance and Music (Strings, Winds/Percussion -or- Vocals)
WHEN: November 4, 2025 7:00 - 9:00 PM
WHERE: Canterbury High School
(You can visit 2 out of 3 art program information sessions during this open house.
For example: Drama and Dance -or- Vocals and Drama -or- WInds/Percussion and Strings, -or- Dance and Vocals)
OPEN HOUSE No 2 for Literary Arts and Visual Arts
WHEN: November 6, 2025 7:00 - 9:00 PM
WHERE: Canterbury High School
(You can visit both Literary Arts and Visual Art Information Sessions.)
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APPLICATION DEADLINES FOR 2026/2027
Step 1 - Apply (applications open November 10, 2025): To receive an audition slot, applicants must fill out the Application Form between November 10 - December 1, 2025. Go to the Apply! page for full information and links.
Step 2 - Receive Audition Confirmation Letter (rolling): After submitting the Application Form, applicants will receive an Audition Confirmation Letter via email (primary email contact) with all the information about their audition process. If the applicant does not receive an Audition Confirmation Letter after 10 business days, please contact arts.canterbury@ocdsb.ca.
Step 3 - Submit Two References: Give 2 teachers their reference form links by December 1st, 2025 - Teachers must submit their references on your behalf no later than December 12, 2025. Go to the Apply! page for form links.
Step 4 - Auditions/Interviews/Workshops: All parts of the auditions take place in January and February based on the art form. (dates below and sent via Confirmation Email)
Step 5 - Results: Results letters will be emailed the first week of March 2026.
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AUDITION DATES FOR EACH ART FORM
Your Audition Confirmation Letter will give you the exact date and time however ...
please plan to be available for any and all of the dates indicated for your art form listed below. These dates can not be altered for appointments or vacations so please plan accordingly. Inclement weather is accounted for and you will be notified the night before or morning of in this case.
Dance
January 23, 26, 27, 28 or 29 2026 Group Audition and Individual Interview (at Canterbury High School)
See the Dance Page for details and requirements
Drama
January 8 or 9, 2026: current Grade 9, 10, 11 Drama Group and Solo Audition (at the Masonic Centre near Canterbury High School)
January 13, 2026: current Grade 8 Drama Group Auditions (at Canterbury High School or Masonic Centre TBD)
January 21, 22, 23, 24, 26, 27, 28 or 29 2026: current Grade 8 Drama Solo Audition/Interviews (virtual)
See the Drama Page for details and requirements
Literary Arts
January 10, 2025 by 3:00 PM: Portfolios Due
January 23, 26, 27, 28 or 29 2026: Literary Arts Virtual Individual Interviews (10 mins) (virtual)
See the Literary Arts Page for details and requirements
Music
January 7, 2026: Group Workshops/Group Auditions/Information Session (mandatory for all music applicants) (at Canterbury High School - check in Main Lobby):
WINDS/PERCUSSION - Audition Prep Workshop/Information Session, 6:00 PM-7:00 PM
VOCALS - Group Audition 6:00 PM-8:00 PM
STRINGS - Group Workshop 6:00 PM-8:00 PM
January 23, 26, 27, 28 or 29 2026: Vocal, Strings and Winds/Percussion Solo Audition
Please arrive 30 minutes before audition to check in (Main Lobby) and warm up. Bring 2 extra copies of your sheet music if you are Strings or WInds/Percussion - Warm Up 20 mins/ Audition 20 mins
Note: There is a music theory assessment after the audition for students applying for Grade 10, 11, and 12 (20 - 30 mins)
See the Music Page for details and requirements
Visual Arts
Tuesday, January 6, 2026 10:00 AM: Portfolios Due (via Google Slides)
January 15 -or- 16, 2026: Group Life Drawing Workshops - no preparation required (1 hour, groups of 20-25) (at Canterbury High School)
January 27 -or- 28 2026: Solo Interview (by invitation only) if required (10 - 15mins) (at Canterbury High School) You will be notified by Jan 21st with the exact date/time if this is required.
See the Visual Arts Page for details and requirements
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