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.
THE ARTS CANTERBURY APPLICATION PERIOD
FOR THE 2025/2026 SCHOOL YEAR
IS NOW CLOSED
ALL APPLICANTS HAVE BEEN SENT AN AUDITION CONFIRMATION LETTER TO THEIR PRIMARY CONTACT EMAIL.
IF YOU DO NOT SEE IT IN YOUR INBOX, PLEASE CHECK YOUR SPAM/JUNK MAIL FOLDER
IF YOU HAVE NOT RECEIVED THE EMAIL, PLEASE CONTACT ARTS.CANTERBURY@OCDSB.CA
NOTE: In case of inclement weather days (when buses are cancelled for OCDSB schools), a make-up audition will occur within one week
All auditions are IN-PERSON unless noted as VIRTUAL.
OPEN HOUSE DATES
The slideshow from the 2024 Open House is shared below.
Families are welcome to attend both Open Houses, but please remember that students can only APPLY for one program.
November 5, 2024 7:00 - 9:00 PM
OPEN HOUSE for Drama, Dance and Music (Strings, Winds/Percussion and Vocals) Programs at Canterbury High School
(You can visit 2 out of 3 art program information sessions during this open house. For example: Drama and Dance -or- Music and Drama.)
November 7, 2024 7:00 - 9:00 PM
OPEN HOUSE for Literary Arts and Visual Arts Programs at Canterbury High School
(You can visit both Literary Arts and Visual Art Information Sessions.)
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APPLICATION DEADLINES FOR 2025/2026
To receive an audition slot, applicants must fill out the Application Form between November 11 - December 9, 2024. Go to the Apply! page for full information and links.
After submitting the Application Form, applicants will receive an Audition Confirmation Letter via email 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.
Two references are due no later than December 20, 2024. Go to the Apply! page for full information and links.
Auditions/Interviews/Workshops take place in January and February. Check your Art Program below for more details on dates and requirements. Specific dates/times will be included in your Audition Confirmation Letter.
After auditions in January/February, results' letters will be emailed mid - late March 2025
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AUDITION DATES FOR EACH PROGRAM
Please be available for any of the dates indicated for your program as there is always the possibility of changes due to inclement weather, illness or other unforeseen circumstances.
Students who are currently in Grade 9, 10 or 11 should email arts.canterbury@ocdsb.ca as soon as possible if they realize that there will be a conflict between the audition date/time given in their 'Audition Confirmation Letter' and a school exam.
Dance
February 6-14, 2025: Group Auditions for Students with 3+ years training.
*Please see your Audition Confirmation Letter for your exact dates and time(s).*
February 18 or 20, 2025: Group Workshop Audition for Students with less/no formal dance training and any style of dance experience. Prospective students will take part in a Hip-Hop Dance Workshop and observe two Canterbury Dance Classes.
*Please see your Audition Confirmation Letter for your exact dates and time(s).*
See the Dance Page for details and requirements
Drama
January 8 or 9, 2025: current Grade 9, 10, 11 Drama Group & Solo Auditions
*Please see your Audition Confirmation Letter for your exact date and time.*
Saturday, January 18, 2025: current Grade 8 Drama Group Auditions (at Canterbury High School)
*Please see your Audition Confirmation Letter for your exact time.*
January 22, 23, 24, 27 or (28) 2025: current Grade 8 Drama Solo Audition/Interviews (virtual)
*Please see your Audition Confirmation Letter for your link, exact date and time.*
See the Drama Page for details and requirements
Literary Arts
January 10, 2025 by 3:00 PM: Portfolios Due
January 24, 27, 28, 29 or (30), 2025: Literary Arts Virtual Individual Interviews (10 mins) (virtual)
*Please see your Audition Confirmation Letter for your link, exact date and time.*
See the Literary Arts Page for details and requirements
Music
January 8, 2025: GROUP WORKSHOPS/GROUP AUDITIONS/INFORMATION SESSIONS (mandatory for all music applicants) (at Canterbury High School):
WINDS/PERCUSSION - Workshop and Audition Information, 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 24, 27, 28, 29 or (30), 2025: Vocal, Strings and Winds/Percussion Solo Audition
Please arrive 30 minutes before music audition to check in and warm up. 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)
*Please see your Audition Confirmation Letter for your exact date and time.*
See the Music Page for details and requirements
Visual Arts
January 13, 2025 10:00 AM: Portfolios Due (via Google Slides - Blind Submission)
January 16 or 17, 2025: Group Life Drawing Workshops (1 hour, groups of 20-25) (at Canterbury High School)
*Please see your Audition Confirmation Letter for your exact date and time.*
January 24, 27, 28, 29 or (30) 2025: Solo Interview (by invitation only) if required (10 - 15mins) (at Canterbury High School)
You will be notified with the date/time after the Group Life Drawing Workshop if this is required.
See the Visual Arts Page for details and requirements