Program of Study

2019/20

Year one core requirements (all majors)

36 credits

All Bachelor of Music students take the same coursework in their first year. These core courses offer individual instruction in voice or instrument, music theory, improvisation, ear training and musicology. Performance ensemble experience is also an important part of your first year.

Major/minor

Years two, three, four. 92 credits.

You declare a major (and minor concentration, where applicable) near the successful completion of your year-one core courses. The major you choose determine the courses you take in years two through four. The general major has additional routes that can include the declaration of a minor or a more customized program of study. 

Performance major

Composition major

General major

Recording and production major

Music options and electives

The program of study for your major/minor includes a number of music options and non-music electives. A number of arts and humanities courses are offered as electives. For details on how to choose music options and electives to fulfill your degree requirements, see degree regulations.

Music career management (MCM) options

Music technology and production (MTP) options

Music education options

Other music options

Note: If you successfully complete MUSC 380 or MUSC 482, you may repeat the course for credit one time in order to continue to develop your projects. You need permission in advance from the chair, in consultation with your faculty supervisor.

Declaration of a Major and Minor (Concentration)

Students are required to declare a major and minor concentration, where applicable, by the time they have successfully completed all Year One core requirements per the program of study. Students are required to consult with the appropriate section head and program university advisors in determining their major or minor choice.

Students who declare a major in Performance, Composition, or Recording and Production should note that these majors are competitive.

Students who declare the General major may choose to declare a minor in either Music Technology and Production, Music Career Management, or Music Education. Students should note that the minor in Music Technology and Production is competitive.

Graduation Recitals–Performance and Composition Majors

Students in the Performance and Composition majors must undertake juried public graduation recitals in the fourth year of their program.

• The Performance major recital involves a program of works performed on the major (principal) instrument in ensemble and solo settings that demonstrates the student's technical ability, musicality, creativity, professionalism, comprehension of jazz and contemporary popular genres and styles, and comprehension of other contemporary and near-contemporary genres and styles.

• Students in the Performance major must also successfully complete an area examination in preparation for their graduation recital.

• The Composition major recital involves a program of original works and arrangements for a variety of instruments (ensemble and solo, instrumental and vocal) that demonstrates the student's technical ability, musicality, creativity, professionalism, comprehension of jazz and contemporary popular genres and styles, and comprehension of other contemporary and near-contemporary genres and styles.

The proposed program of works intended to fulfill the Composition and Performance graduation recital requirements must receive prior approval from the appropriate section head.

Graduation recitals for the Performance and Composition majors are graded as pass/fail. For Performance majors, failure to complete this requirement also constitutes a failure in Principal Instrument VIII.

Performance Ensembles

All students must participate in required Performance Ensembles as noted in the programs of study. The Performance Ensemble requirement for Year 1 Core and Year 2 all Majors (Fall and Winter terms) are 0 credit. The Performance Ensemble requirement for Year 3 all majors (Fall & Winter terms) are one credit, and Year 4 (Performance Major or as Music Option, Fall & Winter terms) are 1.5 credits.

For all majors, students may choose to participate in a maximum of two performance ensembles per term, but will only be enrolled in and earn credit for one ensemble per term. The second Performance Ensemble will be 0 credit in any term. To avoid jeopardy, students may be advised to withdraw from a second Performance Ensemble if the directors detect that the students are overburdened and cannot cope with the additional responsibility.

Junior- and Senior-Level Courses

Courses numbered 100 to 199 are considered junior level and courses numbered 200 to 499 are considered senior level.

Elective Requirements

Elective requirements in each of years 2, 3 and 4 of the program must be non-music, baccalaureate level coursework, with a minimum of 9 credits earned at the senior level for all majors (Performance, Composition, and General). Students are encouraged to consult with the program for guidance on selecting elective courses. Program courses cannot be used to fulfill elective requirements.

Music Option Requirements

All Bachelor of Music students must successfully complete one additional Music Technology and Production course beyond the introductory course and one additional Music Career Management course beyond the introductory course as part of their core requirements.

Students must select from a list of MUSC courses to fulfill Music Option requirements in their declared major or minor. Specified Music Option courses may also be required courses in one or more of the program's majors or minors; therefore, registration priority will be given to students who must take these courses as part of their specific program of study. Students must consult with the program for guidance and availability of Music Option courses prior to registration.

Arts and Cultural Management (AGAD) Courses

Students following the General route with a minor in Music Career Management (which requires three Arts and Cultural Management courses defined in the Program of Study), as well as students seeking to use approved Arts and Cultural Management courses as Other Music Options must take MUSC 361 (Introduction to Music Career Management) before entering Arts and Cultural Management (AGAD) courses.

Progression of Studies

Students are responsible for ensuring they meet the prerequisite and/or co-requisite requirements as noted on all courses that may fulfill Bachelor of Music program requirements. Any student who discontinues registration in degree courses for 12 months will be required to re-apply for admission.

Diploma Requirements

Students are eligible for a diploma after the completion of year 2 of the Bachelor of Music degree by fulfilling the specified number of credits in the following areas: General (66 credits), Performance (69 credits), and Composition (69 credits). In order to claim a diploma, a student must submit an application to graduate.

Students who have obtained the diploma, who are otherwise eligible to do so, may continue with the degree. Obtaining the diploma does not require a student to exit the degree program; however, any student who discontinues registration in degree courses for 12 months will be required to re-apply for admission.