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Academic Calendars

Bachelor of Music (BMus)

The BMus is a four year program with 96 out of 120 credit hours in Music. Upon successful completion of the second year, students in good standing (minimum overall average GPA of 2.7 [B-] in 1000 and 2000-level MUSC and PERF courses) may continue with studies in the BMus general degree or may apply for one of four concentrations: Composition, Musicology, Performance, or Popular Musics. Additional requirements for acceptance to the areas of concentration are listed below, including applicable standards. Please also see Section 6: Standards for overall BMus grade and other requirements.

Students wishing to pursue one of the four concentrations must apply by March 1 of the second year of study.

NOTE: For the first two years of their degree, students interested in pursuing the Concentration in Composition may take Applied Study (MUSC 1801.03/MUSC 1802.03 and MUSC 2801.03/MUSC 2802.03 by audition) OR Composition Studies (MUSC 1213.03/MUSC 1214.03 and MUSC 2213.03/MUSC 2214.03 by submission of portfolio). Please see the Composition section of this Calendar and contact the Fountain School for further details.

BMus Standards

Students may not enrol in the Bachelor of Music Graduation Requirement courses (MUSC 4199/MUSC 4299/MUSC 4399/MUSC 4599) until the fourth year of the Program.

Students must achieve an average minimum overall GPA of 2.7 (B-) in MUSC courses beyond the 1000 level in order to graduate with a BMus degree. Students must achieve a minimum grade of C in 1000 level Applied (or Composition) study in order to advance to 2000 level Applied Study (Voice/Instrument) or Composition Studies. Grades in MUSC courses beyond the 1000 level must be "C" or better in order to count toward the BMus degree.

See also the sections below for specific standards regarding concentrations.

Common Curriculum

First Year
 Second Year
  • MUSC 2801.03: Applied Study 2a OR MUSC 2213.03: Composition Studies 1a
  • MUSC 2802.03: Applied Study 2b OR MUSC 2214.03: Composition Studies 1b
  • MUSC 2221.03: Music Theory 2a
  • MUSC 2222.03: Music Theory 2b
  • MUSC 2276.03: Musicianship: Skills for All Musicians 2a
  • MUSC 2277.03: Musicianship: Skills for All Musicians 2b
  • MUSC 2354.03: History of Western Music to 1750
  • MUSC 2355.03: History of Western Music 1750 to the Present Day
  • 3 credit hours, Arts and Social Sciences or Science electives*
  • MUSC 2753.015: Ensemble 2a
  • MUSC 2754.015: Ensemble 2b

*Students interested in the Concentration in Composition should refer to the Composition section for program options and further class selection guidance.

 

 

BMus General Degree

Students in good standing (minimum overall average GPA of 2.7 [B-] in 1000 and 2000-level MUSC and PERF courses) may proceed to a BMus general degree program in their third year. This program choice allows for the greatest flexibility within the BMus program offerings. It will prepare students well for advanced degrees in Music, as well as for a wide range of careers in music.

Students must submit a proposal for their intended graduation project (MUSC 4599.03 or 4000-level musicology seminar) by March 1 of the third year of study, according to the Fountain School of Performing Arts guidelines. Students must achieve a minimum grade of 2.7 (B-) in this credit.

 Third Year
 Fourth Year
  • MUSC 4801.03: Applied Study 4a
  • MUSC 4802.03: Applied Study 4b
  • MUSC 3282.03: Orchestration
  • MUSC 4599.03: Graduation Project or 4000-level Musicology seminar (see 4. Concentration in Musicology for the list of seminars)
  • 9 credit hours of Music electives*
  • 6 credit hours of Arts and Social Sciences or Science electives
  • MUSC 4751.015: Ensemble 4a
  • MUSC 4752.015: Ensemble 4b

Addtional requirements for third and fourth year:

  • 3 credit hours of Music electives chosen from: MUSC 2018.03, MUSC 2019.03, MUSC 2020.03, MUSC 4353.03, MUSC 4375.03, or any music Seminar or Special Topics course that engages critical race theory (announced/approved by the Fountain School from year to year)

* The 15 credit hours of Music electives at any level do not have to be distributed as 3 hours in third year and 9 hours in fourth year, as long as 15 credit hours are completed.

NOTE: Those students who are interested in pursuing a career in classroom teaching of music must complete an undergraduate degree in Music and then complete a Bachelor of Education (BEd) degree at another institution. Students are advised to consult provincial regulations for teacher certification and entrance requirements for their institution of choice, and to meet with the Undergraduate Advisor, in order to ensure optimal course selection within the BMus General degree program.

Concentration in Composition

Students selected for this Concentration will demonstrate outstanding abilities and potential as composers. Contact the Fountain School of Performing Arts for further details concerning admission procedures.

There are two possible options for students pursuing the Concentration in Composition:

Option A: For students who take Applied Study (Instrument or Voice) in years 1 and 2

With this option, students audition and take instrumental or vocal applied lessons during the first two years of the BMus program and begin composition lessons in year 3. Students will normally take MUSC 2210.03: Introduction to Composition in the Fall semester of their second year. To do so, they may have to defer their three credit hours Arts and Social Sciences or Sciences elective to another year. MUSC 2210.03 will be counted as a Music elective.

Students in good standing (minimum overall average GPA of 2.7 [B-] in 1000 and 2000-level MUSC and PERF courses), along with a minimum overall average GPA of 3.3 (B+) in their Music Theory and Composition courses (MUSC 1201, MUSC 1222, MUSC 2221 and MUSC 2210) must submit a portfolio of original music by March 1 of the second year to apply for admission to this concentration.

Students who are accepted in this concentration must achieve a minimum grade of 3.3 (B+) in Composition 1a and 1b (MUSC 3211.03 and MUSC 3212.03) in order to remain in the concentration. Students must achieve a minimum grade of 2.7 (B-) in each of MUSC 4211.03, MUSC 4212.03 and MUSC 4299.03.

Third Year
  • MUSC 3211.03: Composition 1a
  • MUSC 3212.03: Composition 1b
  • MUSC 3221.03: Form and Analysis: the Second Viennese School to the Present Day
  • MUSC 3283.03: Modal Counterpoint or MUSC 3284.03 Tonal Counterpoint
  • MUSC 3282.03: Orchestration
  • MUSC 4280.03: Contemporary Techniques
  • 6 credit hours of Arts and Social Sciences or Science electives
  • 6 credit hours of Music electives (including MUSC 2210.03, normally taken in year 2)
Fourth Year
  • MUSC 4211.03: Composition 2a
  • MUSC 4212.03: Composition 2b
  • MUSC 4353.03: Music Since 1945
  • MUSC 3662.03: Introduction to Digital Audio Sound Design (NEW for 2022-23 - replaces MUSC 3660.03)
  • MUSC 3663.03: Advanced Digital Audio Sound Design (NEW for 2022-23 - replaces MUSC 3661.03)
  • MUSC 4299X/Y.03: Composition Recital
  • 6 credit hours of Arts and Social Sciences or Science electives
  • 6 credit hours of Music electives

Option B: For students who begin Composition Studies in years 1 and 2

Students are accepted to this option in year 1 (via portfolio submission) and take composition lessons during all four years of the BMus. Students in good standing (minimum overall average GPA of 2.7 [B-] in 1000 and 2000-level MUSC and PERF courses), along with a minimum overall average GPA of 3.3 (B+) in their Music Theory and Composition courses (MUSC 1201, MUSC 1222, MUSC 2221) will be accepted in the concentration, provided their overall GPA for Composition Studies classes in the first two years (MUSC 1213.03, MUSC 1214.03, MUSC 2213.03 and MUSC 2214.03) is not lower than 3.3 (B+).

Students who are accepted in this concentration must achieve a minimum grade of 3.3 (B+) in Composition Studies 3a and 3b (MUSC 3213.03 and MUSC 3214.03) in order to remain in the concentration. Students must achieve a minimum grade of 2.7 (B-) in each of MUSC 4213.03, MUSC 4214.03 and MUSC 4299.03.

Third Year
  • MUSC 3213.03: Composition Studies 3a
  • MUSC 3214.03: Composition Studies 3b
  • MUSC 3221.03: Form and Analysis: the Second Viennese School to the Present Day
  • MUSC 3283.03: Modal Counterpoint or MUSC 3284.03 Tonal Counterpoint
  • MUSC 3282.03: Orchestration
  • MUSC 4280.03: Contemporary Techniques
  • 6 credit hours of Arts and Social Sciences or Science electives
  • 6 credit hours of Music electives
Fourth Year
  • MUSC 4213.03: Composition Studies 4a
  • MUSC 4214.03: Composition Studies 4b
  • MUSC 4353.03: Music Since 1945
  • MUSC 3662.03: Introduction to Digital Audio Sound Design (NEW for 2022-23 - replaces MUSC 3660.03)
  • MUSC 3663.03: Advanced Digital Audio Sound Design (NEW for 2022-23 - replaces MUSC 3661.03)
  • MUSC 4299X/Y.03: Composition Recital
  • 6 credit hours of Arts and Social Sciences or Science electives
  • 6 credit hours of Music electives

All students in Composition (both options) are encouraged to take one or more courses from the following list:

Music elective:


Arts and Social Sciences or Science elective:

  • CRWR 3100.03: Songwriting: Creative Writing for Lyric Forms

 

Concentration in Musicology

Students in good standing (minimum overall average GPA of 2.7 [B-] in 1000 and 2000-level MUSC and PERF courses) must submit two writing samples by March 1 of the second year to apply for admission to this concentration.

Students selected for this concentration will demonstrate outstanding abilities and potential as musicologists. See the Fountain School of Performing Arts for further details concerning admission procedures.

Students who are accepted in this concentration must achieve a minimum grade of 2.7 (B-) in the graduation requirement MUSC 4399.03.

Third Year
Fourth Year

Concentration in Performance

Acceptance to the Performance Concentration requires a written application, audition, and permission of the Fountain School of Performing Arts. Students in good standing (minimum overall average GPA of 2.7 [B-] in 1000 and 2000 level MUSC and PERF courses), along with a minimum grade of 3.3 (B+) in their 1000 and 2000 level Applied Study, may audition at the end of second year to apply for admission to this concentration.

Students selected for this concentration will demonstrate outstanding abilities and potential as performers. See the Fountain School of Performing Arts for further details concerning admission procedures.

Students who are accepted in this concentration must achieve a minimum grade of 3.3 (B+) in third year Performance Concentration Applied Study (MUSC 3811.03 and MUSC 3812.03) and in the third year performance recital (MUSC 3199.03) in order to remain in the concentration. Students must achieve a minimum grade of 2.7 [B-] in their fourth year Performance Concentration Applied Study (MUSC 4811.03 and MUSC 4812.03) and in their fourth year performance recital (MUSC 4199.03).

Third Year
Fourth Year

Although not required, students in Performance are encouraged to take MUSC 3282.03, Orchestration, as one of their Music electives.

Also in the third and fourth years, according to idiom:

Voice (27 credit hours):

  • MUSC 2175.03 Lyric Diction for Singers
  • MUSC 3176.03: Vocal Pedagogy and Vocology
  • MUSC 3177.03: Vocal Literature
  • MUSC 3314.03: History of Opera
  • 3 credit hours of Music electives from the following list:
  • 12 credit hours Arts and Social Sciences or Science electives (at least 6 credit hours of Arts and Social Sciences or Science elective taken over the four year program must be an Introductory Language course: either Italian, German or French)

 Piano (27 credit hours):

  • 12 credit hours of Music electives, any choice; however, if offered, students should take MUSC 3353.03: Chamber Music Literature
  • 3 credit hours of Music electives from the following list:
  • 12 credit hours Arts and Social Sciences or Science electives

 Strings (27 credit hours):

  • 12 credit hours Music electives, any choice; however, if offered, students should take:
  • 3 credit hours of Music electives from the following list:
  • 12 credit hours Arts and Social Sciences or Science electives

Guitar (27 credit hours):

  • MUSC 3308.06: Modern Guitar
  • MUSC 4170.03: Improvisation Techniques and Practices
  • 3 credit hours of Music electives from the following list:
  • 3 credit hours Music electives, any choice
  • 12 credit hours Arts and Social Sciences or Science electives

Saxophone (27 credit hours):

  • MUSC 2020.03: The History of Jazz
  • MUSC 4170.03: Improvisation Techniques and Practices
  • 3 credit hours of Music electives from the following list:
  • 6 credit hours Music electives, any choice
  • 12 credit hours Arts and Social Sciences or Science electives

Wind and brass instruments, percussion (27 credit hours):

  • 3 credit hours of Music electives from the following list:
  • 12 credit hours of Music electives, any choice
  • 12 credit hours Arts and Social Sciences or Science electives

Concentration in Popular Musics

Students in good standing (minimum overall average GPA of 2.7 [B-] in 1000 and 2000-level MUSC and PERF courses) may proceed to a BMus concentration in Popular Musics. This concentration is designed for students interested in the performance, creation, and/or study of popular music styles such as pop, jazz, soul, rock, and more.

Third Year
  • MUSC 3801.03: Applied Study 3a or MUSC 3821.03: Applied Study in Popular Musics 3a
  • MUSC 3802.03: Applied Study 3b or MUSC 3822.03: Applied Study in Popular Musics 3b
  • MUSC 3263.03: Theory of Popular Musics*
  • MUSC 3282.03: Orchestration
  • MUSC 3751.015 Ensemble 3a
  • MUSC 3752.015 Ensemble 3b
  • PERF 1000.03: Writing About Performance**
  • PERF 1001.03: Writing About Music**
Fourth Year

Additional requirements for third and fourth year:

  • MUSC 4170.03: Improvisation Techniques and Practices
  • 15 credit hours of MUSC electives, at least 6 of which must come from the following list:   

MUSC 2016.03: Topics in Music and Cinema
MUSC 2018.03: The Road to Rock 'n' Roll
MUSC 2019.03: The Rock 'n' Roll Era and Beyond
MUSC 2020.03: The History of Jazz
MUSC 4375.03: African American Popular Musics

  • 6 credit hours of non-MUSC courses taken from the Minor in Popular Culture Studies, with at least 3 credit hours at the 3000- or 4000-level.

Additional requirements for Voice students:

  • MUSC 3176.03: Vocal Pedagogy and Vocology (to be taken as part of the 15 credit hours of MUSC electives)

*Students who have already taken MUSC 3263 instead of MUSC 1201 will replace MUSC 3263 with 3 more credit hours of music electives, bringing their music electives to 18 credit hours.

**Students who have completed PERF 1000 and PERF 1001 in previous years will replace these courses with 6 additional credit hours in non-MUSC electives for a total of 12 credit hours in non-MUSC electives.