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Music Major

Music

  1. U of G Homepage
  2. College of Arts

Why Study Music at U of G?

Whether you dream of performing on stage, composing your own music, or exploring music’s cultural impact, our program offers diverse opportunities that are suited to you. You’ll learn about branding, social media strategies for musicians, applying for industry grants, booking gigs, and networking within the industry.

During your degree, you’ll learn from experienced faculty and musicians who are passionate about nurturing your talent and guiding your musical journey. You will also join a community of like-minded musicians and collaborate on projects that showcase your unique voice or skill.

You can immerse yourself in practice experiences through ensembles, private lessons, and innovative courses that cover everything from classical, to jazz, pop, rock, turntablism, choral, musical theatre, and more.

And finally, take courses that explore music’s cultural, historical, and societal contexts, providing a deeper understanding of how music interacts with and shapes the world. This holistic education will not only enhance your musical proficiency, but it will also equip you with critical thinking, analytical, and communication skills that are valuable in various professional fields.

You will specialize in one of two areas, where you can focus on courses centered around:

  • Research-Creation: creative industries, music technology and composition
  • Performing Professional: performance, musicianship, and theory

No Music Audition Required for Admission

We welcome students from diverse musical backgrounds to encourage inclusivity and equal opportunities for all who are passionate about music. The ability to play one instrument/voice is required.

Personalized Music Instruction and Performance

Receive 1:1 instruction from distinguished musicians, participate in masterclasses with faculty and guest artists, and gain valuable performance experience through instrumental and choral ensembles.

Interdisciplinary Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Music Program

Earn a Bachelor of Arts in Music, allowing you to seamlessly combine your musical passions with other disciplines, preparing you for a versatile career path in music as well as beyond traditional music professions.

To see all courses offered in the Music program, visit our Academic Calendar.

How to Apply
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Welcome to the Arts Research Centre (ARC)

Welcome to the Arts Research Centre (ARC) located in the MacKinnon Building. This state-of-the-art performing arts facility represents a $23 million renovation.

As a Music student, this will be your home for the next four years! Many of your classes, rehearsals, and performances will take place in this building.

Meet our Music Faculty and make sure to visit to experience this performing arts facility for yourself.

Careers in Music

Whether you aspire to become a professional musician, educator, or music industry leader, our program equips you with the skills and confidence to succeed in the dynamic world of music.

Here are just a few careers our graduates have successfully pursued:

  • Music teacher
  • Conductor
  • Sound/recording engineer
  • Music marketing/promotion
  • Music therapist
  • Composer
  • Studio musician/accompanist

Hear From A Current Student And Alumni

Diana Valliant

My favourite class thus far has definitely been MUSC*1200 (creative industries). It was such a cool experience to create your own band and then perform live in a packed venue. The music program is also such a great marketing opportunity if you’re a musician that releases music. Within the student body we all know who releases music, band names, and we support each other at gigs and listen on Spotify.

Diana Valliant , Undergraduate StudentMusic
Samantha Drew

I think something really special about this music program is how you can experience all the different aspects of music performance, theory, musicology and study, which makes me feel like I got an extremely well rounded academic experience that helped me to better understand which fields within music I should pursue and what resonates best with me. The popular music studies classes that I took are the reason I am now pursuing a Master's degree in music.

Samantha Drew, AlumniMusic

Guaranteed Postgraduate Admission Pathways

When you start your undergraduate degree, you’re already building the foundation for your future. But have you thought about what comes next?

By completing a four-year Bachelor of Arts you are eligible for guaranteed admission to select postgraduate programs at the University of Bristol.

Pathways at Bristol include:

  • Masters of Arts in Law
  • Post Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE)
  • Masters of Science in Education

Learn more about how you can study abroad.

If you're successful in your application to the Master's Guaranteed Admission Pathway, you will receive a conditional offer of admission to:

  • your chosen undergraduate program from the list of participating programs, including options like:
    • Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Art History, Classical and Modern Cultures, Creative Writing, Culture and Technology Studies, English, French Studies, History, Music, Philosophy, Sexualities, Genders and Social Change, Studio Art, or Theatre Studies
    • Bachelor of Arts and Sciences (BAS)
    • Bachelor of Creative Arts, Health and Wellness (BCA)
  • a Master's degree program, provided your undergraduate program meets the eligibility requirements for one of our participating master's programs (see information below)

Learn more about Master's Degrees Guaranteed Admission Pathways.

Discover More Options

Students considering Music may also be interested in Studio Art, Creative Writing, Theatre Studies, Bachelor of Creative Arts, Health and Wellness, or other majors.

Admission Requirements

Explore admission requirements for Canadian, international, transfer, and mature students. Start your journey today!

View Admission Requirements

Scholarships & Bursaries

We offer a wide range of financial aid programs to assist with funding your education at the University of Guelph.

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College of Arts, Dean's Office
MacKinnon Extension (MCKX)
87 Trent Lane, Guelph, ON, N1G 1Y4
coado@uoguelph.ca

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Department of History
Department of Philosophy
School of Fine Art and Music
School of Languages and Literatures
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