Music
Why Music Studies?
The Power of Music
Our Music program is like none-other because we understand the power that music can have beyond traditional performance. Music can create community, fill cultural spaces, surpass language and difference and help us to find our identity. You've felt it too, right?
Create Change Through Music
In this program, you will learn the importance of cultural and inclusive practices across genres and traditions, such as jazz, pop, rock, turntablism, classical, choral, global music, and more. You will explore topics that will help you to inform and lead positive social change, such as:
- Music and power
- Music and identity
- Music and the environment
- Music and appropriation vs. appreciation,
- Music and psychology, to
Your Experience Here
Every student in the program will receive personal 1:1 instruction by distinguished musicians, participate in masterclasses lead by faculty or influential artists, and receive credits each year for instrumental or choral ensembles.
Why We Prefer BA vs. BMus
Our program is designed as a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Music, rather than a Bachelor of Music to allow students to combine their passion in Music more easily with major or minor programs in many other disciplines.
Therefore, there is NO audition is required for admission, we are all about harnessing potential, but the ability to play an instrument/voice is required.
Students in the Music (MUSC) major at the University of Guelph might also be interested in studying Studio Art, Psychology, Sociology, Creative Writing, Theatre Studies, or other majors.
What You Will Learn
Semester 1
- Theory and Musicianship I
- Music and Research I: Exploring Society's Sounds
- Music and Creative Practice I
- Instrumental Ensembles I or Choral Ensembles I
Semester 2
- Theory and Musicianship II
- Music and Creative Practice II
- Instrumental Ensembles II or Choral Ensembles II
- Creative Industries
Semester 3
- Music and Research II: Critiquing Society's Sounds
- Theory and Musicianship III
- Instrumental Ensembles III or Choral Ensembles III
- Applied Composition and Improvisation I
- Applied Music III
Semester 4
- Creating Music on the Computer
- Theory and Musicianship IV
- Instrumental Ensembles IV or Choral Ensembles IV
- Applied Composition and Improvisation II
- Applied Music IV
Semester 5
- Instrumental Ensembles V or Choral Ensembles V
- Topics in World Music and Improvisation
- Topics in Music Teaching and Learning
- Topics in Music and Social Movements: Inclusion and Transformation
- Topics in Digital Music
- Applied Music V
Semester 6
- Instrumental Ensembles VI or Choral Ensembles VI
- Music and Research III: Issues in Contemporary Popular Musics
- Topics in World Music and Improvisation
- Topics in Music Teaching and Learning
- Topics in Music and Social Movements: Inclusion and Transformation
- Topics in Digital Music
- Applied Music VI
Semester 7
- Music and Research IV: Theorising the Contemporary Canadian Music Industry
- Honours Music Recital Preparation
Semester 8
- Honours Capstone Project in Music
- Honours Music Recital
To see all courses offered in this degree, visit our 2023-2024 Academic Calendar.
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.
Make sure to visit to experience this performing arts facility for yourself.
Shape the Future with Music
Pursue a Stream that Excites You
You will choose between one of two streams within our program:
- Research-Creation: creative industries, music technology, and composition
- Performing Professional: performance, musicianship, and theory
Perform in State-of-the-Art Facilities
You will have access to our newly renovated, $23 million Arts Research Centre (ARC), which will be a community hub for music, performance, and theatre. These spaces include:
- 140-seat recital hall
- Practice and rehearsal rooms
- Recording and digital music studio
Diversify Your Skill Set
We understand that the current job market requires an ability to write well, to have a wide awareness of trends across the globe, a deep awareness of cultural factors, marketing skills, and an ability to work with technology. Our program provides you the opportunity to develop these skills, while offering options to concentrate on a range of music skills.
What Can You Do with a Degree in Music?
Music studies graduates are the bridge of reimagining and rethinking the past to create the sounds, scores, technologies and more of the future. Music reflects the continuous changes technology and society go through; our graduates learn the skills and theory, from music production, to research analysis and music history that informs the soundscapes and environments around us.
Here are a few careers our graduates have successfully pursued:
- Music marketing/promotion
- Music teacher
- Music therapist
- Sound/recording engineer
- Studio musician/accompanist
- Composer
- Broadcaster
- Conductor
Admission Requirements
Explore admission requirements for Canadian, international, transfer, and mature students. Start your journey today!
Scholarships & Bursaries
We offer a wide range of financial aid programs to assist with funding your education at the University of Guelph.
Tour Our Campus
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Have Questions?
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Talk to a Current Student
Don’t just take it from us – hear from one of our many students on their experiences with Guelph, integrating into U of G life, and much more. Start chatting with students from Canada or international students.