Music
Why Music?
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
To see all courses offered in this degree, visit our Academic Calendar.
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.
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
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.
Careers
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
- And many more
Discover More Options
Students considering the Music program may also be interested in studying Studio Art, Creative Writing, Theatre Studies, pursuing the degree Bachelor of Creative Arts, Health and Wellness, or other majors.
Hear From A Current Student And Alumni
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.
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.
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.
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