Bachelor of Music

School Dalhousie University
Method At the institution
Location Halifax
Type Bachelor
Course fee By request

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Bachelor of Music

Objectives The Bachelor of Music Program offers intensive professional music training which prepares students for careers or further study in many areas, including performance, composition, theory, musicology, music criticism or music education. It also offers excellent preparation for professional studies in other areas, such as law or journalism. The 20-credit BA in Music, the Honours BA in Music, and the BA or BSc Combined Honours with Music programs provide a strong foundation for various professions where a working knowledge of music is desirable, such as librarianship, media programming and production, music industry commercial studio and electroacoustic work, arts management, recreational and therapeutic work, to name only a few.
Academic title Bachelor of Music
Course description Bachelor of Music (BMus)

The BMus is a four-year program with sixteen out of twenty credits in Music. Upon successful completion of the second year, students in good standing (minimum overall average GPA of 2.7 [B-] in first and second year Music classes) may continue with studies in the BMus General degree or may apply for one of three concentrations (Composition, Musicology or Performance). Additional requirements for acceptance to the areas of concentration are listed below with concentration requirements.

Students wishing to pursue one of the three concentrations must apply for their area by March 1 of their second year of study.

1. Common Curriculum

First Year

•    MUSC 1000-level Applied Study (MUSC 1101X/Y.06 to MUSC 1121X/Y.06)
•    MUSC 1201.03: Music Theory I
•    MUSC 1202.03: Music Theory II
•    MUSC 1270X/Y.03: Aural Skills I
•    MUSC 1271X/Y.03: Keyboard Skills I
•    MUSC 1352.03: Music History I
•    MUSC 1353.03: Music History II
•    Arts and Social Sciences or Science elective, one full credit (Writing Class elective)
•    MUSC 0122X/Y.00: Ensemble I: (normally 2 ensembles, as approved by the Department and Applied Study instructor)

Second Year

•    MUSC 2000-level Applied Study (MUSC 2101X/Y.06 to MUSC 2121X/Y.06)
•    MUSC 2201.03: Music Theory III
•    MUSC 2202.03: Music Theory IV
•    MUSC 2270X/Y.03: Aural Skills II
•    MUSC 2271X/Y.03: Keyboard Skills II
•    MUSC 2352.03: Music History III
•    MUSC 2353.03: Music History IV: Focused Study *
•    Arts and Social Sciences or Science electives, 2 half credits
•    MUSC 0222X/Y.00: Ensemble II: (normally 2 ensembles, as approved by the Department and Applied Study instructor)

* Voice students intending to pursue a Concentration in Performance must take MUSC 2175.03 (Lyric Diction for Singers) either in the second or third year of study, depending on the cycle of courses. If they take MUSC 2175.03 in the second year, MUSC 2353.03 (Music History IV) is deferred to year three or four, not omitted.

* Students intending to pursue a Concentration in Composition may take MUSC 2210.03 (Introduction to Composition) in the Fall semester of their second year. Students taking this option will have to defer their Fall half credit Arts and Social Sciences or Sciences elective to the Winter term of their second year, and will thus be taking two half-credit electives during this term. Also, MUSC 2353.03 (Music History IV) will be removed from the Winter term of their second year. Students accepted into Composition will replace MUSC 2353.03 with either MUSC 4353.03 (Music Since 1945) or MUSC 4362.03 (Topics in Canadian Music) during their third or fourth year. Students who are not accepted into Composition will take MUSC 2353.03 (Music History IV) in either their third or fourth year.

BMus General Degree

Students in good standing (minimum overall average GPA of 2.7 [B-] in first and second year Music classes) 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 including the Bachelor of Education, as well as for a wide range of careers in music.

Students must submit a proposal for their intended graduation credit (4599.03 Project or 4399.03 Thesis) by March 1 of the third year of study, according to Department guidelines. Students must achieve a minimum grade of 2.7 (B-) in this credit.

Third Year

•     MUSC 3000-level Applied Study (MUSC 3101X/Y.06 to MUSC 3121X/Y.06)
•     MUSC 3283.03: Modal Counterpoint OR MUSC 3284.03: Tonal Counterpoint
•     MUSC 3281.03: Form and Analysis I
•     2 credits of Music electives
•     Arts and Social Sciences or Science elective, one full credit
•     MUSC 0322X/Y.00: Ensemble III: (normally 2 ensembles, as approved by the Department and Applied Study instructor)

Fourth Year

•     MUSC 4000-level Applied Study (MUSC 4101X/Y.06 to MUSC 4121X/Y.06)
•     MUSC 4281.03: Form and Analysis II
•     MUSC 3282.03: Orchestration
•     MUSC 4599.03: Graduation Project OR MUSC 4399.03: Graduation Requirement (Thesis)
•     1.5 credits of Music electives
•     Arts and Social Sciences or Science elective, one full credit
•     MUSC 0422X/Y.00: Ensemble IV: (normally 2 ensembles, as approved by the Department and Applied Study instructor)

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 Music Department Student Advisor, in order to ensure optimal course selection within the BMus General degree program.