Bachelor of Music with Concentration in Composition
ObjectivesThe 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 titleBachelor of Music with Concentration in Composition
Course descriptionBachelor 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.
Concentration in Composition
Students in good standing (minimum overall average GPA of 2.7 [B-] in first and second year Music classes), along with a minimum overall average GPA of 3.3 (B+) in their Music Theory and Composition classes (MUSC 1201, 1202, 2201 and 2210) may submit a portfolio of original music (normally prepared in the MUSC 2210 Introduction to Composition) 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 composers. See Department for further details concerning admission procedures.
Students who are accepted in this concentration must achieve a minimum grade of 3.3 (B+) in Composition I (MUSC 3210.03) in order to remain in the concentration. Students must achieve a minimum grade of 2.7 (B-) in both MUSC 4210.03 and in MUSC 4299.03.
Third Year
• MUSC 3000-level Applied Study (MUSC 3101X/Y.06 to MUSC 3121X/Y.06)
• MUSC 3210X/Y.06: Composition I
• MUSC 3283.03: Modal Counterpoint or MUSC 3284.03: Tonal Counterpoint
• MUSC 3281.03: Form and Analysis I
• MUSC 3282.03: Orchestration
• MUSC 4280.03: Contemporary Techniques
• 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 4210X/Y.06: Composition II
• MUSC 4353.03: Music Since 1945 or MUSC 4362.03: Topics in Canadian Music (replacing MUSC 2353.03 Music History IV)
• MUSC 4281.03: Form and Analysis II
• MUSC 3660.03: Introduction to Music and Sound Technology
• MUSC 3661.03: Electroacoustic Music
• MUSC 4299X/Y.03: Area Graduation Requirement (Composition)
• Arts and Social Sciences or Science elective, one full credit.
• Music elective, .5 credit