Experience Guide

Be Inspired: Maximize Your Academic Opportunities

First and Second Year

• Complete your Common Year curriculum.
• Audition for ensembles including:
  • Laurier Symphony Orchestra
  • Laurier Wind Orchestra
  • Concert Choir
  • Maureen Forrester Singers
  • Laurier Singers
  • Improvisation Concerts Ensemble (ICE)
  • Jazz Ensemble
• Complete the keyboard equivalency exam if you do not have Royal Conservatory Grade VI Piano (or equivalent).
• Live in the Singer and Songwriter Residence Learning Community to enhance your academic and social success.
• Apply to enter your concentration of interest at the end of your second year.
• Earn the Writing Certificate.

Third Year

• Take courses for your music major.
• Explore courses in related areas of study and begin thinking about a minor or an option to
  complement your degree.
• Consider taking social entrepreneurship or entrepreneurship courses.
• Investigate research opportunities with faculty members and seek out publication opportunities.

Final Year

• Complete required courses for your Music major as well as Music and non-Music electives.
• Prepare for your graduation recital if you are in the Performance or Composition concentrations.
• Learn about accompanist, research and instructional assistantship opportunities in Music.
• Thinking of pursuing graduate school?
  
  • Talk to your professors and visit the Career Centre.
  • Sign up for a scholarship proposal writing workshop or book a writing consultation for help with your funding proposals.

Be Involved: Explore Work, Volunteer and Leadership Experience

First and Second Year

• Attend O-Week events.
• Join student clubs such as the Faculty of Music Students' Association (FOMSA), Laurier Musical Theatre, Composers and Improvisers Association or a special interest club. Or create your own!
• Participate in events and skills-based workshops with your residence or off-campus LOCUS community.
• Explore your interests by volunteering on campus with Accessible Learning's Note-taking Program, Laurier International, Wellness Education, the Sustainability Office and more.
• Join intramural or club sports, participate in recreational activities and attend varsity games.
• Volunteer at the Arts Express Camp with KW Accessibility for the summer.
• Engage in the First-Year Leadership Program including Campus Councils, House Council and the Leadership Certificate.

Third Year

• Look for performance opportunities within the Faculty of Music.
• Connect with local organizations to learn about volunteer opportunities.
• Volunteer to be an O-Week Icebreaker and welcome incoming first years.
• Volunteer in local schools and attend the Ontario Music Educators’ Association conference, if interested in music education.
• Learn to write articles, draw illustrations or take photographs with Laurier’s weekly newspaper, The Cord.
• Participate in Sandbox workshops and attend the Entrepreneur Speaker Series.
• Get involved as a DJ on Radio Laurier.

Final Year

• Apply for an executive/coordinator position with a student club or committee.
• Look into the StartUp Lab program for the opportunity to launch an innovative new venture.
• Share your Laurier experience with prospective students at open house events.

Be Engaged: Broaden Your Perspective

First and Second Year

• Get involved with the Centre for Student Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.
• Visit Laurier International to learn about international options available to you.
• Complete the Intercultural Certificate with Laurier International.
• Engage in training on consent, bystander intervention and disclosure provided through Gendered and Sexual Violence Prevention Support.

Third Year

• Study abroad for an academic term in your third year.
• Consider enrolling in a language course.
• Gather for Soup Tuesday at the Indigenous Student Centre.
• Become a Global Engagement Student Ambassador.
• Complete the Diversity Certificate.

Final Year

• Participate in Indigenous Education Week.
• Consider the Alternative Reading Week Trip with Habitat for Humanity.
• Earn your Certificate in Accessibility with Accessible Learning.

Be Inspired: Maximize Your Academic Opportunities

First and Second Year

• Complete your Common Year or Community Music curriculum. Ensure you complete the Introduction to Music Therapy and Psychology courses required to enter the Bachelor of Music Therapy (BMT) program.
• Audition for ensembles including:
  • Laurier Symphony Orchestra
  • Laurier Wind Orchestra
  • Concert Choir
  • Maureen Forrester Singers
  • Laurier Singers
  • Improvisation Concerts Ensemble (ICE)
  • Jazz Ensemble
  • Community Music Ensemble
• Complete the keyboard equivalency exam if you do not have Royal Conservatory Grade VI Piano (or equivalent).
• Apply for and pass the interview-audition to enter the Bachelor of Music Therapy program at the end of your second year.
• Earn the Writing Certificate.

Third Year

• Complete required Music Therapy and Psychology courses and explore other interests
  through electives.
• Consider graduate education possibilities and plan your courses accordingly.
• Consider taking social entrepreneurship or entrepreneurship courses.
• Investigate research opportunities with faculty members and seek out publication opportunities.

Final Year

• Complete the Canadian Association of Music Therapists (CAMT) 1,000-hour internship.
• Register to write the Certified Board for Music Therapists (CBMT) exam.
• Learn about accompanist, research and instructional assistantship opportunities in Music.
• Thinking of pursuing graduate school?
  
  • Talk to your professors and visit the Career Centre.
  • Sign up for a scholarship proposal writing workshop or book a writing consultation for help with your funding proposals.
  • Meet with the program coordinator for the Master of Music Therapy to discuss graduate school opportunities.

Be Involved: Explore Work, Volunteer and Leadership Experience

First and Second Year

• Attend O-Week events.
• Join student clubs such as the Music Therapy Students Association (MTSA), Faculty of Music Students' Association (FOMSA), Laurier Musical Theatre, Composers and Improvisers Association or a special interest club. Or create your own!
• Participate in events and skills-based workshops with your residence or off-campus LOCUS community.
• Explore your interests by volunteering on campus with Accessible Learning's Note-taking Program, Laurier International, Wellness Education, the Sustainability Office and more.
• Join intramural or clubs sports, participate in recreational activities and attend varsity games.
• Volunteer at the Arts Express Camp with KW Accessibility during the spring term.
• Engage in the First-Year Leadership Program including Campus Councils, House Council and the Leadership Certificate.

Third Year

• Look for performance opportunities within the Faculty of Music.
• Connect with local organizations to learn about volunteer opportunities.
• Volunteer to be an O-Week Icebreaker and welcome incoming first years.
• Volunteer in local schools and attend the Ontario Music Educators’ Association conference, if interested in music education.
• Learn to write articles, draw illustrations or take photographs with Laurier’s weekly newspaper, The Cord.
• Participate in Sandbox workshops and attend the Entrepreneur Speaker Series.
• Get involved as a DJ on Radio Laurier.
• Attend the Music Therapy Association of Ontario's Student Conference or Annual Conference, or the Canadian Association of Music Therapists Conference.

Final Year

• Apply for an executive/coordinator position with a student club or committee.
• Look into the StartUp Lab program for the opportunity to launch an innovative new venture.
• Share your Laurier experience with prospective students at open house events.

Be Engaged: Broaden Your Perspective

First and Second Year

• Get involved with the Centre for Student Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.
• Visit Laurier International to learn about international options available to you.
• Complete the Intercultural Certificate with Laurier International.
• Engage in training on consent, bystander intervention and disclosure provided through Gendered and Sexual Violence Prevention Support.

Third Year

• Study abroad for an academic term in your third year.
• Consider enrolling in a language course.
• Gather for Soup Tuesday at the Indigenous Student Centre.
• Become a Global Engagement Student Ambassador.
• Complete the Diversity Certificate.

Final Year

• Participate in Indigenous Education Week.
• Consider the Alternative Reading Week Trip with Habitat for Humanity.
• Earn your Certificate in Accessibility with Accessible Learning.

Be Inspired: Maximize Your Academic Opportunities

First Year

• Take Community Music courses and explore other interests through electives. Psychology courses are required if you are interested in applying to the Bachelor of Music Therapy (BMT) program.
• Participate in the Community Music Ensemble as part of your first-year course.
• Audition for other ensembles including:
  • Laurier Symphony Orchestra
  • Laurier Wind Orchestra
  • Concert Choir
  • Maureen Forrester Singers
  • Laurier Singers
  • Improvisation Concerts Ensemble (ICE)
  • Jazz Ensemble
• Live in the Singer and Songwriter Residence Learning Community to enhance your academic and social success.
• Complete the keyboard equivalency exam if you do not have Royal Conservatory Grade VI Piano (or equivalent).
• Earn the Writing Certificate.

Middle Years

• Explore courses in related areas of study and begin thinking about a minor or an option to
  complement your degree.
• Consider taking social entrepreneurship or entrepreneurship courses.
• Investigate research opportunities with faculty members.
• Consider enrolling in recording courses available through Conestoga College.
• Gain music experience in community contexts through community service-learning courses.

Final Year

• Complete final-year capstone project aligned with your strengths, interests and career
  goals under the guidance of your instructor.
• Take on leadership roles in ensembles.
• Create your own music ensemble for credit.
• Thinking of pursuing graduate school?
  
  • Talk to your professors and visit the Career Centre.
  • Sign up for a scholarship proposal writing workshop or book a writing consultation for help with your funding proposals.
  • Meet with the graduate program coordinator in Community Music to discuss graduate school opportunities.

Be Involved: Explore Work, Volunteer and Leadership Experience

First Year

• Attend O-Week events.
• Join student clubs such as the Community Music Association, Faculty of Music Students' Association (FOMSA), Student Association of Music Educators, Hawkapella, Laurier Musical Theatre, Composers and Improvisers Association or a special interest club. Or create your own!
• Participate in events and skills-based workshops with your residence or off-campus LOCUS community.
• Explore your interests by volunteering on campus with Accessible Learning's Note-taking Program, Laurier International, Wellness Education, the Sustainability Office and more.
• Join intramural or club sports, participate in recreational activities and attend varsity games.
• Engage in the First-Year Leadership Program including Campus Councils, House Council and the Leadership Certificate.

Middle Years

• Look for performance opportunities within the Faculty of Music.
• Volunteer to be an O-Week Icebreaker and welcome incoming first years.
• Volunteer in local schools and attend the Ontario Music Educators’ Association conference, if interested in music education.
• Volunteer with the Community Music School of Waterloo Region to teach children and youth facing barriers to accessing music education.
• Participate in community placements where you design and implement workshops in community settings as a part of your second- and third-year courses.
• Volunteer at the Arts Express Camp with KW Accessibility during the spring term.
• Participate in Sandbox workshops and attend the Entrepreneur Speaker Series.

Final Year

• Create and implement your own music project in a community setting.
• Apply for an executive/coordinator position with a student club or committee.
• Attend the Career and Job Fairs to network with employers.
• Look into the StartUp Lab program for the opportunity to launch an innovative new venture.
• Share your Laurier experience with prospective students at open house events.

Be Engaged: Broaden Your Perspective

First Year

• Get involved with the Centre for Student Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.
• Visit Laurier International to learn about international options available to you.
• Complete the Intercultural Certificate with Laurier International.
• Engage in training on consent, bystander intervention and disclosure provided through Gendered and Sexual Violence Prevention Support.

Middle Years

• Consider enrolling in the Community Music international field course during the spring term.
• Study abroad for an academic term at the University of Ghana or another international partner school.
• Consider enrolling in a language course.
• Gather for Soup Tuesday at the Indigenous Student Centre.
• Become a Global Engagement Student Ambassador.
• Complete the Diversity Certificate.

Final Year

• Participate in Indigenous Education Week.
• Consider the Alternative Reading Week Trip with Habitat for Humanity.
• Earn your Certificate in Accessibility with Accessible Learning.

Your graduate degree at Laurier will take you in many different directions and prepare you to be a leader in both your field and community. Your Laurier experience includes many opportunities to engage both in and outside the classroom.

The Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies provides academic leadership, administrative support and program advice to all graduate students. There are also scholarships and financial awards, fellowships and other teaching and research assistantship positions that you can access during your time at Laurier.

Graduate students gain knowledge about professional skill development through Laurier’s ASPIRE program. This program provides a framework for you to design an extracurricular learning plan for navigating your professional journey and entry to the workplace. There are also teaching certificates, career development workshops and other skill development opportunities.

The Graduate Students’ Association provides many services and supports with a focus on wellness. They provide various opportunities to be involved and contribute to the Laurier community.

The Laurier graduate school experience is more than research and scholarship – it’s about becoming an engaged citizen and applying your advanced knowledge to real-world problems.