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First-Year Program Requirements: Faculty of Music
Note: The following information represents requirements for the 2024/25 academic calendar year. The Course Registration Guide will be updated for the 2025/26 academic year mid-May.
The following information is part of Step 1: Program Requirements of the Course Registration Guide for first-year Faculty of Music students. To view the remaining steps, consult the Course Registration Guide.
On this page:
Progression
- To progress to Year 2: Music GPA 6.0, overall GPA 4.0.
- To progress to Year 3, 4, or to graduate: Music GPA 7.0, overall GPA 6.0.
- Refer to the university regulations section of the academic calendar for details on progression and graduation requirements.
- Information regarding options and minors can be found in the academic calendar, Faculty of Music.
Definitions:
- An asterisk (*) denotes a course worth 1.0 credits
- A circle (˚) denotes a course worth 0.25 credit
- BMus: Bachelor of Music (honours)
MU100: Music and Its Contexts
- A 0.5 credit course taught in the Fall term.
- You must also register for a tutorial class.
MU142: Foundations of Popular and Commercial Music
- A 0.5 credit course taught in the Fall term.
MU102Ao: Foundational Vocal Techniques (Non-Voice Majors) or MU102Bo: Foundational Vocal Techniques (Voice Majors)
- A 0.25 credit course taught in the Fall term.
- Choose 102B if you have taken private voice lessons for 1 year or more.
- All other students should choose 102A.
MU181: Ensemble
- A 0.5 credit course taught over both Fall and Winter terms.
- Choose the section number for the ensemble you think you will be in. Auditions for ensemble placement will happen during Orientation Week for all students.
MU195: Class Drumming
- A 0.5 credit course taught over both Fall and Winter terms.
MU196C: Practical Study (Lessons)
- This course is optional.
- Instructions on registering will come at a later date.
- A 0.5 credit course taught over both Fall and Winter terms.
One or Two Electives
- If MU196C is selected, students should select one 0.5 elective course in the Fall term.
- If MU196C is not selected, students should select one or two 0.5 elective courses in Fall term.
- See notes regarding electives below.
MU141: Introduction to Community Music
- A 0.5 credit course taught in the Winter term.
MU145B˚: Musicianship I
- A 0.25 credit course taught in the Winter term.
Two Electives
- If MU196C is selected, students should select two 0.5 elective courses in the Winter term.
- If MU196C is not selected, students should select two or three 0.5 elective courses in Winter term.
- See notes regarding electives below.
- Students should select enough elective courses that their total course load is 5.0 credits for the year.
The Faculty of Music makes recommendations in only the following situations:
- If you wish to pursue Music Therapy you should take PS101 (Psychology) in fall and both PS102 (Psychology) and MU158 (Intro to Music Therapy) in winter in your first year.
- If you wish to pursue a Bachelor of Education once you graduate, you should choose non-music electives working toward a second teachable (e.g. English, History, Math, etc.).
- If you wish to pursue Composition, you should take the first-year composition course MU160. This course is a 0.5 credit course taught in winter term.
- By the completion of your degree, all music programs require a minimum of 4.0 non-music electives.
Music students are encouraged to keep Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12:00pm-1:00pm free of elective courses to attend free concerts and other faculty events.
MU100: Music and its Contexts
- A 0.5 credit course taught in the fall term.
- You must also register for a tutorial class.
MU102Ao: Foundational Vocal Techniques (Non-Voice Majors) or MU102Bo: Foundational Vocal Techniques (Voice Majors)
- A 0.25 credit class taught in the Fall term.
- Choose 102B if you are a voice major or if you have taken private voice lessons for 1 year or more.
- All other students should choose 102A.
MU161: Theory I
- A 0.5 credit course taught in the Fall term.
MU181: Ensemble
- A 0.5 credit course taught over both fall and winter terms.
- Choose the section number for the ensemble you think you will be in. Auditions for ensemble placement will happen during Orientation Week for all students.
MU190A*: Practical Study
- A 1.0 credit course taught over both Fall and Winter terms.
- Choose the section letter for your instrument. The timeslots listed are for your studio class – classes when all members of the studio meet together. Your individual one-hour weekly lesson will be scheduled when you meet with your studio instructor during Orientation Week.
One Elective
- All students should select one 0.5 elective course in Fall term. See notes regarding electives below.
MU137˚: Musical Skills I
- A 0.25 credit courses taught in the Winter term.
MU162: Theory II
- A 0.5 credit course taught in the Winter term.
Two Electives
- All students should select two 0.5 elective course in Winter term. See notes regarding electives below.
One elective space in fall term, two elective spaces in winter term.
The Faculty of Music makes recommendations in only the following situations:
- If you wish to pursue Music Therapy you should take PS101 (Psychology) in fall and both PS102 (Psychology) and MU158 (Intro to Music Therapy) in winter in your first year.
- If you wish to pursue Music Education you should choose non-music electives working toward a second teachable (e.g. English, History, Math, etc.).
- If you wish to pursue Composition, you should take the first-year composition course MU160. This course is a 0.5 credit course taught in winter term.
- If you are a Voice major considering Performance, you are encouraged to register for some language courses.
- By the completion of your degree all music programs require a minimum of 4.0 non-music electives.
Music students are encouraged to keep Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12:00pm-1:00pm free of elective courses to attend free concerts and other faculty events.
Course Load
To earn an Honours Degree, you will need to complete 20.0 credits:
- 0.5 credit: Normally conducted over one term
- 1.0 credit: Normally conducted over two terms
If you are studying part-time, you can take up to 1.5 credits per term. Full-time status is given to students who take 2.0 or 2.5 credits per term.
If you select 2.5 credits in the fall term and 2.5 credits in the winter term, you can complete an Honours Degree in four years.
Next Step: Choose Your Electives
Now that you've determined your program requirements, it's time to move to Step 2: Choose Your Electives to plan and select your electives.