In this Guide
Learn the many ways you can extend your classroom experience to the real world.
Students who enrolled in the Music program Fall 2024 or earlier:
- Take courses for your Music major.
- Common Year designation - apply to enter your concentration of interest at the end of your second year:
- Music History, Theory and Critical Analysis
- Composition
- Performance
- Self-Directed Studies
- Music Education
- Community Music
- Community Music and Music Education specializations share many required courses, making it easy for you to specialize in both.
- If you are interested in applying to the Bachelor of Music Therapy (BMT) program, you can apply at the end of your second year.
- Complete the keyboard equivalency exam if applicable.
- Consider completing courses or a Diploma in Audio Production and Engineering through the Metalworks Partnership.
- Investigate research opportunities with faculty members and seek out publication opportunities.
- Consider applying to lead the Supplemental Instruction sessions or to become a Theory or Musical Skills Peer Tutor.
- Study abroad for an academic term at an international partner school.
- If you’re thinking about applying to graduate school, talk with your professors and visit the Career Centre.
- 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 concentration.
- Learn about Accompanist, Research and Instructional Assistantship opportunities in Music.
- Top-ranking Music graduates are guaranteed admission to Laurier’s Bachelor of Education (BEd) program if they meet the minimum admission requirements for the BEd program. Courses in Music Education and Community Music will meet some admission requirements. See your academic advisor to plan the right courses for you.
- If you’re applying to graduate school, sign up for a scholarship proposal writing workshop and book a further education application appointment.
Students who enrolled in the Music program Fall 2025 or later:
- Complete core required courses and choose from a wide range of specializations to focus your studies or explore multiple areas to keep your path flexible. You can:
- Choose one large specialization
- Combine two small specializations
- Mix one large and one small
- Or pursue a generalist degree with no specialization
- Participate in an ensemble such as the Laurier Symphony Orchestra, Laurier Wind Orchestra, Concert Choir, Improvisation Convergence Ensemble, Vox Experimental or Jazz Orchestra.
- Take lessons with a dedicated studio teacher who gets to know your strengths, style and goals. They’ll support your musical growth through personalized instruction and feedback. You will perform, learn from your peers and build confidence in a supportive musical community.
- Complete Keyboard Foundations if you do not have Royal Conservatory Grade III Piano (or equivalent skills in a contemporary commercial style).
- Live in the Faculty of Music Residence Learning Community to enhance your academic and social success, and to rehearse in the comfort of your own room.
- Participate in Supplemental Instruction sessions for key courses.
- Look into opportunities to study internationally in Germany, France, the United Kingdom or the United Arab Emirates.
- Enhance your academic experience at Laurier through professional one-on-one, online and peer-to-peer resources available through Academic Advising and Support.
- Take courses for your Music degree and any specializations you've chosen.
- If you are interested in applying to the Bachelor of Music Therapy (BMT) program you can apply at the end of your second year.
- Consider completing courses or a Diploma in Audio Production and Engineering through the Metalworks Partnership.
- Investigate research opportunities with faculty members and seek out publication opportunities.
- Consider applying to lead the Supplemental Instruction sessions or to become a Theory or Musical Skills Peer Tutor.
- If you’re thinking about applying to graduate school, talk with your professors and visit the Career Centre.
- Complete required courses for your Music degree and any specializations you've chosen.
- Prepare for your graduation recital if you are in the Performance specialization.
- Complete your Capstone Project designing and delivering a music project for social impact if you are in the Community Music specialization.
- Learn about Accompanist, Research and Instructional Assistantship opportunities in Music.
- Top-ranking Music graduates are guaranteed admission to Laurier’s Bachelor of Education (BEd) program if they meet the minimum admission requirements for the BEd program. Courses in Music Education and Community Music will meet some admission requirements. See your academic advisor to plan the right courses for you.
- If you’re applying to graduate school, sign up for a scholarship proposal writing workshop and book a further education application appointment.
As a Music student, you can:
- Join student clubs such as the Faculty of Music Students' Association (FOMSA), Association for Music Creators, Student Association for Music Educators, Laurier Acapella Association, Laurier Brass Ensemble, Laurier Music Med Club, Laurier Hip Hop, Orchestral Winds Laurier, WLU Piano Forum, or the Laurier Musical Theatre (LMT) and build leadership skills through joining an executive team.
- Participate in the Piano Lab.
- Attend the Ontario Music Educators’ Association conference if interested in music education.
- Get involved as a DJ on Radio Laurier.
- Explore volunteer opportunities including:
- Local schools if you are interested in music education.
- Community Music School of Waterloo Region to teach children and youth facing barriers to accessing music education.
- Enroll in the elective spring semester course, MU353, “Inclusive Arts for Children” and provide leadership at the Arts Express Camp. Or volunteer at Arts Express without enrolling in the course.
- Look for performance opportunities within the Faculty of Music.
- Complete weekly masterclasses to learn from Laurier instructors, guest instructors and your peers.
- Check out the Experience Catalogue for a full list of co-curricular experiences that are currently offered across campus.
- Volunteer with the Students’ Union (e.g., Laurier Orientation, Hawk Walk, EcoHawks, Food Bank, Emergency Response Team, Shinerama).
- Volunteer on campus with the Accessible Learning, Global Engagement, Sustainability Office, Centre for Student Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, WLU Student Publications and more.
- Get involved in the local community by volunteering off campus.
- Apply for on-campus jobs:
- Check Navigator frequently for job postings or contact individual departments directly.
- Search for job opportunities on the Students’ Union website.
- If you meet eligibility criteria, apply for the Laurier Work Study Program or International Student Work Experience Program.
- Attend Job Fairs to network with employers.
- Explore ways to get involved in research.
- Look into StartUp Lab opportunities for support in launching a new venture.
Job/Volunteer Search Tips
- While on-campus opportunities are posted year-round, recruitment often starts early! Start looking in the winter term for opportunities in the following academic year.
- Have your resumé and LinkedIn profile reviewed by Career Centre staff for both on and off-campus opportunities.
- Laurier offers a variety of co-curricular certificates that you can complete during your studies. Earn certificates in topics including academic development, professional development, wellness, leadership and career development.
- Participate in workshops, programming and events offered by the Career Centre, Gendered and Sexual Violence Prevention and Support, Laurier Library, the Centre for Student Equity, Diversity and Inclusion and more.
- Engage in the First-Year Leadership Program including Campus Councils and House Council and the Leadership Certificate.
- Connect with Global Engagement to learn about international options available to you including opportunities abroad and language and culture sharing programs.
Design Your Degree
These are a few popular academic opportunities which allow you to dive deeper into your major area of study or broaden your knowledge. See undergraduate options, minors and courses for more information.
Develop Your Knowledge and Skills
As a Laurier student, you will develop the following competencies through your curricular and co-curricular experiences.
Competency Framework
Competencies are categories of transferrable skills that appear on your online Experience Record to help you reflect on what you've learned from your experiences. The competencies include:
- Adaptability and Resiliency
- Collaboration and Teamwork
- Communication
- Creativity and Innovation
- Critical Thinking
- Digital Literacy
- Diversity and Intercultural Understanding
- Functional Knowledge
- Leadership
- Problem Solving
- Professional Attributes
- Self-Awareness
Functional Knowledge
- Superior musicianship skills acquired through three full years of musicianship training.
- Strong performance skills developed through private lessons, enhancing public presentation abilities.
- Develop valuable music analytical skills and a critical understanding of the form and inner workings of a musical score.
- Acquire a broad and deep knowledge of musical literature, style and culture.
- Develop leadership and collaborative skills in musical settings.
- Develop pedagogical skills to teach music.
Discover Career Options
All your experiences at Laurier can help you prepare for your future. Attend Career Centre events and workshops or book a career consulting appointment to explore career and further education options.
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53 Music respondents from the 2024 Laurier Graduate Survey conducted by the Career Centre. Graduates were surveyed within 12 months of graduation. Other includes those travelling, volunteering or out of the workforce.
Alumni Careers and Pathways
Sample Further Education Programs Within the First Year After Graduation
- Master’s Degree - Music, Spiritual Care and Psychotherapy
- University Diploma - Chamber Music, Opera
- Bachelor’s Degree - Education, Therapeutic Recreation
- JD - Law
Sample Jobs Within the First Year After Graduation
- arts educator
- arts talent manager
- bilingual accounts receivable specialist
- freelance composer
- music teacher
- musician
- podcast producer
- public health administrator
Careers Of Alumni Two to Five Years After Graduation
- artist relations
- elementary school teacher
- film composer
- freelance musician
- occupational therapist
- opera director
- orchestra operations coordinator
- physician
- private music teacher
- software developer
Career Options and Resources
Need some guidance on what you can do with your degree? Discover some career options and find resources to help guide you.
Career and Industry Options
- arts administration
- community development/outreach
- composition
- directing
- education/teaching
- entertainment
- entrepreneurship
- event planning/festivals
- film/TV
- game development
- healthcare/rehabilitation
- journalism/media/marketing
- library/archives/museum
- performance
- production
- recording
- technology
- theatre
Your Experiences Tell Your Story
Share your story through your Laurier Experience Record. An interactive, shareable and official record of your hands-on experiences and learning opportunities at Laurier – the first of its kind in Canada!
Share Your Feedback
We'd love to hear from you. Complete the Laurier Experience Guide Feedback Survey to share your thoughts.