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Department of Performance

Department of Performance

The Department offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs leading to the B.Mus., M.Mus., and D.Mus., and diploma programs leading to the L.Mus., Graduate Diploma in Performance, and Graduate Artist Diploma. Programs include regular practical instruction available on all instruments, a comprehensive range of large instrumental and choral ensembles, and a highly developed small ensemble program in all areas of study. The Department's ensembles present a full season of performances on campus and regularly travel for appearances in important North American centres. In recent years, McGill ensembles have performed at Montreal's Maison symphonique and Monument-National, Toronto's Koerner Hall and Canadian Opera Company, as well as Ottawa's National Arts Centre, Quebec City's Grand Théâtre, and New York's Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center. Many concerts are live-streamed and have been broadcast by the CBC.

Performance specialization is available in: Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass, Guitar, Harp, Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Saxophone, Bassoon, Horn, Trumpet, Trombone, Euphonium, Tuba, Percussion, Piano, Organ, Harpsichord, Voice, Baroque Instruments (Violin, Viola, Cello, Viola da Gamba, Recorder, Flute, Lute, Oboe, Bassoon), Conducting (Choral and Instrumental), and Jazz (Bass, Drums, Flute, Guitar, Piano, Saxophone, Trombone, Trumpet, Vibraphone, Violin, Voice).

For each program, all courses listed are REQUIRED courses unless otherwise indicated.

Programs, Courses and University Regulations—2023-2024 (last updated Aug. 8, 2023) (disclaimer)

Bachelor of Music (B.Mus.) - Major Performance Piano (125 credits)

The Bachelor of Music; Major Performance (Piano) program provides comprehensive training in the practical and theoretical elements of music. Throughout the program, students receive individual instruction and participate in large and small ensembles.

For more information, see Major Performance Piano (125 credits).

Bachelor of Music (B.Mus.) - Major Performance Voice (123 credits)

The Bachelor of Music; Major Performance (Voice) program focuses on vocal pedagogy, repertoire coaching, linguist, theory, and musicology to strengthen artistry in professional singing. In addition to recitals and masterclasses, students are encouraged to take advantage of diverse solo performance opportunities in Opera, Early Music Ensembles, Song Interpretation,...

For more information, see Major Performance Voice (123 credits).

Bachelor of Music (B.Mus.) - Major Performance (Orchestral Instruments) (125 credits)

The Bachelor of Music; Major Performance (Orchestral Instruments) program provides comprehensive training in the practical and theoretical elements of music. Throughout the program, students receive individual instruction, participate in chamber music and other small ensembles, and perform in large ensembles such as the McGill Symphony Orchestra, Contemporary Music...

For more information, see Major Performance (Orchestral Instruments) (125 credits).

Bachelor of Music (B.Mus.) - Major Early Music Performance (Baroque Violin, Viola, Cello, Viola da Gamba, Flute, Recorder, Oboe, Organ, Harpsichord and Early Brass Instruments) (125 credits)

The Bachelor of Music; Major Early Music Performance program provides comprehensive training in historical performance practice and in performance on a period instrument. The program combines individual lessons and ensembles with the study of historical approaches to performance in its various activities - workshops, master classes, guest lectures, and research...

For more information, see Major Early Music Performance (Baroque Violin, Viola, Cello, Viola da Gamba, Flute, Recorder, Oboe, Organ, Harpsichord and Early Brass Instruments) (125 credits).

Bachelor of Music (B.Mus.) - Major Early Music Performance (Voice) (126 credits)

The Bachelor of Music; Major Early Music Performance (Voice) program provides comprehensive training in historical performance practice and in singing period repertoire. The program combines individual lessons and ensembles with the study of historical approaches to performance in its various activities - workshops, master classes, guest lectures, and research...

For more information, see Major Early Music Performance (Voice) (126 credits).

Bachelor of Music (B.Mus.) - Major Performance Jazz (126 credits)

The Bachelor of Music; Major in Performance Jazz provides comprehensive training for jazz musicians. The curriculum includes jazz theory and harmony, keyboard, history, performance practice, improvisation, composition, and arranging. Throughout the program, students receive individual instruction and participate in jazz orchestras, ensembles, and combos. ...

For more information, see Major Performance Jazz (126 credits).

Bachelor of Music (B.Mus.) - Minor Conducting (18 credits)

The B.Mus. Minor in Conducting contains two streams—orchestral conducting and choral conducting—which offer students an opportunity to develop technical skills in orchestral or choral conducting and rehearsal techniques. Students are admitted by audition and upon successful completion of the conducting entrance exam for the Minor. Enrolment is limited and is not...

For more information, see Minor Conducting (18 credits).

Bachelor of Music (B.Mus.) - Minor Early Music Performance (18 credits)

The Minor in Early Music Performance offers an opportunity for B.Mus. students to learn the elements of early music performance practice, and to play an early music instrument or to sing early music.

For more information, see Minor Early Music Performance (18 credits).

Bachelor of Music (B.Mus.) - Minor Jazz Arranging and Composition (18 credits)

The Minor in Jazz Arranging and Composition allows B.Mus. students who are not Jazz majors to explore the jazz idiom with an emphasis on arranging composition and jazz theory. In theory courses, students are trained in fundamental jazz materials, compose jazz tunes, and develop analytical skills; in arranging courses, they gain practical experience by writing for...

For more information, see Minor Jazz Arranging and Composition (18 credits).

Bachelor of Music (B.Mus.) - Minor Jazz Performance (18 credits)

The Minor in Jazz Performance offers students the opportunity to develop abilities in instrumental and vocal jazz through a combination of theoretical and practical courses.

For more information, see Minor Jazz Performance (18 credits).

Licentiate in Music (L.Mus.) - Major Performance Piano (93 credits)

The Licentiate in Music (L.Mus.) Major Performance Piano is a 93-credit program. ...

For more information, see Major Performance Piano (93 credits).

Licentiate in Music (L.Mus.) - Major Performance (All Instruments except Piano, Voice and Jazz) (93 credits)

The Licentiate in Music (L.Mus.) Major Performance in All Instruments except Piano, Voice, and Jazz is a 93-credit program. ...

For more information, see Major Performance (All Instruments except Piano, Voice and Jazz) (93 credits).

Licentiate in Music (L.Mus.) - Major Performance Voice (105 credits)

The Licentiate in Music (L.Mus.) Major Performance Voice is a 105-credit program. ...

For more information, see Major Performance Voice (105 credits).

Special Prerequisite Courses for M.Mus. in Performance

Special Prerequisite Courses for M.Mus. in Performance

Master of Music (M.Mus.) Performance: Early Music (Thesis)
MUPD 560 (1) Introduction to Research Methods in Music
3 credits from the following:
MUHL 377 (3) Baroque Opera
MUHL 380 (3) Medieval Music
MUHL 381 (3) Renaissance Music
MUHL 382 (3) Baroque Music
MUHL 383 (3) Classical Music
MUHL 395 (3) Keyboard Literature before 1750
MUPP 381 (3) Topics in Performance Practice
MUTH 426 (3) Topics in Early Music Analysis
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Harpsichord students:
MUPG 272D1/D2 (4) Continuo
MUPG 372D1/D2 (2) Continuo
Organ/Lute students:
MUPG 272D1/D2 (4) Continuo
Voice students:
MUPG 210 (2) Italian Diction (or equivalent)
MUPG 211 (2) French Diction (or equivalent)
MUPG 212 (2) English Diction (or equivalent)
MUPG 213 (2) German Diction (or equivalent)
Master of Music (M.Mus.) Performance: Orchestral Instruments and Guitar (Thesis)
MUPD 560 (1) Introduction to Research Methods in Music
Master of Music (M.Mus.) Performance: Collaborative Piano (Thesis)
MUPD 560 (1) Introduction to Research Methods in Music
4 credits from the following:
MUPG 210 (2) Italian Diction
MUPG 211 (2) French Diction
MUPG 212 (2) English Diction
MUPG 213 (2) German Diction
6 credits from the following:
MUHL 372 (3) Solo Song Outside Germany and Austria
MUHL 377 (3) Baroque Opera
MUHL 387 (3) Opera from Mozart to Puccini
MUHL 388 (3) Opera After 1900
MUHL 390 (3) The German Lied
Master of Music (M.Mus.) Performance: Piano (Thesis)
MUPD 560 (1) Introduction to Research Methods in Music
Master of Music (M.Mus.) Performance: Opera and Voice (Thesis)
MUPD 560 (1) Introduction to Research Methods in Music
MUPG 210 (2) Italian Diction
MUPG 211 (2) French Diction
MUPG 212 (2) English Diction
MUPG 213 (2) German Diction
3 credits from the following:
MUHL 372 (3) Solo Song Outside Germany and Austria
MUHL 377 (3) Baroque Opera
MUHL 387 (3) Opera from Mozart to Puccini
MUHL 388 (3) Opera After 1900
MUHL 390 (3) The German Lied
Master of Music (M.Mus.) Performance: Organ and Church Music (Thesis)
MUPD 560 (1) Introduction to Research Methods in Music
MUPG 272D1/D2 (4) Continuo
Master of Music (M.Mus.) Performance: Conducting (Thesis)
MUPD 560 (1) Introduction to Research Methods in Music
MUSP 500D1/D2 (2) Keyboard for Professional Practice
Choral Conducting:
MUCO 261 (3) Orchestration 1
2 credits from the following:
MUPG 210 (2) Italian Diction
MUPG 211 (2) French Diction
MUPG 212 (2) English Diction
MUPG 213 (2) German Diction
Instrumental Conducting:
3 credits from the following:
MUCO 261 (3) Orchestration 1
MUCO 360 (3) Orchestration 2
Master of Music (M.Mus.) Performance: Jazz Performance (Thesis)
MUJZ 187 (3) Jazz History Survey
MUJZ 440D1/D2 (4) Advanced Jazz Composition
MUJZ 461D1/D2 (4) Advanced Jazz Arranging
MUJZ 493 (3) Jazz Performance Practice
Programs, Courses and University Regulations—2023-2024 (last updated Mar. 29, 2023) (disclaimer)
Schulich School of Music—2023-2024 (last updated Aug. 8, 2023) (disclaimer)
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