Music teaching and learning are key to the life of a culturally vibrant society. Our richly diverse program develops research, pedagogical, educational, and professional mentorship practices and skills. It focuses resolutely on social justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion. Graduates emerge with the skillset, knowledge, and ambition to give music significant resonance in the lives of individuals, communities, and collectives.
Gain a Broader Perspective
Goals
At U of T Music Education, we emphasize knowledge creation skills through music making, teaching and learning. Our intellectually comprehensive approach educates the whole person. It prepares students for music leadership roles in diverse teaching and learning circumstances. With instruction incorporating philosophical, educational, political, sociological, and psychological perspectives, we develop critically aware, community-oriented teachers equipped to think creatively about the education of a changing musical society.
Options
Learning occurs in small classes, balancing practical and theoretical enquiry. Students are provided considerable scope to personalize their studies and create their own path. They may choose to specialize in an area such as choral music, instrumental music, secondary music education, or a diversity of musical practices. They may also pursue out-of-school opportunities such as creating a community choir or teaching in a community music school.
The University of Toronto was the first to offer a post-secondary music education program in Canada, and has been a leader in music education for over 75 years. Many of our students come to us having been inspired by the teaching of previous graduates of this study area. Today, our offering stands apart for its focus on the place of music education in society. Themes of equity, social justice and truth and reconciliation run through our programming.
Career Options
This program prepares thoughtful, musically sensitive, passionate, and technically skilled music educators. Our graduates engage in music teaching and learning at all levels and in many contexts. They currently teach in settings from preschools to universities and in various community organizations. Some have pursued graduate work in music; others have chosen to combine careers as artist-teachers or have gone into related fields in the arts. Their broad musical background has been an asset. Students wishing to teach within the school system must complete a Bachelor of Education degree at a Faculty of Education.
Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE)
Programming Depth and Breadth
The Music Education program provides both breadth and depth. It allows students to focus on one or more areas of specialization: for example, elementary music, instrumental music, global music, or music and social change. It also encourages them to explore the richly comprehensive musical experiences offered. Ultimately, students acquire a firm foundation in music skills and understandings while engaging contemporary issues and trends in music education locally, nationally, and internationally.
Collaborators
Affiliations forged with sister institutions support the breadth of our teaching. Our collaborations include relationships with the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE), the Women & Gender Studies Institute, the Bonham Centre for Sexual Diversity Studies, the Jackman Humanities Institute, Elahé Omidyar Mir-Djalali Institute of Iranian Studies, Emmanuel College, and UTSC Department of Arts, Culture, and Media.
Degrees
Music Education offers an undergraduate degree (BMus) for students in the Classical and Jazz streams. Students with our BMus degree have opportunities for acquiring graduate degrees (MA and PhD). In conjunction with OISE, Music Education also offers a dual degree combining a Bachelor of Music with a Master of Teaching.
Navigate a Big City Network
Connections
With our links to national and international music education organizations, we place students at the centre of music education activism, policy, and community partnerships. Students have opportunities to connect with national organizations such as MusiCounts, the Coalition for Music Education in Canada, and the Ontario Music Educators’ Association (OMEA).
Internationally focused organizations with which we have relationships include the International Society of Music Education (ISME), International Society for Sociology of Music Education (ISSME), Mayday Group, International Symposium of Philosophy of Music Education (ISPME), and Research in Music Education (RIME).
Opportunities
Studying music education at the University of Toronto means accessing a great music city’s extraordinary network of teaching and learning opportunities. These include field teaching in venues such as community music schools, youth centres and hospices. They also include experiencing and making music that reflects the culture of a remarkably diverse city.
Our Music Booking Office facilitates paid professional work for students both on and off campus.
Richard Marsella, Music Education graduate and Executive Director, Community Music Schools of Toronto
Upcoming Events
JanJanuary
16
Ethnomusicology, Music Education, Music Theory, Musicology
Dr. Sommer Helweh Forrester will join the Faculty of Music as of July 1, 2025 as a tenured Associate Professor of Music Education.
As a student at U of T, you get access the the unparalleled resources and opportunities of the largest university and city in Canada. At the same time, you get the atmosphere and support of a close-knit family in the Faculty of Music, where the Faculty and staff know you by name and a friend is always nearby. My professors have been an unwavering source of positivity, inspiration, and encouragement. We are so lucky to have such caring professors. U of T Music is the best of both worlds.
– Sophia Wang
Bachelor of Music 2018 - Music Education (Flute)
Have a question?
Contact our Music Education Coordinator for more information about our Music Education area and programs.
