Small class sizes, a closely knit community, and ample opportunities for collaboration across years highlight the program. Accordion students become creative, entrepreneurial performers who respect and understand the traditions of music while embracing future directions.
Why it stands out
Students receive individualized attention from internationally renowned faculty with wide experience as educators, performers, entrepreneurs, and researchers. The program provides multiple performance experiences in solo, chamber, and ensemble settings on and off campus.
Who it's for
Thoughtful, creative musicians with a clearly defined talent in accordion performance and a potential for future musical growth are the ideal participants in this undergraduate degree.
Outcomes
Opportunities for study
Students engage in private applied learning, participate in masterclasses by resident and guest teachers, and benefit from a wide choice of performance electives. They acquire a thorough understanding of performance styles and literature. They have additional options for exploring pedagogy, languages, world music, conducting, performance skills, and the business of music.
Paid professional work both on and off campus is facilitated through our Music Booking Office.
Opportunities after graduation
The Bachelor of Music in Performance equips students with the strategies and competencies for professional success. Over 80% of graduates spend most of their careers working in music.
Postgraduate opportunities
Students interested in furthering their performance practices have options for pursuing advanced studies. The Music Faculty offers a Master of Music in Performance and a Doctor of Musical Arts.
Studying accordion at the University of Toronto with Professor Macerollo changed my life, and he opened doors for me to a multifaceted professional career in performance. Prof. Macerollo’s rigorous intellectual and artistic training transformed me from a ‘folk accordionist interested in classical music’ to a multifaceted artist experienced in baroque, contemporary, improvised, and avant-garde music of many types. In the rich U of T musical environment, I was welcomed by faculty, composers, students, and myriad ensembles who wanted to collaborate—performing over 50 premieres written by up-and-coming student composers during my degrees. My professional career as a performer was also launched during this time, and the musical toolkit from my studies continues to serve me on some of North America’s largest stages—from The Metropolitan Opera, to symphonies across this continent, to my touring groups, Bridge & Wolak and Ladom Ensemble.
– Michael Bridge
Bachelor of Music in Performance 2015 - Accordion Master of Music in Performance 2017 - Accordion Doctor of Musical Arts 2023 - Accordion Performance
Courses providing individual instruction in the student’s primary performance medium are central to the degree. These are supplemented by studies in ensemble music, music theory, and music history, among other subjects.
Students are encouraged to broaden their knowledge by selecting music and breadth electives amounting to 8 of the 20 full credits required for the degree. Three electives (totaling three full credits) must be selected from the offerings of the Arts and Science Faculty.
