Classical Core Curriculum
Overview
The Faculty of Music offers two undergraduate degrees: the Bachelor of Music (Mus.Bac.) and the Bachelor of Music in Performance (Mus.Bac.Perf.); both require the completion of 20.0 credits.
Students admitted to the Bachelor of Music in Performance (Classical) begin their specialization in first year. Those admitted into the Bachelor of Music into Composition, Interdisciplinary Music Studies and Music Education begin their specialization in Year 1. All other other Bachelor of Music students enter an Exploratory Year (previously Common Year) during which they embark on their core requirements and explore options to help determine their specialization for the following academic year. Students intending to pursue Composition, Interdisciplinary Music Studies, or Music Education also have the option of beginning their specialization in Year 2, after completing the Exploratory Year.
Specializations:
- Composition
- History, Culture & Theory
- Interdisciplinary Music Studies
- Music Education
Core courses
All music students complete a set of core requirements comprised of courses drawn from history, theory, and performance. This core curriculum constitutes a prescribed educational foundation that all students will have in common.
The History & Culture core introduces the concept of music from global as well as Western art music perspectives. Introduction to Music & Society (HMU111H1) locates music as a social phenomenon and explores its contexts and meanings throughout the world. The two Historical Survey courses (HMU126H1 and HMU225H1) trace the evolution of Western music from the Medieval period to the present: examples representing various repertoires and styles are given, but the emphasis in these courses is placed just as much on the research techniques and critical writing skills needed to explore the repertoire as a whole and communicate ideas about it effectively. Lastly, students must choose one HMU elective of their choice to complete this portion of the core requirement.
The Theory core comprises a sequence of courses that develop students’ understanding of melody, rhythm, harmony, and form through analysis and the development of aural skills. Courses chart the language of the Common Practice Period and trace its evolution: from simple diatonic harmony through chromatic harmony and on to twentieth-century works displaying atonality and serialism.
The Performance core requires participation in major vocal or instrumental ensembles and individual vocal or instrumental instruction. While the performance core varies between programs, the underlying philosophy is to enhance the growth of the student both musically and technically with extensive exposure to both solo and ensemble repertoire.
Detailed information about this core is available on the academic calendar
Program specific courses
Each program requires the completion of specific program requirements. These courses are intended to provide depth in the chosen area of study. The requirements for each specialization are indicated within the Academic Calendar (by program). It is recommended that students enroll in the appropriate courses indicated in the chart corresponding to their program and year of study. While a certain degree of flexibility is possible, students are encouraged to plan their proposed course loads in advance, in order to ensure successful completion of the program in the prescribed number of years.
Music electives
Each program requires the completion of a specific number of Music electives. These are Music courses (excluding Basic Music courses) that are not required for your specialization. Music electives can provide further depth, or breadth within your area of study.
Students have the option of working towards a Certificate(s), in conjunction with the degree. Certificates are a sequence of Music courses within specific areas outside of existing Music Programs and Specializations. Currently there are Certificates offered in:
- Health Applications in Music
- Music Technology
- Popular Music Studies and Ethnomusicology
- Popular Music Studies and Ethnomusicology with Ensembles
- Piano Pedagogy
The course requirements for each of the Certificates are listed on the "Certificates" section of the Academic Calendar. Courses completed as part of the Music Elective requirement can be counted towards Certificate requirements. In some cases, additional courses beyond the Music Elective requirement must be fulfilled to complete Certificate requirements.
Students also have the option of working towards a minor within Music; currently there are Minors offered in:
- History and Culture
- Composition (Classical)
- Historical Keyboard
The course requirements for each of these programs are listed below the table in the corresponding to the specialization in that area. Students are not required to complete a Minor towards their degree. However, for those interested in taking advantage of this option, the Minor will substitute for the Music Electives required for their program.
Breadth electives
Every Music student is required to take electives outside the Faculty of Music, thus satisfying the breadth requirements of the degree. A vast selection of courses is offered by the Faculty of Arts & Science. In many cases, Arts & Science courses complement and strengthen a student’s chosen Music specialization.
A minimum of 4.0 credits in Breadth Electives must be completed, with the exception of the History, Culture & Theory specialization that requires 5.0 credits and the Interdisciplinary Music Studies program that permits up to 8.0 credits. Within the Breadth Electives, a required minimum of 3.0 credits must be from courses in the Faculty of Arts & Science, with the exception of the specialization in History, Culture & Theory, which requires at least 4.0 credits.
Students are free to choose from any of the courses offered by the Faculty of Arts & Science, that sparks their interest, provided prerequisites and corequisites are met. Additionally, students are able to use these breadth electives towards completing a Minor or Major in a given discipline within the Faculty of Arts & Science.
For those interested in taking additional Music courses, 1.0 credit of the Breadth Electives may be from a prescribed list of academic Music courses listed within the program specific chart in the Music Academic Calendar.
Genre & style requirement
The Faculty of Music offers a number of courses that explore repertoire from other traditions, and the intersection of Music with other socio-cultural factors and constructs. In order to ensure that students are exposed to a wide variety of perspectives and Music, students are required to complete a 0.5 credit Genre/Style requirement as part of their 20-credit requirement. This can be completed through an academic course, focusing on repertoire outside of the Classical/Jazz idioms, or through enrolment in an ensemble that focuses on Music from other traditions.
Genre/Style Electives are from a prescribed list of Music courses listed within the program specific chart in the Music Academic Calendar.