Bachelor of Music History, Culture & Theory

Overview

What to expect

Explore music from historical, cultural, and theoretical perspectives in this four-year undergraduate, research-focused degree closely aligned with Musicology, Ethnomusicology, and Music Theory. Students study with mutually supportive peers in small classes taught by distinguished scholars. Students emerge with advanced skills in research, presenting, and writing.


Why it stands out

This program is offered by an internationally recognized research university committed to supporting undergraduate research. Students have frequent opportunities to interact with faculty members who are active contributors to leading conferences and publications in musicology, ethnomusicology, and music theory. Students access a large and diverse pool of academic courses in a musically and intellectually stimulating environment supported by the resources of a library that is the largest in Canada and third-largest in North America.


Who it’s for

Intellectually curious students deeply interested in the meaning and structure of music, its social role, and its relationship with contemporary cultural concerns are ideal candidates for this degree.

Outcomes

Opportunities for study

Out-of-classroom learning opportunities include participating in colloquia, student-driven roundtables, workshops, and an annual Music Research Festival. Choosing among three different degree paths, students graduate as History, Culture & Theory Generalists, History & Culture Specialists, or Theory Specialists.


Opportunities after graduation

The program equips students with the skills and capabilities to pursue careers in academic teaching and research, arts administration, libraries and archives, communication and media, and writing.


Postgraduate opportunities 

Graduates qualify to apply for admission to graduate programs in musicology, ethnomusicology, or music theory. They also qualify to apply for entry into professional programs in business, medicine, and law. 

Yuchen Zhang plays piano in one of the Faculty of Music's classrooms/practice rooms (with a view of the U of T campus and Toronto cityscape outside of the window behind her).
One of the standout aspects of the History, Culture & Theory program at the Faculty of Music was the variety of courses. I was able to engage in in-depth discussions with my professors and peers because of the small class size. Through this, I explored different interests and eventually found my unique academic path. Presenting my research at the Undergraduate Research Showcase hosted by the Music Library was such a memorable experience for me. Sharing my findings with an audience was incredibly rewarding, and I felt so supported by the encouragement of our community. The flexibility to shape my academic path, along with a super supportive faculty, have been truly invaluable in my journey, both academically and personally.
– Yuchen Zhang

Bachelor of Music 2024 - History, Culture & Theory (Piano)

Curriculum

Bachelor of Music

20
Total Credits over 4 years
  • Core courses
  • Specialization courses
  • Music electives
  • Breadth electives

Core Courses

Core courses address music history and culture, music theory, music reading and listening, and keyboard skills. Students also receive individual instruction in their major performance medium and practical training in ensemble performance. 

See Classical Core Curriculum for more information.

Specialization Courses

Students pursuing the History & Culture Specialist Option must choose electives totaling at least three full credits from a list of Music History courses. Those pursuing the Theory Specialist Option must choose electives totaling at least three full credits from a list of Music Theory courses.

Music & Breadth Electives

Electives totalling 9.33 of the 20 credits required for the degree add flexibility to the program. Students choose music electives totalling 3.33 credits, a language-other-than-English elective totalling one full credit, and breadth electives totalling five credits. Of these breadth electives, electives totalling at least three credits must be chosen from the Faculty of Arts & Science.

Eric Yang poses for a photo in the U of T Music Library.

The History, Culture, and Theory program at the Faculty of Music is the flagship academic music program in Canada. The defining feature is two-fold: the quality of the core undergraduate courses and the large variety of upper year academic courses. Budding academics can rejoice in receiving a solid foundation in musicology, ethnomusicology, and theory while also having the chance to explore the plentiful subfields of upper year academic music. In addition to the courses, there are so many opportunities for undergraduates to present their research from an annual music poster showcase to the hundreds of UofT-wide research programs. 

– Eric Yang

Bachelor of Music 2025 - History, Culture & Theory (Voice)

The admission requirements include two components:

  • academic admission requirements
  • theory admission requirements

The application process is the same for all Classical undergraduate programs:

  • review the application deadlines and save them to your calendar
  • follow the steps outlined on Apply to Degree Programs
  • prepare for your audition

Book a tour

We bring together the brightest researchers, educators, creators and performers. We welcome you to join us. 

A Student Ambassador tour guide holds a Tour sign, and poses for a picture with a U of T Music staff member.