Bachelor of Music Interdisciplinary Music Studies (Classical)
Overview
What to expect
This four-year degree program features a solid, multi-disciplinary core of required music courses while also offering students the freedom to design part of their studies around individual interests, whether these span multiple fields within music or include other disciplines. IMS students emerge as independent thinkers, strong musicians, and informed professionals ready to take on the world.
Why it stands out
Breadth, flexibility, and autonomy set this program apart. IMS gives students exceptional freedom to enrich their understanding of music through studies in a wide choice of subjects. In the third and fourth years of the program, students have the option to explore electives of their choice. These courses can be selected in one or more areas within music or include areas of study in the Faculty of Arts & Science. Within the minimum 20 full credits required for graduation, up to eight credits may be Arts & Science courses.
Who it’s for
This program appeals to intellectually flexible, curious, imaginative students with wide-ranging interests. Ideal candidates are those who seek a creative, self-directed interdisciplinary approach to studying music, or who seek to combine music studies with intensive studies in one or more other areas. The supportive, welcoming IMS student community consists of motivated, collaborative individuals who are each unique and different, yet joined by a shared passion for music, creativity, and professional growth.
Outcomes
Opportunities for study
Entrants join a diverse cohort of peers taught and mentored by distinguished faculty with wide-ranging expertise. They choose electives from a large pool of Music and Arts & Sciences courses and have access to the largest Canadian and third-largest North American academic library. Opportunities to create, innovate, and share work exist throughout the program, including at events such as the Faculty of Music’s annual Student Research Showcase.
Opportunities after graduation
This program equips students with the agility to respond to a continually changing professional landscape by developing the combined skills of creativity, focus, flexibility, and discipline that are highly prized by employers in any profession. The combination of a core music program emphasizing disciplinary breadth and flexibility, strong research and writing skills, along with creative self-awareness and individuation opens up a wide range of careers, professional programs, and graduate study options. In music, such areas can include performance, scholarly research, composition, education, community work, arts administration and management, music journalism, entertainment law, music and health, and technology, to name a few.
Postgraduate opportunities
Given the flexibility of the Bachelor of Music in Interdisciplinary Music Studies, students can pursue a wide range of programs after graduation depending on the courses they have taken. Course-based, faculty, and peer mentorship is built into the programme from the first year to the last. Graduates can apply to pursue further study within Music, or professional programs such as business, medicine and law.
Being at U of T allowed me to explore everything that I was interested in. As a student who loves to compose, conduct, and perform, the remarkable amount of courses offered means there's something for everyone, no matter your specialty. U of T's student body is really tight knit. Having a small and close student population, U of T Music allows you to meet people in a variety of different streams and years; some of my closest friends I met through ensembles and student groups, and you get to know everyone in your year pretty quickly. My professors introduced me to many opportunities I wouldn't have even heard of if it wasn't for them, and I think that's one of the best things that U of T has to offer.
– Griffin Hook
Bachelor of Music 2024 - Comprehensive Studies (Trumpet)
During my undergrad in the Comprehensive program at U of T Music, not only did I get to have private lessons with world-class musicians, I found out there was so much more to music than just performing or teaching. The options for classes were endless, so I tried them all: other instruments, languages, taiko drumming, video game and film scoring, music and health, business in music, coding in Python, and earning a minor in psychology. This led me to pursue an M.Mus. in Music Technology & Digital Media, and while working as a recording technologist at U of T and around the city, I'm able to communicate effectively to bridge the gap between classical musicians and technologists. I never expected to be on the path I am on today, but with the same support of fellow students, faculty, and staff I received, who knows where you'll end up too.
– Ricci Ebron
Bachelor of Music 2020 - Comprehensive Studies (Flute) Master of Music 2022 - Music Technology & Digital Media
Core courses are geared to develop mastery in music history and culture, music theory, and foundational musical skills. Students also receive individual instruction on their primary performance instrument and participate in major ensembles.
Students complete Building the Creative Path in Year 1. This practical, activity-based course explores some key qualities, insights, and skills required to build a career in a creative discipline. Students will learn how to develop ambitious, flexible, and realistic professional goals that align with their interests, and how to identify and connect to the people and opportunities most likely to support them. Creative Identities in Music I is required in Year 2, where students explore how different life experiences shape creative expression differently. Students develop tangible artefacts throughout this course which represent their most authentic and unique voices.
Music & Breadth Electives
Interdisciplinary Music Studies requires the completion of a specific number of electives in three categories: Music Electives, Free Electives and Breadth Electives. A Music Elective is any Faculty of Music course (excluding any Basic Music Course) that is not required for the program. A Breadth Elective is a course offered by the Faculty of Arts & Science (up to one full credit of designated Music courses can be counted towards this requirement). Free Electives can be any combination of Music and/or Arts & Science electives.
Options within the Degree
Music: IMS students can take courses outside of core music programming that lead to Certificates granted in conjunction with their degree. Currently these Certificates are offered in Health Applications in Music, Music Technology, Popular Music Studies and Ethnomusicology, and Piano Pedagogy. There are also Minor programs offered in History and Culture, Composition, and Historical Keyboard.
Arts & Science: Within the Breadth Electives, students have the option of completing requirements towards a Minor or a Major from the Faculty of Arts & Science in a discipline they are interested in. For further details on any of the above options, please refer to the Classical Core Curriculum
As a recent graduate of the University of Toronto Faculty of Music, I can confidently say that the diverse and high-quality courses offered are unparalleled. The curriculum is meticulously designed to cater to a broad spectrum of musical interests and career paths. Whether you are drawn to performance, composition, music technology, or music education, the array of specialized courses ensures that every student receives a well-rounded and comprehensive education. In addition to being a piano major, I also loved and highly valued having the opportunity to continue to play my secondary instrument (trombone) throughout my undergraduate studies. I am excited to pursue a career in music and am grateful to the Faculty of Music for giving me the confidence and tools needed.
– Claudia Rando
Bachelor of Music 2023 - Comprehensive Studies (Piano)
It is not a matter of the simplicity or complexity in Art, but rather its emotional integrity that drives oneself to a connective state of mind. The Faculty of Music throughout my years of study was filled with much support, guidance, and admiration for its Faculty, staff, and the musical community. As a developing Composer/Theorist, I not only learned the fundamentals of Western Harmony and music-making, but also had the opportunity to explore musical styles outside of that terrain. It is truly a testament to Toronto's shaping diversity for studying music.
– Rahul Tekaram
Bachelor of Music 2024 - Comprehensive Studies (Piano)
It is not a matter of the simplicity or complexity in Art, but rather its emotional integrity that drives oneself to a connective state of mind. The Faculty of Music throughout my years of study was filled with much support, guidance, and admiration for its Faculty, staff, and the musical community. As a developing Composer/Theorist, I not only learned the fundamentals of Western Harmony and music-making, but also had the opportunity to explore musical styles outside of that terrain. It is truly a testament to Toronto's shaping diversity for studying music.– Rahul Tekaram
