Students perform during weekly masterclasses taught by faculty and distinguished international visitors. They receive private instruction, rotating among instructors according to their area of expertise. They perform in classes teaching major orchestral repertoire and music-making in large- and small-ensemble settings. Working with local, national, and international composers, students participate in four to six concerts annually in various Toronto venues. Small class sizes, a closely knit community, and ample opportunities for collaboration across years highlight the program. Brass students become creative, entrepreneurial performers who respect and understand the traditions of music while embracing future directions.
Why it stands out
Students join a community of exceptional, mutually supportive peers taught by accomplished faculty and distinguished guest performers. Weekly gatherings of students, faculty, and guest percussionists are essential to the program. U of T Percussion offers an exciting curriculum incorporating contemporary, orchestral, and world-music perspectives and traditions.
Who it's for
Students seeking careers as freelance performers, orchestral players, and/or private studio or institutional teachers are well suited for this degree. The program is ideal for curious, motivated, collaborative, and versatile students who are are passionate about music, demonstrate potential for musical growth, and are willing to take advantage of the many opportunities that are available to them.
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 options of exploring pedagogy, music from other traditions, conducting, performance skills, and classes that focus on the business aspects of music.
Paid professional work both on and off campus is facilitated through our Music Booking Office.
Opportunities after graduation
This program will train students to respond to the changing landscape in musical fields by preparing for a diverse set of career paths. Graduates typically pursue careers as solo, ensemble, or orchestral players. Some build careers as artist-teachers or as leaders in arts organizations in which a broad musical background is an asset.
Postgraduate opportunities
Students qualify to apply for admission to graduatepercussion performance programs. Students also pursue a wide range of other programs after graduation, depending on their interests. Graduates could apply to pursue further study within Music, or professional programs such as business, medicine and law.
My time at the University of Toronto was truly my most rewarding period as a percussionist. I was able to study percussion under the tutelage of two world renowned percussionists, Aiyun Huang and Beverley Johnston, as well as the current and former Principal Percussionists of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Charles Settle and John Rudolph. They have provided such great guidance and inspiration that have shaped me into the unique musician that I am now. As a member of the percussion ensemble, some of my top highlights include the recent Canadian Premiere of Andy Akiho's "Seven Pillars", the world premiere of Sandeep Bhagwati’s “Anti-Kairos” at the Montreal New Music Festival 2023, as well as performing one of my favourite pieces, Tōru Takemitsu's "Rain Tree", at one of the percussion ensemble concerts. Come join our amazing percussion studio, and be surrounded by some of the most talented and loving musicians you will ever meet!
– Kelsey Choi
Bachelor of Music 2024 - History, Culture & Theory (Percussion)
With a balance of friendly competition and inherent collaboration, studying at the Faculty of Music’s percussion department offered me the opportunity to take advantage of downtown Toronto’s bustling music scene, learn from world-class percussion pedagogues, and discover my unique voice as an emerging artist. Learning in an environment consisting of talented, motivated, and hard-working musicians allowed me to flourish, be curious, and express myself freely. At U of T Percussion, the learning doesn’t stop in private lessons — through performance and orchestral masterclasses, there are many opportunities to learn from observing and discoursing with upperclassmen/student peers.
– Britton-René Collins
Bachelor of Music in Performance 2021 - Percussion
Core courses focus on music history and culture, music theory, musical skills and keyboard harmony or skills. Students also receive individual instruction in their major performance medium and participate in major ensembles.
Students participate in the Instrumental Performance Classes, every year, which explores various approaches to performance and repertoire in instrument specific groupings. This is complemented with Applied lessons rotating among instructors according to their area of expertise , Major Ensembles, Chamber Music, and Orchestral Studies. Working with local, national, and international composers, students participate in four to six concerts annually in various Toronto venues.
Music & Breadth Electives
All programs require the completion of a specific number of Music Electives and Breadth Electives. A Music Elective is any Faculty of Music course (excluding Basic Music Courses) that is not required for a specific program. A Breadth Elective is a course offered by the Faculty of Arts & Science; however, up to one full credit of designated Music courses can be counted towards this requirement. Students have the opportunity to benefit from the diverse course offerings, that span different areas and traditions of music. Some examples include courses such as the the Business of Music, The 21st Century Creative Performer: An Interdisciplinary Inquiry to Performance and Performance Practice, Performance as a Freelance Artist in North America, Introduction to Computer Applications in Music to Introduction to Music in Healthcare! Percussion students also have the option of completing their electives exploring ensembles from other traditions; for example, West African Drumming & Dancing, Japanese Taiko Drumming, Brazilian Music Ensemble, and Steel Pan Ensemble.
Options within the Degree
Music: Certificates are offered in conjunction with a degree. Currently there are Certificates offered in Health Applications in Music, Music Technology, Popular Music Studies and Ethnomusicology, and Piano Pedagogy.
Currently there are Minor programs offered in History and Culture, Composition, and Historical Keyboard. (The Minor in Composition is not available to students in the Bachelor of Music in Composition.)
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 that sparks their interest.
