Join a closely knit community of voice students pursuing a professional career in music. The Bachelor of Music in Performance in voice studies at the University of Toronto provides performance-based training of noteworthy breadth and depth. Small class sizes, a closely knit community, and ample opportunities for collaboration across years highlight the program. Strings students become creative, entrepreneurial performers who respect and understand the traditions of music while embracing future directions.
Why it stands out
One of North America’s strongest and most comprehensive undergraduate piano programs, the Bachelor of Music in Performance is delivered by an exceptional cohort of faculty and guest lecturers. Instructors are performers of national and international reputation able to share their professional experience with students in individual lessons. Students are able to excel in solo performance, instrumental chamber music, vocal collaboration and building a solid foundation of technical and musical skills. Pianists in the graduate programs can select to specialize in solo performance, performance and pedagogy, or collaborative performance.
Who it's for
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
Undergraduate receive weekly group classes where students perform for their peers and receive coaching from faculty members and guest instructors. In a range of courses, pianists acquire skills to teach, perform as soloists, or collaborate with singers or other instrumentalists.
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 pursue careers in solo performance, performance and pedagogy, or collaborative performance. Some build careers as artist-teachers or as leaders in arts organizations in which a broad musical background is an asset.
Postgraduate opportunities
Students interested in furthering their performance practices have options for pursuing advanced studies. 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 U of T Music gave me the opportunity to listen to, learn from, and create music with exceptionally talented, dedicated, and kind people. I’m thankful to have found such a lively, welcoming environment here of creative and intellectual activity that allowed me to explore my curiosities and broaden my perspective of music in all its variety, as well as a greatly supportive community of teachers and colleagues. They inspired me constantly to deeply consider and develop my craft as a musician, and to grow as a person.
– Sunny Zhai
Bachelor of Music in Performance 2023 - Piano
U of T Music made it possible for me to do all that I set out to do in undergrad which included majoring in Piano Performance, minoring in Composition, and focusing my electives on the intersection of music and neuroscience. I’m grateful to have had equally rich and transformative experiences in each of these fields over the course of my degree. U of T Music has such supportive, encouraging, and high calibre professors that have been instrumental in my journey. The faculty also has a strong and vibrant community, and I'm excited to continue being part of it as I begin my masters in Applied Music and Health this fall.
– Allyson Whitmell
Bachelor of Music in Performance 2023 - Piano Master of Music in Applied Music and Health 2026
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. This is complemented with Applied lessons, Departmental Literature, Teaching Methods and Collaborative work with instrumentalists and singers.
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 Japanese Taiko Drumming!
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.
I have always seen the Faculty of Music as a place where the uncomfortable becomes a little less daunting and where uncertainty is embraced. The collaborative and close-knit community here has encouraged me to step out of my comfort zone and view challenges not as something to be fixed, but as opportunities to listen and understand different viewpoints. Whether you want to become a better musician, researcher, or educator, there is truly no better place to cultivate your skills than here at U of T.
– Futian Yao
Bachelor of Music in Performance 2021 - Piano Master of Music in Performance 2023 - Piano
