Courses
Music course descriptions
Read descriptions of all our course offerings in the .
Course timetable
The scheduling of Music courses can be seen by students, faculty and staff by navigating to and selecting "View Available Sections" for the courses you would like to view.
Music for non-majors
Are you interested in music but not enrolled in the Bachelor of Music program? There are plenty of ways to get involved in musical life at ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵ Allison!
Courses for non-majors
These courses are designed for non-majors:
Fundamentals of Music - MUSC 1001 (3cr, Winter)
This course is an introduction to fundamental concepts of music theory, including notation and technical terminology, as well as to listening, singing, and keyboard skills.
Introduction to Western Art Music History - MUSC 1201 (3cr, Fall)
This course introduces students to the history and literature of music in the Western World and provides an overview of the various styles, eras, and genres of Western Art Music. It considers and compares changing concepts, styles, forms, and media.
Introduction to Music, Culture, and Context - MUSC 1221 (3cr, Winter)
This course considers music's role in society and culture broadly through the comparison and consideration of musics from different locations and cultural contexts, including works of jazz, popular, Indigenous (resurgence), traditional, world, and art musics. The course aims to develop students' core research and critical thinking skills. It explores the theoretical frameworks of gender studies and decolonization, and their implications for music studies.
World Music - MUSC 2021 (3cr, Fall)
This course introduces different musical traditions from around the world and examines the innovative and eclectic mix that makes up world music today.
Introduction to Music in Canada - MUSC 3001 (3 cr, Fall)
This course surveys the historical and social contexts of music in Canada, including Canadian art music, Indigenous musics of Turtle Island, as well as vernacular, popular and other musics within Canada.
You may also receive permission to register for the following courses, depending on your background knowledge and experience in music. Contact the Department Head if interested.
Introduction to Music Theory - MUSC 1101 (3cr, Fall)
This course is an intensive review of the fundamentals of Western music in staff notation (rhythm and meter, scales and keys, intervals and chord qualities), coupled with an introduction to the field of music theory as a modern academic discipline.
Four-Part Writing - MUSC 1111 (3cr, Winter)
This course explores methods of four-part composition from eighteenth-century Europe. Topics include chorale harmonization, figured bass realization in keyboard style, and model composition in various textures.
Aural Skills and Musicianship I - MUSC 1703 (3cr, Fall AND Winter)
This course covers the practical aspects of music theory. It includes practice in aural musicianship skills, including sight-singing, interval recognition, dictation, improvisation, and keyboard skills.
Composition & Music Technology I & II - MUSC 2141/2151 (3cr, F/W)
Learn to compose and notate original musical ideas.
Jazz Improvisation - MUSC 3801 (3cr, Winter)
This course is a performance-based exploration of improvisation, the quintessential skill for jazz musicians. It deepens theoretical understanding of this genre including blues form and standard jazz progressions.
Jazz Studies - MUSC 3993 (3 cr, Fall and Winter)
This course introduces students to the world of jazz music and culture, tracing its development from its earliest roots in African-Amercian culture to the international fusion of today. The course includes topics such as jazz theory and history, analysis, and composition, as well as a lab for performers that will explore performance styles, improvisation, and composition.
Ensembles
We welcome non-BMus students to participate in ensembles, most of which earn one credit per year. Ensembles include:
- Choral Society (no audition required)
- Symphonic Band
- Chamber Orchestra
- Elliott Chorale (chamber choir)
- Jazz Ensemble
- New Music Ensemble
- Pep Band (no audition, no credit)
Concerts
Attend some of the many exciting concerts offered by the Department of Music each year. All concerts, including faculty and guest recitals, student recitals, masterclasses, ensemble concerts, collegia, and colloquia are FREE to current MtA students! See our Calendar of events page for more details.
ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵ Allison’s Performing Arts Series also offers deep discounts on student tickets and subscriptions
Programs
Bachelor of Music
The Bachelor of Music program includes four years of weekly private lessons on your chosen instrument or voice, combined with academic studies in music and non-music courses. This program allows you much freedom to put emphasis on performance, music education, composition, music history, or music theory.
The BMus degree is suitable for those who contemplate any professional career in music, including teaching, performance, musicology, music therapy, arts administration, recording, broadcasting, music librarianship, and music journalism. An audition is required.
- (Academic Calendar)
- BMus degree map
- Apply to the BMus program
Bachelor of Arts (major and honours in music)
Our BA programs balance music study with courses in other disciplines. The BA emphasizes the academic aspects of music and are designed for students who wish to combine their study of music with more non-music courses than are available in the BMus curriculum. Private lessons are not available in the BA major and honours programs.
Bachelor of Arts (minor in music)
The minor in music is a disciplinary minor taken by students pursuing a major or honours program in another degree, or as part of a program with three minors. It consists of a selection of core and elective music courses. A minor in music is available to students in Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Commerce, and Bachelor of Fine Arts programs. Private lessons are not available in the minor in music program.
Bachelor of Arts (joint major in Computer Science and Music)
The joint major allows students to combine their interests and abilities in both Computer Science and Music, focusing on the practical applications of technology and the production of creative outputs that use technology. Students will also develop important problem-solving skills as they apply their programming skills to audio-related issues. A critical component of this program is a capstone project jointly supervised by Music and Computer Science faculty. Students will create an artistic work that involves significant technology components (for example, using programming software, digital audio processing, or creating an interactive sound installation), or develop a computer program or application that involves significant music components.
We also welcome non-Music students to enroll in individual courses and to audition for our large ensembles.