OVERVIEW
Music
We invite you to share your music, find your vision, and build the future by studying in the Department of Music’s dynamic, inclusive program.
Since the 1970s Music at York has led in innovative post-secondary music studies, being the first in Canada to offer integrated studies in jazz, contemporary improvisation, gospel music, world music performance and ethnomusicology.
The program continues that tradition of innovation, combining a flexible program with individual attention. Courses in jazz, gospel, western classical, world, and contemporary music develop music skills and engage students in music creation (performance, composition, improvisation), studies (ethnomusicology, musicology, popular music studies), and community practice (education, community music, career-related placements).
While maintaining flexibility, we offer students pathways to specialize in Jazz and Gospel Music, Western Classical Music, World Music and Ethnomusicology, Black Music Studies, Contemporary Improvisation, Composition, Digital and Electronic Music, Music Education and Community Music, and Studies in Music Culture.
HIGHLIGHTS
Top 6 reasons to apply
The flexibility to choose courses from different areas or to focus and specialize
Diversity of music traditions and styles from classical, jazz, popular, and traditional musics
Opportunities to perform, participate in workshops, and benefit from community and industry placements
Classmates who are talented, invested in learning, and contribute to a shared community
Faculty who are dedicated performers, composers and scholars who give students individual attention
World-class, state-of-the art facilities for performance, rehearsal, recording and composing
YEAR BY YEAR OVERVIEW
Learning Outcomes
Share your MUSIC, find your VISION, build the FUTURE
Years 1 and 2
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Build a solid foundation & explore:
- Develop essential concepts and practical skills in musicianship, music theory, and performance.
- Expand your awareness of musical cultures of the world.
- Explore new areas of study.
- Gain an understanding of the social, cultural, and historical contexts of music.
Years 3 and 4
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Differentiate, consolidate, & apply:
- Deepen your expertise to apply techniques, skills, and knowledge to performances and research.
- Specialize in your chosen area or continue to explore options.
- Connect and integrate your skills with others in creative projects and critical studies.
- Apply your skills through performance, community connections, and placements.
Year One
OVERVIEW
Incoming students share a common curriculum in the first two years, when they take courses across the various areas of Music. All first-year Music students enter the BFA program. After first year, students who interests centre on music studies (music history, criticism and scholarly research) may choose to move to the Honours BA program.
In their first two years in the Music program, all Music majors and Music minors share a core curriculum of 4 courses (24 credits). These courses are not open to non-majors/non-minors.
MUSI 1000 Workshop in Musicianship I and MUSI 2000 Workshop in Musicianship II Through two years of intensive study, these courses develop musical sensitivity, imagination, and practical skills through group and individual exercises in singing, composing, playing, listening, and critical analysis focused on the elements of music and harmonic training.
MUSI 1200 Musics and Cultures I and MUSI 2200 Musics and Cultures II These two courses introduce specific styles and repertoires of world musics within historical and socio-cultural contexts to understand how music is tied to racial, class, and gendered identities, socio-economic structures, and political systems. By understanding music within a broader set of meanings, students also explore community connections.
In addition to these foundation courses, students select courses from other areas of the program. This makes it possible to specialize as early as first year, or explore.
OPPORTUNITIES
Create your own pathway or specialize
The Undergraduate Curriculum offers flexibility: as a student in the program, you may choose from any number of courses and areas of interest through four years. In addition, you may choose courses to develop an area of specialization. This offers you a way through the program based on your interests and personal career goals. You will choose elective courses in first-year.
OVERVIEW
The Department of Music at York University was the first music program in Canada to include jazz as an integral part of its curriculum. A full range of courses, including private lessons, jazz theory and musicianship, small ensembles, jazz orchestra, and jazz history are offered each year. York University was also the first music program in Canada to include Gospel music, and today students can join the gospel choir as well as study gospel history and performance practice. Related courses include a rhythm and blues ensemble.
Sample Program Pathway
OVERVIEW
Western classical music has been central to the Department of Music since the beginning. Students may choose from a variety of courses in classical performance, including private lessons, large ensembles, small ensembles, choral singing and solo performance. Early music continues to thrive at York with opportunities for students interested in harpsichord, Baroque and early music. A full suite of courses supports those students interested in a specific concentration such as classical voice, piano or other instruments, with associated learning opportunities.
Sample Program Pathway
OVERVIEW
The Department of Music at York has offered world music study and performance as an essential part of its curriculum from its earliest days. Today, we offer our Music majors and minors the opportunity to experience other music cultures through performance in ensembles, private lessons, and related studies courses. As a reflection of our broader environment, this area is directly relevant to community music and music education.
Sample Program Pathway
OVERVIEW
The Department of Music has valued improvisation as contributing to the musical flexibility required for success in performance. Studies in contemporary improvisation, through private instruction, class engagement, and ensemble performance, guide students in developing the musical versatility required to flourish in today’s evolving creative environment. The courses listed below complement studies in other areas of performance.
Sample Program Pathway
OVERVIEW
The Department of Music addresses the expanding area of music composition by offering courses in both traditional compositional practices and digital and electronic media as early as first year. Students may then continue in traditional composition or focus on composing for films, games, and motion media. Specialized studios and labs are available to students studying composing for screens.
Sample Program Pathway
OVERVIEW
From its earlier digital music labs, the Department of Music has expanded this area to address increasing interest in digital audio workstations, digital composition, and hybrid performance that includes both acoustic and computer-based instruments in real and virtual contexts. This area intersects with composition and contemporary improvisation, and with the Department of Computational Arts in AMPD.
Sample Program Pathway
OVERVIEW
The Department’s commitment to diversity is demonstrated in its courses devoted to Pan-African traditions. These offer both performance-based opportunities and focused studies that reflect the range of Pan-African musical experience that is found around the world and contributes to local music communities. As an African-American music, jazz-related courses also contribute to this pathway.
Possible Program Pathway
OVERVIEW
A broad array of courses allows students to specialize in the critical and cultural study of music. Students may select from these courses to complement their primary area of study in the BFA, or move to a four-year Honours BA to engage more intensively with music studies, for example, musicology, ethnomusicology, popular music studies and music writing. These courses offer students the opportunity to focus on different repertoires, styles, historical periods, and areas of the world to explore issues related to the critical analysis of music and to gain a deeper understanding of music within its broader socio-political and cultural contexts.
Sample Courses
OVERVIEW
The Department of Music distinguishes itself in providing students with practical experience relevant to teaching in today’s classroom. It offers a full range of courses that prepare students for a career in music education and the expanding opportunities in community music. Instructors with practical experience in the Ontario classroom address issues and methodologies required for teaching music and facilitate placements in classrooms. These studies complement those offered at York through both the unique Concurrent Education program and popular Consecutive Education program in the Faculty of Education (see below).
Sample Program Pathway
ENDLESS POSSIBILITIES
Two degrees in one
OVERVIEW
The Concurrent Bachelor of Education (BEd) program allows you to work toward an education degree while completing your Music undergraduate degree at the same time as early as first year.
Students are admitted on the basis of academic achievement, oral communication abilities, experience and personal characteristics relevant to the teaching profession. The BEd degree is awarded only in conjunction with an academic degree as described above.
Careers in music can span live performance, entertainment, screen-based media, gaming and technology, education and community work.
- Accompanist
- Acoustician
- Adjudicator
- Arranger
- Artist manager
- Audio editor
- Audio producer
- Band leader
- Community arts administrator
- Community arts advocate
- Composer
- Composer
- Concert promoter
- Concertizing musician
- Conductor
- DJ
- Instrument builder
- Instrument collection curator
- Instrument restorer
- Music critic
- Music director
- Music librarian
- Music presenter and curator
- Music publisher
- Music teacher
- Music therapist
- Musicologist
- Piano tuner
- Recording engineer
- Song writer
- Sound designer
- Vocal coach
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