Bachelor of Music

General Information

The Department of Music offers various programs leading to the degree of Bachelor of Music. Three routes are available: General, Composition and Sonic Arts, and Performance. The General Route allows students to take various options, the Composition and Sonic Arts Route allows students to specialize in composition, and the Performance Route allows students to specialize in performance.

Admission Requirements:

• General Undergraduate Admission Requirements  

Route-Specific Admission Requirements:

• Bachelor of Music (General)  
• Bachelor of Music (Performance) and Bachelor of Music (Composition and Sonic Arts)  

Students entering the BMus program who are not electing a keyboard instrument as a first practical subject will be asked to take a keyboard proficiency examination covering basic technical materials and sight-reading [approximately Grade 4 Conservatory Canada (previously Western Board)]. The requirement may be waived upon presentation of a Grade 6 Conservatory Canada certificate, or equivalent, earned within three years prior to entering the program. Students who choose not to take the examination or are unable to pass the examination can satisfy this requirement by successfully completing MUSIC 129 in the first year. The keyboard proficiency requirement must be met by the beginning of the second year in the program.

Students who do not pass a theory placement exam may be required to complete MUSIC 100  (extra to the Degree) before enrolling in MUSIC 155 .

Regulations

• General University Policies  
• Faculty Regulations  

Courses

• A maximum of 57 units at the junior level is permitted in the BMus program
• Up to 9 units in ensemble (small and/or large) will be permitted in each of the second, third, and fourth years of the program.
• MUSIC 440 , MUSIC 441  may be taken twice per year up to a maximum of six completions over the degree program (a total of 18 credits).
• MUSIC 443 , MUSIC 444 , MUSIC 448 , MUSIC 449 , MUSIC 492 , MUSIC 493  may be repeated. A maximum of three completions of each course is permitted (a total of 9 credits).
• MUSIC 439 , MUSIC 442 , MUSIC 446 , MUSIC 447  may be repeated. A maximum of four completions is permitted (a total of 12 credits).

Options

• The following course has been approved as a Music option: CATS 381 .
• The following courses have been approved as specified non-arts options: DAC 160 , DAC 165, PAC 355 , DANCE 340 , DANCE 345 , DANCE 350 , DANCE 446 . All options require Departmental approval.

Program Requirements for Bachelor of Music

• General Route
    
• Performance Route - Organ
   
• Performance Route - Piano
    
• Performance Route - Strings and Harp
    
• Performance Route - Guitar
    
• Performance Route - Voice
    
• Performance Route - Wind and Percussion
    
• Composition and Sonic Arts Route
    

Promotion: All Routes

1. To be eligible to continue, students will normally need a minimum GPA of 2.3 each Fall/Winter.
2. Successful completion of the program requirements includes a cumulative grade point average of 2.3 on all courses completed in the program.
3. Students in all routes are normally required to complete 33 units during Fall/Winter of the first and second years, and 30 units during the third and fourth years. A reduced course load to 24 units does not require departmental approval beyond the normal means of signing a withdrawal form, but a course load of less than 24 units requires Faculty approval based on departmental recommendation.
4. Students who fail to meet the requirements for promotion as outlined in (1) above will be required to withdraw from the BMus program. Such students may transfer to another program in the Faculty of Arts or in another Faculty if the entrance and promotion requirements for such a program are met. After transfer, all requirements for the new program must be met.
5. Students who fail to meet the fourth-year requirements in the program will be permitted to fulfil those requirements only with the approval of the Dean of Arts on Departmental recommendation. Otherwise, students must withdraw from the program and, if so desired, transfer to another program in the Faculty of Arts for which they are able to meet entrance and promotion requirements.
6. A BMus program may be interrupted only with Departmental consent, and continuation will be subject to any conditions, including reauditioning and new program requirements, that may be specified by the Department.

Residence Requirement

1. Students proceeding toward the BMus degree (General, Composition and Sonic Arts, and Performance) must normally have credit in at least 63 units offered by the University of Alberta.
2. The final year of the program will normally be taken in one regular academic year at the University of Alberta. The Department may recommend to the Associate Dean (Student Programs) exemption from this regulation.

Graduation Requirements: All Routes

1. To qualify for the Bachelor of Music degree, students must successfully complete relevant curriculum requirements; meet the promotion, final year and residence requirements; and receive Departmental recommendation.
2. Degrees With Distinction shall be awarded to students who achieve a grade point average of 3.5 or more on all the units of course weight credited to the program and on all the units of course weight in Music. Students who have taken part of their program at another university may be granted a degree “With Distinction” at the discretion of the Faculty.