York University - School of the Arts, Media, Performance & Design
Undergraduate Program in MusicToronto, Canada
DEGREE TYPE
Bachelor's degree
DURATION
4 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time, Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Request application deadline
EARLIEST START DATE
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STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
Key Summary
Scholarships
Explore scholarship opportunities to help fund your studies
Introduction
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 seven areas in which to specialize: Jazz and Gospel Music, Western Classical Music, World Music and Ethnomusicology, Contemporary Improvisation, Composition, Music Education and Community Music, and Studies in Music Cultures.
Highlights
Top 6 reasons to apply
- The flexibility to choose courses from different areas or to focus and specialized;
- Diversity of music traditions and styles from classical, jazz, popular, and traditional music;
- 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 artists and scholars who give students the individual attention they need;
- World-class, state-of-the-art facilities for performance, rehearsal, recording, and composing.
Curriculum
Year by Year Overview
Learning Outcomes
Share your music, find your vision, build the future
Years 1 and 2
Build a solid foundation & explore:
- Develop essential concepts and practical skills in musicianship, music theory, and performance.
- Expand your awareness of musical cultures.
- Explore new areas of study.
- Gain an understanding of the social, cultural, and historical contexts of music.
Years 3 and 4
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.
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 the first year.
- Jazz and Gospel Music
- Western Classical Performance
- World Music and Ethnomusicology
- Contemporary Improvisation
- Composition
- Studies in Music Cultures
- Music Education and Community Music
Gallery
Career Opportunities
Career Paths
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
- Bandleader
- Community arts administrator
- Community arts advocate
- 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
- Songwriter
- Sound designer
- Vocal coach