Why Music?
If you’re here, you probably already have some strong feelings about music. You may have experienced the indescribable rush of making music with others, or the magic of expressing in sound what you could never say in words. Maybe you love listening to music and want to learn more about how it works – or even how to compose it yourself. Or perhaps you are fascinated by the ways music can mean different things to different peoples.
We love music too, and we believe in its power to inspire and transform.
With emphasis on the development of musical excellence, intellectual rigor, and professional skills, our degree programs prepare students for a wide variety of careers within the music industry. At the same time, music study facilitates the development of a range of abilities and attributes that are vital for success in any field. These include:
- Creative problem solving
- Communication
- Time management
- The ability to work independently and as part of a team
- Initiative
- Perseverance
- Emotional intelligence
Whether you aspire to a career in the world’s concert halls, or in a classroom, courtroom, operating room, or boardroom, a degree in music will set the stage for your success.
Why Music at Memorial?
Here are a few things that make Memorial University’s School of Music stand out:
Our faculty are not just world-class performers, scholars, and creators. They are exceptional educators, dedicated to supporting your development. Most of our faculty hold full-time appointments at the School of Music. This means they are here for you - all day, every day - coaching, mentoring, and sharing their vast experience and expertise. Read more about our faculty and their accomplishments here.
We believe that we do our best work in an environment characterized by respect, openness, and trust. With a student to faculty ratio of 1:5, students get the attention they deserve. We challenge each other, cheer each other on, and work together to foster a culture of care and belonging.
Performance, research, leadership, and employment opportunities abound, right from your very first day. Our close partnerships with professional arts organizations such as the Newfoundland Symphony Ochestra provide opportunities to gain valuable professional experience through internships, job placements, and community-based learning.
Find out more about the Orchestral Chairs program, a partnership with the Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra.
Perform, learn, and create in our superb facilities which include the D.F. Cook Recital Hall, Suncor Energy Hall, the Memorial Electro-Acoustic Research Lab (MEARL), excellent libraries, and well-equipped rehearsal and practice spaces.
The oldest city in North America, St. John’s is known for its vibrant cultural life and extraordinary natural beauty. On any day of the week, you can choose from a dizzying array of live music, theatre, or dance, or explore the rugged coastline on the world-class hiking trails that run in and around the city.
