The bachelor of music is a four year program that combines the highest musical excellence in an intimate setting of student and faculty collaboration. From day one you will experience close mentorship to fast track your musical development, professional opportunities to build your career, and a program that equips you with the skills, knowledge and courage to create your musical career.

To best serve your musical ambitions, tailor your program through the following majors:

• Performance
• Composition
• Musicologies (includes music history, world music, jazz and popular music)
• Joint major in musicologies and performance
• Major in performance with a minor in composition
• General musical studies
• Comprehensive major (prepares students for specialized study in music education)

Students who major in composition, general musical studies, or performance may also choose to pursue a minor in jazz studies.

Students accepted to the bachelor of music have the option to pursue a joint bachelor of music and bachelor of commerce degree.

Jump to

• Admission requirements - new Memorial students
• Your first year
• Sample courses
• Career opportunities

Unique features

The School of Music is an internationally oriented professional music school. Here is some of what makes the school special:

• Career focused. Your program will make you the best musician you can be and prepare you for a professional musical career. With courses including Career Skills for Musicians and Music in the Community, professional apprenticeships and access to Memorial University’s entrepreneurship opportunities, you can build a career while building your musicianship.
• Deep, meaningful mentorship and development. Every student receives weekly one-to-one mentorship in their area of applied study.
• Professional work. Your collaborations and partnerships across the music industries will provide you with an array of professional opportunities hard to find anywhere else, from performing to composing, recording to apprenticeships and much more!
• Music technology. In the 21^st century, music and technology are inseparable. At the School of Music, you will benefit from dedicated music technology courses, a staff music technologist, and access to the state-of-the-art Memorial Electro Acoustic Research Lab.

From the moment you become a music student, you will have a dedicated advisor to guide you through your degree. You will also have the opportunity to join the vibrant Memorial Music Society, the student-led organization responsible for planning events and working with faculty to enrich your experience at the School of Music. This is all in addition to the student services provided by Memorial University. 

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Admission requirements to degree

New Memorial students

You may apply for admission into the School of Music directly from high school by indicating bachelor of music in the appropriate place on the undergraduate application for admission. Direct entry into the program is subject to you meeting the general admission requirements for Memorial University or pilot admission requirements specific to the bachelor of music program, and demonstrating your excellence through your application, audition and music literacy tests. The bachelor of music is competitive for a limited number of placements. Meeting the minimum admission requirements does not guarantee your acceptance into the program.

If you're interested in the bachelor of music program, we encourage you to apply in your final year of high school. However, if you're not ready to pursue a music degree in your first year, you may still apply for general admission and enroll in music elective courses that can provide excellent preparation for the first year of the program, covering topics in music history and music theory.

Application fee

In addition to the University’s general application fee, applicants are required to pay a music supplementary application fee of $40 CAD. Current Memorial students will not be charged the general application fee.

Additional documents required for admission

Your application to the bachelor of music will require you to submit the following:

• musical teacher reference form
• performance audition (in person or by video)
• assessments of musical literacy and competency

The School of Music provides full details on supporting documents required for admission.

Find the list of audition dates on the School of Music website. Late auditions may be scheduled if spaces are available.

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Your first year

Have a look at a sample schedule of courses you may need to take in your first year of the music program.

This is a sample only. Meet with an academic advisor to create a plan that aligns with your specific needs and goals.

1. Students will be placed in one of these ensemble courses during each semester in which they are enrolled in Principal Applied Study. The assignment will be based on their ensemble audition, the appropriateness of the ensemble for the student’s musical development and program of study, and the need to create balanced ensembles.
   
   
2. Prerequisite: Successful completion of the Theory Assessment. If unsuccessful, students should register for Music 1105. Co-requisite: Music 1117
   
   
3. Prerequisite: Successful completion of the Theory Assessment. Co-requisite: Music 1107
   
   
4. Electives may be chosen from: a) Music courses, such as Music 2700 (Lyric Diction - a required course for students whose applied study is voice), ensembles in addition to those listed above (Music 1611, 2612, 2613, 1615, 2616 or 2619) or b) Disciplines other than music.
   
   
5. You should be aware that you will be required to take Functional Keyboard I (Music 2401) in second year. In order to register for Music 2401, students must pass the Piano Proficiency Test. Students who have not yet passed the Piano Proficiency Test are expected to take private lessons in piano at their own expense in their first year.
   
   
6. Students admitted to the bachelor of music program are permitted to register for a maximum of 18 credit hours per semester, without requiring written permission of the dean.

Students choosing to defer their application, but intend to pursue a bachelor of music, will normally take the following courses in their first year:

1. Credit for Music 2011, 2012 and 2014 may not be used to meet the requirements of the Bachelor of Music degree.
   
   
2. Music 1105 is reserved for students who have been admitted into the Bachelor of Music program. Students who are not in the program may be permitted to register for the course if space is available. Such students should contact the School of Music.

Further assistance

For assistance with course selection, contact the School of Music Advisor, Annie Corrigan.

For additional program information, visit the School of Music. 

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Sample courses

MUS 1105 - Elements of Music I
MUS 1107 - Materials and Techniques of Music I
MUS 1700 - Introduction to Music Technology

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Career opportunities

With a music degree, you are limited only by your imagination.

Music studies are recognized as among the best for future success. Our graduates go on to careers as performers, composers, teachers, orchestral musicians, entrepreneurs, theorists, musicologists, music therapists, sound engineers and more. Additionally, music has set up many of our graduates for celebrated careers as doctors, lawyers, engineers and business executives.

Here’s a short list of some of the amazing things our graduates do:

• Operatic tenor;
• Concert pianist;
• MTV vlogger;
• Film & TV composer;
• Tonmeister: technology specialist & sound design;
• Indie rockstar;
• Endocrinologist;
• Dean, School of Music;
• Videogame composer;
• Piano technician.

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