Bachelor of Music
Ottawa, Canada
DURATION
4 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
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EARLIEST START DATE
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TUITION FEES
CAD 31,502 / per year
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
Introduction
Whether you are an aspiring performer, a budding critic curious about how music shapes culture, or a talented musician who wants to share the joys of musicianship as a teacher, Carleton's Bachelor of Music will prepare you to achieve your goals.
Carleton University’s Bachelor of Music (Honours) program provides a solid grounding in the study and performance of a wide variety of musical instruments and traditions. Subjects of study include the practice, analysis, and history of European classical music from the Middle Ages to the present; Canadian music; computer music; composition; ethnomusicology; jazz; popular music and gender studies. One of the unique things about Carleton’s Bachelor of Music program is that it is possible for students to undertake individual performance instruction with highly qualified instructors in virtually any musical tradition. We also offer a wide range of music ensembles including choir, jazz, jazz-rock fusion, music theatre, African drumming, and more. In addition, Carleton is the only university in Canada to offer a performance program in carillon studies.
A degree in Music from Carleton provides a broad yet thorough education, giving graduates a competitive advantage in today's job market. The BMus program can lead to various careers in music, as well as graduate studies in musicology, theory, composition, or performance.
Applicants are required to submit a Creative Practice Portfolio, which is a digital portfolio that showcases their work.
A Bachelor of Arts (Honours, Combined Honours) in Music is also available.
The Carleton Advantage
While developing a strong background in performance, composition, and analysis, Carleton’s Bachelor of Music (BMus) students can choose between a range of musical styles.
- Practicum placements provide opportunities for students to gain valuable experience in various arts, education, and media organizations
- Carleton also offers a wide range of ensembles including choir, chamber music, guitar, roots, jazz, jazz-rock fusion, music theatre, opera, African drumming, and more
- Admission to the program is by audition, and applicants may do so on any instrument (or voice) used in classical, jazz, traditional, or popular music
- Carleton offers a wealth of performance, research, and study, research, and performance resources, including a world-class downtown performance facility at the Carleton Dominion-Chalmers Centre.
Admissions
Curriculum
The Bachelor of Music (Honours) program is usually completed after four years of full-time study. It provides valuable preparation for graduate work in musicology, music theory, or composition; for advanced studies as a performer; or for careers in music education. Your courses in theory, performance, and musicology will allow you to study the nature of musical processes from practical, artistic, historical, and social points of view.
In your first two years, there is an equal emphasis on the sub-disciplines of performance, theory, and musicology. In the final two years of the program, you can choose from a variety of courses while concentrating on performance, music theory, music composition, computer music, historical musicology, ethnomusicology, or popular music studies.
You will pursue individualized performance study in at least three of your four years and participate in performance ensembles in one or more of the following areas: Chamber music, Concert band, Choir, Jazz, Music Theatre, Opera, African drumming or Fusion (Jazz/Rock). The Carleton music program also has affiliations with a variety of off-campus performance groups, which offer an even greater array of ensemble choices.
The Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Music program allows you to pursue studies in musicology, theory and composition. In addition to the first-year survey courses in music history and popular music, other courses focus on various aspects of music and culture. Bachelor of Arts (Combined Honours) students can combine studies in Music with a major or a minor in another discipline.
In the past, Music students have had placements that allowed them to learn and develop a variety of skills, such as:
- Digitizing, restoring and cataloging audio from tape and vinyl
- Editing music scores for publication
- Researching information about composers, manuscripts, their location, previous editions if any, etc.
- Setting up and maintaining Websites and researching information on the Internet
- Practical recording studio techniques, and film-scoring composition
- Music therapy, or other music-related social work with older and/or infirmed adults
- Developing and implementing online publicity strategies and resources.
- Writing (refining, abridging) user manuals for digital audio and video software; and
- Assisting music teachers by preparing materials and working with students one-on-one.
Career Opportunities
- Administration
- Archival Work
- Arts Administration Civil Service
- Broadcasting
- Entertainment
- Film
- Law
- Library Services
- Music Composition
- Music Criticism
- Music Performance
- Music Therapy
- Performing in Bands
- Performing in Ensembles
- Performing in Orchestras
- Song Writing
- Teaching
- Television and Radio