Degrees in Music
The Department of Music offers programs in the College of Arts & Science leading to the Bachelor of Music degree (B.Mus.) and to the Bachelor of Arts degree (B.A.) with a music major.
Any information required on Graduate Studies can be obtained by contacting the Department.
Scholarships and financial aid available to music students are described in the Department of Music section of the Awards Guide, available online.
Admission Procedures
All applicants planning to enter the B.Mus. or combined B.Ed./B.Mus.(Mus.Ed.) degree program must first arrange for an Interview, Audition, and a Theory Placement Examination with the Department of Music. Advanced standing in Applied Music, Theory, and History may be granted upon special examinations. All applicants will be expected to demonstrate performance ability in the audition.
For the audition, applicants will be expected to prepare two contrasting music selections. Applicants are encouraged to consult with their music teachers, or consult with the Department of Music to determine suitable repertoire for the audition. Students are responsible for making their own accompanist arrangements if required. Audition application forms are available on the Department of Music website.
Applicants are required to submit an application to Admissions, Student and Enrolment Services as well as an Application to Audition to the Department of Music.
Recommended Preparation for Music Programs
Private instrument study will be a strong contributor to a successful audition, and is highly recommended. Students are encouraged to study theory (we recommend the equivalent of Grade II Rudiments - Royal Conservatory of Music), history, and music appreciation, in order to be prepared for university-level study.
Band, choir, and orchestra participation is highly recommended as a way of improving performance skills and increasing knowledge of the literature.
Keyboard experience is essential for all music students. Candidates are encouraged to seek keyboard training prior to entering our programs.
General Information
The Department of Music at the University of Saskatchewan offers courses for those who desire a major in music as well as elective courses in music. Access to music courses requires prerequisites as listed or permission of the Department.
In addition to the academic courses, the following performing ensembles are open to all university students. Music majors may participate in up to ten one-credit unit ensembles over their undergradutate course of study as a music student/major. For further information, contact the Department of Music.
Music Theatre: This activity has arisen out of normal class activities in vocal literature, conducting, theatre and applied voice. Short operas, scenes, musicals or excerpts are chosen and students are involved in both the staging and performance. Performances are held at the university and in the community. Audition required.
Collegium Musicum: This group is open to all singers and instrumentalists interested in the performance of mainly pre-18th-century vocal and instrumental music. The ensemble frequently collaborates with seminars in counterpoint, wind instrument history and literature, and performance practices.
Concert Band: This band is open to all wind and percussion players on campus without audition. This group plays and performs a variety of literature for Concert Band.
Contemporary Music Ensemble: This group, of variable instrumentation is devoted to the performance of significant contemporary works. The ensemble performs several times a year.
Greystone Singers: A mixed-voice choir open by audition to all University of Saskatchewan students who love singing and enjoy learning a challenging and varied repertoire.
Jazz Ensemble: Designed to provide insight into the tradition of large ensemble jazz music via the rehearsal and performance of significant repertoire. Ensemble goals are achieved via the study of historically significant styles and key representative composers as well the exploration of leading contemporary jazz styles and composers. Audition required.
Percussion Ensemble: Membership is determined by audition and is open to all students on campus. This ensemble involves most of the instruments in the percussion family including xylophone, vibraphone and marimba.
University Chorus: This chorus is open to all interested singers both on campus and in the community. The music studied includes masterworks of the choral literature from all eras. The chorus collaborates every year with the Saskatoon Symphony Orchestra in the presentation of large choral works.
Chamber Ensemble with Piano: Open to all students on campus. This ensemble provides experience in vocal and instrumental chamber music. Third- and fourth-year piano students may use this ensemble for Ensemble A Category credit.
Wind Orchestra: This organization is open to all wind and percussion players on campus by audition. This ensemble performs a challenging repertoire and a large percentage of music written originally for the modern wind ensemble.
Small Ensembles: Brass, Woodwind (including Recorder), Vocal, String and Keyboard Ensembles are open to all students on campus. Although the nature and number of these groups may vary from year to year, there is always some opportunity for chamber music performances on campus.
University Chamber Orchestra: A chamber orchestra performing works primarily for strings. Participation in the orchestra is open to all interested musicians both on campus and in the community.
Concerts and Recitals
On the campus many concerts and recitals are presented each year by outstanding artists. A valuable adjunct to any student's education is the opportunity to attend the guest artist series and any departmental ensemble and student recitals. Note that the series involves a fee for tickets. Many significant concerts and recitals are also available in the community.
Bachelor of Arts Music Programs
General Information - Ensembles
Although regular participation in departmental ensembles is highly encouraged, only one year of ensemble participation is required for this degree.
The following evaluation method will be common to all sections: Attendance and Preparation (40%); Concert Participating (30%); Individualized testing (15% per semester).
Note: An unexcused absence from a concert performance will result in an automatic fail.
Attendance and preparation means regular attendance at rehearsals and ensemble events, and evidence of prior preparation of the musical materials.
Concert participation includes quality contribution to the ensemble, reflected in attitude, punctuality, responsibility in duties related to the concert and rehearsals, and quality of musical performance.
Individualized testing will take place at the end of November (well before the drop date for full-year courses) and at the end of March. The results of this testing, as well as evaluation for concert participation and attendance/preparation, will also be given at this time.
Standards of Academic Performance
It is the expectation of the Department of Music that students attend all rehearsals, recitals, and applied lessons as scheduled. Class attendance policy as established by the University is also to be followed.
Alternating of Courses
Students should be advised that not all courses listed in the Calendar are offered in any given year. Some courses are given in alternate years. Careful planning in consultation with the Department of Music will eliminate any problems.
Students interested in entering an Honours program should consult advisors in the department concerned before registering for their second year. Not more than 60 credit units of the courses comprising the B.A program may be in any one subject, and of the 120 credit units required for the B.A. degree, at least 66 credit units must be at the senior level. Application for admission to Honours is not considered until successful completion of at least 60 credit units with a Cumulative Weighted Average of at least 70% overall and at least 70% in the subject of Honours. In some programs, higher averages may be imposed. For further details, please see the College Program Requirements and Policies section.
Students planning to enter the Honours program must consult with the Head of the Department. The candidate must demonstrate considerable competence in music theory, music history and performance before being admitted to the program.
No more than 6 credit units from one subject may be used to meet requirements D1 to D5.
D1 Basic Fine Arts Requirements (12 credit units)
Choose 6 Credit Units from the following:
D2 Humanities Requirement (6 credit units)
Choose 6 Credit Units from the following:
- CHIN 111.6
- CHIN 130.6
- CLAS 110.3
- CLAS 111.3
- CLAS 121.6
- CMRS 110.3
- CMRS 111.3
- CREE 101.6
- CREE 120.6
- ENG 110.6
- ENG 111.3
- ENG 112.3
- ENG 113.3
- ENG 114.3
- FREN 103.3
- FREN 106.3
- FREN 122.3
- FREN 125.3
- FREN 128.3
- FREN 218.3
- GERM 114.3
- GERM 117.3
- GRK 112.3
- GRK 113.3
- HEB 111.6
- HIST 110.3
- HIST 111.3
- HIST 114.6
- HIST 120.6
- HIST 121.3
- HIST 122.3
- HIST 140.6
- HIST 151.3
- HIST 152.3
- HIST 170.6
- INTS 101.12
- LATN 112.3
- LATN 113.3
- LING 110.3
- LIT 100.6
- PHIL 110.6
- PHIL 120.3
- PHIL 133.3
- PHIL 140.3
- RLST 110.6
- RUSS 114.3
- RUSS 117.3
- SNSK 101.6
- SPAN 114.3
- SPAN 117.3
- UKR 114.3
- UKR 117.3
- WGST 110.6
- WGST 112.3
- Any senior-level humanities course provided that the prerequisite is met and not more than 6 credit units in one subject are used for the Humanities or Languages Requirements.
- Certain WGST courses may be considered a Humanities and/or Social Science. Refer to the course descriptions. CLAS 103.3, CLAS 104.3, CLAS 105.3, and CLAS 106.3 may not be used to fulfill the Humanities requirement.
D3 Natural Science (6 credit units)
Choose 6 Credit Units from the following:
- ASTR 102.3
- ASTR 103.3
- BIOL 107.6
- BIOL 120.3
- BIOL 121.3
- CHEM 112.3
- CHEM 115.3
- CMPT 100.3
- CMPT 102.3
- CMPT 105.3
- CMPT 106.3
- CMPT 111.3
- CMPT 115.3
- CMPT 120.3
- GEOG 120.3
- GEOG 125.3
- GEOL 108.3
- GEOL 109.3
- GEOL 121.3
- GEOL 122.3
- MATH 104.3
- MATH 110.3
- MATH 112.3 or MATH 116.3
- MATH 121.3
- MATH 125.3
- MATH 128.3
- PHYS 115.3
- PHYS 117.3 or PHYS 125.3
- PHYS 127.3 or PHYS 128.3
- STAT 103.3
- Any senior-level natural science course provided that the prerequisite is met and not more than 6 credit units in one subject are used for the Natural Science Requirement.
- Students may use only 6 credit units in mathematics and statistics toward the Natural Science Requirement.
- STAT 244.3 may not be used to meet the Natural Science Requirement in Program Types A, B or D.
D4 Language Requirement (6 credit units)
Choose 6 Credit Units from the following:
- CHIN 111.6
- CHIN 130.6
- CREE 101.6
- CREE 120.6
- ENG 110.6
- ENG 111.3
- ENG 112.3
- ENG 113.3
- ENG 114.3
- FREN 103.3
- FREN 106.3
- FREN 122.3
- FREN 125.3
- FREN 128.3
- FREN 218.3
- GERM 114.3
- GERM 117.3
- GRK 112.3
- GRK 113.3
- HEB 111.6
- LATN 112.3
- LATN 113.3
- LIT 100.6
- RUSS 114.3
- RUSS 117.3
- SNSK 101.6
- SPAN 114.3
- SPAN 117.3
- UKR 114.3
- UKR 117.3
- Any senior-level language course provided that the prerequisite is met and not more than 6 credit units in one subject are used for the Humanities or Languages Requirement.
D5 Social Science Requirement (6 credit units)
Choose 6 Credit Units from the following:
- ANTH 111.3
- ARCH 112.3
- ARCH 116.3
- ECON 111.3
- ECON 114.3
- GEOG 130.3
- LING 111.3
- LING 112.3
- NS 105.3
- NS 106.3
- NS 107.3
- POLS 111.3
- POLS 112.3
- PSY 100.3
- PSY 120.3 and PSY 121.3 (formerly PSY 110)
- SOC 111.3
- SOC 112.3 (SOC 111 and SOC 112 were formerly SOC 110)
- WGST 110.6
- WGST 112.3
- Any senior-level social science course provided that the prerequisite is met and not more than 6 credit units in one subject are used for the Social Science Requirement.
- Statistics courses in social sciences are not accepted for credit toward the Social Science Requirement (eg. ECON 204.6, PSY 233.3 and 234.3, SOC 225.3 and SOC 325.3 - (formerly - SOC 240.3)).
- Certain WGST courses may be considered a Humanities and/or Social Science. Refer to the course descriptions.
D6 Major Requirements (42 credit units)
- MUS 120.2
- MUS 121.2
- MUS 150.3
- MUS 151.3
- MUS 220.2
- MUS 221.2
- MUS 233.3
- MUS 234.3
- MUS 250.3
- 1 credit unit MUAP Ensemble
Choose 18 Credit Units from the following:
12 credit units must be at the 300- or 400-level.
D7 Electives Requirement (42 credit units)
- Arts and Science courses, or those from other Colleges which have been approved for Arts and Science credit, to complete the requirements for 120 credit unit Honours program. Of the 120 credit units required at least 66 must be at the 200 or higher level and no more than 60 in one subject.
If you require further assistance, please contact the Arts & Science Undergraduate Student Office.
The Bachelor of Music Program is a four year degree with four Fields of Specialization: Composition and Theory, Musicology, Individualized and Performance (Honours). All of the degree streams share a common first year. A major may be declared in the first year, or may be decided or recommended, upon entry to the second year, based on student strengths and interests. Students must have a degree stream declared by the end of the second year.
See the Music Education page for information on the Bachelor of Music (Music Education).
Academic Requirements
Students are strongly advised to contact the Department of Music when planning their programs, to ensure timely completion of all requirements and acceptability of specific courses.
- Students will be required to complete a total of 30 or 33 credit units in academic courses, as part of the 120 or 126 credit units required in the Bachelor of Music (B.Mus.) program.
- At least 3 credit units in each of languages, humanities or art or drama; natural sciences; and social sciences, are required
- 18 or 21 credit units in undesignated Arts & Science electives
Applied Music
Is the individual or class study of keyboard, strings, voice, winds or percussion in a prescribed program consisting of technical studies and solo repertoire. The emphasis in all Applied Study (MUAP) courses is upon solo and ensemble literature, orchestral and choral studies (where applicable), the advancement of technique, and the development of interpretation and comprehension. All students involved in Applied Music will be required to participate in an approved instrumental or choral ensemble as indicated in the program.
- Applied Music Private Study (MUAP) courses are only available to students in the B.Mus. programs.
- Applied Music (MUAP) ensemble courses are open to all students on campus.
Voice Performance Majors
Careful consultation with the voice program head is required early in the program.
The following courses must be taken in third or fourth year
- MUS 311.3
- MUS 312.3
- MUS 313.3
Piano Performance Majors
The following must be taken in third or fourth year.
- MUS 354.3
- As this course will only be offered biennially, careful consultation with the piano program head is required early in the program.
- The B.Mus. is conferred if the student has obtained an overall minimum Cumulative Weighted Average (C.W.A.) of 60% on the 120 or 126 credit units and a C.W.A. of at least 62.5% on all Music courses. For the B.Mus. the C.W.A. requirement is 75% for Distinction, and 80% for Great Distinction on a 120 or 126 credit unit program.
Ensembles
Ensemble Requirements: All students are required to participate in departmental ensembles. Minimum ensemble participation requirements vary depending upon degree, stream, and in certain instances, instrumentation
Ensemble Group A
- University String Orchestra (for string players only)
- Wind Orchestra
- Concert Band
- Greystone Singers
- University Chorus
Ensemble Group B
- University String Orchestra (All departmental instrumental and voice majors, except for string majors, may use String Orchestra as a Group 'B' ensemble)
- Contemporary Music Ensemble
- Jazz Ensemble 1
- Small Wind Ensemble
- Jazz Ensemble 2
- World Music Ensemble
- Music Theatre Ensemble
- Collegium Musicum
- Chamber Music with Piano
- Percussion Ensemble
Ensemble Requirements
Ensemble requirements listed represent the minimum ensemble participation requirements. Students are encouraged to participate above and beyond the minimum standards outlined. Students may participate in up to ten, one-credit ensembles over their undergraduate course of study as a music student/major.
B.Mus. Musicology
- Are required to perform in one Group ‘A’ Ensemble per year for four years. Participation in either additional Group ‘A’ ensembles and/or any Group ‘B’ ensembles is encouraged over and above these minimum requirements.
B.Mus. Composition/Theory
- Are required to perform in one Group ‘A’ Ensemble per year for four years. Participation in either additional Group ‘A’ ensembles and/or any Group ‘B’ ensembles is encouraged over and above these minimum requirements.
B.Mus. Individualized
- Are required to perform in one Group ‘A’ Ensemble per year for four years. Participation in either additional Group ‘A’ ensembles and/or any Group ‘B’ ensembles is encouraged over and above these minimum requirements.
B.Mus. Performance
- Are required to perform in one Group ‘A’ Ensemble per year for the first two years. Performance majors are required to participate in a minimum total of seven departmental ensembles, two of which include the above-mentioned two years of participation in Group ‘A’ ensembles. The remaining five departmental ensembles may be chosen from either Group ‘A’ or Group ‘B’ ensembles.
- B.Mus. Performance Voice Majors: Must include in their ensemble activities, two years of Music Theatre Ensemble. Voice majors are required to participate in an Ensemble A Choral ensemble for two years.
- B.Mus. Performance Piano Majors: Must include in their ensemble activities, two years of Chamber Ensemble with Piano. 3rd and 4th Year Piano Performance majors may substitute Chamber Ensemble with Piano for and 3rd and 4th year Group A ensemble requirements.
- All remaining B.Mus. Performance Majors (i.e. winds, strings and percussion): May treat the remaining five ensemble requirements as ‘open’ ensemble requirements, choosing from either Group ‘A’ and/or ‘Group ‘B’ ensembles.
- All performance majors, regardless of the above specifications, which delineate which ensembles they are required to be registered in, must participate in at least one departmental ensemble per year for four years.
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