Music
Fall admission only
Concordia Music Department fosters a rich environment for students from diverse backgrounds to create, compose, perform, improvise, and develop scholarship in different languages including jazz, contemporary classical and electroacoustic studies. A focus on contemporary music is informed by a diversity of historical styles and genres studied through formation of the ear, composition, creativity, analysis, history and performance.
Course structures are built around a variety of formats such as lectures, studios, private study, ensembles, rehearsals, etc. All students are initially accepted into either the Major in Music or the Major in Electroacoustic Studies. Following successful completion of the first year core courses, students in the Major in Music may apply for transfer into one of the specializations.
Electroacoustic Studies
- Major in Electroacoustic Studies — 48 credits
- Minor in Electroacoustic Studies — 24 credits
Designed to provide students from a variety of backgrounds with a strong core of fundamental auditory, listening and sonic creativity skills allowing them to pursue work and studies in electroacoustic composition, sound design and recording. Multiple opportunities and support are provided for solo creative and interdisciplinary collaborative work in areas as diverse as film and video sound, sound design for video games, sound design for theatre, performance and interactive projects with dance and the visual arts, performance art and installations. Graduates have gone on to graduate studies in composition and recording, and work in the music/media/sound design/film and video sound industries in Montreal and around the world.
Sample courses include:
Digital Audio Editing, Analog Studio Techniques, Electroacoustic Composition
Admission Requirements
Electroacoustic Studies (BFA - Major/Minor) requirements: Minimum cut-off averages, admission statistics and program requirements.
Music
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Major in Music — 54 credits
(Please consult the Department of Music website for more up-to-date information: music.concordia.ca.)Particularly suited to individuals who wish to study a wide range of music disciplines, this program provides the opportunity for both flexibility and depth of professional music study. Students aiming for other careers such as music therapy, indie songwriting, video gaming, or arts administration will find course offerings that help prepare them for their futures.
A year of participation in an ensemble such as University Chorus or Contemporary Chamber Ensemble is required (external orchestral participation also possible). Other courses include Aural Perception, a variety of Theory offerings (harmony, counterpoint, analysis), Private Study, Music History, Music electives such as Functional Keyboard/Guitar/Vocal Skills, Songwriting I and II, Aesthetics and Musical Styles, New Music and Media.
In addition there is great emphasis on creativity with multiple terms of Music Composition, Acoustic Orchestration, Electronic Orchestration, and additional music electives and elective courses from other Faculties. In the final year, a Capstone Project with public presentation of creative work is required. Music electives may be selected from courses across the entire department, given the correct prerequisites.
Minor in Music — 24 credits
This program is particularly attractive to students from cognate disciplines — theatre, dance, communications, interdisciplinary studies, and others who have a particular desire to extend their musical knowledge and skills for personal growth and development.
SPECIALIZATIONS
Following successful completion of the first year core courses, students in the Major in Music may apply to transfer into one of the following specializations:
Specialization in Jazz Studies — 66 credits
Jazz tradition and culture lies at the centre of this specialization offering courses in jazz language, jazz harmony, arranging, composition and jazz history. Performance in ensembles ranging from big band to combos (instrumental and vocal) is supported by private study in all jazz related instruments and voice. The Department produces some 20 jazz concerts per year.Specialization in Music Composition — 66 credits
The development of compositional knowledge and skills for writing concert or other contemporary music are supported by the study of relevant topics in music theory and in composition seminars. Whenever possible, compositions are performed in workshops or concert settings.Specialization in Music Performance Studies — 66 credits
The development of performance skills as soloist and ensemble performer of Western European art music is provided by private study, ensembles, and repertoire courses, and is aided by the study of history and theory. Public performance is required.
Sample courses include:
Large ensembles, Aural Perception, Theory courses, Music History, Composition, Orchestration, Songwriting, Jazz Arranging, Jazz Ensemble, Jazz Improvisation, Private Study, Aesthetics and Musical Styles, New Music and Media, The Art of Managing your Career, Capstone Projects
Admission Requirements
Minimum cut-off averages, admission statistics and program requirements.
Facilities
Courses are given in new state of the art facilities in the Molson Building on the Sir George Williams Campus. Designed specifically for the Department’s needs by an acoustician, the spaces include smart classrooms and studios with networked multimedia, mixing and playback capabilities, a recording room, octophonic studio, keyboard lab and soundproofed practice modules.
More than 100 concerts and presentations take place each year (along with numerous seminars and master classes) in the acoustically and visually spectacular Oscar Peterson Concert Hall on the Loyola Campus. The hall seats 600 people and boasts a multi track and digital recording studio. It is a premier venue for student and faculty presentations, internationally acclaimed jazz, classical and electroacoustics concerts, broadcasts, and numerous CD recordings.
Performing Groups
Jazz Ensembles
Every year jazz ensembles — big band, combos, guitar ensembles, jazz choir, small combos and jazz vocal repertoire classes — present concerts drawn from the jazz repertoire and newly composed works. Concerts by jazz improvisation classes and special projects are also presented in the Oscar Peterson Concert Hall.
Chamber Ensembles
Each year students perform a number of chamber music concerts related to the chamber music courses offered by the Department from all periods for voice and instruments: duos, trios and large chamber groups.
Vocal Studies
Concerts are given regularly by vocal students with works drawn from Western European art music, operatic and jazz vocal repertoire traditions.
University Choir
There are two university choirs. Both the large choir and the chamber choir perform several concerts each year with repertoire drawn from the 16th to 21st centuries. On occasion, these are presented with the University Orchestra. This choir encourages entry of all members of the Concordia community (students, faculty and staff) as well as the general public. An audition may be required to establish fundamental qualifications.
Readings and Concerts of Jazz and Composition Students
There are informal readings and annual concerts of works by Concordia students in both the jazz and composition areas.
Electroacoustics Concerts
For more than 25 years, and with more than 300 concerts produced, Concordia has been nationally noted for the quality and diversity of its electroacoustics presentations. These include works by Canadian and international composers as well as young and emerging sound artists using an 18 channel sound projection system.
See the BFA degree description for information on the core and elective requirements. For a complete list of courses: Undergraduate Calendar
Undergraduate admissions guidelines: For information on international admission, required documents, proof of language proficiency, the university admissions timetable, selection and notification process.
