Music (BFA)
Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA)
Why study Music?
There has never been a culture without music — it nourishes our hearts and minds and stirs our souls. If your goal is to immerse yourself in the making of music, Concordia’s Major in Music program offers you the flexibility to control your own future — whether you want to compose, write songs, perform, manage artists, or become a music therapist.
Taking classes and working in our studios and rehearsal spaces will give you the skills, knowledge, discipline and experience you will need. After your first year you may transfer into the Specialization in Music Performance or Composition programs, or continue in the Major for the most flexibility. You will have the opportunity to:
- Study composition, songwriting, arranging and orchestration
- Perform in the University or Chamber Choir, Contemporary Music Ensembles, or Transdisciplinary Creation and Performance projects
- Give a public presentation of your own creative “capstone” project in your final year
After graduation you’ll have the knowledge, skill and passion to succeed as a musician or pursue graduate studies.
Program details
A Bachelor of Fine Arts degree takes a minimum of three or four years (90 – 120 credits) of full-time study, depending on your academic background.
Concentrations
- Major in Music (54 credits)
- Minor in Music (24 credits)
Please note: the Minor in Music is only available in the classical/contemporary genre
Music specializations
After the successful completion of first-year core courses (30 credits), students in the Major in Music program may apply for transfer into one of two specialization in Music (66 credit) programs:
- Specialization in Music Composition
- Specialization in Music Performance
Annual Capacity: 20 (fall admission only)
Cegep Profile: No specific profile required.
Additional Requirements
Music admissions package submission deadline: March 1
Applicants must apply online before submitting the music admissions package.
We need to know more about you than the general University application provides.
- Information about you and your musical background
- Basic online theory screening test
- Video audition
- Optional online theory and ear-training placement tests
It is the applicant’s responsibility to upload the video audition online by the prescribed deadline. Test results are sent after the audition has been evaluated. See additional admissions requirements for audition instructions.
Please remember:
- To check the program availability for the fall, as late applications will continue to be accepted for certain programs for an undetermined amount of time
- Applicants must apply online before completing the online theory test and submitting their audition video
For more information on these additional requirements, please read the following:
Minor in Music
Admission to the Minor in Music is only open to students who are already in a degree program at Concordia University. It is not open to new applicants. For information on how to add the Minor in Music, look for the Internal transfer of program request.
Minimum cut-off averages
Minimum Cut-off Averages should be used as indicators. Data may change depending on the quality of the application pool. Admission to the Faculty of Fine Arts is very competitive. Applicants who meet the stated minimum requirements are not guaranteed admission to these programs.
- Quebec Cegep (CRC): DEC CRC 18.00
- Canadian High Schools: 65% or C+
- U.S. High Schools: 2.5
- University Transfers: C
Admission to most programs is based on portfolio/audition evaluations as well as academic grades. Applicants selected for admission have normally achieved grades that exceed minimum requirements.
- International Bacc. (IB): A minimum total of 27 points. Admission to competitive programs is based on strong portfolio/auditions and, normally, above-average grades.
- Bacc. Français: A minimum grade of 11/20 for students who have completed their Bacc. Français outside of Quebec. Admission is competitive and based on strong portfolio/auditions and, normally, above-average grades.
Make sure you also meet Concordia’s minimum admission requirements.
We consider complete applications year round and we give priority to applicants who apply by official deadlines. Late applications will be considered if places are still available for the fall term only.
| You've sent your application from: | Fall term deadline | Winter term deadline |
| Inside Canada | March 1 Certain programs have extended their deadlines. Please check program availability. |
N/A Admission to this program is only available for the Fall Term. |
| Outside Canada (International) |
February 1 | N/A |
We reserve the right to close admission to a program at any time after the official deadline without prior notice.
Sample classes
- Contemporary Music Ensembles
- Composition
- Songwriting
- Private study (for students in the major and specialization programs only)
Consult the Undergraduate Calendar for a complete list of current Music courses.
We’re proud to offer spaces where you can unleash your creativity and your abilities as an artist. You will enjoy an array of professional facilities and equipment, including:
- Soundproofed practice rooms, three with drum-kits
- Smart classrooms with multimedia and playback capabilities
- Over two dozen well-maintained pianos, plus seven concert grands
- Computer-equipped keyboard lab with 16 full-size keyboards
- Recording room and control booth wired to record and playback activities in certain classrooms
Whether you’re an instrumental or voice student, jazz or classical, you can perform in both large and small ensembles. The department holds many performances throughout the year in university venues and around Montreal such as:
Your hard work while at Concordia will give you the knowledge and discipline to further your solo work, plus the teamwork skills to collaborate with others. Our alumni compose, perform, tour, produce original CDs, write for theatre, dance, film, TV and video games; their cultural work has been recognized through awards and prizes. Your degree can lead to many paths such as:
- Composer, arranger
- Performer
- Music therapist
- Administrator in the arts (band manager, festival organizer)
- Teacher, musicologist, researcher
