WHAT ARE THE DEGREE OPTIONS?
BACHELOR OF MUSIC – The B.Mus. degree program is normally completed in four years and equips graduates for a successful life in music. Students interested in studying music professionally at university should have a strong background in music literacy, a record of academic success and a passion for music that grows from performance experience. Students normally declare a major in their fourth semester:
- General Music Studies
- Composition
- Musicologies (includes music history, world music, jazz and popular music)
- Performance
- Theory and Composition
- Joint major in musicologies and performance
- Major in performance with a minor in composition
- Comprehensive major (prepares students for specialized study in music education)
BACHELOR OF MUSIC CONJOINT WITH BACHELOR OF MUSIC EDUCATION – A five year conjoint degree program offered in partnership with the Faculty of Education. This program is designed for the preparation of K-12 music teachers and other professionals in positions related to music education. Students who plan to do the Bachelor of Music Conjoint with Bachelor of Music Education degree should first declare the comprehensive major in their second semester so that they can begin taking music education courses early in their degree program.
HOW DO I BECOME A MUSIC STUDENT?
Students may apply for admission into the School of Music directly from high school by indicating their desired degree option in the appropriate place on the university application. In addition to this general application, students must submit a School of Music application form as well as a statement of musical experience and career objectives. The application and supporting documentation are required by the Jan. 15 deadline. Students are also required to complete a number of diagnostic tests administered in music literacy and a mandatory performance audition which may be done on site or remotely. Direct entry into the program from high school is competitive for a limited number of placements and is subject to the applicant meeting the general admission requirements for Memorial University. Meeting the minimum admission requirements does not guarantee a student’s acceptance into the program.
SPECIAL SERVICES/PROGRAMS
The School of Music hosts its own student orientation (in addition to the university-wide orientation) every September.
Each student in the school is assigned a faculty adviser in their first semester. The adviser assists the students with course inquiries and selection, and answers any questions a student may have about their first year.
All students are taught basic music technology skills. Students can also gain course credit for creating community music projects.
CAREERS
Graduates from the School of Music have gone on to pursue the following careers:
- Symphony/chamber orchestra musician
- Military band musician/chorister
- Private studio teacher
- Historian/musicologist/ethnomusicologist
- Musical theatre/opera/ballet pit orchestra conductor
- Military band/military choir conductor
- Church or temple music director
- Television/film composer or orchestrator
- Composer/arranger for television and radio commercials
- Notation software specialist (professional user)
- Musicianship skills software designer (e.g., eartraining programs)
- Piano/organ technician or tuner
- Concert hall architect
- Audiologist
- Music therapist
- Recreation arts co-ordinator
- Opera singer
- Elementary and secondary school music teacher
FAST FACTS
We believe in achieving musical excellence by creating musical opportunities. Our new curriculum maintains our commitment to deep musical training and it also emphasizes the real-world skills musicians need to succeed in the 21st century, including career skills, music technology, and the opportunity to create community projects for credit.
We recently opened the MEARL: Memorial Electro-Acousitc Research Laboratory, a state-of-the-art teaching and research facility for electronic and computer music.
Our Prestige String Quartet provides opportunities for students to play a concert quality violin, viola or cello for an entire year.
Our new Indonesian gamelan degung orchestra (a beautiful set of mallet and gong instruments) arrives in 2012.
Each year, apprenticeship programs are available to students with the Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra, the Opera Road Show and in concert management and sound tech for our "Music at Memorial" series of over 60 concerts, master classes and workshops.
About 30% of our students receive ongoing support, in fact our scholarship program recently expanded to include three renewable full-tuition scholarships.
FOR MORE INFORMATION...
Phone: 709 864 7486 | Visit: mun.ca/music | Email: musicauditions@mun.ca
