Music
Discover your true significance and potential as a musician, teacher, composer, music theorist or musicologist. Develop your abilities with individual private lessons in applied study on piano, voice, brass, winds, strings or percussion with nationally and internationally trained instructors. Challenge yourself by performing in highly regarded U of S student ensembles such as the Greystone Singers, Wind Orchestra, Concert Band, Jazz Ensembles, Music Theatre Ensemble and the University Chorus. These opportunities and more are available when you choose Music at the University of Saskatchewan.
What is Music?
The Department of Music offers the study of performance, composition, music theory, history and literature, and both elementary and secondary music education. Students develop advanced skills with applied study in piano, voice, brass, winds, strings or percussion. An overall understanding of the history of music provides students with a rich perspective into the music, the composers’ lives and their contributions to musical traditions, styles, genres and forms of composition.
Choose Your Program!
The Department of Music offers programs for students interested in pursuing a career in music performance, composition, theory, history or music education at the elementary, secondary or post-secondary levels. Both the Bachelor of Music and Bachelor of Music in Music Education programs have nearly identical requirements for first- and second-year courses. The two programs differ in the content and focus of courses in the upper years.
- Bachelor of Music - Four-year programs in Applied Study & Performance, Composition & Theory, and History & Literature.
- Bachelor of Music in Music Education - Four-year program leading to a degree in Music with either elementary or secondary music education as a focus. All students who complete this degree are automatically accepted into the two-year Bachelor of Education degree program. Students will be able to pursue graduate studies in either degree.
Please note that students wishing to enter either of the above programs must complete an
interview, audition and music theory placement test prior to admission.
The following degree programs do not involve applied lessons and the performance requirement of the other degree programs:
- B.A. Three-year
- B.A. Four-year
- B.A. Honours
The Department of Music also offers graduate programs in composition and music theory leading to the Master of Music (M. Mus.) degree and in musicology leading to the Master of Arts (MA) degree. Special case programs are available in the Master of Music in performance (piano, collaborative piano, saxophone, trumpet and voice), or in conducting (choral or instrumental). A special case program is also available leading to a Master's of Music in Music Education (M. Mus. Ed.) degree.
Career Opportunities
The Department of Music at the U of S has contributed to the development of many talented and successful musicians. Graduates of the Music program have established careers as teachers, performers, scholars and administrators.
Many people do not realize the career possibilities available with a Bachelor of Music degree. Music is not only a performance or teaching industry; it is part of a large community of related industries. Through intensive music study and extensive performing opportunities, graduates of the Music program gain skills and experience. These skills and experiences assist them in establishing successful careers in North America and Europe as symphony musicians, singers, public and private teachers, conductors, composers and musicologists.
The U of S Advantage
Study at one of the most beautiful University sites in Canada while being immersed in the City of Saskatoon’s active arts environment. Saskatoon is a hotbed for musicians with solo and group performance opportunities with the renowned Saskatoon Symphony, Fringe Festival, Shakespeare on the Saskatchewan, Saskatoon Jazz Society and the SaskTel Jazz Festival.
Students at the U of S are surrounded by extensive first-class learning opportunities thanks to personalized instruction and critique from world-class composers, clinicians and musicians, all of whom comprise the Department of Music faculty.
My studies within the University of Saskatchewan's Department of Music have been filled with positive experiences. The small class sizes allow for a great deal of interaction with the very knowledgeable
faculty. I consider my time here as a valuable step en route to
graduate studies.
—Grant Swatzky,
Student
A Stepping Stone...
Many U of S Music students continue their studies at some of the best graduate schools and training programs in the world. With appropriate selection of courses, Music students can also develop career options in administration, business, education, law, medicine, technology and other professional fields.
As well, Music Education is a unique degree program that trains students to meet the challenges of a variety of teaching positions. Music Education students develop performance skills and experience through applied lessons, solo recitals, and a variety of large and small ensemble performance opportunities. Observation and teaching experiences in the first three years, as well as the extended practicum in year two of the Bachelor of Education program, give students the hands-on experience in the classroom that they need.
The Music Education program has a strong emphasis on the musical development of each student. Graduates are firstly fine musicians, who have been trained to also be fine educators. The relatively small size of the Department is a definite advantage.—Darrell J. Bueckert,
B.A., B.Mus. (Mus.Ed.), M.Ed., Musician
Getting Involved!
The Department of Music provides many performance opportunities. In addition to a Student Recital Series, there are a variety of large and small ensembles in which all students can experience a wide spectrum of musical styles and genres: the Greystone Singers, University Chorus, Wind Orchestra, Concert Band, Music Theatre Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble, Contemporary Music Ensemble, Collegium Musicum and a variety of chamber ensembles. These ensembles are not just for music majors. Students from across the campus participate in the various ensembles.
Join the Association of Student Musicians and the University of Saskatchewan Music Educators’ Society to assume leadership roles in student activities.
Laboratory & Research Facilities
The Department of Music facilities include Quance Theatre, Convocation Hall, music studios and numerous practice rooms, an electronic music lab with the latest digital equipment, an electronic piano/MIDI classroom consisting of Yamaha Clavinovas and Apple iMac computers, and a number of chamber ensemble rehearsal/classrooms.
Outstanding Students & Faculty
In addition to the world-class scholarship, teaching and performance of our regular faculty, Professor Emeritus and former Head, Dr. David Kaplan, was recently awarded the Order of Canada, and Professors Emeriti Dwaine Nelson and Dorothy Howard were both recipients of the University Master Teacher Award.
Graduates of our undergraduate programs have successfully gone on to complete work at the graduate level and have established careers as professionals in virtually every facet of the music industry. Many have been winners and overall Grand Prize winners at the National Canadian Music Festival. Examples of some of our noted Alumni include:
- Lisa Hornung: internationally recognized mezzo-soprano
- Dr. Tania Miller: Music Director, Victoria Symphony
- Kevin Junk: Owner, Musicraft Instrument Repair
- Dr. John Doerksen: Associate Professor of Music Theory and Associate Dean (Undergraduate Programs and Admissions), University of Western Ontario
- Rika Asai: Visiting Faculty, Indiana University
- Shelley Jagow: Professor, Wright State University, Ohio
- Dr. Glen Gillis: Associate Professor of Music, University of Saskatchewan
- Dr. Gerald Langner: Associate Professor of Music, University of Saskatchewan
- Dr. Richard Gillis: Associate Professor of Music, University of Manitoba
- Allen Harrington: Faculty of Music, University of Manitoba
- Dr. Thomas Staples: Professor of Music, University of Lethbridge
- Dr. Bill RIchards: Head Piano/Theory Department, Grant MacKewan College
Admission Requirements
The following is a list of high school subjects required for admission. Please select the province/territory where you completed high school.
Additional Information
Related Interests
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