OVERVIEW
Music
We invite you to share your music, find your vision, and build the future by studying in the Department of Music’s dynamic, inclusive program.
Since the 1970s Music at York has led in innovative post-secondary music studies, being the first in Canada to offer integrated studies in jazz, contemporary improvisation, gospel music, world music performance and ethnomusicology.
The program continues that tradition of innovation, combining a flexible program with individual attention. Courses in jazz, gospel, western classical, world, and contemporary music develop music skills and engage students in music creation (performance, composition, improvisation), studies (ethnomusicology, musicology, popular music studies), and community practice (education, community music, career-related placements).
While maintaining flexibility, we offer students seven areas in which to specialize: Jazz and Gospel Music, Western Classical Music, World Music and Ethnomusicology, Contemporary Improvisation, Composition, Music Education and Community Music, and Studies in Music Cultures.
HIGHLIGHTS
Top 6 reasons to apply
The flexibility to choose courses from different areas or to focus and specialize
Diversity of music traditions and styles from classical, jazz, popular, and traditional musics
Opportunities to perform, participate in workshops, and benefit from community and industry placements
Classmates who are talented, invested in learning, and contribute to a shared community
Faculty who are dedicated artists and scholars who give students the individual attention they need
World-class, state-of the art facilities for performance, rehearsal, recording and composing
YEAR BY YEAR OVERVIEW
Learning Outcomes
Share your MUSIC, find your VISION, build the FUTURE
Years 1 and 2
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Build a solid foundation & explore:
- Develop essential concepts and practical skills in musicianship, music theory, and performance.
- Expand your awareness of musical cultures.
- Explore new areas of study.
- Gain an understanding of the social, cultural, and historical contexts of music.
Years 3 and 4
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Differentiate, consolidate, & apply:
- Deepen your expertise to apply techniques, skills, and knowledge to performances and research.
- Specialize in your chosen area or continue to explore options.
- Connect and integrate your skills with others in creative projects and critical studies.
- Apply your skills through performance, community connections, and placements.
Year One
OVERVIEW
Incoming students share a common first-year curriculum in which they take courses across the various areas of Music. All first-year Music students enter the BFA program. After first year, students who interests centre on music studies (music history, criticism and scholarly research) may choose to move to the Honours BA program.
In their first two years in the Music program, all Music majors and Music minors share a core curriculum of 4 courses (24 credits). These courses are not open to non-majors/non-minors.
MUSI 1000 Workshop in Musicianship I and MUSI 2000 Workshop in Musicianship II Through two years of intensive study, these courses develop musical sensitivity, imagination, and practical skills through group and individual exercises in singing, composing, playing, listening, and critical analysis focused on the elements of music and harmonic training.
MUSI 1200 Musics and Cultures I and MUSI 2200 Musics and Cultures II These two courses introduce specific styles and repertoires of world musics within historical and socio-cultural contexts to understand how music is tied to racial, class, and gendered identities, socio-economic structures, and political systems. By understanding music within a broader set of meanings, students also explore community connections.
In addition to these foundation courses, students select courses from other areas of the program. This makes it possible to specialize as early as first year, or explore.
OPPORTUNITIES
Create your own pathway or specialize
The Undergraduate Curriculum offers flexibility: as a student in the program, you may choose from any number of courses and areas of interest through four years. In addition, you may choose courses to develop an area of specialization. This offers you a way through the program based on your interests and personal career goals. You will choose elective courses in first-year.
OVERVIEW
The Department of Music at York University was the first music program in Canada to include jazz as an integral part of its curriculum. A full range of courses, including private lessons, jazz theory and musicianship, small ensembles, jazz orchestra, and jazz history are offered each year. York University was also the first music program in Canada to include Gospel music, and today students can join the gospel choir as well as study gospel history and performance practice. Related courses include a rhythm and blues ensemble.
Sample Program Pathway
OVERVIEW
Western classical music has been central to the Department of Music since the beginning. Students may choose from a variety of courses in classical performance, including private lessons, large ensembles, small ensembles, choral singing and solo performance. Early music continues to thrive at York with opportunities for students interested in harpsichord, Baroque and early music. A full suite of courses supports those students interested in a specific concentration such as classical voice, piano or other instruments, with associated learning opportunities.
Sample Program Pathway
OVERVIEW
The Department of Music at York has offered world music study and performance as an essential part of its curriculum from its earliest days. Today, we offer our Music majors and minors the opportunity to experience other music cultures through performance in ensembles, private lessons, and related studies courses. As a reflection of our broader environment, this area is directly relevant to community music and music education.
Sample Program Pathway
OVERVIEW
The Department of Music has always valued improvisation as contributing to the musical flexibility required for success in performance. Studies in contemporary improvisation, through private instruction, class engagement, and ensemble performance, guide students in developing the musical versatility required to flourish in today’s evolving creative environment. The courses listed below complement studies in other areas of performance.
Sample Program Pathway
OVERVIEW
Composition has been an area of strength in the music program since its beginning. The Department of Music addresses the expanding area of music composition by offering courses in both traditional compositional practices and digital and electronic media as early as first year. Students may then continue in traditional composition or focus on composing for films, games, and motion media. Specialized studios and labs are available to students studying composing for screens.
Sample Program Pathway
OVERVIEW
A broad array of courses allows students to specialize in the critical and cultural study of music. Students may select from these courses to complement their primary area of study in the BFA, or move to a four-year Honours BA to engage more intensively with music studies, for example, musicology, ethnomusicology, popular music studies and music writing. These courses offer students the opportunity to focus on different repertoires, styles, historical periods, and areas of the world to explore issues related to the critical analysis of music and to gain a deeper understanding of music within its broader socio-political and cultural contexts.
Sample Courses
OVERVIEW
The Department of Music distinguishes itself in providing students with practical experience relevant to teaching in today’s classroom. It offers a full range of courses that prepare students for a career in music education and the expanding opportunities in community music. Instructors with practical experience in the Ontario classroom address issues and methodologies required for teaching music and facilitate placements in classrooms. These studies complement those offered at York through both the unique Concurrent Education program and popular Consecutive Education program in the Faculty of Education (see below).
Sample Program Pathway
ENDLESS POSSIBILITIES
Two degrees in one
OVERVIEW
The Concurrent Bachelor of Education (BEd) program allows you to work toward an education degree while completing your Music undergraduate degree at the same time as early as first year.
Students are admitted on the basis of academic achievement, oral communication abilities, experience and personal characteristics relevant to the teaching profession. The BEd degree is awarded only in conjunction with an academic degree as described above.
APPLICATION PROCESS
How to apply
STEP
1Choose a program that gives me the flexibility to explore.
- Make note of the deadlines.
- Check to make sure your program is still accepting applications.
- Ensure you’ve met all admission requirements.
- Make sure you have all the required documents.
- Ready to apply? Move to Step 3.
Use this application if:
- You want to apply to degree studies for any session (Ontario high-school students should see their guidance office). Fee Information.
- You’re a mature or university/college applicant (if you’re applying to more than one university). Fee Information.
Apply Now
B. York University ApplicationUse this application if:
- You are a mature, international or university/college transfer applicant (if you’re only applying to York), OR
- You want to take courses as a Visiting Student, OR
- You want to apply to a certificate, OR
- You are currently taking a York pre-University/”Bridging” course or YUELI course
Fees: $120 (non-refundable)
Apply Now
Once you have submitted your application, you will receive an email containing your York reference ID. This email will be sent approximately 5-10 business days after you submit your application. Please complete step 4 once you have your York Reference ID.
Once you have submitted your application, you will receive an email containing your York reference ID. This email will be sent approximately 5-10 business days after you submit your application. Please complete step 4 once you have your York Reference ID.
- Make sure you have your York Reference ID on hand.
- Complete the questionnaire which helps us get to know you a little better.
- Pay the administration fee of: $60 CAD. You will then be able to proceed with the audition.
- Read through the instructions below on the audition process.
- Book a date to complete your in-person audition. If you live outside of the Greater Toronto Area, you can upload digital files of your recorded audition instead. In this case your digital files will be reviewed and assessed, but we strongly encourage you to visit campus for an in-person audition if possible.
Good luck!
Preparing for your audition
Attend our annual Audition Prep. Workshop! Check the website for the details.
Read over the audition details below and check out our Audition FAQs for information specific to your instrument and genre.
The audition
Our application process is designed to help us get to know each other. Our auditions are grouped into three broad categories of performance: Classical, Jazz, and World Music. The area you choose to audition for should reflect your interests but does not imply that you will be limited to that area if you are accepted to the Department of Music. All of our students must demonstrate their musical ability in one of the above areas. Students with particular interests such as composition, music education, music studies, DAW, should indicate their interests in the online questionnaire that you fill out prior to the in-person audition.
Once you have completed the questionnaire you will be directed to make an audition appointment where you will be asked to focus your area further by selecting a specific instrument or voice type within the three broad categories (Classical, Jazz, and World Music).
What happens at the audition?
Your audition will start with a 15 to 20-minute performance/interview session. This will generally include:
– Performance of your two contrasting pieces
– An opportunity to demonstrate your musicianship through sight reading and ear training
– Discussion of your musical knowledge as well as your goals and aspirations
Helpful information regarding choosing appropriate repertoire for your specific audition type may be found in our Audition FAQs.
For the musicianship assessment portion of your audition be prepared to:
– Recognize and name basic intervals, scales and chord types played on the piano by the examiner
– Sing pitches, intervals or scales
– Perform additional exercises if the adjudicator requires further information to make a complete assessment of your abilities and potential
Following the performance/interview portion of your audition you will be asked to complete a short written theory test, where you will demonstrate your knowledge of the rudiments of music and writing ability. The evaluation takes most students well under the 60 minutes allotted and is similar in content to the Royal Conservatory of Music’s Advanced Rudiments requirements.
Are there online auditions?
Online auditions are available for those whose residence is greater than 200 kilometers away from York University’s Keele Campus. If you live outside of the Greater Toronto Area, you can upload digital files of your audition. In this case your digital files will be reviewed and assessed, but we strongly encourage you to visit campus for an in-person interview if possible.
The online audition process requires that you complete our online questionnaire and submit videos of your performance of the two required contrasting pieces. Online applicants may also be asked to complete an online interview or theory evaluation if determined necessary to get a comprehensive sense of your ability to be successful in our program and to ensure that our program aligns with your musical goals. Applicants will be contacted via email if this step is required.
Have questions about the supplementary evaluation for this program? Ask us at evalampd@yorku.ca.
- Make sure all your documents arrive before the deadline.
- If you haven’t already, book a tour.
- Check out our public events and performances* taking place throughout the season.
- Check your application status.
- Be prepared to apply for scholarships, awards & bursaries after you’ve been accepted.
- Take a look at info on Financial Aid.
*During the coronavirus pandemic public events on campus have been cancelled.
