BRING MUSIC TO YOUR DEGREE AT BROCK
The Department of Music at Brock, part of the Marilyn I Walker School of Fine and Performing Arts, offers a full and rich calendar of musical events through the academic year. Taking place in the Walker School and the adjacent FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre in downtown St Catharines, our musical activities are a cornerstone of the University’s cultural profile in the Niagara region. In addition, we offer several academic degrees in Music, and music making is an integral part of our courses. If you are majoring in a subject other than Music, but music is an important part of your life that you wish to continue at University, then there are a number of options for you. Students with some background in music may receive special permission of the department to enroll in other more specialized courses in music. For more information, please email us at [email protected].
An exciting place to be!
There is a lot of music-making happening in and around the Music Department! Even if you’re majoring in something else we would love to have you join us.
Taking place in the stunning Marilyn I Walker School and adjacent FirstOntrio Performing Arts Centre in downtown St. Catharines, our musical activities are a central part of the region’s cultural offerings.
Ensembles – experience the buzz of group music making at its very best!
Ensembles are open to everyone! Current students in any program may choose to do ensembles for credit or recreation. Members of the general public are welcome too!
The schedule follows the Fall and Winter academic terms. There is a 3-hour time commitment per week (September to April). Participation in term concerts is required.
All ensembles take place in the adjacent FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre Recital Hall. Take a 3D tour here!
Fun Fact
Did you know that many MUSI courses are available to non-Music majors?
It’s true! However, to ensure your success, you are required to audition and/or pass the theory requirement test.
Audition for courses
If the course involves playing an instrument or singing, an audition is mandatory.
Theory requirement
If the course involves knowing how to read music notation, we’ll ask you to do a theory placement evaluation, or provide proof of a completed, accredited music theory examination. See info here
- MUSI 1P89 University Singers
- MUSI 1P85 Community Choir
• MUSI 1P84 Wind Ensemble
• MUSI 1P78 Brock Big Band
- MUSI 1F81 Applied Lessons: full credit course, including private 60-minute lessons per week (24 weeks), weekly masterclass, weekly concert attendance September through April. Supplementary lesson fee is $1,916 (fees subject to change)
- MUSI 1P82 Applied Studio: half credit course, including private 30-minute lessons per week (24 weeks), weekly masterclass, weekly concert attendance September through April. Supplementary lesson fee is $958 (fees subject to change)
For more information visit Lessons.
There are no prerequisites for the following courses:
MUSI 1P95 Popular Music since 1945
- Survey of popular music developments in rock, jazz, pop, and related musical styles from 1945 to the present.
- Humanities Context course
MUSI 1P50 Music in Global Culture
- Explore how music both reflects and influences individuals and societies through case studies from a variety of musical traditions, past and present, from around the globe.
- Humanities Context course
The following courses are available after successfully completing MUSI 1P50:
MUSI 2P50 Western Music from Hildegard to Haydn
- Humanities Context Course
MUSI 2P55 Western Music from Beethoven to Beyoncé
- The ability to read Western musical notation is an asset
- Humanities Context course
MUSI 2P01 History of Jazz
- The ability to read Western musical notation is assumed
MUSI 3P64 Music Cognition
- Explore how the human mind/brain processes, responds to, and produces music. Topics include perception, memory, emotions, performance, and the developmental and social psychology of music.
- The ability to read Western musical notation is not required.
With four credits in Music you can add a Music Minor to your degree. Note: make sure your degree program allows enough room for a minor.There are three different Music Minor options:
Option 1: Minor in Music
- two MUSI credits
- one MUSI credit 200+
- one MUSI credit 290+
Option 2: Minor in Choral/Vocal Music
- 3 years of Choral Ensemble (Treble or Mixed) (1.5 MUSI credits)
- 1.5 MUSI electives
- 0.5 MUSI credit 200+
- 0.55 MUSI credit 290+
Option 3: Minor in Instrumental Music
- 3 years of an instrumental ensemble (Wind, Jazz, or String)
- 1.5 MUSI electives
- 0.5 MUSI credit 200+
- 0.5 MUSI credit 290+
Maybe a full degree isn’t for you right now, but you want to take some Music courses and have something to show for it.
The new four-credit Certificates allow you to do exactly that.
Our Certificates follow two of our Minor programs.
Certificate Option 1: Certificate in Choral/Vocal Music
- 3 years of Choral Ensemble (Treble or Mixed) (1.5 MUSI credits)
- 1.5 MUSI electives
- 0.5 MUSI credit 200+
- 0.55 MUSI credit 290+
Certificate Option 2: Certificate in Instrumental Music
- 3 years of an instrumental ensemble (Wind, Jazz, or String)
- 1.5 MUSI electives
- 0.5 MUSI credit 200+
- 0.5 MUSI credit 290+
Learn about the application process on the Brock Admissions website.
Any of the courses mentioned on this page can be used towards a Minor in Music. There are many other MUSI courses available to you too, as long as you have the prerequisites.
Please see the MUSI course offerings listed in the Academic Calendar.
Note: many MUSI courses are offered on rotation. For current offerings please see the Provisional Music Courses document on the Music Majors page.