Last updated: September 26, 2023 @ 03:00PM

Music

Chair
Karin Di Bella

Professor
Brian E. Power

Associate Professors
Karin Di Bella, Peter Landey, Rachel Rensink-Hoff, Matthew Royal

Assistant Professor
Nina Penner

Resident Ensembles
Avanti Chamber Singers

Academic Advisor
Elizabeth Maddeaux
rmaddeaux@brocku.ca

General Information

Administrative Assistant

Katarina Rieger

905-688-5550, extension 3817
Marilyn I. Walker 228
brocku.ca/music
music@brocku.ca

The goal of the Department of Music, part of the Marilyn I. Walker School of Fine and Performing Arts, is to prepare students for their chosen musical career and to produce critically aware musicians with a broadly based musical education. The Department of Music offers programs of study leading to a Bachelor of Music (BMus) Honours, a Bachelor of Arts (BA) Honours in Music, a BA with Major in Music and a Pass BA degree program. Students may also pursue a combined major or a minor in Music.

BMus and BA Honours students may earn a Concentration in Music Education. BMus students may declare a Concentration in Music Performance following a successful audition. BMus students may also declare a Concentration in Choral Music, or Music Therapy Foundations. BA students may declare a Concentration in Community Music. All concentrations are satisfied by successfully completing designated courses in addition to general program requirements. Alternatively, students may earn a BMus or a BA Honours degree without declaring a concentration.

Students take core courses in music in society, theory, general musicianship and choral ensemble performance. Students in the BMus program must take lessons in one of the following areas: piano, pipe organ, voice, classical guitar, harp, flute, oboe, clarinet, classical saxophone, bassoon, trumpet, French horn, trombone, tuba, percussion, violin, viola, cello and double bass. If lessons are not taken in successive years, students must re-audition.

Student progress will be evaluated annually. To continue in the BMus program students must achieve a minimum grade of 60 percent in all MUSI courses and a minimum 70 percent major average, plus a minimum of 75% on the jury in 1-2-3F92. Any student who does not meet these requirements will be placed in the BA with Major program. To re-declare to BMus a student must upgrade any MUSI course in which the minimum of 60 was not achieved and raise their major average to 70 percent. Otherwise students may continue in the BA with Major program.

The requirement for graduation with a BMus or BA (Honours) is a minimum 70 percent major average and a minimum 60 percent non-major average. The requirement for graduation with a BA with Major is a minimum 60 percent major average and a minimum 60 percent overall average.

Facilities

The Department of Music is located in the Marilyn I. Walker School of Fine and Performing Arts building in downtown St. Catharines. Facilities in the Department of Music include Smart classrooms, applied music studios, choral and instrumental ensemble libraries, and a digital music lab. There are individual soundproofed practice rooms with pianos for use by music students. One of these rooms is equipped with virtual acoustic technology and the capability for digital recording.

Rehearsals and live performances take place in the Recital Hall in the adjacent FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre building. Additional performances take place in Partridge Hall.
An extensive selection of recordings as well as substantial holdings of music literature, collected editions, scores and special collections are housed in the James A. Gibson Library. Students have access to numerous online resources including Classical Music Library, Naxos Music Library, MediciTV, Oxford Music Online and RILM Abstracts of Music Literature.

Public Events
The Department of Music offers a regular series of events open to students, university faculty and staff and the general public. These include University Choir, Sora Singers, Wind Ensemble and String Orchestra concerts, the Hugh and Marie Logan Jazz Series, the RBC Foundation Music@Noon Series, and the Walker Cultural Leaders Speaker Series.

Large Ensembles
The Department has two choral ensembles, a wind ensemble, a string orchestra and a jazz ensemble. All Department ensembles are also open to any member of the University community or the general public who successfully completes an audition.

Resident Ensembles

The Avanti Chamber Singers (ACS) is a community choir with strong ties to the Department. The ACS presents concerts in our annual series and is occasionally featured in joint performances with the Department's student choral ensembles.

Entrance Requirements for Bachelors of Arts in Music

Entrance Requirements for Bachelors of Music

Language Requirement for Music Majors

Single majors in the BMus or BA in Music are required to complete one credit in a language other than English. Where half-credit courses are used to satisfy the requirement, both half credits must be in the same language.

Program Notes
  1. Music majors may take five and one-half credits in any year of the program without approval from the Dean of Humanities.
  2. Students in the Concentration in Music Performance take MUSI 2F91 in place of MUSI 2F92 and MUSI 3F91 in place of MUSI 3F92.
  3. MUSI 1P88 and 1P89 require ensemble placement auditions, MUSI 1P82 requires a lesson audition, and MUSI 1P60 requires a theory placement evaluation.
  4. BMus students whose primary instrument is other than voice, piano or guitar may participate in an ensemble on their major instrument in 3rd and 4th year.
  5. BMus students in the Concentration in Choral Music must complete one full credit of private voice instruction. Students whose major instrument is other than voice may fulfill this through Secondary Studio, MUSI 2P80, 3P80, 4P80. Audition is required.
  6. In 20 credit degree programs a maximum of eight credits may be numbered 1(alpha)00 to 1(alpha)99; at least three credits must be numbered 2(alpha)90 or above; at least three credits must be numbered 3(alpha)90 or above; and the remaining credits must be numbered 2(alpha)00 or above.
    In 15 credit degree programs a maximum of eight credits may be numbered 1(alpha)00 to 1(alpha)99; at least three credits must be numbered 2(alpha)90 or above; and the remaining credits must be numbered 2(alpha)00 or above.

    In some circumstances, in order to meet university degree and program requirements, more than 15 or 20 credits may be taken.


BMus Program (Honours only)

Year 1
·   MUSI 1F92, 1P60, 1P25, 1P50, 1P90, 2Y07 and 2Y08
·   one of MUSI 1P88,1P89
·   one language credit (see language requirement), or one Sciences context credit, or one Social Sciences context credit

Year 2
·   MUSI 2F92, 2P50, 2P55, 2P90, 2P95, 3Y07 and 3Y08 (see program note 2)
·   one of MUSI 2P88, 2P89
·   the language credit, the Sciences context credit or the Social Sciences context credit (not taken in year 1)

Year 3
·   MUSI 3F92 (see program note 2)
·   one of MUSI 3P78, 3P84, 3P86, 3P88, 3P89 (see program note 4)
·   one-half MUSI credit numbered 3(alpha)90 or above
·   the language credit, the Sciences context credit or the Social Sciences context credit (not taken in years 1 and 2)
·   two elective credits

Year 4
·   One of MUSI 4P78, 4P84, 4P86, 4P88, 4P89 (see program note 4)
·   one-half MUSI credit
·   one MUSI credit numbered 3(alpha)90 or above
·   three elective credits

BA Honours Program

Year 1
·   MUSI 1P60, 1P25, 1P50, 1P90, 2Y07 and 2Y08
·   one of MUSI 1P88, 1P89
·   two credits from, one language credit (see language requirement), one Sciences context credit, one Social Sciences context credit

Year 2
·   MUSI 2P50, 2P55, 2P90 and 2P95
·   one of MUSI 2P88, 2P89
·   the language credit, the Sciences context credit or the Social Sciences context credit (not taken in year 1)
·   one half MUSI credit
·   one elective credit

Year 3
·   two MUSI credits
·   one MUSI credit numbered 3(alpha)90 or above
·   two elective credits

Year 4
·   one MUSI credit
·   two MUSI credits numbered 3(alpha)90 or above
·   two elective credits

BA with Major Program

This program differs from the Honours program in that honours standing is not required for entry into year 4.

Year 1
·   MUSI 1P60, 1P25, 1P50, 1P90, 2Y07 and 2Y08
·   one of MUSI 1P88, 1P89
·   two credits from one language credit (see language requirement), one Sciences context credit, one Social Sciences context credit

Year 2
·   MUSI 2P50, 2P55, 2P90 and 2P95
·   one of MUSI 2P88, 2P89
·   the language credit, Sciences context credit or Social Sciences context credit (not taken in year 1)
·   one-half MUSI credit
·   one elective credit

Year 3
·   two MUSI credits
·   one MUSI credit numbered 3(alpha)90 or above
·   two elective credits

Year 4
·   one MUSI credit
·   two MUSI credits numbered 3(alpha)90 or above
·   two elective credits

Pass Program

Satisfactory completion of the first three years of an Honours program entitles a student to apply for a Pass degree.

Combined Major Program

Honours

Students may take a combined major in MUSI and in a second discipline. For requirements in the other discipline, students should consult the relevant department. Note that not all departments provide a combined major option.
·   MUSI 1P60, 1P25, 1P50, 1P90, 2P50, 2P55
·   three and one-half MUSI credits
·   one and one half MUSI credits numbered 3(alpha)90 or above

Pass
Satisfactory completion of the first three years of an Honours program entitles a student to apply for a Pass degree.

Concentration Program

Concentration in Choral Music
Students may earn a Concentration in Choral Music by successfully completing the following courses as part of their academic work leading to an Honours Bachelor of Music degree:
·   MUSI 1P88 or 1P89
·   MUSI 2P88 or 2P89
·   MUSI 3P88 or 3P89
·   MUSI 4P88 or 4P89
·   MUSI 2P45, 2P93, 3P93, 3P94
·   one credit from MUSI 2P80, 3F92, 3P80, 4P80 (see program note 5)
·   one credit from MUSI 2P21, 2P30, 2P98, 2P99, 3P00, 3P21, 4P50, 4P51, 4P55, 4P62, 4P67

Concentration in Community Music

Students may earn a Concentration in Community Music by successfully completing the following courses as part of their academic work leading to an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Music degree:
·   MUSI 1P88 or 1P89
·   MUSI 2P88 or 2P89
·   one of MUSI 3P78, 3P84, 3P86, 3P88, 3P89
·   one of MUSI 4P78, 4P84, 4P86, 4P88, 4P89
·   MUSI 2P45, 2P93, 3P93, 3Y07, 3Y08
·   two credits from MUSI 2P40, 2P41, 2P42, 2P43, 2P48, 2P49, 3P55, 3P75, 3P94, 4P75, RECL 1P03 or 1P90, 2P02, SOCI 2F60, STAC 4P40 or 4P41.

Concentration in Music Education

Students may earn a Concentration in Music Education by successfully completing the following courses as part of their academic work leading to an Honours Bachelor of Music or Bachelor of Arts in Music degree:
·   One of MUSI 1P88, 1P89
·   one of MUSI 2P88, 2P89
·   one of MUSI 3P78, 3P84, 3P86, 3P88, 3P89 (see program note 4)
·   one of MUSI 4P78, 4P84, 4P86, 4P88, 4P89 (see program note 4)
·   MUSI 2P45, 2P93, 3P93, 3Y07, 3Y08
·   two of MUSI 2P12, 2P30, 2P41, 2P42, 2P43, 2P48, 2P49, 3P94
·   one credit from MUSI 1P78, 1P84, 1P86, 2P78, 2P84, 2P86, 2P98, 2P99, 3F81, 3P00, 3P20, 3P64, 3P75, 3P82, 4F81, 4F92, 4P62, 4P67, 4P75, 4P82

Concentration in Music Performance

Students may earn a Concentration in Music Performance by successfully completing the following courses as part of their academic work leading to an Honours Bachelor of Music degree:
·   MUSI 1F92, 2F91, 3F91 and 4F91
·   two credits from MUSI 2P21, 2P78, 2P80, 2P84, 2P86, 2P93, 3P00, 3P20, 3P21, 3P76, 3P78, 3P80, 3P84, 3P86, 3P93, 4F81, 4P67, 4P76, 4P78, 4P80, 4P84, 4P86, STAC 4P40, 4P41.

Concentration in Music Therapy Foundations

Students may earn the Concentration in Music Therapy Foundations by successfully completing the following courses as part of their academic work leading to an Honours Bachelor of Music degree:
·   MUSI 2P63, 3P64 and 4F92
·   PSYC 1F90, 2P12 and 2P15
·   two credits from MUSI 2P12, 2P30, 2P43, 2P45, 2P49, 3P75, 4P67, 4P75, PSYC 2F23, 2P25, RECL 2P02

Certificate and Micro-certificate Programs

Certificate in Choral/Vocal Music
Students can receive a certificate in Choral/Vocal Music by completing the following courses:
·   MUSI 1P80, 1P88 or 1P89
·   MUSI 2P88 or 2P89
·   MUSI 1F81 and 2F81
·   one MUSI credit

Certificate in Instrumental Music
Students can receive a certificate in Instrumental Music by completing the following courses:
·   One of MUSI 1P78, 1P80, 1P84, 1P86
·   one of MUSI 2P78, 2P84, 2P86
·   MUSI 1F81 and 2F81
·   one MUSI credit

Micro-certificate in Choral/Vocal Music

The Micro-certificate in Choral/Vocal Music is awarded upon completion of the following courses with a minimum overall average of 70 percent:
·   MUSI 1P88 or 1P89 (see program note 3)
·   MUSI 1F81

Micro-certificate in Instrumental Music

The Micro-certificate in Instrumental Music is awarded upon completion of the following courses with a minimum overall average of 70 percent
·   One-half credit from MUSI 1P78, 1P84, 1P86
·   MUSI 1F81

Micro-certificate in Music Making/Music Thinking

The Micro-certificate in Music Making/Music Thinking is awarded upon completion of the following courses with a minimum overall average of 60 percent:
·   One-half credit from MUSI 1P78, 1P82, 1P84, 1P86, 1P88, 1P89 (see program note 3)
·   one of MUSI 1P60 and 1P90; MUSI 1P50 and 1P95; MUSI 1P60 and 2P55 (see program note 3)

Minor in Music

Students in other disciplines can obtain a minor in Music within their degree program by completing the following courses with a minimum 60 percent overall average:
·   Two MUSI credits
·   one MUSI credit numbered 2(alpha)00 or above
·   one MUSI credit numbered 2(alpha)90 or above

Minor in Choral/Vocal Music

Students in other disciplines can obtain a minor in Choral/Vocal Music within their degree program by completing the following courses with a minimum 60 percent overall average:
·   MUSI 1P88 or 1P89
·   MUSI 2P88 or 2P89
·   MUSI 3P88 or 3P89
·   one and one-half MUSI credits
·   one-half MUSI credit numbered 2(alpha)00 or above
·   one-half MUSI credit numbered 2(alpha)90 or above

Minor in Instrumental Music

Students in other disciplines can obtain a minor in Instrumental Music within their degree program by completing the following courses with a minimum 60 percent overall average:
·   One of MUSI 1P78, 1P84, 1P86
·   one of MUSI 2P78, 2P84, 2P86
·   one of MUSI 3P78, 3P84, 3P86
·   one of MUSI 2P12, 2P41, 2P42, 2P43, 2P48
·   one and one-half MUSI credits
·   one-half MUSI credit numbered 2(alpha)90 or above

Course Descriptions

Note that not all courses are offered in every session. Refer to the applicable term timetable for details.

# Indicates a cross listed course
* Indicates primary offering of a cross listed course