Courses & Programs

Timetable for Music courses

• B.A. Honours in Music
• B.A. Major in Music
• B.A. Minor in Music
• B.A. Major in Popular Music Studies
• Double Major: Secondary Education and Music
• Certificate in Musical Studies

...Advantages Over a B. Mus.

The B.A. is a liberal arts degree, upholding both the liberal arts culture of Bishop's University and the centuries-old tradition of music as a humanistic study. All of our music programs offer the same courses as B.Mus. programs Canada-wide with one distinct advantage - flexibility.

From the most concentrated program of study offered, the Honours in Music to the most general, the Music Minor, students are afforded the opportunity and encouraged to pursue other areas of interest including such options as the double major, the major with one or more minors or even a double degree.

NB: The term "cycle" refers to course numbers whose middle number is the same as the first number listed for the cycle. Ex. MUS 130 is part of the "30" cycle.

Required: 60 credits

Candidates pursuing the Honours programme in Music must fulfill the following requirements, in addition to those listed below for the Music Major:

Students intending to elect an honours programme should declare their intent by the fourth full-time semester. An honours thesis or recital proposal must be approved by the Department. An average of at least 65% (calculated on the marks obtained in all courses attempted) in both the first and second 30-credit programme years and an average of at least 70% in the particular honours discipline must be attained.

Required: 48 credits

"00" cycle (music literature) - 6 credits
"20" cycle (aural/keyboard skills) - 4 credits
"30" cycle (theory and composition) - 12 credits*
"40" cycle (music history) - 12 credits
"80" cycle (ensemble) - 4 credits

MUS 172/173, 272/273 8 credits

Music electives 2 credits

* MUS 131, 132, 231 and 232

In their first year, all music majors should take the following courses (20 credits):

• Introduction to Musical Skills I and II (MUS 121 and 122)
• Materials of Music I and II (MUS 131 and 132)
• Introduction to Electronic Music (MUS 139)
• at least one Literature course
• Individual Practical Study I and II (MUS 172 and 173)
• two Ensemble courses (MUS 180/181, 182/183, 184/185, 186/187)

By the end of their second year, music majors should also have completed the following courses (20 credits):

• Intermediate Musical Skills (MUS 221)
• Materials of Music III and IV (MUS 231 and 232)
• two Music History courses (MUS 240-247)
• Individual Practical Study III and IV (MUS 272 and 273)
• two Ensemble courses (MUS 280/281, 282/283, 284/285, 286/287)

The remaining 12 credits required for the Music Major degree may be taken at any time during the student's stay at Bishop's, and of course all majors and minors are entitled to take more than the required number of music credits.

Required: 24 credits

MUS 110a/111b - 6 credits
MUS 121a - 1 credit
MUS 130ab, 131a or 132b - 6 credits
MUS 180/181, 182/183, 184/185, 186/187 - 2 credits
MUS 172/173 - 4 credits

Music electives 5 credits

Music minors are requested to take at least one academic music course concurrently with MUS 172/173.

In addition to our classical music program, the Music Department at Bishop=s University offers a solid musical education to those interested in pursuing a career in popular music. Our program is designed to cover the practical side and intellectual aspects of the contemporary music streams of popular culture, including jazz, rock, pop music, theatre, film and world music.

Required: 48 credits:

In their first year, students in this programme should take the following courses (20 credits)

• Introduction to Musical Skills I and II (MUS 121 and 122)
• Materials of Music I and II (MUS 131 and 132)
• Introduction to Electronic Music (MUS 139)
• at least one Literature course
• Individual Practical Study I and II (MUS 172 and 173)
• two Ensemble courses (MUS 180/181, 184/185, 188/189)

By the end of their second year, music majors should also have completed the following courses (19 credits):

• Intermediate Musical Skills (MUS 221)
• Materials of Music III (MUS 231) and MUS 233
• Two more recommended Literature courses
• Individual Practical Study III and IV
• Two Ensemble courses

The remaining credits required for the Music Major degree may be taken at any time during the student's stay at Bishop's, and of course all majors and minors are entitled to take more than the required number of music credits.

B.A. Honours in Popular Music Studies
Required: 60 credits

The requirements for an Honours degree are the same as described above, with a concentration in the Popular Music field.

B.A. Minor in Popular Music Studies
Required: 24 credits

Any two of MUS 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 109 - 6 credits

MUS 121a - 1 credit

MUS 130ab, 131a or 132b - 6 credits

MUS 180/181, 184/185, 188/189 - 2 credits

MUS 172/173 - 4 credits

Music electives - 5 credits in the popular music field

Music minors are requested to take at least one academic music course concurrently with MUS 172/173.

Programme requirements for students pursuing a double major in Secondary Education and Music may be found under "School of Education" in the Academic Calendar. All questions concerning courses and requirements should be referred to the Chair of the School of Education.

The Certificate in Musical Studies is designed for the part-time or community student who does not wish, or is not able, to take a full degree program. It allows the flexibility to focus on history and literature, theory, and where teaching resources permit, performance.

Students may take courses in the regular Fall, Winter or Spring sessions in Lennoxville, or at the Knowlton campus. Courses taken in the certificate program may be transferred later to a minor or major within a degree program in Music at Bishop ’s University; however, students may not be enrolled in a certificate program and degree program at the same time.

Admissions Requirements
(See Regulations for Certificate Programs.)

Program Structure
(See course descriptions in the Music section of this calendar)

Required Courses
MUS 130*, MUS 110, MUS111 *If necessary
The remaining credits may be taken from the following list of courses, offered by the Department in rotation:
Music Literature 103, 104, 106, 107, 108, 112, 114, 205, 207
Music Theory 131, 132, 139, 231, 232, 238
Music History 240, 241, 242, 244, 245, 246, 247
Music Performance* 070-071, 170-171, 270-271, 370-371
*A supplementary instruction fee is levied for all individual performance courses.
Ensemble courses will be permitted upon consultation with the Department

Admission

Students seeking admission must satisfy the general requirements for admission to the university. In addition, the Music Department requests that each applicant submit details of previous musical studies and experience. A placement audition, either live on campus or on a recording, is required. Please contact the Department directly for details.

As a general rule, students should possess their own instruments (with the exception of piano, harpsichord and organ).

For complete details, view the Music section of the academic calendar.

Timetable for Music courses