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Location: Craigie Hall D 100
Program number: 403.220.5313
Fax: 403.282.6925
Email address: musicgs@ucalgary.ca
Web page URL:

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Specializations:

• Composition
• Music Education
• Musicology
• Sonic Arts

Master of Arts (MA) thesis-based

Specialization:

• Musicology

Master of Music (MMus) thesis-based

Specializations:

• Composition
• Conducting^*
• Music Education
• Performance
• Sonic Arts

*Choral or band

In addition to Faculties of Graduate Studies and Arts requirements, Music requires that all applicants submit:

a) One-page letter detailing their specific reasons for pursuing graduate study.

b) Two reference letters.

Other requirements are outlined below and based on the degree being pursued.

Master of Music (Performance)

a) A completed Bachelor of Music degree (or equivalent).

b) A live audition or video/audio recording. Repertoire for the audition must contain representative works from a variety of historical periods and must demonstrate an advanced level of technical accomplishment. Recordings should be approximately 20-30 minutes in length. Live auditions are scheduled for early February. Specific dates and times can be arranged by contacting the Graduate Program Administrator at 403.220.5422 or email musicgs@ucalgary.ca.

Master of Music (Conducting) - Choral or Band

a) A completed Bachelor of Music degree, including study in conducting.

b) Demonstrated ability in an audition, which can be met in two ways:

• A video of approximately fifteen minutes.
• A rehearsal of a University ensemble (during Fall and early Winter).

c) Demonstrated competence on a major instrument or voice.

Master of Music (Composition)

a) A completed Bachelor of Music degree (or equivalent), including study in composition.

b) A portfolio of at least three recent compositions, together with recordings (where available). Applicants wishing to specialize in electroacoustic composition must submit recordings.

Master of Music (Sonic Arts)

a) A completed Bachelor of Music degree (or equivalent) with a major, minor or concentration in Electroacoustic Music, Sonic Arts, Digital Audio Arts or similar field.

b) A portfolio of recent sonic arts creative and/or research projects.

c) A research paper.

Master of Music (Music Education)

a) A completed Bachelor of Music degree (or equivalent)

b) Normally, two years of successful teaching experience or equivalent professional involvement in music education.

c) An essay on a topic in Music Education prepared during or subsequent to the applicant’s undergraduate work.

Master of Arts (Musicology)

a) A completed Bachelor of Music degree (or equivalent).

b) A research essay or paper of approximately 10-15 pages on a topic in music history or theory prepared during or subsequent to the applicant’s undergraduate course work.

Doctor of Philosophy

a) A recognized master’s degree or equivalent.

b) Composition - a portfolio of works, together with recordings, if available, and an extended research paper.

c) Musicology - one or two extended research essays of approximately 25 pages in length.

d) Music Education - one or two extended research essays.

e) Sonic Arts - a portfolio of sonic arts creative and/or research projects, and an extended research paper.

The deadline for the submission of complete applications is available on the Future Students website:

Master of Arts:

Master of Music:

Doctor of Philosophy:

The applicant must make advanced credit requests as part of the admission process. Credit will not be given for course work taken as part of another completed degree/diploma or for courses taken to bring the grade point average to a required level for admission.

Students should consult the Graduate Program Director before registering in courses.

In addition to Faculties of Graduate Studies and Arts requirements, Music, excluding qualifying courses, requires:

Master's Degrees

Master of Arts (Musicology):

• Music 631
• 3-unit graduate course in Music Theory, Composition, Sonic Arts or Music History and Literature
• 12 units of graduate Music courses, and
• 6 units of approved graduate courses in any area.

No more than 6 units may be from independent study courses Music 661 and Music Education 655.

Master of Music (Composition):

• Music 613, 631, and 641.01
• one of Music 641.02 or 653
• 3-unit graduate Music course, and
• 6 units of approved graduate-level courses in any area.

No more than 6 units may be from independent study courses Music 661 and Music Education 655.

Master of Music (Conducting):

• Music 631
• Music Performance 632 or 634
• 3-unit graduate course in Music Theory, Composition, Sonic Arts or Music History and Literature
• 6 units of graduate Music courses, and
• 6 units of approved graduate courses in any area.

No more than 6 units may be from independent study courses Music 661 and Music Education 655.

Master of Music (Performance):

• Music 621, 623, and 631
• 6 units of graduate courses in Music Theory and Composition, Sonic Arts or Music History and Literature
• 3-unit graduate Music course, and
• 6 units of approved graduate courses in any area.

No more than 6 units may be from independent study courses Music 661 and Music Education 655.

Master of Music (Music Education):

• Music 631
• Music Education 671, and
• 12 units of approved graduate courses in any area.

No more than 6 units may be from independent study courses Music 661 and Music Education 655.

Master of Music (Sonic Arts):

• Music 631, 651, and 653
• 3-unit graduate Music course, and
• 6 units of approved graduate courses in any area.

No more than 6 units may be from independent study courses Music 661 and Music Education 655.

Doctor of Philosophy

Students entering the PhD program will normally be required to complete at least 18 units as described below. In addition, Music 631 is required unless this course or its equivalent has been completed as part of a master's degree.

PhD (Composition):

• 6 units of Music 741
• 6 units of Music 613, and
• 6 units of additional approved graduate courses.

PhD (Musicology), (Music Education):

• An interdisciplinary course (3 units) designed by the student and supervisor, and
• 15 units of additional approved graduate-level courses.

PhD (Sonic Arts):

• Music 751 and 753,Ěý˛ą˛Ô»ĺ
• 12 units of additional approved graduate courses.

Diagnostic tests in music history and theory will be given to all entering master’s students in order to determine if qualifying work in these areas is required. Qualifying work, if required, is normally completed in the first year of study.

Language

Master’s Programs

Master of Arts (Musicology)
Applicants are required to demonstrate a reading knowledge of a language other than English—normally German. In practice, this requirement and any other linguistic competence that may be deemed necessary for the student’s proposed research area must be met before the thesis topic will be approved.

Other Master’s Programs
While there are no formal second-language requirements for the various programs of the Master of Music degree, students may be required to attain proficiency in a language other than English where this is deemed appropriate for the proposed thesis/project.

Doctor of Philosophy

Doctor of Philosophy (Musicology)
Candidates are required to demonstrate a reading knowledge of two languages other than English. German is recommended as one of the required languages.

Doctor of Philosophy (Composition), (Music Education), (Sonic Arts)
Candidates are required to demonstrate a reading knowledge of one language other than English.

Performance

Graduate students in the MMus Performance program are required to participate in one of the large ensembles for the duration of their degree and pianists are required to volunteer as accompanists. In lieu of the large ensemble requirement, pianists have the option to accompany two hours per week in a vocal or instrumental studio. Another option for pianists is to accompany a Junior or a Senior recital. The head of the performance area will make all ensemble or accompanying assignments. Students in graduate programs other than performance are not required to participate in an ensemble, although such participation is encouraged.

Thesis/Recital/Project

Master’s Programs

All master’s degree programs require a thesis or recital or project equivalent (see below), prepared under the guidance of a supervisor and approved by the Music Graduate Studies Committee.

Master of Music (Performance)

The thesis is interpreted to be two public recitals featuring solo performances and chamber music. At least one Canadian work should be included in one of the recitals. The examining committee will evaluate the candidate’s performance in both of the recitals. Recital proposals are to be submitted to the Graduate Program Administrator for approval by the Graduate Committee at least two months before each performance.

Master of Music (Conducting) - Choral or Band

The thesis is interpreted to be two public performances, on or off campus, with University or community ensembles. At least one Canadian work should be included in one of the recitals. The examining committee will evaluate the candidate’s performance in both of the recitals. Recital proposals are to be submitted to the Graduate Program Administrator for approval by the Graduate Committee at least two months before each performance.

Master of Music (Composition)

The thesis is interpreted to be either a substantial creative project and an accompanying descriptive essay related to the project, or a portfolio of creative work, the majority of which must have been created in the second year of residency, and an accompanying descriptive essay related to the portfolio. Normally, the project or portfolio will have been presented in a public recital prior to the thesis defence.

Master of Music (Sonic Arts)

The thesis is interpreted to be either a substantial sonic arts creative project with an accompanying research document or a portfolio of sonic arts creative work, realized in the second year of study, and an accompanying descriptive essay related to the portfolio. The project or portfolio of works will be performed or presented in public prior to the thesis defence.

Doctor of Philosophy

Doctor of Philosophy (Composition)

The thesis is interpreted to be a substantial creative project and an accompanying analytical/research paper approved by the supervisory committee.

Doctor of Philosophy (Sonic Arts)

The thesis is interpreted to be a cohesive sonic arts creative project with an accompanying research document approved by the supervisory committee. The project will be performed or presented in public prior to the thesis defence.

Not applicable.

Maximum completion time is five years for the Master of Music programs and four years for the Master of Arts (Musicology). Maximum completion time is six years for the doctoral program.

The Graduate Program Director will function as the interim supervisor for all newly admitted students during their first term. This arrangement will allow students to use their first term as an opportunity to meet with faculty and to secure a permanent supervisor.

In addition to Faculty of Graduate Studies requirements, the program requires:

Master's Degrees

Master of Arts (Musicology), Master of Music (Composition), Master of Music (Music Education) and Master of Music (Sonic Arts)

A comprehensive oral examination encompassing all areas of the chosen field is required. This examination will take place following the completion of coursework and must be satisfactorily completed before the submission of the thesis/project. In (Sonic Arts) the exam questions will be based on a compiled bibliography (readings and works) relevant to the student’s area of research.

Master of Music (Performance) and (Conducting)

A comprehensive oral examination based upon the literature of the instrument and more extensively upon the repertoire of the approved recital programs is required. This examination must be satisfactorily completed at least six weeks before the date of the second public performance required for the degree.

Doctor of Philosophy

Candidacy

Doctoral students must pass written Field of Study examinations and an Oral Examination on the Thesis Proposal. For complete details of the examination format and other candidacy requirements, see .

Thesis Examination

In addition to Faculty of Graduate Studies requirements for Thesis Examinations, the program requires:

Scheduling of the Examination
All members of the Supervisory Committee must have reviewed the student’s draft thesis document before an examination can be scheduled.

Composition of the Committee
Normally, the Internal Examiner is external to the home program.

Thesis examinations of written theses are open.

Doctoral students must complete a written thesis proposal, approved by the supervisory committee. See for further information about the proposal requirements and approval process.

Financial assistance may be available to qualified students. For information on awards, see the Awards and Financial Assistance section of this Calendar and the program's website.