University of Calgary

Undergraduate Programs

Undergraduate Programs
Admission Requirements
Theory Requirements 
Repertoire Guidelines

Undergraduate Degree Program

Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Music

The BA or BA Honours with a major in Music is a four-year degree for those who wish to pursue the broad range of knowledge available at a research university while focusing on music. Students will complete all academic core components taught in Music and a selection of additional music courses.  Students in the BA may audition for studio lessons, but lessons are neither required nor guaranteed for this program. 

Bachelor of Music (BMus)

The BMus is a four-year degree for those who are interested in a professional career in music upon graduating. An audition is required. Students in the BMus complete practical musical training enriched by theoretical, critical and historical perspectives. After the first year of general music studies, students have the opportunity to specialize in:

  • Composition
  • History and Theory
  • Integrated Studies (program tailored to student interest)
  • Performance

Concurrent BMus (Music Education)/BEd

This is five year combined program leads to the degrees BMus and BEd. An audition is required. This program is for those wishing to certify as a teacher in Alberta schools. Students complete three years in the Department of Music and two years in the Master of Teaching Program in the Faculty of Education.

Music Minor

The Minor is Music is for students who are completing another undergraduate degree but still wish to pursue their love of Music. The program consists of 10 half-courses in the department of Music. Students who wish to include lessons as part of their minor must audition.  Lessons are neither required nor guaranteed for the minor. 

Undergraduate Admissions at the Department of Music

Apply:

Students have a two step process.

#1 Apply to the University of Calgary on-line.


Please note: When applying online to the BMus program, if you are entering into your first year you will not be choosing a route. You will apply to the BMus no route. In the second semester of your first year you will apply to a specified route.

Applicants who are interested in doing two degrees concurrently should register for one degree in their first year and explore the possibilities of adding a second degree for their second year.  Students should consult with a program advisor in the Student Success Centre for more information.

#2 Submit necessary documentation/prepare for upcoming admission procedures according to which degree program is chosen:

Bachelor of Music

Complete and submit the audition form if you are a Bachelor of Music applicant, or a Music Minor applicant who is interested in auditioning.

Applicants to the Bachelor of Music must complete a 10 to 15 minute audition. Information regarding repertoire can be found at  Audition Repertoire Guidelines. As well, applicants must meet all academic requirements for admission to the Faculty of Arts at the University of Calgary, (please see the Admissions website).

Bachelor of Arts in Music

Applicants to the BA degrees in music are admitted based on academic requirements for the Faculty of Arts at the University of Calgary, (please see the Admissions website). Once admitted, students must complete the Theory Diagnostic test (please see information below).

Students who are applying to the BA Music, BA Honours in Music or BA Music Combined degree with Humanities have no audition requirement for admission.

Music Minor

Students who wish to declare a minor in Music may choose to complete lessons on their instrument for credit (MUPF 291/293) within their minor. These students are required to do a 10 to 15 minute audition before they can register in these courses. Please note: Enrollment in these courses is subject to available resources in any given year. Information regarding repertoire and booking audition follows.

If students do not wish to take lessons as part of their minor there is no audition requirement.

Theory Requirements for All Music Students

Students applying to any Music program must provide proof of completion of Harmony 3 from the Royal Conservatory. A photocopy of the examination certificate should be submitted with the audition form.

Students who do not have this documentation or who have not taken any formal examinations will be required to do a diagnostic exam. This will take place on the day of your audition OR for those requesting admission to a program that does not require an audition, please contact the Music Undergraduate Coordinator, Dr. Allan Bell (agbell@ucalgary.ca) in advance, to find out the date, time, and locations of the diagnostic exams.

The diagnostic exam will cover the following topics:

  • Rudiments (scales, intervals, triads, seventh chords)
  • Roman Numeral Analysis and identification of non-chord tones
  • Part-Writing involving four voices and common progressions

A good book to assist with your preparation is Tonal Harmony by Stefan Kostka. ISBN: 007285260. It is available in the University Library. If you are in Calgary, and if you would like to work with a tutor to prepare you for the exam please contact our Music Undergraduate Society at (403) 220-6631 OR instructors at the Mount Royal University Conservatory. Another alternative is to enroll in MUTC 209, usually offered in the Summer, prior to entering first year. 

Audition Repertoire Guidelines

To see how you should prepare for your audition please see the Audition Repertoire Guidelines page.