Music (BMus)

Discover a new era in post-secondary music education with Laurier’s Bachelor of Music. Starting in 2025, our updated, flexible curriculum invites students from all genres to explore diverse musical styles or concentrate on specific areas of interest. Learn from faculty with strong industry ties, providing personalized guidance and collaboration opportunities throughout your education. Benefit from personalized lessons in classical or contemporary/commercial genres, or cross-train for an enduring, sustainable career.

Our diverse courses let you customize your education, improve your job prospects, and build useful skills. Join Laurier to shape your musical path and succeed in today’s changing music industry.

Program Details

Degree Highlights

Your future professors work hard to make sure your academic experience is current, complete and designed to open doors in your career. Here are a few things you can count on:

• Innovative Curriculum: For the first time, all genres—whether classical, jazz, opera, rock, pop, musical theatre, or beyond—are welcomed within one degree. Our program offers a flexible and inclusive approach, allowing you to focus on your preferred genre or explore multiple styles.
• Choose Your Path: Take lessons in classical or contemporary/ commercial styles, with opportunities in later years to cross-train in the other. Customize your learning with diverse courses and specializations like Performance, Music Therapy, Composition, and more to complement your interests and career goals.
• Career-Ready Training: Benefit from partnerships with Metalworks Institute, Suzuki String School of Guelph, and others for valuable networking and industry insights. Earn our “Navigating the Music Industry Ecosystem” certificate, equipping you with essential business knowledge to succeed in the music industry.

Top Experiences

Here are just a few of our students’ favourite ways to apply their learning throughout their degree:

• Mentorship and Studio Classes: Participate in lessons and classes and get paired with a studio teacher who becomes your mentor, guiding you through personalized lessons.
• Coach-Accompanists: Work closely with a coach-accompanist who provides dedicated accompanying time. They’ll help you prepare and refine your materials, ensuring you are ready and confident for your lessons and performances.
• Ensembles: Join our dynamic ensembles, guided by experienced conductors who support you every step of the way. Enhance your collaborative skills and gain valuable performance experience.
• Placements and Work Experience: Engage in placements with community organizations, education placements, and faculty-led research projects. Participate in on-campus music-related jobs, regional ensembles, and international exchanges, enriching your musical experience beyond the classroom.

Instruments and Specializations

Instruments

We know your passion for your instrument or voice is a big part of what defines you. Find your instrument below to learn what makes studying it at Laurier unique, as well as audition advice and repertoire requirements.

Don’t study an instrument listed below? Contact musicauditions@wlu.ca for audition information.

Specializations/Concentrations

At Laurier, our Bachelor of Music program offers a dynamic range of specializations that allow you to tailor your musical education to your passions and career goals. You can combine these areas in various ways to create a customized and comprehensive learning experience.

Choose one large specialization, two small specializations, or a mix of one large and one small specialization — or opt for a broad-based education with no specific specialization. F ind the perfect combination that aligns with your musical ambitions and career aspirations.

Afrodiasporic Music (Small Specialization)

The Afrodiasporic Music specialization explores the rich and diverse musical traditions of the African diasporas in the Americas, the Caribbean and Europe. This program is designed for music and non-music students interested in the history and performance of music of genres such as jazz, reggae, hip-hop, gospel, and more.

The history courses will provide a comprehensive understanding of the cultural and social influences that have shaped Afrodiasporic musical traditions. Performance classes will equip students with practical skills in performing and creating Afrodiasporic music which will be of value to, and provide an advantage for, students interested in a career in performance, education, music production, community music, music therapy, social work, and music history.

Opportunities for collaborative research with faculty and community organizations will further enhance and enrich study in this concentration as students engage in experiential learning that will demonstrate the real-world relevance and application of Afrodiasporic music.

Courses in this specialization include Music of the Afro-diaspora; Afrodiasporic spoken word practices; History of jazz; Gospel Music History; Music of Afrodiasporic Divas; Jamaican Dancehall Gospel; Reggae in Canada; Pan-African Children's Games; Class drumming; Jazz orchestra; Gospel Choir; Jazz Arranging; and Hand Drums for Group Music Making.

Community Music (Large Specialization)

• Explore diverse musical styles: Engage with a variety of genres and music-making approaches across different instruments.
• Collaborative learning: Work with peers to design musical initiatives that inspire social impact.
• Hands-on experiences: Apply your skills in real-world settings with professionals and non-musicians, fostering creativity and connection in communities.
• Facilitate meaningful music-making: Prepare to make a positive impact through the universal language of music.

Composition (Large Specialization)

• Wide range of styles: Dive into composition and songwriting for film, theatre, video games, opera, and traditional ensembles.
• Innovative coursework: Utilize cutting-edge technology to unleash your inner composer.
• Collaborative projects: Work with peers and receive one-on-one guidance from active, world-class composers.
• Performance opportunities: Have your works performed and receive feedback in state-of-the-art facilities.

Conducting (Small Specialization)

• Leadership skills: Develop baton techniques and score study for ensemble management.
• Expert mentorship: Conduct various ensembles, from chamber groups to full orchestras.

Music Education (Large Specialization)

• Teaching excellence: Learn lesson design, classroom management, digital integration, conducting, and instrumental or choral techniques.
• Practical teaching skills: Gain theoretical knowledge and hands-on experience for diverse educational settings.
• Holistic education: Focus on nurturing students' musical abilities and personal growth through effective teaching strategies.

Musicology (Small Specialization)

• Historical and theoretical studies: Examine music's history, theory, and cultural impacts.
• Critical research skills: Prepare for careers in academia or arts administration.

Pedagogy and Wellness (Small Specialization)

• Holistic approaches: Integrate music education with injury prevention and stress management.
• Supportive teaching strategies: Create a nurturing learning environment for students.

Performance (Large Specialization)

• Individualized instruction: Perfect your instrument or voice with one-on-one lessons from renowned artists and faculty.
• Performance opportunities: Participate in ensembles, operas, competitions, and recitals.
• Masterclasses and workshops: Engage in numerous showcases to reach your highest potential.

Small Group Performance (Small Specialization)

• Ensemble skills: Refine your abilities in small, collaborative settings across genres.
• Professional preparation: Receive coaching from faculty and guest artists.

Theory (Small Specialization)

• Musical structures: Deepen your understanding of harmony, counterpoint, and form.
• Practical application: Apply theoretical knowledge in composition and performance.