Queen's University

Music

Our music degree plans with the Dan School of Drama and Music provide an inclusive and welcoming environment for students who wish to explore music as a medium for intellectual growth and personal expression. We encourage our students to develop high-level performance skills while at the same time building crucial music and academic literacy. The new Isabel Bader Centre for the Performing Arts with its world-renowned performance hall and waterfront rehearsal room is an inspiring place to learn. New to our Dan School of Drama and Music is a joint 2+2 year program with St. Lawrence College (Brockville) leading to a Bachelor of Music Theatre (see the Bachelor of Music Theatre Major Map for more information), as well as the concurrent Bachelor of Music and Digital Media (MDM) Diploma program. The MDM program is a joint 4+1 year program between Queen’s University and St. Lawrence College (Kingston), where students combine up-to-date skills in sound and digital technology with a high-standard education in music performance and academics, receiving both a Queen’s degree and a St. Lawrence diploma.

See our Major Map to learn more

Location: 
Harrison-LeCaine Hall
Room number: 
204
Telephone: 
(613) 533-2066
Email: 
info.danschool@queensu.ca
URL: 
http://sdm.queensu.ca
Director (Drama): 
Craig Walker
Associate Director (Music): 
Ireneus Zuk
Director, Queen’s Community Music: 
Karma Tomm

Degree Options

Bachelor of Music - BMus

Specialization in Music
An intensive course of study with approximately two-thirds of your courses within the discipline.

BMus / MDM: (Bachelor of Music from Queen's University + Music and Digital Media Diploma from St. Lawrence College)

Bachelor of Arts (Honours) - BAH

Specialization in Computing and the Creative Arts (COCA)
This specialization consists of the majority of the courses in Computing and a SubPlan such as Art, Drama, Music or Film and Media with room for elective courses.

Major in Music
A major is an intensive course of study in one discipline, with approximately half of your courses within the discipline with room for an optional minor in any other Arts and Science discipline.

Medial in Music
A dual course of study in Music and any other Arts discipline.

Minor in Music
A minor is a less intensive course of study in the discipline that must be combined with a major in another discipline.

Internship option available

Bachelor of Music Theatre

A small, program designed to provide aspiring musical theatre professionals with both academic study and practical training in three cores disciplines of acting, singing, and dance. This unique “triple threat” program will allow students to hone their skills by performing in front of audiences, in studio, main stage productions and in unique productions where students learn to create and produce original theatrical pieces. Students will also receive mentoring from faculty and guest industry professionals to become competent and job-ready for a competitive and rapidly changing industry. Students complete the first two years of the program through St. Lawrence College, Brockville and their final two years at Queen’s University.


For a full list of Degree Plans, see the Academic Calendar

Bachelor of Music Transfers

Transfer from the B. Mus.:  Students in the Bachelor of Music Program who wish to transfer from the Music Specialization to a different Arts and Science Plan, may do so by submitting the form  on the Changes to your Program page. It is prudent to seek academic advice from the Dan School of Drama and Music or from an academic advisor in Arts and Science before changing your Plan.

Transfer to the B. Mus.:  Students who wish to transfer to the Bachelor of Music Program -- Music Specialization Plan from another Plan in Arts and Science (including the Music Major, Medial or Minor) must apply through the Faculty of Arts and Science office; first-years through SOLUS and upper-years through the plan change process. Applicants are required to perform an audition. There are limited spaces available, and it is prudent to seek advice from the School of Music before initiating this process.

The Dan School of Drama and Music has these general policies in place:

  • Students are also strongly advised to have completed RCM Advanced Rudiments (Grade II) harmony. (Students who have taken MUSC191 at Queen's prior to their application to transfer, and passed with at least a C-, may be considered for enrolment in MUSC292 instead of MUSC191).
  • The performance audition may be waived if the student has been taking an applied study course (MUSC*24) in their other program.  If the student has not taken a MUSC*24 course, they will have to play an audition, and are subject to the prerequisites required for their proposed major instrument as specified on the School of Music website. (The Auditions coordinator prefers that prospective transfers call the School of Music to arrange an ad hoc audition on a weekday, rather than have them sign up for one of the scheduled audition days for prospective new students).
  • If the student is not already known to the Dan School of Drama and Music in some capacity (already taking music courses, or having spoken with the Director or the Chair of Undergraduate Studies about a transfer), an informal interview at the same time as an audition is required.

Interested students should telephone the Dan School of Drama and Music at 613-533-2066 and speak to the auditions coordinator or the Chair of Undergraduate Studies.

Pending a decision on admission to the BMUS plan, ASC1 students should still participate in the Plan Selection Process and choose an alternate plan in early May in case they are not accepted into the Bachelor of Music Program.

Bachelor of Music Degree (BMus)/Music and Digital Media (MDM) Diploma Program

Combine your passion for music and digital technology; your need for theory and performance with practical skill and experience. A match between Queen’s University and St. Lawrence College; students in this unique 4+1 model will graduate with a BMus Degree and an MDM Diploma in five years.

There are three easy steps to apply:

  1. Apply to Queen’s BMus degree program through OUAC;
  2. Book and complete a successful audition at the Dan School of Drama and Music;
  3. Upon receiving an offer of admission for the BMus program, complete a program application form for St. Lawrence College.

Learn more about the BMus / MDM program >

Job and Career Opportunities for Music Grads

The comprehensive music program combines a balance of theoretical, historical, cultural and technological music studies with practical applications, creative and performing opportunities. In this flexible program students are not compelled to declare a "major," and all courses are open to all B.Mus. student provided they have the prerequisites. The B.Mus. program prepares students for a wide variety of professional careers in music, other fields and for post-graduate study in a chosen area of specialization.

Where could Music students go after graduation??

  • Arts administration
  • Audio consulting
  • Composing
  • Concert production
  • Conducting
  • Conservatory/music school administration
  • Digital archivist
  • Ensemble manager
  • Event coordinator
  • Film scoring
  • Law, including copyright and trademark law
  • Instrument repair
  • Lyricist
  • Music arranger
  • Music editor
  • Music journalism
  • Music publishing
  • Music retail
  • Music software design
  • Music theatre/opera production
  • Music therapy
  • Performance
  • Piano accompanist
  • Piano technician
  • Radio programming
  • Songwriting
  • Sound engineering
  • Talent scouting
  • Teaching
  • TV and film production
  • Voice coaching

Note that some of these careers may require additional training.

Queen’s Community Music

Founded in September 2007, Queen's Conservatory of Music (QCM), now Queen's Community Music, is a developing organization housed in the Dan School of Drama and of Music that offers private and group music instruction for non-University credit. Courses, ensembles, workshops and performance opportunities will bring together people from all across the Queen's and greater Kingston communities who share the passion of music. QCM strives to provide the highest level of music education in a non-credit setting, and to build a community destination for musical enrichment and learning for musicians of all ages.

For more information, please go to their website.

The Isabel Bader Centre for the Performing Arts

Alumni Profile

Stephen London, BMus ‘94
Originally an orchestral musician, Steve studied composition and conducting with Canada’s music elite: John Burge and Kristi Allik. In 1995, he received a certificate from the world renowned ‘Scoring for Motion Pictures and Television’ program at the University of Southern California. The opportunity to study in L.A. with such composers as Jerry Goldsmith was invaluable and integral to his development as a serious composer for film and television. He also gained a great deal of experience working as a score coordinator with Christopher Young on such films as ‘Unforgettable’ (MGM) and ‘Copycat’ (Warner Bros.).

Undergraduate Admission to our Programs

Admission into our direct entry music program (BMus) includes both the required application to Music (QM) through the OUAC (Ontario Universities' Application Centre) website (ouac.on.ca) and an audition at Queen’s. Secondary School prerequisites include six 4U and 4M courses, including English 4U and a minimum of one additional 4U course. An audition, interview, and theory/aural skills test are also required (please see sdm.queensu.ca/music for specific required levels). Applicants outside of Ontario may have additional requirements.

BAH students apply to Queen’s Arts (QA) through the OUAC website. Secondary School prerequisites include six 4U and 4M courses, including a minimum of three 4U courses, one of which must be ENG4U. Applicants outside of Ontario may have additional requirements. BAH students experience a common first-year to allow for self-exploration and an opportunity to determine what disciplines are of interest to you. Visit queensu.ca/admission for additional information regarding requirements and admission to Queen's.