Queen's University

Music

Queen’s Music has earned a reputation across Canada for producing some of the best-prepared graduates: musicians who excel as scholars, composers, teachers and performers. Students in the Dan school of drama and Music obtain a solid education in western classical music from the ancient to the postmodern, while pursuing a wide variety of courses in applied study (performance), musicology/ethnomusicology, music education, and theory and composition. A highlight for music students is the Queen’s Isabel Bader Centre for the Performing Arts with its world-renowned performance hall and the waterfront rehearsal room is an inspiring place to learn.

Top 4 Reasons to study Music:

  1. Students have the opportunity to participate in many music and performance extracurricular.
  2. Students can specialize in musicology, music theory and composition, music education, or applied study.
  3. Students can apply to undertake a practical internship in applied music, music education, or administration.
  4. We have 3 main locations –Theological Hall, one of Queen’s oldest buildings and often referred to as the most dramatic building on campus; our Castle in England or at the new, world-class Isabel Bader Centre for the Performing Arts.
Location: 
Harrison-LeCaine Hall
Room number: 
Main Office
Telephone: 
(613) 542-2066
Email: 
info.danschool@queensu.ca
URL: 
http://sdm.queensu.ca
Director: 
Craig Walker
Department Manager: 
Julia Stroud
Departmental Assistant: 
Sheri Wilson
Academic Program Manager: 
Katherine Peter
Undergraduate Chair: 
Colleen Renihan DSDMcus@queensu.ca
Academic Advisor and Auditions Coordinator: 
Kim Gudlauski
Graduate Chair: 
Margaret Walker
Graduate Assistant: 
Amy Bello

Degree Options

Bachelor of Music - BMus

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

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.

Joint Honours 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

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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, Joint Honours 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.

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Job and Career Opportunities for Music Grads

Alumni Career Statistics

  • 3% of alumni work in LAW
  • 4% of alumni work in GOVERNMENT & NON-PROFIT
  • 10% of alumni work in MUSIC & PERFORMING ARTS
  • 62% of alumni work in EDUCATION

The comprehensive music program combines a balance of theoretical, historical, cultural and technological music studies with practical applications, creative and performing opportunities. The comprehensive nature of the Bmus. program means that it 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

Taking time to explore career options, build experience and network can help you have a smooth transition to the world of work after graduation. Note that some of these careers may require additional training.

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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.).

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Admission Requirements

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. ENG4U, plus five additional 4U/M courses. 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.

Music (BMus)
OUAC Code:
QM (Kingston Campus)
QMM (Concurrent Education, Kingston Campus)

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.

Music (BAH)
OUAC Code:
QA (Kingston Campus)
QB (Concurrent Education, Kingston Campus)
QIA (The Castle)
QIB (Concurrent Education, The Castle)

See Full admission requirements

After first year, in May, students will declare their area of study (major, minor, specialization, e.g.). The thresholds are competitive year to year and do change. The current 2018-19 thresholds for Music are: AUTOMATIC ACCEPTANCE min grade of C+ in MUTH 11# with a cumulative GPA of 1.9; PENDING LIST is open.

Information on plan Selection

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