Program Overview

Master of Music with a Specialization in Choral Conducting

The Department of Music offers programs leading to the degrees of Master of Arts, Master of Music, Doctor of Music, and Doctor of Philosophy. The MA and PhD include work in the areas of Musicology, Music Theory, Ethnomusicology, Popular Music, and interdisciplinary music studies. The MMus program includes specializations in Performance, Choral Conducting, and Composition.

Why Study This Program?

The Department of Music offers a Master of Music with a specialization in Choral Conducting, providing students with advanced training in choral conducting and related areas.

Entrance Requirements

For the MA program, the Department's minimum admission requirements are a Bachelor's degree with an admission GPA of at least 3.0 on the 4-point scale from the University of Alberta, or an equivalent qualification and standing from a recognized institution.

• The admission GPA will be calculated on the last 60 units of graded coursework completed, or on the equivalent of the last two years of full-time graded coursework.
  • For international students, proof of English Language Proficiency is required, with a minimum TOEFL score of 100 or a minimum overall band score of 7.0 on the IELTS.
• Applicants must also submit:
  • A current Curriculum Vitae
  • A Statement of Interest
  • A brief summary of personal achievements outside of music
  • Three letters of reference

For the MMus program, the Department's minimum admission requirements are a BMus degree with an admission GPA of at least 3.0 on the 4-point scale from the University of Alberta, or an equivalent qualification and standing from a recognized institution.

• An audition, preferably in person, is required as part of the admission procedure for applicants to the MMus in Performance and in Choral Conducting.
• A portfolio of compositions is required for applicants to the MMus in Composition.

Program Requirements

Students must complete a minimum of 24 units in graduate-level coursework. Completion of a thesis-equivalent is also required, with a juried recital being the thesis equivalent and final examination equivalent for MMus students in Performance.

Coursework

• 18 units in:
  • MUSIC 630 - Choral Conducting
  • MUSIC 633 - Seminar in Choral Literature I
  • MUSIC 634 - Seminar in Choral Literature II
  • MUSIC 638 - Choral Conducting
  • MUSIC 640 - Choral Ensemble
• 3 units in any of the following areas:
  • Musicology
  • Popular Music
  • Ethnomusicology
  • Music Theory
• 3 units in graduate-level options, to be approved by the supervisor

Notes

• Students who have not previously taken a bibliography and research methods course will be required to take MUSIC 505.
• At the discretion of the supervisor, further coursework may be required, based on the student's background and prior preparation.

Thesis

• Registration in 900-level THES
• A juried recital will be considered the equivalent of the thesis

Residence Requirements

The minimum period of residence for the MMus degree is two consecutive four-month terms of full-time attendance at the University of Alberta.

Length of Program

The time required to complete the program will vary according to the previous training of the applicant and the nature of the research undertaken; however, a minimum of two years is normally required. The maximum time to complete the MMus program is four years for full-time registration and six years for part-time registration.

Tuition and Fees

Graduate assistantships are available within the Department. For general information, please refer to the Tuition and Fees page.

Scholarships and Financial Support

The Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies administers over $29 million each year in scholarships, awards, and financial support for graduate students. Additional scholarships are also available for specific faculties and programs.