The School of Music at the University of Ottawa is one of the country's leading music schools. It is the ideal place to nurture your passion for all things musical and to pursue the rigorous training needed for an active and successful career in the field. We maintain close ties with renowned institutions such as the National Arts Centre (NAC) and the Ottawa Symphony Orchestra. Our program boasts state-of-the-art music facilities and internationally recognized professors who perform around the globe and publish in leading academic journals. We are a full-service music school offering programs in performance, composition, music education, piano pedagogy, theory and musicology.
Although any of our programs can pave the way for a career in education, musicology, music journalism or arts administration, the Bachelor of Music (BMus) is designed specifically for students wishing to become career musicians. Admission to the BMus therefore requires that you audition on your main instrument and demonstrate an intermediate or advanced level. In addition, the University of Ottawa is one of the only institutions in the country to offer the possibility of combining the BMus program in performance with a major in science.
This program is offered in English and in French.
Additional requirement: admission to the BMus requires an audition. Consult the School of Music guidelines.
All non-keyboard majors must submit to a proficiency exam set by the School of Music at the end of the 2nd year. This exam must be completed successfully by the end of the 4th year to obtain the BMus degree.
Requirements for this program have been modified. Please consult the 2020-2021 calendars for the previous requirements.
Common Core Requirements
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| ENG 1100 | Workshop in Essay Writing | 3 Units |
| 3 course units from: | 3 Units | |
| Introduction to Interdisciplinary Study in the Arts 1 | ||
| Introduction to Interdisciplinary Study in the Arts 1 | ||
| Selected Topics in Literature and Composition | ||
| 3 course units from: 3 | 3 Units | |
| Sight-Singing and Dictation I: General | ||
| Sight-Singing and Dictation I: Intermediate | ||
| Sight-Singing and Dictation I: Advanced | ||
| Sight-Singing and Dictation I: Enriched | ||
| One option from the following: | 18 Units | |
| Option 1: | ||
| Applied Music I 2 | ||
| Applied Music II 2 | ||
| Applied Music III 2 | ||
| Option 2: | ||
| Applied Music I: Performance BMUS 2 | ||
| Applied Music II: Performance BMUS 2 | ||
| Applied Music III: Performance BMUS 2 | ||
| MUS 2306 | Theory and Analysis I 3 | 3 Units |
| MUS 2307 | Theory and Analysis II | 3 Units |
| MUS 2331 | Forms and Styles I: Middle Ages and Renaissance | 3 Units |
| MUS 2332 | Forms and Styles II: Baroque and Early Classical | 3 Units |
| 3 course units from: | 3 Units | |
| Sight-Singing and Dictation II: General | ||
| Sight-Singing and Dictation II: Intermediate | ||
| Sight-Singing and Dictation II: Advanced | ||
| Sight-Singing and Dictation II: Enriched | ||
| MUS 3306 | Theory and Analysis III | 3 Units |
| MUS 3307 | Theory and Analysis IV | 3 Units |
| MUS 3333 | Forms and Styles III: Late Classical and Early Romantic | 3 Units |
| MUS 3334 | Forms and Styles IV: Late Romantic and Early Modern | 3 Units |
| MUS 3335 | Twentieth-Century Music | 3 Units |
| 3 elective course units in a discipline other than music (MUS) | 3 Units | |
| 3 course units in French as a second language (FLS) 4 | 3 Units | |
| 51 course units related to your profile and instrument combination | 51 Units | |
| 6 elective course units | 6 Units | |
| Total: | 120 Units | |
Note(s)
- 1
This course has variable topics. Students may take this course twice.
- 2
Students failing an applied music course (MUS 1030, MUS 1032, MUS 2030, MUS 2032, MUS 3030, MUS 3032) will be asked by the School of Music to withdraw from the BMus.
- 3
A written test at the beginning of course MUS 1191, MUS 1192, MUS 1193, MUS 1194, and MUS 2306 will determine placement in an additional weekly lab.
- 4
An exemption from this requirement is given to students who obtain an equivalency for the language proficiency test or who pass a music (MUS) course offered in French. The course is then to be replaced by 3 elective course units.
Specific Instrument Requirements
Guitar
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Compulsory courses | ||
| MUS 3311 | Compositional Techniques | 3 Units |
| MUS 3919 | Composition I | 3 Units |
| MUS 3925 | Orchestration | 3 Units |
| MUS 4018 | Composition II | 6 Units |
| MUS 4308 | Topics in Counterpoint | 3 Units |
| Optional courses | ||
| 6 course units from: | 6 Units | |
| Selected Topics in Score Analysis | ||
| Introduction to Schenkerian Analysis | ||
| Post-Tonal Music | ||
| Arranging | ||
| 12 optional course units in music (MUS) 5, 6 | 12 Units | |
| Ensemble courses | ||
| 9 compulsory course units of ensembles from: | 9 Units | |
| Guitar Ensemble | ||
| 6 optional course units of ensembles from: | 6 Units | |
| Choral Ensemble | ||
| Calixa-Lavallée Choir | ||
| Total: | 51 Units | |
Harp
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Compulsory courses | ||
| MUS 3311 | Compositional Techniques | 3 Units |
| MUS 3919 | Composition I | 3 Units |
| MUS 3925 | Orchestration | 3 Units |
| MUS 4018 | Composition II | 6 Units |
| MUS 4308 | Topics in Counterpoint | 3 Units |
| Optional courses | ||
| 6 course units from: | 6 Units | |
| Selected Topics in Score Analysis | ||
| Introduction to Schenkerian Analysis | ||
| Post-Tonal Music | ||
| Arranging | ||
| 15 optional course units in music (MUS) 5, 6 | 15 Units | |
| Ensemble courses | ||
| 12 compulsory course units of ensembles from: | 12 Units | |
| Orchestra | ||
| Wind Ensemble | ||
| Choral Ensemble | ||
| Calixa-Lavallée Choir | ||
| Total: | 51 Units | |
Percussion
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Compulsory courses | ||
| MUS 3311 | Compositional Techniques | 3 Units |
| MUS 3919 | Composition I | 3 Units |
| MUS 3925 | Orchestration | 3 Units |
| MUS 4018 | Composition II | 6 Units |
| MUS 4308 | Topics in Counterpoint | 3 Units |
| Optional courses | ||
| 6 course units from | 6 Units | |
| Selected Topics in Score Analysis | ||
| Introduction to Schenkerian Analysis | ||
| Post-Tonal Music | ||
| Arranging | ||
| 12 optional courses units in music (MUS) 5, 6 | 12 Units | |
| Ensembles courses | ||
| 9 compulsory course units of ensembles from: | 9 Units | |
| Wind Ensemble | ||
| 6 optional course units of ensemble from: | 6 Units | |
| Choral Ensemble | ||
| Calixa-Lavallée Choir | ||
| or | ||
6 optional course units of ensembles from: | ||
| Orchestra | ||
| Total: | 51 Units | |
Piano
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Compulsory courses | ||
| MUS 3311 | Compositional Techniques | 3 Units |
| MUS 3919 | Composition I | 3 Units |
| MUS 3925 | Orchestration | 3 Units |
| MUS 4018 | Composition II | 6 Units |
| MUS 4308 | Topics in Counterpoint | 3 Units |
| Optional courses | ||
| 6 course units from: | 6 Units | |
| Selected Topics in Score Analysis | ||
| Introduction to Schenkerian Analysis | ||
| Post-Tonal Music | ||
| Arranging | ||
| 15 optional course units in music (MUS) 5, 6 | 15 Units | |
| Ensembles courses | ||
| 6 compulsory course units of ensembles from: | 6 Units | |
| Choral Ensemble | ||
| Accompaniment | ||
| 6 optional course units of ensembles from: | 6 Units | |
| Choral Ensemble | ||
| Calixa-Lavallée Choir | ||
| Total: | 51 Units | |
Saxophone
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Compulsory courses | ||
| MUS 3311 | Compositional Techniques | 3 Units |
| MUS 3919 | Composition I | 3 Units |
| MUS 3925 | Orchestration | 3 Units |
| MUS 4018 | Composition II | 6 Units |
| MUS 4308 | Topics in Counterpoint | 3 Units |
| Optional courses | ||
| 6 course units from: | 6 Units | |
| Selected Topics in Score Analysis | ||
| Introduction to Schenkerian Analysis | ||
| Post-Tonal Music | ||
| Arranging | ||
| 12 optional course units in music (MUS) 5, 6 | 12 Units | |
| Ensembles courses | ||
| 9 compulsory course units of ensembles from: | 9 Units | |
| Wind Ensemble | ||
| 6 optional course units of ensemble from: | 6 Units | |
| Choral Ensemble | ||
| Calixa-Lavallée Choir | ||
| Total: | 51 Units | |
Cords and strings
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Compulsory courses | ||
| MUS 3311 | Compositional Techniques | 3 Units |
| MUS 3919 | Composition I | 3 Units |
| MUS 3925 | Orchestration | 3 Units |
| MUS 4018 | Composition II | 6 Units |
| MUS 4308 | Topics in Counterpoint | 3 Units |
| Optional courses | ||
| 6 course units from: | 6 Units | |
| Selected Topics in Score Analysis | ||
| Introduction to Schenkerian Analysis | ||
| Post-Tonal Music | ||
| Arranging | ||
| 15 optional course units in music (MUS) 5, 6 | 15 Units | |
| Ensembles courses | ||
| 9 compulsory course units of ensembles from: | 9 Units | |
| Orchestra | ||
| 3 optional course units of ensembles from: | 3 Units | |
| Orchestra | ||
| Wind Ensemble | ||
| Opera Production | ||
| Choral Ensemble | ||
| Calixa-Lavallée Choir | ||
| Guitar Ensemble | ||
| Jazz Ensemble | ||
| Brass Choir | ||
| Brass Ensemble | ||
| Woodwind Ensemble | ||
| Baroque Ensemble | ||
| Percussion Ensemble | ||
| Contemporary Music Ensemble | ||
| Mixed Ensemble | ||
| Piano Ensemble | ||
| Accompaniment | ||
| Studio Accompanying | ||
| Chamber Music I | ||
| Total: | 51 Units | |
Voice
Please consult the Faculty of Arts for the additional voice sector requirements.
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Compulsory courses | ||
| MUS 3311 | Compositional Techniques | 3 Units |
| MUS 3919 | Composition I | 3 Units |
| MUS 3925 | Orchestration | 3 Units |
| MUS 4018 | Composition II | 6 Units |
| MUS 4308 | Topics in Counterpoint | 3 Units |
| Optional courses | ||
| 6 course units from: | 6 Units | |
| Selected Topics in Score Analysis | ||
| Introduction to Schenkerian Analysis | ||
| Post-Tonal Music | ||
| Arranging | ||
| 15 optional course units in MUS (MUS) 5, 6 | 15 Units | |
| Ensembles courses | ||
| 6 compulsory course units of ensembles from: | 6 Units | |
| Opera Production | ||
| 6 optional course units of ensembles from: | 6 Units | |
| Choral Ensemble | ||
| Calixa-Lavallée Choir | ||
| Total: | 51 Units | |
Winds and Brass
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Compulsory courses | ||
| MUS 3311 | Compositional Techniques | 3 Units |
| MUS 3919 | Composition I | 3 Units |
| MUS 3925 | Orchestration | 3 Units |
| MUS 4018 | Composition II | 6 Units |
| MUS 4308 | Topics in Counterpoint | 3 Units |
| Optional courses | ||
| 6 course units from: | 6 Units | |
| Selected Topics in Score Analysis | ||
| Introduction to Schenkerian Analysis | ||
| Post-Tonal Music | ||
| Arranging | ||
| 12 optional course units in MUS (MUS) 5, 6 | 12 Units | |
| Ensembles courses | ||
| 9 compulsory course units of ensembles from: | 9 Units | |
| Wind Ensemble | ||
| 6 optional course units of ensembles from: | 6 Units | |
| Choral Ensemble | ||
| Calixa-Lavallée Choir | ||
| or | ||
6 optional course units of ensembles from: | ||
| Orchestra | ||
| Total: | 51 Units | |
Note(s)
- 5
The course AMT 3105 can count towards this requirement.
- 6
A maximum of 3 course units from MUS 4371, MUS 4372, MUS 4391 and MUS 4392 can count towards this requirement.