This is a basic 4-year plan for students from high school with no advanced standing.
Program audit
You will receive a summary of exemption credits from placement exams, transfer credits, Advanced Placements (AP), etc, before you begin your first semester at the Schulich School of Music. You can access this information via a Program Audit (PA) customized for you. Visit the PA web page to learn more about how you can view your personalized program plan.
Meet with your academic advisor to review your program plan at least once a year.
Course load
You should normally register for 15-18 credits per term.
- Full-time course load: 12 credits or more
- Part-time course load: 11 credits or less
Practical instruction
- For practical instruction registration details, visit Registration.听
Sample year 1 course plan (with no course exemptions)
- You have the option to take placement exams in theory, musicianship and keyboard proficiency before school starts. Depending on the basis of admission and the placement test results, you may be exempt from music history (MUHL 186), first year theory (courses with MUTH prefixes) or musicianship/keyboard proficiency (courses with MUSP prefixes). To learn more about the course exemption criteria, see Placement Exams.
- If you choose not to write the placement tests, you will register for courses as presented in this sample first year course plan.
- If you are exempt from MUHL 186, you may consider taking an elective in the first semester.
- You must be proficient in English for all courses, especially Music History. Non-anglophone students should defer MUHL 186 until their second year and register for an English as Second Language (ESL) course in year 1. ESL courses can be accepted as non-music electives. Contact the Writing Centre for information on ESL course registration.
Fall term
MUTH 150. Theory and Analysis 1.
Credits: 3
Offered by: Music Research (Schulich School of Music)
This course is not offered this catalogue year.
Description
Diatonic chords and harmonic progressions, focus on outer-voice framework, cadences, embellishments, building chordal fluency in common-practice tonality, applied chords.
- Corequisites: MUSP 140 and MUSP 170
- Prerequisite: Matriculation Music or 黑料不打烊 Conservatory Theory Secondary V or its equivalent.
- Corequisites: MUSP 140 and MUSP 170
Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.
MUSP 140. Musicianship Training 1.
Credits: 2
Offered by: Music Research (Schulich School of Music)
This course is not offered this catalogue year.
Description
Rhythm and metre basic subdivisions and conducting patterns; intervals, chords, and scale patterns; non-modulating tonal melodies with treble and bass clefs; harmonic progressions emphasizing two-part outer voice structures.
- 2 hours
- Prerequisite: Matriculation Music or 黑料不打烊 Conservatory Theory Secondary V or its equivalent.
- Corequisites: MUTH 150, MUSP 170
Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.
MUSP 170. Musicianship (Keyboard) 1.
Credits: 1
Offered by: Music Research (Schulich School of Music)
This course is not offered this catalogue year.
Description
Harmonic, melodic and rhythmic analysis at the keyboard through the study of rudiments, repertoire, chorale/score reading, transposition and harmonization.
- 1 hour
- Prerequisite: Matriculation Music or 黑料不打烊 Conservatory Theory Secondary V or its equivalent.
- Corequisites: MUTH 150 and MUSP 140.
- Course contents parallel with those of MUTH 150 and MUSP 140.
Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.
MUPD 135. Music as a Profession 1.
Credits: 1
Offered by: Music Research (Schulich School of Music)
This course is not offered this catalogue year.
Description
Music Professional Development: An introduction to information, resources, and skills related to physical, mental, and professional well-being for the musician and scholar.
- Open to B.Mus. students or by permission of the instructor.
Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.
MUIN 180. BMus Practical Lessons 1.
Credits: 3
Offered by: Performance (Schulich School of Music)
This course is not offered this catalogue year.
Description
Practical instruction on an instrument or voice.
- 3 hours
- Prerequisite: Admission to the B.Mus. program by audition.
Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.
One large ensemble (MUEN 5xx): 2 credits
MUHL 186. Western Musical Traditions.
Credits: 3
Offered by: Music Research (Schulich School of Music)
This course is not offered this catalogue year.
Description
A survey of Western music from the Middle Ages to the present. Emphasis on key musical concepts and genres in their historical context and aural recognition of style.
Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.
Winter term
MUTH 151. Theory and Analysis 2.
Credits: 3
Offered by: Music Research (Schulich School of Music)
This course is not offered this catalogue year.
Description
Sequences and modulation, chromatic vocabulary, analysis of simple theme types (sentence, period, hybrids) and fugal techniques.
- Corequisites: MUSP 141 and MUSP 171
- Course equivalent to MUTH 210.
- Pre- or Co-requisites: MUTH 150, MUSP 140 and MUSP 170
- Corequisites: MUSP 141 and MUSP 171
Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.
MUSP 141. Musicianship Training 2.
Credits: 2
Offered by: Music Research (Schulich School of Music)
This course is not offered this catalogue year.
Description
Rhythm and metre mixed divisions and syncopations; triadic and seventh chord voicings and disjunct pitch collections; chromatically embellished melodies adding alto clef; simple modulating harmonic progressions emphasizing two-part outer voice structures.
- Corequisites: MUTH 151, MUSP 171
- 2 hours
- Prerequisites: Matriculation Music or 黑料不打烊 Conservatory Theory Secondary V or its equivalent. MUSP 140
- Corequisites: MUTH 151, MUSP 171
Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.
MUSP 171. Musicianship (Keyboard) 2.
Credits: 1
Offered by: Music Research (Schulich School of Music)
This course is not offered this catalogue year.
Description
Building chordal fluency. Harmonic vocabulary including sequences, chromaticism and modulation. Chorale and score reading with transposing instruments and alto/tenor clefs.
- Course contents parallel with those of MUTH 151 and MUSP 141.
- 1 hour
- Prerequisite: MUSP 170
- Corequisites: MUTH 111 and MUSP 131; or MUTH 151 and MUSP 141
- Restriction: All students admitted to B.Mus. and L.Mus. programs, including those with keyboard or guitar as their principal instrument, are required to take MUSP 171 Keyboard Lab, unless exempt on the basis of a placement test. Students who are exempt from MUTH 111 through placement tests must still take MUSP 171 (unless exempt) since this course forms the foundation of keyboard-based musicianship tasks at upper levels. (All Majors in Jazz Performance substitute MUJZ 171 for MUSP 171. Students in Jazz Performance who have completed MUJZ 170 and MUJZ 171, and who transfer to a Department of Theory program, will be required to complete MUSP 171.) Students who do not achieve a continuation pass in MUSP 171 must reregister for the course in the semester immediately following. Students who do not achieve a continuation pass after repeating the course will not be allowed to proceed with further Musicianship or Theory studies until a continuation pass is achieved. Tests for MUSP 171 are held in August-September, December-January, and April-May [as well as during the Summer Session when course(s) offered], the exact dates determined by the Department of Music Research.
- Course contents parallel with those of MUTH 151 and MUSP 141.
Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.
MUIN 181. BMus Practical Lessons 2.
Credits: 3
Offered by: Performance (Schulich School of Music)
This course is not offered this catalogue year.
Description
Practical examination in clarinet techniques.
- Prerequisite: MUIN 180
- Restriction: Open to students entering directly from High Schools outside Quebec.
Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.
One large ensemble (MUEN 5xx): 2 credits
One non-music elective (preferably a course to develop critical thinking and writing skills, such as psychology, philosophy, history, etc. before taking MUHL 286 in your 2nd or 3rd year)
Year 2 course plan
If you want to add a minor or second major to your program, apply in year 2.
Fall term
MUCO 241. Tonal Composition 1A.
Credits: 3
Offered by: Music Research (Schulich School of Music)
This course is not offered this catalogue year.
Description
A writing course based upon the stylistic concepts and resources of European music (Classical to late-Romantic styles), designed to develop control of factors such as phrase structure, melodic shape, rhythm, linear continuity, economy of means, and basic contrapuntal procedures. Extensive analysis of characteristic forms.
- Prerequisite(s): MUTH 151 and MUSP 140
- Corequisite(s): MUSP 171
- Restriction(s): Open only to students in Composition.
- Restriction(s): Students from other programs may be accepted with the permission of the instructor, after submitting samples of previous work
- Must attain minimum grade of B- in prerequisites before taking MUCO 241.
Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.
MUCO 245. Composition 1A.
Credits: 2
Offered by: Music Research (Schulich School of Music)
This course is not offered this catalogue year.
Description
20th- and 21st-century techniques and approaches. Basic parameters such as pitch, rhythm and timbre, and their inter-relationship at all structural levels. Notation and score preparation. Performance practice. Analysis of selected 20th- and 21st-century scores. Writing of short pieces for solo instruments and small ensembles, including voice.
- Prerequisite(s): MUTH 150 and MUSP 141.
- Corequisite(s): MUSP 170 and MUSP 240.
- Restriction(s): Open only to students in Composition.
- Restriction(s): Not open to students who have taken MUCO 245D1/D2.
Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.
MUCO 261. Orchestration 1.
Credits: 3
Offered by: Music Research (Schulich School of Music)
This course is not offered this catalogue year.
Description
Study of the instruments of the western orchestra, including performance techniques, used in different combinations. Score reading and notation. Analysis of excerpts of the repertoire from the point of view of instrumental writing and timbral combination. Reduction of orchestral scores for piano; scoring and transcription of piano works for different ensembles. Instruments studied: strings, harp, woodwinds, standard keyboards. Orchestration: scoring for string quartet, string ensembles, woodwind quintet and ensembles, small orchestra.
- 3 hours
- Prerequisites: MUTH 150 and MUSP 140.
- Corequisite(s): MUSP 170
- Restriction(s): Only open to B.Mus. Major in Composition students; students from other programs may be accepted with the permission of the instructor. Samples of previous work may be requested.
Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.
MUHL 286. Critical Thinking About Music.
Credits: 3
Offered by: Music Research (Schulich School of Music)
Terms offered: Summer 2025
View offerings for in Visual Schedule Builder.
Description
Examination of various periods and styles: e.g., central works from different traditions, the interaction of music and society, performance practice, and music's relation to other arts.
- Prerequisite: MUHL 186 or MUJZ 187
- Restriction: Not open to students who have taken MUTH 301
Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.
MUSP 240. Musicianship Training 3.
Credits: 2
Offered by: Music Research (Schulich School of Music)
Terms offered: Summer 2025
View offerings for in Visual Schedule Builder.
Description
Rhythm and metre mixed divisions and two-part work; additional chordal voicings and pitch collections; melodies modulating to closely-related keys adding tenor clef; harmonic progression including applied chords; two-part keyboard-style passages.
- Prerequisites: Matriculation Music or 黑料不打烊 Conservatory Theory Secondary V or its equivalent. MUSP 141
- Corequisite: MUTH 250
Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.
MUIN 280. BMus Practical Lessons 3.
Credits: 2.5
Offered by: Performance (Schulich School of Music)
This course is not offered this catalogue year.
Description
Practical instruction on an instrument or voice.
- Prerequisite(s): MUIN 181.
Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.
One large ensemble (MUEN 5xx): 2 credits
Winter term
MUCO 242. Tonal Composition 1B.
Credits: 3
Offered by: Music Research (Schulich School of Music)
This course is not offered this catalogue year.
Description
An advanced writing course based upon the stylistic concepts and resources of European music (Classical to late-Romantic styles), designed to develop control of factors such as phrase structure, melodic shape, rhythm, linear continuity, economy of means, and basic contrapuntal procedures. Extensive analysis of characteristic forms.
- Prerequisite(s): MUCO 241
- Restriction(s): Open only to students in Composition.
- Restriction(s): Students from other programs may be accepted with the permission of the instructor, after submitting samples of previous work.
Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.
MUCO 246. Composition 1B.
Credits: 3
Offered by: Music Research (Schulich School of Music)
This course is not offered this catalogue year.
Description
More advanced 20th- and 21st-century techniques and approaches. Basic parameters such as pitch, rhythm and timbre, and their inter-relationship at all structural levels. Notation and score preparation. Performance practice. Analysis of selected 20th- and 21st-century scores. Writing of short pieces for solo instruments and small ensembles, including voice.
- Prerequisite(s): MUCO 245
- Corequisite(s): MUSP 171 and MUSP 241.
- Restriction(s): Open only to students in Composition.
- Restriction(s): Not open to students who have taken MUCO 245D1/D2.
Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.
MUCO 360. Orchestration 2.
Credits: 3
Offered by: Music Research (Schulich School of Music)
This course is not offered this catalogue year.
Description
Reduction of orchestral scores for piano. Scoring and transcription of piano works for different ensembles. Instruments studied: brass and percussion. Orchestration: brass ensembles, percussion ensembles and combinations. Scoring for full orchestra.
- Prerequisite: MUCO 261
- Restrictions: Only open to B.Mus. Major in Composition students; students from other programs may be accepted with the permission of the instructor, after submitting samples of previous work.
Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.
MUTH 251. Theory and Analysis 4.
Credits: 3
Offered by: Music Research (Schulich School of Music)
Terms offered: Summer 2025
View offerings for in Visual Schedule Builder.
Description
Expanded harmonic resources of the 19th century (e.g., advanced chromaticism including enharmonic reinterpretation and symmetrical division). Analysis of characteristic small and large forms. Writing and analytical skills with a goal toward perceiving how levels of musical structure interact.
- 3 hours
- Prerequisite: MUTH 250
- Corequisite: MUSP 241
Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.
- You will be exempt from the MUTH 251 prerequisite, 听MUTH 250, when you successfully complete MUCO 241 and 242. studentaffairs.music [at] mcgill.ca (Email Student Affairs)听to request an override so that you can take MUCO 242 and MUTH 251 during the same term.
MUSP 241. Musicianship Training 4.
Credits: 2
Offered by: Music Research (Schulich School of Music)
Terms offered: Summer 2025
View offerings for in Visual Schedule Builder.
Description
Changing metres; chord voicings and atonal pitch collections; modulating tonal melodies and score reading of transposing instruments; harmonic progression including chromatic chords; two-part passages.
- Prerequisite: MUSP 240
- Corequisite: MUTH 251
Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.
MUIN 281. BMus Practical Lessons 4.
Credits: 2.5
Offered by: Performance (Schulich School of Music)
This course is not offered this catalogue year.
Description
Practical instruction on an instrument or voice.
Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.
MUIN 283. BMus Concentration Final Examination.
Credits: 1
Offered by: Performance (Schulich School of Music)
This course is not offered this catalogue year.
Description
Assessment of student's progress in the practical area.
- Exam details are to be found under Examinations and Goals in Practical Subjects in the Music Chapter of the University Calendar.
Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.
One large ensemble (MUEN 5xx): 2 credits
听
Year 3 course plan
Fall term
MUCO 340D1. Composition 2.
Credits: 2
Offered by: Music Research (Schulich School of Music)
This course is not offered this catalogue year.
Description
Composition tutorial. Weekly hour-long private composition lessons. Students are required to complete, at a minimum, a five-minute composition in each of the fall and winter semesters, or the equivalent (for example, a 10-minute composition completed over the course of both semesters). Works may include acoustic instruments and/or voices, with or without electronics. Goals may include advancement of technique, study of relevant repertoire and development of a personal musical style.
- 2 hours
- Prerequisite: MUCO 245D1/D2 and MUCO 246.
- Corequisites: one 300-level MUSP course
- Students must register for both MUCO 340D1 and MUCO 340D2.
- No credit will be given for this course unless both MUCO 340D1 and MUCO 340D2 are successfully completed in consecutive terms
Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.
MUCO 341. Digital Studio Composition 1.
Credits: 3
Offered by: Music Research (Schulich School of Music)
This course is not offered this catalogue year.
Description
Composition with MIDI, audio recording, digital audio signal processing software and hardware. Creation of small-scale composition studies using technological resources in the context of electroacoustic music. The hands-on activities will include critical listening and evaluation of electronic and computer music repertoire.
- 3 hours lecture-demonstration and 3 hours studio time
- Prerequisite: MUCO 246 or MUCO 230
Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.
MUCO 460. Orchestration 3.
Credits: 2
Offered by: Music Research (Schulich School of Music)
This course is not offered this catalogue year.
Description
Analysis of advanced orchestration techniques. Various orchestration theories and practices used by composers, particularly in the twentieth century including the study of extended techniques.
- 2 hours
- Prerequisite: MUCO 240 and MUCO 261; or MUCO 360
Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.
MUHL 3xx听upper-level music history
MUSP 346. Post-Tonal Musicianship.
Credits: 2
Offered by: Music Research (Schulich School of Music)
Terms offered: Summer 2025
View offerings for in Visual Schedule Builder.
Description
Extended tonal and post-tonal harmonic and contrapuntal structures, rhythmic practices of the 20th and 21st century, score reading.
Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.
One free听elective
Winter term
MUPD 235. Music as a Profession 2.
Credits: 1
Offered by: Music Research (Schulich School of Music)
This course is not offered this catalogue year.
Description
An overview of the responsibilities and skills required of professions in music and of the varied career paths leading from a music degree.
- Open to BMus students in U2 and U3, or by permission of the instructor.
- Prerequisite(s): MUPD 135
- Restriction(s): Not open to students who have taken MUPD 136.
Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.
MUCO 340D2. Composition 2.
Credits: 2
Offered by: Music Research (Schulich School of Music)
This course is not offered this catalogue year.
Description
See for course description.
- Prerequisite: MUCO 340D1
- No credit will be given for this course unless both MUCO 340D1 and MUCO 340D2 are successfully completed in consecutive terms
Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.
MUCO 342. Digital Studio Composition 2.
Credits: 3
Offered by: Music Research (Schulich School of Music)
This course is not offered this catalogue year.
Description
Advanced composition with MIDI, audio recording, digital audio signal processing software and hardware. Creation of complete electroacoustic pieces and/or production of audio media materials.
- 3 hours lecture-demonstration and 3 hours studio time
- Prerequisite: MUCO 341
Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.
MUTH 350. Theory and Analysis 5.
Credits: 3
Offered by: Music Research (Schulich School of Music)
Terms offered: Summer 2025
View offerings for in Visual Schedule Builder.
Description
Exploration of 20th and 21st century organizations of pitch, rhythm, timbre etc. Written and analytical skills for the purpose of gaining insight into the compositional techniques and aesthetics of this repertoire.
- 3 hours
- Prerequisite: MUTH 251
Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.
One non-music elective
One听free elective
Year 4 course plan
Fall term
MUCO 440D1. Composition 3.
Credits: 2
Offered by: Music Research (Schulich School of Music)
This course is not offered this catalogue year.
Description
Composition tutorial. Continuation of . Students may work with the same instructor, or choose to work with a different instructor.
- 2 hours
- Prerequisite: MUCO 340
- Students must register for both MUCO 440D1 and MUCO 440D2.
- No credit will be given for this course unless both MUCO 440D1 and MUCO 440D2 are successfully completed in consecutive terms
Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.
MUCO 541. Advanced Digital Studio Composition 1.
Credits: 3
Offered by: Music Research (Schulich School of Music)
This course is not offered this catalogue year.
Description
Advanced topics in digital studio composition. Aesthetics and poetics of electroacoustic composition. Analytical approaches to this repertoire. Use of digital signal processing and synthesis techniques. Creation of complete pieces incorporating music technology which may include a live performance component.
- Prerequisite: MUCO 342 or permission of the instructor.
Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.
MUHL 3xx听upper-level music history
Two free electives
Winter term
MUCO 440D2. Composition 3.
Credits: 2
Offered by: Music Research (Schulich School of Music)
This course is not offered this catalogue year.
Description
See for course description.
- Prerequisite: MUCO 440D1
- No credit will be given for this course unless both MUCO 440D1 and MUCO 440D2 are successfully completed in consecutive terms
Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.
MUCO 575. Topics in Composition.
Credits: 3
Offered by: Music Research (Schulich School of Music)
This course is not offered this catalogue year.
Description
Pitch systems, harmonic concepts and compositional techniques from the late 19th Century to the present.
- Prerequisite: MUCO 340D1/D2
- Topics will change from semester to semester.
Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.
MUTH 202. Modal Counterpoint 1.
Credits: 3
Offered by: Music Research (Schulich School of Music)
This course is not offered this catalogue year.
Description
Polyphonic techniques of the Renaissance period studied through analysis of works by Palestrina and others and through written exercises in two to three voices.
- 3 hours
- Prerequisites: MUTH 211 or MUCO 240D1/D2 AND MUSP 231 and MUSP 171; or MUSP 140, MUSP 170, MUTH 150
- Restriction: Not open to students who have taken MUTH 301.
Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.
MUTH 204. Tonal Counterpoint 1.
Credits: 3
Offered by: Music Research (Schulich School of Music)
This course is not offered this catalogue year.
Description
The contrapuntal techniques of Baroque composers studied through detailed technical analysis of their works and through written exercises in strict style.
- 3 hours
- Prerequisites: MUSP 141, MUSP 171, MUTH 151; or MUTH 211 or MUCO 240D1/D2 AND MUSP 231 and MUSP 171
- Restriction: Not open to students who have taken MUTH 303
Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.
One non-music elective
One听free elective
