Music
In this program you’ll get to immerse yourself in the study of music. You’ll collaborate with fellow musicians and grow as an artist and performer.
Potential careers
What can you do with a music degree? Here are a few jobs that relate to the program:
- musician
- vocal artist
- sound designer
- audio programmer
- audio developer
- music program director
- composer
- conductor
- promotions manager
- teacher or instructor
- instrument sales manager
- music producer
- recording engineer
- program coordinator
- student services
- entrepreneur
- music librarian
- lawyer
- professor
- journalist
- music critic
- radio producer
Some of these roles may require post-graduate studies or training.
Find a career that fits you
- Explore your career options at an appointment with a career educator.
- Attend career development workshops as you search for work.
- Take part in the Career Clarity program to generate career ideas and plan your next steps.
Experience & connections
Opportunities in the music program
- With the Co-op Program you can alternate study with paid work.
Opportunities outside your program
- With a work study position you can develop skills during your study term.
- Volunteering is a great way to give back to your community while you build skills.
Networks you can connect to
Here are a few professional associations related to music:
- Canadian Association for Music Therapy
- Canadian University Music Society
- Choral Canada: Association of Canadian Choral Communities
- Vancouver Musicians Association
- Island Musicians Association
- Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada (SOCAN Foundation)
- Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences
- Canadian Federation of Musicians
- Screen Composers Guild of Canada
- Music BC
Hands-on learning opportunities
These courses in the music program offer extensive hands-on learning.
Co-op
Co-op work terms
Alternate academic study with paid work terms to gain workplace experience
Creative performance
MUS 140 - Individual Tuition
MUS 240 - Individual Tuition
MUS 340 -Individual Tuition
MUS 143 - Individual Tuition: Secondary area
Develop performance skills with private lessons, and perform for a jury
MUS 180A - University Orchestra
MUS 280A - University Orchestra
MUS 380A - University Orchestra
MUS 480A - University Orchestra
Take part in a large ensemble and perform for a public audience
MUS 180B - University Wind Symphony
MUS 280B - University Wind Symphony
MUS 380B - University Wind Symphony
MUS 480B - University Wind Symphony
Take part in a large ensemble and perform for a public audience
MUS 180C - Don Wright Symphonic Winds
MUS 280C - Don Wright Symphonic Winds
MUS 380C - Don Wright Symphonic Winds
MUS 480C - Don Wright Symphonic Winds
Take part in a large ensemble and perform for a public audience
MUS 180D - Jazz and Creative Music Ensemble
MUS 280D - Jazz and Creative Music Ensemble
MUS 380D - Jazz and Creative Music Ensemble
MUS 480D - Jazz and Creative Music Ensemble
Take part in a large ensemble and perform for a public audience
MUS 180E - University Chorus
MUS 280E - University Chorus
MUS 380E - University Chorus
MUS 480E - University Chorus
Take part in a large ensemble and perform for a public audience
MUS 180F - Chamber Singers
MUS 280F - Chamber Singers
MUS 380F - Chamber Singers
MUS 480F - Chamber Singers
Take part in a large ensemble and perform for a public audience
MUS 180G - University Women's Choir
MUS 280G - University Women's Choir
MUS 380G - University Women's Choir
MUS 480G - University Women's Choir
Take part in a large ensemble and perform for a public audience
MUS 181 - Chamber Music
MUS 281 - Chamber Music
MUS 381 - Chamber Music
MUS 481 - Chamber Music
Take part in a chamber ensemble and perform for a public audience
MUS 189 - Vikes Band
MUS 289 - Vikes Band
MUS 389 - Vikes Band
MUS 489 - Vikes Band
Take part in a choral ensemble and perform for a public audience
MUS 205 - Music Composition I
MUS 305 - Music Composition II
MUS 405 - Music Composition III
Compose music for solo and ensemble performances
MUS 245 - Seminar in Performance
MUS 345 - Seminar in Performance
MUS 445 - Seminar in Performance
Perform in weekly performance seminars
MUS 335 - Singing for the Stage
Sing for theatre solos and ensembles, performing for a public audience
MUS 348 - Improvisation
Investigate the association between improvisation and composition through performance
MUS 407 - Computer Music Seminar
Build software to produce computer music and perform for a public audience
MUS 448 - Graduating Recital
Prepare a graduating recital and perform for a public audience
MUS 462A - Seminar in Performance of New Music
MUS 462B - Seminar in Contemporary Composition and Performance
Produce a music festival by either composing or performing new music
Creative or design project
MUS 306 - Sound Recording Techniques
Develop sound recording techniques with recording sessions and studio work
MUS 406A - Advanced Sound Recording Techniques
Gain sound recording skills through recording sessions, mixing and producing
MUS 406B - Sound Recording Seminar
Produce a CD or DVD to demonstrate sound recording and music production skills
Field experience
MUS 237 - Music in the Elementary School Curriculum
MUS 337 - Music in the Middle School Curriculum
MUS 437 - Music in the Secondary School Curriculum
Gain experience teaching music in elementary school classrooms
MUS 336 - Strings: Techniques and Mentoring
Gain experience teaching strings in a school setting
Research project
MUS 398 - Music Research I
MUS 498 - Music Research II
Pursue an independent research project using musicological research methods
MUS 407 - Computer Music Seminar
Build software to produce computer music and discuss the work on CFUV 101.9
MUS 499 - Graduating Projects in Music History
Research, write and orally defend a graduating honours essay in music history
Work experience
Work experience terms
Take part in a modified co-op program requiring one or two work experiences
These courses are not always offered as described.
What you'll learn
Every student at UVic builds skills all employers look for. At UVic Co-op & Career we call these "competencies". This is what you’ll learn in the music program.
Creative practice
- perform at a professional level
- understand music theory and history
Music composition
- compose for soloists, small and large ensembles
- understand instrumentation and orchestration
Music theory
- understand the structural principles of tonal and non-tonal music
- understand the harmonic and contrapuntal practices of tonal and non-tonal music
- apply analytical approaches to music from various periods
Music history
- understand the changing role of music in Western society through humanistic and musical-analytical perspectives
- understand the historical development of Western music from antiquity to the present day
- understand current approaches and methodologies in musicology
- understands the role of music in culture
Performance
- perform as a soloist
- perform in large and small ensembles
Music education
- understand the foundations of music education
- teach choral music, band music and jazz
- conduct instrumental and vocal ensembles
- apply the psychology of learning in music education
- teach music at the elementary, middle school and secondary levels
Computer music
- understand the relationship among music, science and computers
- use sound recording and digital audio technology
- generate and manipulate sound by computer
- create electroacoustic compositions