Music
Dean: (Acting) Dr. Greg Smith (ends April 30, 2025), Dr. Stephen Runge (starts May 1, 2025)
Associate Dean(s): Dr. Colette Simonot-Maiello, Graduate Programs and Research; Dr. Laura Loewen, Undergraduate Programs
Campus Address/General Office: T319 Tache Hall, 150 Dafoe Road
Telephone: 204-474-9310
Fax: 204-474-7546
Email Address: music@umanitoba.ca
Website: umanitoba.ca/music/
Academic Staff: Please refer to the Music website for academic staff information.

Music Program Information

The Marcel A. Desautels Faculty of Music offers a Master of Music (M.Mus.) in three major areas: performance, composition and conducting. Students may have access to professional performance opportunities with local music organizations.

Admission Information

Admission to the Faculty of Graduate Studies

Application and Admission Procedures are found in the Academic Guide.

Admission requirements for Master’s students are found in the Master’s Degrees General Regulations section of the Guide.

M.Mus. Admission Requirements

Applicants must normally hold an undergraduate degree with a major in music from an institution recognized by the Faculty of Graduate Studies (e.g. Bachelor of Music, Bachelor of Arts with a major in Music, etc.). The Faculty may recommend for admission applicants holding other qualifications (e.g. conservatory diplomas) on the basis of exceptional professional experience and accomplishment. Applicants admitted on the basis of a video audition will be granted provisional status in the M.Mus. program pending a successful live audition after the student’s arrival on campus.

Diagnostic Examinations

Students admitted to the M.Mus. programs will write diagnostic examinations administered and evaluated by the faculty members of the DFOM, prior to the first day of fall-semester classes. These examinations assess the incoming student’s background in music theory and musicology, and are used to determine if the student would benefit from supplementary preparation or assistance in order to be successful in courses from these areas. Appropriate review materials will be made available to students in advance of the diagnostic examinations.

Application Information

Students should complete and submit their online application with supporting documentation by the date indicated on the M.Mus. program of study page.

Degree Requirements

The Faculty offers three program areas leading to the M.Mus.: Performance, Conducting, and Composition.

All Master of Music students take the following core courses:

¹

MUSC 7200: Students who achieve satisfactory evaluations on all components of the music theory diagnostic exam may substitute another 7000-level music theory/analysis course with the permission of the instructor.

• Master of Music students will also take discipline-specific electives for a degree total of 24 credit hours.
• Students must maintain a minimum degree grade point average of 3.0 with no grade below C+, and
• Maintain a minimum grade of B+ in MUSC 7400 and MUSC 7410

Expected Time to Graduate: 2 years

Progression Chart

¹

Different performance disciplines have specific requirements. Please consult the supplementary regulations for full course listings.

²

MUSC 7180 is CO for Year 1 with continued enrolment in Year 2. 

³

MUSC 7200: Students who achieve satisfactory evaluations on all components of the music theory diagnostic exam may substitute another 7000-level music theory/analysis course with the permission of the instructor.

Additional Specifications by Concentration

• Performance: A formal, written proposal for the research paper must be submitted to and approved by the Advisory Committee by the end of the first year in the program for students electing to complete one recital and a research paper. A formal, written proposal for the recital program must be submitted to and approved by the Advisory Committee at least 60 calendar days prior to the proposed recital date.
• Composition: A formal, written proposal for the thesis/practicum must be submitted to and approved by the Advisory Committee by the end of the first year in the program. The repertoire for the recital will be developed in consultation with the Advisory Committee. A formal, written proposal for the recital program must be submitted to and approved by the Advisory Committee 60 calendar days prior to the proposed recital date. The Advisory Committee will consider the extent of the required performing forces, the proposed duration, and the technical requirements of the body of work in adjudicating appropriateness.
• Conducting: A formal, written proposal for the recital program must be submitted to and approved by the Advisory Committee at least 60 calendar days prior to the proposed recital date. The Pre-Recital Hearing for conducting students will normally consist of an evaluation by the Advisory Committee of a rehearsal prior to the scheduled recital.

The thesis/practicum for M.Mus. students will consist of the following components:

• Performance: Two recitals OR One recital and a research paper
• Composition: An original musical composition or collection of compositions accompanied by a significant analytical study of the piece(s) AND a series of recitals/performances.
• Conducting:  A curated video portfolio of the student’s work will be submitted to the Advisory Committee at the end of their first year of Major Practical Study AND students will conduct repertoire totalling 45-60 minutes in DFOM large ensemble performances and/or a final graduate recital.

Registration Information

Students should familiarize themselves with the Faculty of Graduate Studies ‘GRAD’ courses applicable to their program. If you have questions about which GRAD course(s) to register in, please consult your home department/unit.

Not all courses are offered each year: please check with the Faculty's Registrar for current and upcoming offerings.

Regulations

Students must meet the requirements as outlined in both Supplementary Regulation and BFAR documents as approved by Senate.

Supplementary Regulations

Individual units may require specific requirements above and beyond those of the Faculty of Graduate Studies, and students should consult unit supplementary regulations for these specific regulations. 

Bona Fide Academic Requirements (BFAR)

Bona Fide Academic Requirements (BFAR) represent the core academic requirements a graduate student must acquire in order to gain, and demonstrate acquisition of, essential knowledge and skills.

All students must successfully complete:

• GRAD 7300 prior to applying to any ethics boards which are appropriate to the student’s research or within the student’s first year, whichever comes first; and
• GRAD 7500 within the first term of registration;

unless these courses have been completed previously, as per Mandatory Academic Integrity Course and Mandatory Research Integrity Online Course.

Students must also meet additional BFAR requirements that may be specified for their program.

General Regulations

All students must:

• maintain a minimum degree grade point average of 3.0 with no grade below C+,
• meet the minimum and not exceed the maximum course requirements, and
• meet the minimum and not exceed the maximum time requirements (in terms of time in program and lapse or expiration of credit of courses).

Courses

Music