Performance (M.Mus.): Early Music (Thesis) (45 credits)
Offered by: Music (Schulich School of Music)
Degree: Master of Music
Program credit weight: 45
Program Description
The Master of Music in Performance; Early Music program offers early music instrumentalists and vocalists instruction and performance experiences of a rich variety, as well as studies in historical performance practice.
Students admitted to the M.Mus. in Performance; Early Music program who have undergraduate degrees other than the B.Mus.; Major in Early Music Performance (Voice) or B.Mus.; Major in Early Music Performance (Baroque Violin, Viola, Cello, Viola da Gamba, Flute, Recorder, Oboe, Organ, Harpsichord and Early Brass Instruments) from McGill University, may be required to successfully complete one or more undergraduate courses before completion of the Master's degree. Students with a B.Mus.; Major Early Music Performance degree from McGill University may be required to successfully complete MUPD 560 Music Information and Research Skills. before completion of the Master's program.
Note: For information about Fall 2025 and Winter 2026 course offerings, please check back on May 8, 2025. Until then, the "Terms offered" field will appear blank for most courses while the class schedule is being finalized.
Required Courses (21 credits)
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MUEN 580 | Early Music Ensemble. 1 | 1 |
Early Music Ensemble. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. An ensemble of 4-6 vocalists and instrumentalists which performs music of the Medieval, Renaissance and Baroque periods. | ||
| MUGS 605 | Graduate Performance Colloquium. | 0 |
Graduate Performance Colloquium. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Participation in three professional development workshops or research colloquium approved by the department on topics such as performance pedagogy, academic teaching, music production, copyright, business, grantsmanship, etc. Students participate in each semester of residency until requirements have been met. | ||
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3 terms of MUEN 580 Early Music Ensemble.
Thesis Courses
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MUIN 620 | Performance Tutorial 1. | 3 |
Performance Tutorial 1. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Individual instrumental, vocal, conducting, collaborative piano or operatic tutorial. Technical and interpretive development, preparation of thesis performance projects. | ||
| MUIN 621 | Performance Tutorial 2. | 3 |
Performance Tutorial 2. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Additional individual instrumental, vocal, conducting, collaborative piano or operatic tutorial according to area of performing specialization. | ||
| MUIN 622 | Performance Tutorial 3. 1 | 3 |
Performance Tutorial 3. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Individual tutorial according to area of performing specialization. Interpretative preparation of thesis performance projects and development of individual artistic vision. | ||
| MUIN 622D1 | Performance Tutorial 3. 1 | 1.5 |
Performance Tutorial 3. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Individual tutorial according to area of performing specialization. Interpretative preparation of thesis performance projects and development of individual artistic vision. | ||
| MUIN 622D2 | Performance Tutorial 3. 1 | 1.5 |
Performance Tutorial 3. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Individual tutorial according to area of performing specialization. Interpretative preparation of thesis performance projects and development of individual artistic vision. | ||
| MUPG 600 | Recital Project 1. | 9 |
Recital Project 1. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Solo recital, collaborative piano recital, conducting recital or principal Opera Role (by audition) with program notes. | ||
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Students may take MUIN 622 Performance Tutorial 3. or MUIN 622D1 Performance Tutorial 3. and MUIN 622D2 Performance Tutorial 3..
Complementary Courses (24 credits)
9 credits from the following:
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MUPG 601 | Recital Project 2. | 9 |
Recital Project 2. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Solo recital, collaborative piano recital, conducting recital or principal opera role (by audition) with program notes. May include chamber music providing none of the repertoire was prepared in a chamber ensemble taken for credit. | ||
| MUPG 602 | Recital Project 3. | 6 |
Recital Project 3. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Recital, conducting recital or featured opera role (by audition) with program notes. | ||
| MUPG 603 | Recital Project 4. | 3 |
Recital Project 4. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Concerto performance with accompaniment or supporting opera role (by audition) with program notes. | ||
| MUPG 604 | Chamber Music Recital. | 6 |
Chamber Music Recital. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Chamber Music Recital with program notes. Repertoire may not include works performed in MUEN courses. Various instrumentations permitted as long as student performs in all works. | ||
| MUPG 606 | Interdisciplinary Project 1. 1 | 3 |
Interdisciplinary Project 1. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Research-creation involving collaboration between different disciplines resulting in a new work, interpretation or contribution to knowledge presented in public or through recorded media (e.g., performer and composer; performer and actor/dancer; performer and CIRMMT researcher; performer and sound recording student) with program notes as relevant. | ||
| MUPG 607 | Interdisciplinary Project 2. 1 | 6 |
Interdisciplinary Project 2. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Research-creation involving collaboration between different disciplines resulting in a new work, interpretation or contribution to knowledge presented in public (i.e., performer-composer commission); performance and actor/dancer collaboration, participant as co-researcher in CIRMMT study including participation in analysis of data, etc.) with program notes as relevant. | ||
| MUPG 614 | Quick Study. | 3 |
Quick Study. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Preparation and performance of short program of vocal, operatic, or collaborative piano repertoire in a limited three week time frame. | ||
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If chosen, students may take either MUPG 606 Interdisciplinary Project 1. or MUPG 607 Interdisciplinary Project 2..
6 credits at the 500 level or higher, to be chosen from the Schulich School of Music’s seminar offerings; 3 of the 6 credits must have a MUCO, MUGS, MUGT, MUHL, MUMT, MUPP or MUTH subject code.
3 credits from the following:
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MUHL 591D1 | Paleography. | 1.5 |
Paleography. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. The theory and practice of musical transcription for the period 1100 to 1600. Black modal notation, Franconian notation, French and Italian Ars Nova notation, Mannerism, white mensural notation, proportions, and lute and keyboard tablatures will be studied. | ||
| MUHL 591D2 | Paleography. | 1.5 |
Paleography. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. See MUHL 591D1 for course description. | ||
| MUPG 575D1 | Organ Repertoire and Performance Practice. | 1.5 |
Organ Repertoire and Performance Practice. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Seminar covering topics related to organ playing, such as liturgical organ playing, organ repertoire and improvisation. | ||
| MUPG 575D2 | Organ Repertoire and Performance Practice. | 1.5 |
Organ Repertoire and Performance Practice. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. For description see MUPG 575D1. | ||
| MUPG 590 | Vocal Styles and Conventions. 1 | 3 |
Vocal Styles and Conventions. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Emphasis on vocal performance practices through practical application: text, language, inflection, pronunciation and interpretation considered with individuality of each student's voice and technical development. After examining historical treatises, students will discuss and present musical selections utilizing modern performance standards yet remaining true to stylistic demands of each period. | ||
| MUPG 691 | Vocal Ornamentation. | 3 |
Vocal Ornamentation. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Introduction to the major treatises with emphasis on their practical application to modern performance. Through the study and discussion of both primary and secondary sources, students will observe and compare national styles. Special topics include the conventions of recitative; text-driven embellishment; ornamentation in Handel's dramatic works. | ||
| MUTH 602 | Keyboard Modal Counterpoint. | 3 |
Keyboard Modal Counterpoint. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Advanced study of polyphonic techniques of the renaissance period through written exercises, in-depth written case study, and improvised practice at the keyboard. | ||
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If not already taken
Students take 6 credits from either Instruments or Voice from the following:
Instruments
6 credits from the following:
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MUEN 569 | Tabla Ensemble. | 1 |
Tabla Ensemble. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Performance and practice of the tabla of North India. | ||
| MUEN 572 | Cappella Antica. | 2 |
Cappella Antica. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. An ensemble of 8 to 12 voices specializing in early music. N.B. This ensemble may substitute as a Basic Ensemble in programs that specify Choral Ensemble, with Departmental approval. | ||
| MUEN 573 | Baroque Orchestra. | 2 |
Baroque Orchestra. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Open to singers and instrumentalists, this ensemble specializes in chamber music primarily of the Baroque era. | ||
OR
Voice
3 credits from the following:
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MUIN 610 | Vocal Coaching 1. | 1 |
Vocal Coaching 1. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Individual coaching sessions on advanced vocal repertoire with emphasis on musical and linguistic nuance. | ||
| MUIN 611 | Vocal Coaching 2. | 1 |
Vocal Coaching 2. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Continuation of Vocal Coaching I with emphasis on musical and linguistic nuance. | ||
| MUIN 612 | Vocal Coaching 3. | 1 |
Vocal Coaching 3. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Coaching sessions on advanced vocal repertoire with emphasis on musical nuance and the expression of an individual artistic voice. | ||
3 credits from the following:
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MUEN 553 | Vocal Chamber Ensemble. | 1 |
Vocal Chamber Ensemble. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Vocal ensemble repertoire written after 1800. | ||
| MUEN 569 | Tabla Ensemble. | 1 |
Tabla Ensemble. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Performance and practice of the tabla of North India. | ||
| MUEN 572 | Cappella Antica. | 2 |
Cappella Antica. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. An ensemble of 8 to 12 voices specializing in early music. N.B. This ensemble may substitute as a Basic Ensemble in programs that specify Choral Ensemble, with Departmental approval. | ||
| MUEN 579 | Song Interpretation 2. | 1 |
Song Interpretation 2. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Study of song repertoire for singers and pianists. | ||
| MUEN 593 | Choral Ensembles. | 2 |
Choral Ensembles. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Students enrolling in Choral Ensembles will be assigned to one of the above groups. | ||
| MUEN 654 | Opera Repertoire Experience. | 1 |
Opera Repertoire Experience. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Acting Methods, Aria as Monologue, theatrical movement, and script/score analysis. Productions singing roles, covering roles, and/or singing in the ensemble. Culminates in a Scenes Program that includes repertoire from the last 400 years of opera, operetta, Singspiel, opéra comique, musical theatre, and 21st century works. | ||
| MUEN 696 | Opera Theatre. | 1 |
Opera Theatre. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Individual coaching in acting, movement and role preparation; possibility for roles in Opera McGill productions (by audition). | ||