Performance (Gr. Dip.) (30 credits)
Offered by: Music (Schulich School of Music)
Program credit weight: 30
Program Description
A one-year graduate performance diploma that allows excellent musicians to refine their technique and master repertoire through intensive coaching, practice, and performance projects. Designed as a polishing diploma, the program prepares musicians for professional careers as soloist, opera singers, collaborative pianists, chamber, jazz and orchestral musicians or for further graduate studies in performance. Flexible program requirements, with range of performance project options including solo, chamber, recording, orchestral auditions, and creative collaborations. Admission is by audition, with candidates having previously completed a B.Mus., a Licentiate, or M.Mus.
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 (16 credits)
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MUIN 634 | Graduate Diploma Tutorial 1. | 8 |
Graduate Diploma Tutorial 1. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Practical Instruction; Individual artists: specific performance projects detailed at audition. Jazz Musicians: includes arranging and composition. Chamber ensembles: individual artistry, development of group identity with respect to sound, communication skills, performance practice, and artistic/interpretative vision. | ||
| MUIN 635 | Graduate Diploma Tutorial 2. | 8 |
Graduate Diploma Tutorial 2. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Continued Practical Instruction; Individual artists: specific performance projects detailed at audition. Jazz Musicians: includes arranging and composition. Chamber ensembles: individual artistry, development of group identity with respect to sound, communication skills, performance practice, and artistic/interpretative vision. | ||
Complementary Courses (14 credits)
8 credits from the following:
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MUPG 640 | Graduate Diploma Performance Project 1. | 4 |
Graduate Diploma Performance Project 1. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. A public solo, collaborative piano, chamber music or jazz recital, or preparation/presentation of a Featured Opera Role (by audition). | ||
| MUPG 641 | Graduate Diploma Performance Project 2. | 4 |
Graduate Diploma Performance Project 2. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. A second public solo, collaborative piano, chamber music or jazz recital, or preparation/presentation of a Featured Opera Role (by audition). | ||
| MUPG 642 | Graduate Diploma Performance Project 3. | 8 |
Graduate Diploma Performance Project 3. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. A public solo, collaborative piano, chamber music or jazz recital, orchestral excerpts, or preparation/presentation of a Lead Opera Role (by audition). | ||
| MUPG 643 | Graduate Diploma Interdisciplinary Project. | 4 |
Graduate Diploma Interdisciplinary Project. 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 (classical stream), with program notes as relevant. | ||
| MUPG 644 | Graduate Diploma Concerto Performance. | 4 |
Graduate Diploma Concerto Performance. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Concerto performance. | ||
| MUPG 645 | Graduate Diploma Recording Project. | 4 |
Graduate Diploma Recording Project. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Studio recording with liner notes, by approval of the department. | ||
6 credits of Performance courses with Schulich School of Music approval from the following:
6 credits of any ensemble courses from the following list for these areas:
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MUPG 571 | Free Improvisation 1. 1 | 1 |
Free Improvisation 1. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Introduction to the creative practice of improvisation for performers. The course focuses on the development of listening as applied to the practice of collective and solo improvisation. | ||
| MUPG 572D1 | Free Improvisation 2. | 0.5 |
Free Improvisation 2. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. This course is designed for performers who want to develop their skills as advanced improvisers. Both collective and solo contexts are addressed as performance practices, touching upon the history of improvisation as well as current trends. | ||
| MUPG 572D2 | Free Improvisation 2. | 0.5 |
Free Improvisation 2. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. This course is designed for performers who want to develop their skills as advanced improvisers. Both collective and solo contexts are addressed as performance practices, touching upon the history of improvisation as well as current trends. | ||
- 1
Not open to Jazz students
and the additional courses from the following list for these areas:
Voice
| 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. | ||
| 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. | ||
- 1
if not already taken
Piano
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MUPG 670 | Advanced Continuo 1. 1 | 2 |
Advanced Continuo 1. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. A historically-oriented study of the principles of figured bass. Standard idioms from historical treatises will be introduced. Preparation of operatic excerpts from the standard high Baroque repertory is required. | ||
| MUPG 671 | Advanced Continuo 2. 1 | 2 |
Advanced Continuo 2. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. A study of the many different styles of figured bass accompaniment as revealed in contemporary sources. The emphasis will be on realization at the keyboard of representative 17th- and 18th- century operatic recitatives and arias. | ||
| MUPG 683 | Piano Seminar 1. | 1.5 |
Piano Seminar 1. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Content to include comparative studies of recorded solo and ensemble repertoire, and lecture-recital presentations reflecting knowledge of historical context and performance practice. Analysis and discussion will accompany attendance at specific performing events at McGill and beyond, as well as presentations by guest lecturers and piano area faculty. | ||
| MUPG 684 | Piano Seminar 2. | 1.5 |
Piano Seminar 2. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Content to include detailed critiques of in-class teaching, and general discussion of preparation for competitions and academic job applications. Analysis and discussion will accompany attendance at master classes and competitions and beyond, as well as presentations by guest lecturers and piano area faculty. | ||
| MUPG 687 | Collaborative Piano Repertoire 1: Song. 2 | 1 |
Collaborative Piano Repertoire 1: Song. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Issues in collaborative piano song repertoire and performance in different genres and musical styles. | ||
| MUPG 688 | Collaborative Piano Repertoire 2: Instrumental. 2 | 1 |
Collaborative Piano Repertoire 2: Instrumental. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Issues in collaborative piano instrumental repertoire and performance in different genres and musical styles. | ||
| MUPG 689 | Collaborative Piano Rep.3: Orch. Reduction, Opera, Oratorio. 2 | 1 |
Collaborative Piano Rep.3: Orch. Reduction, Opera, Oratorio. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Issues in collaborative piano orchestral reduction, opera, oratorio and performance in different genres and musical styles. | ||
- 1
if not already taken
- 2
may be repeated with the permission of the instructor
Chamber Music
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MUIN 500 | Practical Instruction 1. | 1 |
Practical Instruction 1. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Individual coaching sessions for musicians in advanced ensembles to focus on their individual instrumental technique. | ||
Organ
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| 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 670 | Advanced Continuo 1. 1 | 2 |
Advanced Continuo 1. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. A historically-oriented study of the principles of figured bass. Standard idioms from historical treatises will be introduced. Preparation of operatic excerpts from the standard high Baroque repertory is required. | ||
| MUPG 671 | Advanced Continuo 2. 1 | 2 |
Advanced Continuo 2. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. A study of the many different styles of figured bass accompaniment as revealed in contemporary sources. The emphasis will be on realization at the keyboard of representative 17th- and 18th- century operatic recitatives and arias. | ||
- 1
if not already taken
One 3-credit seminar at the 500 or 600 level approved by The Schulich School of Music
Early Music/Harpsichord
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MUPG 670 | Advanced Continuo 1. 1 | 2 |
Advanced Continuo 1. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. A historically-oriented study of the principles of figured bass. Standard idioms from historical treatises will be introduced. Preparation of operatic excerpts from the standard high Baroque repertory is required. | ||
| MUPG 671 | Advanced Continuo 2. 1 | 2 |
Advanced Continuo 2. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. A study of the many different styles of figured bass accompaniment as revealed in contemporary sources. The emphasis will be on realization at the keyboard of representative 17th- and 18th- century operatic recitatives and arias. | ||
- 1
if not already taken
Jazz
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MUJZ 640 | Jazz Composition and Arranging 1. 1 | 2 |
Jazz Composition and Arranging 1. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Analysis and application of a variety of jazz and 20th Century compositional and arranging techniques, including writing for small and medium size jazz ensembles. | ||
| MUJZ 641 | Jazz Composition and Arranging 2. 1 | 2 |
Jazz Composition and Arranging 2. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Students compose and arrange for a variety of instrumental combinations including large jazz ensembles of ten or more instruments. | ||
One 3-credit seminar starting with MUPG1
- 1
if not already taken