Performance Piano Major (B.Mus.) (125 credits)
Offered by: Performance (Schulich School of Music)
Degree: Bachelor of Music
Program credit weight: 125
Program Description
The Bachelor of Music; Major Performance (Piano) program provides comprehensive training in the practical and theoretical elements of music. Throughout the program, students receive individual instruction and participate in large and small ensembles.
The Bachelor of Music (B.Mus.) - Major Performance (Piano) program requires 91 credits (plus 34 credits for the freshman requirement for out-of-province students).
Special Requirements
Continuation in the program requires a minimum grade of B- in practical instruction/exams and ensembles.
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.
Program Prerequisites - Freshman Program (34 credits)
34 credits selected as described below, in consultation with the Program Adviser:
22 credits of Prerequisite Courses
2 credits of Assigned Small Ensemble
4 credits of Large Ensemble
6 credits of Non-Music Electives
Prerequisite Courses
22 credits, all of the courses below:
Note: Students who can demonstrate through auditions, placement tests, and equivalencies that they have mastered the material in any of the courses below will be exempt from them and may proceed to more advanced courses.
Students who have been admitted to a degree or diploma program with keyboard as their principal instrument are exempt from MUSP 170 Musicianship (Keyboard) 1. and MUSP 171 Musicianship (Keyboard) 2.; see section on Keyboard Proficiency testing for complete information.
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MUHL 186 | Western Musical Traditions. | 3 |
Western Musical Traditions. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. 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. | ||
| MUIN 180 | BMus Practical Lessons 1. | 3 |
BMus Practical Lessons 1. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Practical instruction on an instrument or voice. | ||
| MUIN 181 | BMus Practical Lessons 2. | 3 |
BMus Practical Lessons 2. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Practical examination in clarinet techniques. | ||
| MUPD 135 | Music as a Profession 1. | 1 |
Music as a Profession 1. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Music Professional Development: An introduction to information, resources, and skills related to physical, mental, and professional well-being for the musician and scholar. | ||
| MUSP 140 | Musicianship Training 1. | 2 |
Musicianship Training 1. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. 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. | ||
| MUSP 141 | Musicianship Training 2. | 2 |
Musicianship Training 2. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. 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. | ||
| MUSP 170 | Musicianship (Keyboard) 1. | 1 |
Musicianship (Keyboard) 1. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Harmonic, melodic and rhythmic analysis at the keyboard through the study of rudiments, repertoire, chorale/score reading, transposition and harmonization. | ||
| MUSP 171 | Musicianship (Keyboard) 2. | 1 |
Musicianship (Keyboard) 2. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Building chordal fluency. Harmonic vocabulary including sequences, chromaticism and modulation. Chorale and score reading with transposing instruments and alto/tenor clefs. | ||
| MUTH 150 | Theory and Analysis 1. | 3 |
Theory and Analysis 1. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Diatonic chords and harmonic progressions, focus on outer-voice framework, cadences, embellishments, building chordal fluency in common-practice tonality, applied chords. | ||
| MUTH 151 | Theory and Analysis 2. | 3 |
Theory and Analysis 2. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Sequences and modulation, chromatic vocabulary, analysis of simple theme types (sentence, period, hybrids) and fugal techniques. | ||
Required Courses (45 credits)
Performance
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MUIN 280 | BMus Practical Lessons 3. | 2.5 |
BMus Practical Lessons 3. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Practical instruction on an instrument or voice. | ||
| MUIN 281 | BMus Practical Lessons 4. | 2.5 |
BMus Practical Lessons 4. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Practical instruction on an instrument or voice. | ||
| MUIN 282 | BMus Performance Examination 1. | 1 |
BMus Performance Examination 1. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Assessment of student's progress in the practical area. | ||
| MUIN 333 | Piano Techniques 2. | 0 |
Piano Techniques 2. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Practical examination in piano techniques. | ||
| MUIN 369 | Concerto. | 0 |
Concerto. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Practical examination on concerto repertoire. | ||
| MUIN 380 | BMus Practical Lessons 5. | 2.5 |
BMus Practical Lessons 5. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Practical instruction on an instrument or voice. | ||
| MUIN 381 | BMus Practical Lessons 6. | 2.5 |
BMus Practical Lessons 6. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Practical instruction on an instrument or voice. | ||
| MUIN 382 | BMus Performance Examination 2. | 1 |
BMus Performance Examination 2. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Assessment of student's progress in the practical area. | ||
| MUIN 433 | Piano Techniques 3. | 0 |
Piano Techniques 3. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Practical examination in piano techniques. | ||
| MUIN 480 | BMus Practical Lessons 7. | 2 |
BMus Practical Lessons 7. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Practical instruction on an instrument or voice. | ||
| MUIN 481 | BMus Practical Lessons 8. | 2 |
BMus Practical Lessons 8. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Practical instruction on an instrument or voice. | ||
| MUIN 482 | BMus Performance Examination 3. | 2 |
BMus Performance Examination 3. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Assessment of student's progress in the practical area. | ||
| MUPG 350 | Introduction to Piano Pedagogy. | 2 |
Introduction to Piano Pedagogy. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. An introduction to pedagogical methods, philosophies and materials, including selected graded repertoire and materials for technical and musical advancement on the instrument. | ||
| MUPG 356 | Piano Repertoire Studies 1. | 2 |
Piano Repertoire Studies 1. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Selected keyboard and piano repertoire to 1830. | ||
| MUPG 357 | Piano Repertoire Studies 2. | 2 |
Piano Repertoire Studies 2. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Selected piano repertoire from 1830 to the present. Familiarity with scores and recorded examples will be required. | ||
| MUPG 541 | Senior Piano Seminar 1. | 2 |
Senior Piano Seminar 1. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. In-class performance and analysis of solo and ensemble repertoire, including historical and modern recordings. | ||
| MUPG 542 | Senior Piano Seminar 2. | 2 |
Senior Piano Seminar 2. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Issues of piano pedagogy and preparation for competitions. | ||
Theory
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MUTH 250 | Theory and Analysis 3. | 3 |
Theory and Analysis 3. Terms offered: Summer 2025 Compositional resources of late 18th and early 19th century music. Analysis of forms common to the period c. 1770 - 1840, including Classical sonata forms in several media. | ||
| MUTH 251 | Theory and Analysis 4. | 3 |
Theory and Analysis 4. Terms offered: Summer 2025 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. | ||
| MUTH 350 | Theory and Analysis 5. | 3 |
Theory and Analysis 5. Terms offered: Summer 2025 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. | ||
Musicianship
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MUSP 240 | Musicianship Training 3. | 2 |
Musicianship Training 3. Terms offered: Summer 2025 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. | ||
| MUSP 241 | Musicianship Training 4. | 2 |
Musicianship Training 4. Terms offered: Summer 2025 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. | ||
Music History
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MUHL 286 | Critical Thinking About Music. | 3 |
Critical Thinking About Music. Terms offered: Summer 2025 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. | ||
Professional Development
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MUPD 235 | Music as a Profession 2. | 1 |
Music as a Profession 2. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. An overview of the responsibilities and skills required of professions in music and of the varied career paths leading from a music degree. | ||
Complementary Courses (20 credits)
Performance
Large Ensemble during the first four terms (2 credits x 4 semesters).
8 credits1 from:
- 1
All ensembles courses under MUEN may be taken in multiple terms.
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MUEN 563 | Jazz Vocal Workshop. | 2 |
Jazz Vocal Workshop. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Vocal workshop for jazz musicians. | ||
| 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 587 | Cappella McGill. | 2 |
Cappella McGill. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. An ensemble of 16 voices performing challenging repertoire from the Renaissance to the present day. Since the expectation is a level of performance equivalent to a professional chamber ensemble, singers wishing to join this group should have had considerable ensemble experience, and advanced vocal and sight-reading skills. | ||
| MUEN 590 | McGill Wind Orchestra. | 2 |
McGill Wind Orchestra. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Large ensemble for wind instruments. | ||
| MUEN 592 | Chamber Jazz Ensemble. | 2 |
Chamber Jazz Ensemble. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. This ensemble will deal with the extensive repertoire of music which exists for small jazz orchestra (9-13 instruments). | ||
| 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 594 | Contemporary Music Ensemble. | 2 |
Contemporary Music Ensemble. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Ensemble for contemporary music - instruments and voice. | ||
| MUEN 595 | Jazz Ensembles. | 2 |
Jazz Ensembles. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Ensemble for jazz - instruments and voice. | ||
| MUEN 597 | McGill Symphony Orchestra. | 2 |
McGill Symphony Orchestra. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Ensemble for orchestral instruments. | ||
4 credits1 from:
- 1
All ensembles courses under MUEN may be taken in multiple terms.
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MUEN 540 | Chamber Music Project 1. | 0.5 |
Chamber Music Project 1. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Chamber music ensemble for various instruments. | ||
| MUEN 541 | Chamber Music Project 2. | 0.5 |
Chamber Music Project 2. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Chamber music ensemble for various instruments. | ||
| MUEN 556 | Introduction to Collaborative Piano 1. | 1 |
Introduction to Collaborative Piano 1. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Aspects and techniques of performing in ensembles, including vocal accompanying, piano duos, instrumental duos and chamber ensemble work. Ensemble score-reading, preparation and performance analysis. | ||
| MUEN 557 | Introduction to Collaborative Piano 2. | 1 |
Introduction to Collaborative Piano 2. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Developing the collaborative performance. Masterclass-style coaching of assignments in vocal accompanying, piano duos, instrumental duos and chamber ensemble work. Further ensemble score-reading, preparation and performance analysis. | ||
| MUEN 560 | Chamber Music Ensemble. | 1 |
Chamber Music Ensemble. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Ensemble for chamber music - various instruments. | ||
| 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 578 | Song Interpretation 1. | 1 |
Song Interpretation 1. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Normally open only to Voice and Piano Performance students. Study of the standard song repertoire with emphasis on the singer and pianist as partners. A public recital will be given at the end of each term. | ||
| 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 581 | Introduction to Ensemble Playing for Pianists. | 1 |
Introduction to Ensemble Playing for Pianists. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Concentration on interpretation and performance of piano duet and two piano repertoire. | ||
| MUEN 582 | Piano Ensembles. | 1 |
Piano Ensembles. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Ensemble playing in two-piano and piano 4-hand repertoire. | ||
| MUEN 584 | Studio Accompanying. | 1 |
Studio Accompanying. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Highly qualified collaborative partners will be assigned to work independently with studio teachers and their students. | ||
| MUEN 585 | Sonata Masterclass. | 1 |
Sonata Masterclass. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Exploration of the vast literature for sonatas with piano and instrument, including multiple issues of ensemble preparation and performing. | ||
Musicianship
2 credits from:
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MUSP 346 | Post-Tonal Musicianship. | 2 |
Post-Tonal Musicianship. Terms offered: Summer 2025 Extended tonal and post-tonal harmonic and contrapuntal structures, rhythmic practices of the 20th and 21st century, score reading. | ||
| MUSP 355 | Musicianship for Percussion. | 2 |
Musicianship for Percussion. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Fundamental musicianship issues in the context of performance with an emphasis on polyrhythm. | ||
| MUSP 361 | Topics in Musicianship. | 2 |
Topics in Musicianship. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Advanced ear training challenges in rhythm, pitch, harmony, form, or timbre. | ||
| MUSP 363 | Topics in Global Musicianship. | 2 |
Topics in Global Musicianship. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Musicianship skills from one or more global musical practice(s), with specific challenges and approaches corresponding to the selected topic. | ||
Music History/Literature/Performance Practice (6 credits)
Selected from courses with a prefix of MUHL or MUPP at the 300-level or above.
3 credits from courses with a MUHL or MUPP prefix
Elective Courses (26 credits)
3 credits of Non-Music Electives
23 credits of Free Electives (may include 2 credits of courses with a MUEN prefix)