Music
Music
Music at York combines a flexible curriculum with individual attention to prepare students for their future careers. Courses in jazz, gospel, western classical, world, and contemporary music develop music skills and engage students in music creation (performance, composition, improvisation), studies (ethnomusicology, musicology, popular music studies), and community practice (education, community music, career-related placements).
Program Structure
The music program allows students the option to specialize or generalize according to their interests, developing skills in vocal or instrumental performance or composition, or working in a variety of musical practices and cultural forms. Opportunities include solo, small and large ensemble performance; composition and arranging; education and community arts development; studies in music and culture; and the growing field of music media production for cinema, gaming and motion media.
Founded on the principles of diversity and inclusion, the program is unique in recognizing students with musical talent and ambition who arrive with a rich variety of musical backgrounds. It builds on these experiences by providing a common foundation in the first two years through four core courses. During their final two years, students specialize further and can explore the full range of options available to them.
Performance and Professional Opportunities
The Department of Music offers many opportunities for students to participate in workshops and masterclasses, and to perform and collaborate. Guests are invited from the professional and academic worlds to give seminars, offer specialized workshops, give guest lectures, and provide career guidance.
A broad range of casual and formal, student and faculty concerts punctuate each year. Annual highlights include the Jazz Week Festival, World Music Festival, and week-long residency with the Oscar Peterson Jazz Artist-in-Residence. Some of the ensemble courses that feature performance include:
· Symphony Orchestra
· Jazz Orchestra and Choirs
· West African Drums
· Concert and Chamber Choirs
· Celtic Canadian Folk Ensemble
· New Music Ensemble
· Gospel Choir
· Wind Symphony
· Klezmer Ensemble
· Escola de Samba
· Rhythm & Blues Ensemble
Program Details
Offered By
Degrees Offered
Fall Entry
Winter Entry
Summer Entry
Ways to Study
Sample Schedule (First-year)
- Performance (Strings, Brass, Woodwinds, Piano, Percussion and/or Voice)
- Theory & Musicianship
- Music & Cultures
Possible Career Paths
- musician
- composer/arranger
- music director
- music teacher
- sound designer
- producer
- music curator/presenter
Viewbooks
Admission Requirements
I am a high-school student I have completed at least one year of full-time study at college or university I have been away from high-school for at least two years I have never studied in a formal academic high-school environment Returning / Reactivating student (previously York) Visiting StudentsBA
- February 3, 2021, for Fall 2021 entry
BFA
- February 3, 2021, for Fall 2021 entry
BA
- February 3, 2021, for Fall 2021 entry
BFA
- February 3, 2021, for Fall 2021 entry
Minimum Requirements
Required Documents for Preliminary Review
BA
- February 3, 2021, for Fall 2021 entry
- A maximum of 30 possible transferable credits may be granted for successful completion of the Baccalauréat Général. Please click here, then click “Transfer Credit Requirements” for details.
BFA
- February 3, 2021, for Fall 2021 entry
- A maximum of 30 possible transferable credits may be granted for successful completion of the Baccalauréat Général. Please click here, then click “Transfer Credit Requirements” for details.
Minimum Requirements
Required Documents for Preliminary Review
BA
- Minimum overall result of “Bien/Buena/Bueno/Good” on all academic courses.
- Some programs require a higher GPA.
- February 3, 2021, for Fall 2021 entry
BFA
- Minimum overall result of “Bien/Buena/Bueno/Good” on all academic courses.
- Some programs require a higher GPA.
- February 3, 2021, for Fall 2021 entry
Required Documents for Preliminary Review
BA
- A minimum overall average of 3 out of 7 is required. Higher grades required for certain programs.
- February 3, 2021, for Fall 2021 entry
- CAPE 2-unit courses, with results of 3 or better, are eligible for transfer credit, up to a maximum of 18 credits. Please click here, then click “Transfer Credit Requirements” for details.
BFA
- A minimum overall average of 3 out of 7 is required. Higher grades required for certain programs.
- February 3, 2021, for Fall 2021 entry
- CAPE 2-unit courses, with results of 3 or better, are eligible for transfer credit, up to a maximum of 18 credits. Please click here, then click “Transfer Credit Requirements” for details.
BA
- February 3, 2021, for Fall 2021 entry
- Extra courses will be assessed for transfer credit. Applicants with the DEC may be awarded up to one full year of transfer credit.
BFA
- February 3, 2021, for Fall 2021 entry
- Extra courses will be assessed for transfer credit. Applicants with the DEC may be awarded up to one full year of transfer credit.
Minimum Requirements
Required Documents for Preliminary Review
BA
- February 3, 2021, for Fall 2021 entry
BFA
- February 3, 2021, for Fall 2021 entry
- Some programs require higher. Please review the requirements for your program below.
- Prerequisite courses should not be below a grade of 4.0 or 70%.
Required Documents for Preliminary Review
BA
- February 3, 2021, for Fall 2021 entry
BFA
- February 3, 2021, for Fall 2021 entry
Minimum Requirements
Required Documents for Preliminary Review
BA
- February 3, 2021, for Fall 2021 entry
- GCE A2 examinations with results of "C" or better, are eligible for transfer credit, up to a maximum of 18 credits. Please click here, then click “Transfer Credit Requirements” for details.
BFA
- February 3, 2021, for Fall 2021 entry
- GCE A2 examinations with results of "C" or better, are eligible for transfer credit, up to a maximum of 18 credits. Please click here, then click “Transfer Credit Requirements” for details.
Minimum Requirements
Required Documents for Preliminary Review
BA
- February 3, 2021, for Fall 2021 entry
BFA
- February 3, 2021, for Fall 2021 entry
Required Documents for Preliminary Review
BA
- IB Diploma with passes in six subjects: three passes at the Standard-level and three passes at the Higher-level, or two passes at the Standard-level and four passes at the Higher-level
- February 3, 2021, for Fall 2021 entry
- Transfer credit is granted for IB courses with Higher-level final grades of 5 or better, to a maximum of 30 credits. Please click here, then click “Transfer Credit Requirements” for details.
BFA
- IB Diploma with passes in six subjects: three passes at the Standard-level and three passes at the Higher-level, or two passes at the Standard-level and four passes at the Higher-level
- February 3, 2021, for Fall 2021 entry
- Transfer credit is granted for IB courses with Higher-level final grades of 5 or better, to a maximum of 30 credits. Please click here, then click “Transfer Credit Requirements” for details.
- Some programs require a higher average. Please review the requirements for your program below.
- Prerequisite courses should not be below a grade of 55%.
Required Documents for Preliminary Review
BA
- All-India Senior School Certificate (AISSCE)
- Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC)
- Indian School Certificate (ISC)
- Intermediate Examination Certificate
- Pre-University Examination Certificate
- February 3, 2021, for Fall 2021 entry
BFA
- All-India Senior School Certificate (AISSCE)
- Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC)
- Indian School Certificate (ISC)
- Intermediate Examination Certificate
- Pre-University Examination Certificate
- February 3, 2021, for Fall 2021 entry
BA
- February 3, 2021, for Fall 2021 entry
BFA
- February 3, 2021, for Fall 2021 entry
BA
- February 3, 2021, for Fall 2021 entry
BFA
- February 3, 2021, for Fall 2021 entry
BA
- February 3, 2021, for Fall 2021 entry
BFA
- February 3, 2021, for Fall 2021 entry
BA
- February 3, 2021, for Fall 2021 entry
BFA
- February 3, 2021, for Fall 2021 entry
BA
- February 3, 2021, for Fall 2021 entry
BFA
- February 3, 2021, for Fall 2021 entry
BA
- February 3, 2021, for Fall 2021 entry
BFA
- February 3, 2021, for Fall 2021 entry
BA
- February 3, 2021, for Fall 2021 entry
BFA
- February 3, 2021, for Fall 2021 entry
BA
- June 15, 2021, for Fall 2021 entry
BFA
- June 15, 2021, for Fall 2021 entry
BA
- June 15, 2021, for Fall 2021 entry
BFA
- June 15, 2021, for Fall 2021 entry
BA
- June 15, 2021, for Fall 2021 entry
BFA
- June 15, 2021, for Fall 2021 entry
BA
- February 3, 2021, for Fall 2021 entry
BFA
- February 3, 2021, for Fall 2021 entry
BA
- February 3, 2021, for Fall 2021 entry
BFA
- February 3, 2021, for Fall 2021 entry
BA
- February 3, 2021, for Fall 2021 entry
BFA
- February 3, 2021, for Fall 2021 entry
Minimum Requirements
Required Documents for Preliminary Review
BA
- February 3, 2021, for Fall 2021 entry
BFA
- February 3, 2021, for Fall 2021 entry
- Grade 12 graduation with a minimum overall average of "B" on Grade 11 and Grade 12 academic courses is required to be considered for most programs. Some programs require a higher average. Please review the requirements for your program below.
- SAT or ACT scores are not required for students studying in a recognized accredited US curriculum outside the United States, Puerto Rico or Guam.
- SATs/ACTs are considered in combination with high school grades.
Required Documents for Preliminary Review
For Fall (September) 2021 and Winter (January) 2022 entry, York University will deem the SAT/ACT as optional for students studying in a recognized accredited US curriculum high school in the United States, Puerto Rico or Guam. However, students who have completed a standardized test are encouraged to submit their test scores as it may support your application for competitive programs. SAT/ACT scores must be sent electronically from the College Board directly to York. Please browse the section below for pre-requisites and detailed admission requirements.
Note: An SAT/ACT test will be required from students who are not enrolled in a recognized accredited US curriculum high school in the United States, Puerto Rico or Guam or have not studied in a formal academic high-school environment.
BA
- February 3, 2021, for Fall 2021 entry
- AP College Board examinations are eligible for transfer credit, for results of 4 or 5, up to a maximum of 30 credits. Please click here, then click “Transfer Credit Requirements” for details.
BFA
- February 3, 2021, for Fall 2021 entry
- AP College Board examinations are eligible for transfer credit, for results of 4 or 5, up to a maximum of 30 credits. Please click here, then click “Transfer Credit Requirements” for details.
Required Documents for Preliminary Review
BA
- February 3, 2021, for Fall 2021 entry
BFA
- February 3, 2021, for Fall 2021 entry
BA
- February 3, 2021, for Fall 2021 entry
BFA
- February 3, 2021, for Fall 2021 entry
You are required to provide official evidence of academic achievement in secondary education. This can be demonstrated through:
- Final grades under the Ontario curriculum (obtained through correspondence, night school or through TVO)
- Credentials through other curricula, such as results from Advanced Placement (AP) or Advanced-level courses in the General Certificate of Education (GCE). (Students may register to sit for the AP and GCE examinations as private candidates.)
In the absence of final grades in courses:
- You must submit the results of standardized tests such as the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) with a minimum combined total of 1170 on the Critical Reading and Math components or a composite American College Testing (ACT) score of 24.
- Your application will be reviewed by an admissions sub-committee. If admitted, you will not be eligible for entrance scholarships. You will be considered for continuing student scholarships at the end of your first year of study, if you satisfy those criteria.
You may also be required to provide proof of language proficiency. You will be considered for entrance scholarships on the basis of your overall averages in the six 4U/4M (Ontario curriculum) or equivalent courses.
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