Music, General Studies: Bachelor of Music in Musical Arts Degree
Description
The Bachelor of Music in Musical Arts degree is a fusion of Western art music traditions with contemporary music practices. In addition to private lessons, music theory and history, aural musicianship and keyboard skills, and ensemble experience, practical courses such as Music Video Production, the Business of Music, Approaches to Music Education, and Psychophysiology of Music Performance, give this program an experiential dimension rarely found in traditional music programs. The program fosters students' creativity and versatility, equipping them to adapt to changing market demands and to apply learned theory and practice in a variety of cultural and service sectors.
It is recommended that prospective music students attend a music information session where program content and application procedures will be explained. For more information, please visit kpu.ca/music
Foundation Courses
Some applicants who demonstrate musical talent may not have taken private lessons or do not have the rudimentary knowledge of music theory necessary for university music study. Such students can be given the opportunity to register in one or more foundation courses to upgrade specific musical and technical skills. These courses generally cannot be applied toward the degree. The Foundation courses include:
- Music Rudiments (i.e. Theory): MUSI 1120
- Songwriting and Arranging: MUSI 1291
- Music Technology I: MUSI 1130
- History of Popular Music: MUSI 1111
- Classical Music in Western Culture: MUSI 1115
- Studio Lessons (i.e. Private Lessons): MUSI 1105 & MUSI 1205
Admission Requirements
The Faculty's Admission Requirements, which consist of KPU's undergraduate English Proficiency Requirement, apply to this program.
Continuance Requirements
Successful completion of three credits of ENGL at the 1100-level within the first 30 credits.
Declaration Requirements
Students intending to graduate with this Bachelor of Music in Musical Arts degree must declare the credential. At the time of declaration, the student must satisfy all of the following requirements:
- A successful performance audition/interview
- A satisfactory score on the KPU Music Placement Test
Audition/interview - Applicants will have a scheduled audition on their instrument to demonstrate their musical and technical skills. For details, see the Music Department's website kpu.ca/arts/music
For all instruments except piano, the standard of practical work expected at the time of audition is equivalent to Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM) Grade 6. The entrance standard for piano is equivalent to RCM Grade 10.
KPU Music Placement Test - The placement test assesses the knowledge and skill of the applicant in music theory, music history, and aural musicianship (i.e., ear training). For details, see the Music Department's website kpu.ca/arts/music
Students who have successfully completed the RCM – Advanced Rudiments Examination in Theory or Conservatory Canada, Theory IV may be exempt from writing the theory section of the placement test upon presentation of the certification of completion on or before the day of the audition.
Students who have successfully completed the RCM History 1 Examination may be exempt from writing the history section of the placement test upon presentation of the certification of completion on or before the day of the audition.
Regardless of their music background, all declarants to the music program take the aural skills section of the placement test.
Curricular Requirements
The Bachelor of Music in Musical Arts program requires a minimum of 122 credits, including 18 credits of non-music electives. Students completing the General Studies Major may also elect to complete one of four concentrations. Each concentration requires additional credits.
General Studies Major
Lower Level Requirements
Students must successfully complete 66 credits of Lower Level courses to include:
12 credits of Music Theory (all of): |
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MUSI 1150 | The Language of Music I | 3 credits | |
MUSI 1250 | The Language of Music II | 3 credits | |
MUSI 2350 | The Language of Music III | 3 credits | |
MUSI 2450 | The Language of Music IV | 3 credits | |
8 credits of Aural Musicianship (all of): |
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MUSI 1151 | Aural Musicianship I | 2 credits | |
MUSI 1251 | Aural Musicianship II | 2 credits | |
MUSI 2351 | Aural Musicianship III | 2 credits | |
MUSI 2451 | Aural Musicianship IV | 2 credits | |
12 credits of Music History (all of): |
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MUSI 1153 | History of Music I: Cornerstones of Music History | 3 credits | |
MUSI 1253 | History of Music II: Heroes, Politics, and War | 3 credits | |
MUSI 2353 | History of Music III: Music and the Arts | 3 credits | |
MUSI 2453 | History of Music IV: Challenging the Conventions of Music | 3 credits | |
4 credits of Keyboard Skills or Electives: |
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Either all of: | |||
MUSI 1154 | Keyboard Skills I | 1 credit | |
MUSI 1254 | Keyboard Skills II | 1 credit | |
MUSI 2354 | Keyboard Skills III | 1 credit | |
MUSI 2454 | Keyboard Skills IV | 1 credit | |
Or, for students whose main instrument is piano: | |||
Electives | 4 credits | ||
8 credits of Studio Lessons (all of): |
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MUSI 1157 | Major Instrument - Concentration I | 2 credits | |
MUSI 1257 | Major Instrument - Concentration II | 2 credits | |
MUSI 2357 | Major Instrument - Concentration III | 2 credits | |
MUSI 2457 | Major Instrument - Concentration IV | 2 credits | |
8 credits of Ensemble |
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All of: | |||
MUSI 1167 | Kwantlen Strings I | 2 credits | |
MUSI 1267 | Kwantlen Strings II | 2 credits | |
MUSI 2367 | Kwantlen Strings III | 2 credits | |
MUSI 2467 | Kwantlen Strings IV | 2 credits | |
Or all of: | |||
MUSI 1168 | Kwantlen Wind Ensemble I | 2 credits | |
MUSI 1268 | Kwantlen Wind Ensemble II | 2 credits | |
MUSI 2368 | Kwantlen Wind Ensemble III | 2 credits | |
MUSI 2468 | Kwantlen Wind Ensemble IV | 2 credits | |
Or all of: | |||
MUSI 1169 | Kwantlen Chorus I | 2 credits | |
MUSI 1269 | Kwantlen Chorus II | 2 credits | |
MUSI 2369 | Kwantlen Chorus III | 2 credits | |
MUSI 2469 | Kwantlen Chorus IV | 2 credits | |
Or all of: | |||
MUSI 1171 | Guitar Chamber Ensemble I | 2 credits | |
MUSI 1271 | Guitar Chamber Ensemble II | 2 credits | |
MUSI 2371 | Guitar Chamber Ensemble III | 2 credits | |
MUSI 2471 | Guitar Chamber Ensemble IV | 2 credits | |
6 credits of English/Writing Intensive courses: |
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ENGL 1100 | Introduction to University Writing | 3 credits | |
One additional English/Writing Intensive course | 3 credits | ||
And: |
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MUSI 1112 | Introduction to the Music Industry | 2 credits | |
And 6 credits of Non-Music Electives: |
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Course(s) numbered 1100 or higher, not in the MUSI subject area. | 6 credits |
Upper Level Requirements
Student must have successfully completed Lower Level requirements before beginning Upper Level. Completion of Upper Level requires 52 credits of courses to include:
6 credits of Music Theory (all of): |
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MUSI 3550 | The Language of Music V: Jazz and Pop | 3 credits | |
MUSI 3650 | The Language of Music VI: Contemporary | 3 credits | |
6 credits of Music History (all of): |
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MUSI 3553 | History of Jazz and Pop Music | 3 credits | |
MUSI 3653 | World Music | 3 credits | |
8 credits of Studio Lessons (all of): |
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MUSI 3557 | Major Instrument - Concentration V | 2 credits | |
MUSI 3657 | Major Instrument - Concentration VI | 2 credits | |
MUSI 4757 | Major Instrument - Concentration VII | 2 credits | |
MUSI 4857 | Major Instrument - Concentration VIII | 2 credits | |
8 credits of Ensemble |
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All of: | |||
MUSI 3567 | Kwantlen Strings V | 2 credits | |
MUSI 3667 | Kwantlen Strings VI | 2 credits | |
MUSI 4767 | Kwantlen Strings VII | 2 credits | |
MUSI 4867 | Kwantlen Strings VIII | 2 credits | |
Or all of: | |||
MUSI 3568 | Kwantlen Wind Ensemble V | 2 credits | |
MUSI 3668 | Kwantlen Wind Ensemble VI | 2 credits | |
MUSI 4768 | Kwantlen Wind Ensemble VII | 2 credits | |
MUSI 4868 | Kwantlen Wind Ensemble VIII | 2 credits | |
Or all of: | |||
MUSI 3569 | Kwantlen Chorus V | 2 credits | |
MUSI 3669 | Kwantlen Chorus VI | 2 credits | |
MUSI 4769 | Kwantlen Chorus VII | 2 credits | |
MUSI 4869 | Kwantlen Chorus VIII | 2 credits | |
Or all of: | |||
MUSI 3571 | Guitar Chamber Ensemble V | 2 credits | |
MUSI 3671 | Guitar Chamber Ensemble VI | 2 credits | |
MUSI 4771 | Guitar Chamber Ensemble VII | 2 credits | |
MUSI 4871 | Guitar Chamber Ensemble VIII | 2 credits | |
And both of: |
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MUSI 3512 | The Business of Music | 3 credits | |
MUSI 3551 | Conducting I | 3 credits | |
And 12 credits of Non-Music Electives: |
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Any course numbered 1100 or higher not in the MUSI subject area. | 12 credits | ||
And 6 additional credits of Music Electives: |
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Any MUSI 3000 or higher course not already included in the program | 6 credits |
Major Without Concentration
To complete their degree, students who do not complete one of the Concentrations listed below, must complete an additional four (4) credits of Music Electives (MUSI 3000 or higher courses).
Music Education Concentration
(Not currently offered)
Students must complete a total of 136 credits, including:
- The General Studies Lower Level and Upper Level Requirements (118 credits),
- Plus 18 additional concentration credits.
Course work must include all of: |
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MUSI 3502 | Computer Applications in Music Education | 3 credits | |
MUSI 3586 | Introduction to Music Pedagogy | 3 credits | |
MUSI 3686 | Approaches to Music Education | 3 credits | |
MUSI 4786 | Ensemble Rehearsal Techniques | 3 credits | |
MUSI 4851 | Conducting II | 3 credits | |
MUSI 4899 | Music Practicum | 3 credits |
Studio Pedagogy Concentration
(Not currently offered)
Students must complete a total of 136 credits, including:
- The General Studies Lower Level and Upper Level Requirements (118 credits),
- Plus 18 additional concentration credits.
Course work must include all of: |
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MUSI 3502 | Computer Applications in Music Education | 3 credits | |
MUSI 3586 | Introduction to Music Pedagogy | 3 credits | |
MUSI 3686 | Approaches to Music Education | 3 credits | |
MUSI 3688 | Studio Pedagogy I | 2 credits | |
MUSI 4788 | Studio Pedagogy II | 2 credits | |
MUSI 4888 | Studio Pedagogy III | 2 credits | |
MUSI 4899 | Music Practicum | 3 credits |
Jazz Studies Concentration
(Not currently offered)
Students must complete a total of 141 credits, including:
- The General Studies Lower Level and Upper Level Requirements (118 credits),
- Plus 23 additional concentration credits.
Course work must include all of: |
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MUSI 3590 | Orchestration and Arranging | 3 credits | |
MUSI 3591 | Composition | 3 credits | |
MUSI 4790 | Arranging for Small Ensembles | 3 credits | |
MUSI 3535 | Jazz Improvisation I | 1.5 credits | |
MUSI 3635 | Jazz Improvisation II | 1.5 credits | |
MUSI 4735 | Jazz Improvisation III | 1.5 credits | |
MUSI 4835 | Jazz Improvisation IV | 1.5 credits | |
And either all of: | |||
MUSI 3577 | Jazz Band V | 2 credits | |
MUSI 3677 | Jazz Band VI | 2 credits | |
MUSI 4777 | Jazz Band VII | 2 credits | |
MUSI 4877 | Jazz Band VIII | 2 credits | |
Or all of: | |||
MUSI 3578 | Jazz Combo V | 2 credits | |
MUSI 3678 | Jazz Combo VI | 2 credits | |
MUSI 4778 | Jazz Combo VII | 2 credits | |
MUSI 4878 | Jazz Combo VIII | 2 credits |
Composition Concentration
(Not currently offered)
Students must complete a total of 136 credits, including:
- The General Studies Lower Level and Upper Level Requirements (118 credits),
- Plus 18 additional concentration credits.
Course work must include all of: |
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MUSI 3590 | Orchestration and Arranging | 3 credits | |
MUSI 3591 | Composition | 3 credits | |
MUSI 4790 | Arranging for Small Ensembles | 3 credits | |
MUSI 4791 | Contemporary Composition | 3 credits | |
MUSI 3691 | Song and Lyric Writing | 3 credits | |
MUSI 3602 | Applied Desktop Recording | 3 credits |
Other Information
Private Lessons
Students may major in one of the following: piano, voice, strings, woodwinds, brass, guitar, or percussion. Private lessons are generally available only to students enrolled full time in the music programs.
Secondary Lessons
Students may be eligible for secondary lessons only if they have successfully met all Keyboard Skills requirements (covered in MUSI 1154, 1254, 2354, 2454).
Private Lesson and Chamber Ensemble Policies and Fees
To be eligible for private lessons, a student must enroll in a minimum of 9 credits per semester, excluding the lessons themselves. Part-time music students must consult with the Music Chair regarding their private instruction options.
Fees in addition to course tuition apply for private music lessons and chamber ensembles. Please contact the Music Department for further information.
Credential Awarded
Upon successful completion of the major program, students are eligible to receive a Bachelor of Music in Musical Arts. Transcripts will indicate a Major in General Studies.
At a Glance
Faculty of Arts
Music
Program Type:
- Undergraduate
Credential Granted:
- Baccalaureate Degree
Offered At:
- Langley
Start Date(s):
- September
- January
- May
Intake Type:
- Open intake
Format:
- Full-time
- Part-time
Minimum Credits Required:
- 122
Instructional Cycle:
- Semester-based
Curriculum Effective Date:
- 01-Sep-2017