Deciding where to study is one of the hardest decisions a young guitarist ever makes. You need an environment that both nurtures and challenges, an artistic atmosphere to inspire, and facilities that reflect and serve your ambition in order to develop your talents to their fullest capabilities.
Kwantlen Polytechnic University's Bachelor of Music in Musical Arts degree (Guitar Concentration) has a dynamic and adventurous curriculum. It has earned a strong reputation for treasuring and building upon the traditions of Western Classical music while giving you opportunities to explore and experiment with conventions outside classical boundaries. The program is designed to help you carve out your own professional or personal path and gain the skills and experience necessary to achieve your goals.
The Guitar Concentration realises an environment of creation, performance, and study of music that is innovative, opportunistic, and broad in scope. Training covers all aspects of music, enabling you to enter the music profession equipped with the "tools of the trade."
Ideal candidates already possess significant experience and training in music. All applicants have achieved a minimum standard equivalent to Royal Conservatory of Music Grade VI. (For details regarding the requirements to enter the music program, click on the Audition Requirements.
Credentials Offered
- Bachelor of Music in Musical Arts – General Studies Major
- Diploma in Music - Comprehensive
- Diploma in Music - Performance
- Diploma in Music - General Studies
Faculty
- Don Hlus
Courses for Guitar
MUSI 1105 - 1205 - MAJOR INSTRUMENT - FOUNDATION
Students will work on the interpretation and performance of repertoire, and on developing the musical understanding, technical skills, and sight-reading abilities that will prepare them to undertake advanced studies.
MUSI 1157 – 4857 – MAJOR INSTRUMENT - CONCENTRATION
A series of courses exploring the repertoire of the classical and acoustic guitar. During the course of study, a student is required to learn a progressive series of works from five historical periods: Renaissance, Baroque, Classical, Romantic and Contemporary. Students are expected to develop musicianship (including phrasing, dynamic range, style, articulation, and tone production) and technique.
MUSI 1156 – 4856 – MAJOR INSTRUMENT - PERFORMANCE
A series of courses for Guitar Performance Majors that explore the repertoire of the classical guitar. During the course of study, a student is required to learn compositions from five historical periods: Renaissance, Baroque, Classical, Romantic and Contemporary. In third and fourth years, students are expected to present half and full recitals respectively
MUSI 1133/1233 – FRETBOARD STUDIES I & II
Students will develop a full knowledge of the harmonic and melodic capabilities of the guitar fretboard. They will study fretboard harmony (using four-note chord voicings), scales, arpeggios, and will cultivate music reading skills in lower, intermediate, & upper positions.
MUSI 1171 - 4871 – GUITAR CHAMBER ENSEMBLE
This course will focus on the rehearsal and performance of literature written or transcribed for the classical and acoustic guitar. The development of performance and ensemble skills, as well as sight-reading skills will be central to this course. The repertoire will encompass many different periods and styles of classical music from early Renaissance through to the 20th century and may include compositions from other idioms.
MUSI 3113 - SOCIAL HISTORY OF THE GUITAR
Students will survey the history and repertoire of the guitar as a means to understand how people of other times and places interpreted human experience, and how these beliefs and values affected music creation and expression. They will also use examples of guitar music from both history and our own time to explore long-standing debates and fundamental issues regarding the role of music in society.
MUSI 3533 - ACOUSTIC GUITAR STYLES
Students will examine selected styles of guitar playing, such as flamenco, Celtic, world music, fingerstyle steel-string, Latin/South American, or fingerstyle jazz and blues. They will utilize audio and digital presentations as well as personal instruction to gain basic skills in each style.