Music, General Studies: Bachelor of Music in Musical Arts Degree
Description
The BMMA is a four-year program focusing primarily on Western classical music while providing students with opportunities to explore jazz, pop, and world music. Practical courses, such as 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.
The Music program offers students two options for their studies:
- Bachelor of Music in Musical Arts degree. This is a selective-entry, four-year bachelor's degree program that is eight semesters in length consisting of 122 credits of coursework.
- Music Diploma option. The two-year diploma is embedded within the degree. It allows students who do not wish to pursue a degree in music to have an optional exit point after completion of lower level requirements. The Diploma has six concentrations: General Studies, Comprehensive Studies, Guitar Performance, Orchestral Instrument Performance, Piano Performance and Vocal Performance.
Foundation Courses
Applicants who demonstrate musical talent but have not established a thorough grounding in the practical skills and general knowledge of music at the appropriate level maybe given the opportunity to register in one or more foundation courses to upgrade specific musical and technical skills. The Foundation courses include:
- Rudiments in Music (i.e., Theory)
- Listening to Music (i.e., Introduction to Music History)
- Studio Lessons (i.e., Private Lessons)
Student Profile
BMMA students are high school graduates, transfer students, and adult learners residing in the region (South Fraser, Fraser Valley, and North Fraser, east of Burnaby). All entering students require rudimentary knowledge of music theory, basic aural and rhythm skills, and practical performance skills at a university-entrance level. (BMMA – Audition Requirements). In addition, good writing and research skills will be beneficial in all music history courses
Career Opportunities
A curriculum that supports an entrepreneurial spirit in the cultural marketplace is an important focus of the KPU music degree. The program opens multiple pathways to career options including performance, studio pedagogy, music education, interdisciplinary arts, and arts management. In addition, the BMMA provides opportunities for leadership development and community-based music initiatives through liaisons with schools, arts organizations, and relevant industry partners. Two proposed concentrations within the program (Studio Pedagogy and Education) include practica, with community and industry partners monitoring student work in studio, classroom, and business settings.
Graduates of the BMMA degree will be able to access post-baccalaureate studies in music education or in graduate music programs emphasizing performance, studio pedagogy, music theory, or musicology will be accessible to graduates of the BMMA degree at universities across North America.
Through a judicious choice of courses and/or further study, BMMA students may also pursue music-related careers in the areas of music services (e.g., music librarian, music therapy), science and technology (e.g., audio engineering, digital audio editor), management (e.g., arts administration, concert promotion), advertising (e.g., music critic, jingle writer), business (music wholesaler/distributor, merchandising, entertainment business lawyer), and music production in the related fields of film, theatre, and television.
Program Admission Requirements
In addition to KPU's General university admission requirements including the undergraduate-level English Proficiency Requirement, the following program admission requirements apply:
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Audition/interview
Applicants will receive an invitation to demonstrate their musical and technical skills in an audition, which will take place in April / May. Alternative audition dates are possible for students living outside the Greater Vancouver Region. For those who have completed the university application process by the specified deadline, late auditions may be held in August (subject to seat availability)
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. -
A satisfactory score on the 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). The results will help determine the best point of entry for prospective students.
Applicants 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.
Applicants 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.
Note: One post-secondary English course, equivalent to KPU's ENGL 1100, is a graduation requirement for all KPU degrees. Students wishing to complete the program without having to undertake any preparatory courses must enter with English 12 with a B grade or the equivalent. Please make an appointment with an Academic Advisor to plan your course selections accordingly.
For more details regarding audition requirements and the placement exam, visit: kpu.ca/music.
Applicants not accepted into the BMMA program may be eligible to pursue courses toward the degree via the Associate of Arts in Music. Not all courses in this program are eligible for credit towards the degree program, therefore interested students should consult with either an Educational Advisor or with the Music Department prior to applying. Please note that the Associate of Arts in Music does not include studio lessons (i.e. private instruction).
Program Continuance Requirements
For students admitted to Year 1 of the program, continuation into Year 3 requires:
- completion of all Lower Level requirements;
- a cumulative GPA of 2.7; and
- successful completion of MUSIC 2454 or equivalent.
Program Requirements
The BMMA program requires a minimum of 122 credits successfully completed. Students completing the General Studies Major may also elect to complete one of four concentrations. Each concentration requires additional credits. Note that concentrations will be offered in the coming years.
Please note, the BMMA requires a total of 18 credits of electives, six (6) of which must be completed before progressing to third year.
Note: MUSI courses numbered 3000 to 4999 are assessed Tuition Category 2.a.2 tuition and fees for domestic students.
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: Antiquity to 1600 | 3 credits | |
| MUSI 1253 | History of Music II: 1600 to 1800 | 3 credits | |
| MUSI 2353 | History of Music III: 1800 to 1900 | 3 credits | |
| MUSI 2453 | History of Music IV: 1900 To The Present | 3 credits | |
4 credits of Keyboard Skills* (all of): |
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| 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 | |
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 | ||
Note:
*Students whose main instrument is piano substitute 4 credits of electives.
†Recommended
Upon successful completion of the lower level requirements, students may be eligible to exit the program and receive a Diploma in Music. For detailed program requirements, see the Diploma in Music.
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 number 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 choose not to complete one of the Concentrations listed below, must complete an additional four (4) credits of Music Electives (MUSI 3000 or higher courses).
Studio Pedagogy Concentration
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 | |
Music Education Concentration
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 4899 | Music Practicum | 3 credits | |
And one of: |
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| MUSI 4751 | Conducting II: Instrumental | 3 credits | |
| MUSI 4752 | Conducting II: Choral | 3 credits | |
Jazz Studies Concentration
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
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 | Audio Recording and Production Techniques | 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 demonstrate commitment to the Music Program by enrolling 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.
Like other post-secondary music programs, KPU charges a private lesson fee in addition to tuition. This is a separate fee, rather than a hidden cost. It is calculated according to the length of the lesson, as follows:
- ½ hour – $300/semester
- 1 hour – $500/semester
- 1½ hours – $700/semester
To offset the cost of the unique chamber ensemble component of the KPU Music Program, a nominal user fee ($100) is added to the cost of tuition for each chamber ensemble that a student elects or is required to take.
Credential Awarded
Upon successful completion of the major program, students are eligible to receive a Bachelor of Music in Musical Arts, Major in General Studies.
