Music (Bachelor of Arts with a Major in Music)

The Bachelor of Arts with a Major in Music is a four-year program (120 semester hours) designed for those who wish to study music in a more general Arts curriculum.  As a general program, it will not prepare students for teaching music, but will prepare them for further study toward careers such as music librarian, musicology, music publishing, communications media, and sound recording.

Note: Current UPEI students should refer to Student Planning in myUPEI and the UPEI Academic Calendar governing their entry year, and speak to an academic advisor about course requirements. The course structure presented for this program is a recommended, unofficial progression for prospective students.

Note: As per Academic Regulation 1h, all undergraduate degree programs require successful completion of IKE-1040 (new for students beginning or returning after re-application in Fall 2022); one of UPEI-1010, UPEI-1020, or UPEI-1030, and a Writing Intensive Course. 

Year I

Music 1130-1140 — Theory (6 semester hours)
Music 1150, 1170— Aural Skills (6 semester hours)
Music 1230-1240 — Music and Culture (6 semester hours)
Non-Music electives (6 semester hours)
Free electives (6 semester hours)

NOTE: Students in the BA with a major in Music program will be required to take part in at least one ensemble for each semester they are in the program. This is equal to a minimum of four full-year ensembles for a BA Major in Music degree, two of which must be in large ensembles. Unless the ensemble requirement is fulfilled, graduation will be denied.

NOTE: Students wishing to take Studio Minor (Music 1050) must have the permission of the relevant applied instructor and the department chair.

Year II

Music 2130-2140 — Theory (6 semester hours)
Music 2150, 2170 — Aural Skills (6 semester hours)
Music 2230 — Music and Culture (3 semester hours)
Music Elective (3 semester hours)
Non-Music electives (6 semester hours)
Free electives (6 semester hours)

NOTE: Ensembles required (see note at end of Year I).

Year III

Music Electives (12 semester hours)
Non-Music electives (9 semester hours)
Free electives (9 semester hours)
Total 30 credits

NOTE: Ensembles required (see note at end of Year I)

COMMENT: Students may take a maximum of six (6) semester hours credit in Music Education toward the Music electives required for Years III and IV. 

Year IV

Music Electives (12 semester hours)
Non-Music electives (9 semester hours)
Free electives (9 semester hours)
Total 30 Credits

NOTE: Ensembles required (see note at end of Year I).

See Comment at the end of Year III regarding Music Electives.  PLEASE NOTE: AT LEAST 30 SEMESTER HOURS (10 COURSES) OF THE NON-MUSIC ELECTIVES MUST BE ARTS COURSES.

High School Graduates

Canadian High School Equivalency Chart

Successful completion of Grade 12 examinations in a University Preparatory Program with an overall average of at least 70% (75% for Quebec Secondary V students) in the following subjects:

• English;
• one Social Studies or Language;
• any 3 other academic courses. Grade 12 math recommended.
  Note: Grade 12 Math is a prerequisite for some 1st year Arts courses.

Please refer to the UPEI Academic Calendar for complete admissions information.

Entrance Requirements

In addition to the standard University of Prince Edward Island entrance requirements, candidates for the Bachelor of Music and Bachelor of Music Education programs will demonstrate technical proficiency, musical expression and learning potential on their instrument or voice. 

A personal interview, audition, and diagnostic tests in theory and aural skills will be arranged prior to registration for each student wishing to enter a Music Program. An audition is not required for entrance into the BA Program with Major in Music.  

Prospective music students must meet both a) the general University admission requirements for UPEI, and b) the following Departmental requirements:

1. Each student seeking admission to the BMus, or BMusEd program must audition on an instrument or voice, showing proficiency in performance, technique and sight-reading at the Grade VI RCM (Royal Conservatory of Music) level.
2. Students seeking admission to a Music program must undergo theory and ear testing to determine skill level.

Auditions

The schedule for the various components of the audition procedures will be forwarded approximately two weeks in advance of the actual audition date. Be sure that you are familiar with the audition requirements and procedures, and that you are prepared to write the theory and aural skills assessments. NOTE: Applicants for the BA (Music) Program are not required to perform an audition unless they wish to take Applied Music as an elective.

Courses for Non-Music Majors

Understanding Music as a Socio-Cultural Practice 2010 and Explorations in Music 2020 may be offered to any non-music major. Students should check with the Chair of the Department in which they are majoring to ensure that these courses may be counted as electives. Note: These courses are not offered every year.

Refer to the UPEI Academic Calendar for complete information.

UPEI's undergraduate tuition is the second-lowest in the Atlantic region, and we offer millions of dollars in scholarships and awards.

Tuition

$7,170 per year, based on 30 credit hours ($717 per 3 credit course).
International students pay $8,410 per year in addition to full-time student tuition.

For a complete breakdown of part-time or full-time study as a student in the Faculty of Arts, visit our Tuition and Fees page.

Scholarships and Awards

UPEI supports you and your educational goals. We administer millions of dollars in scholarships and awards to our undergraduate and graduate students every year. Depending on your faculty or program, and year of study, you may be eligible for available awards.

Search the complete list of scholarships for information and application forms.  

Celebrating Student Achievement

Including Guaranteed Entrance Scholarships and Academic Excellence Awards, these awards recognize the academic achievements of all students who meet the eligibility criteria while studying towards their first undergraduate degree.

Visit the Scholarships site for complete information.

UPEI has about 250 faculty—exceptional scholars, teachers, and mentors, with more being hired each year as we open new, progressive, and unique programs. But the story isn’t just in the numbers. It’s in the quality of our people. Award-winning faculty from around the globe have made UPEI home. Here, you’ll learn directly from these world-class professors and researchers in small classes where you’ll have easy access to them.

Karen Axworthy - violin / viola
Stephen Bouey - voice / diction
Krista Bryson - percussion
Richard Covey - composition / aural skills
Adam Hill - double bass
Rob Reid - classical guitar
Morgan Saulnier - flute / aural skills
Sung Ha Shin-Bouey - voice / choir
Amy Simon - clarinet
Dale Sorensen - brass (trumpet / horn / trombone / euphonium / tuba) / Wind Symphony
Nicole Strum - saxophone / theory
Magdalena von Eccher - piano
Natalie Williams Calhoun - cello
Andrew Zinck - musicology

Questions?
Contact:
Marlee Saulnier
Department of Music
music@upei.ca
902-566-0507