Program description
The Marcel A. Desautels Faculty of Music is located in one of Canada’s most culturally vibrant cities, and offers students an abundance of opportunities for study and performance. Here you can obtain an education that will prepare you for a wide range of music and music-related careers. Over the course of your program, you will work with an exceptional group of educators who bring to their respective areas a high level of expertise and international recognition as performers, researchers, conductors, composers, musicologists, and theorists. What makes the Desautels Faculty of Music unique is our expertise, combined with a passion for teaching.
Program options
Degree options
B.Mus. Bachelor of Music – 4 or 5 years
B.Mus./B.Ed. Integrated Bachelor of Music/Bachelor of Education – 4 or 5 years
B.Jazz Bachelor of Jazz Studies – 4 or 5 years
Program options
- Music Composition
- Music Education
- Music History
- Music Performance
- Jazz Studies
Interesting courses and unique opportunities
Interesting courses
- Vocal/Instrumental Collaboration
- From Rock to Rap & Beyond
- From Ragtime to Rock 'n' Roll
- New Wave to Rave
- ElectroAcoustic Music
- Special Topics Courses (past topics have included: Philosophy of Music, Icelandic Music & Its History and Music, Sound & Film)
- A wide array of ensembles (choral, jazz, wind band, orchestra, opera theatre and musical theatre)
Professional opportunities
- Music Education
- Solo performance
- Conductor
- Concert bands and dance bands
- Opera/opera chorus
- Musical theatre
- Jazz performers
- Professional composers
- Film music
- Executive director (orchestra/opera)
- Music publishing editorial staff and management
- Recording industry libraries
- Broadcast libraries
- Music Therapy
- Recording and Broadcasting
- Motion Picture Industry
- Ensemble manager (orchestra, opera, theatre, etc.)
- Military and RCMP bands
Admission requirements & prerequisites
Direct entry option
- Candidates must meet the same admission standards as University 1 applicants.
- An audition and a theory assessment are required.
- Recommended level of musicianship (Toronto Conservatory or Conservatory Canada): Piano/Strings/Organ: 8; Voice/Winds: 7.
- Music 40S and a 40S language are recommended.
This entry option is open to high school students or high school graduates who have completed less than 24 credit hours of study at an accredited university or college. Specific program requirements will vary; details of these requirements are available on each program’s application page.
Advanced entry option
This entry option is open to university students; while there is no minimum amount of university study required, students with less than 24 credit hours of university study must meet the university’s general entrance requirements.
High school prerequisites
High School Prerequisites: Music 40S and a second language at the 40S level (recommended)
Many programs will require or recommend specific high school courses over and above their admission requirements. These high school prerequisites are not always required to enter the program, but they must be completed to enrol in certain university courses within it. If a student does not have a particular prerequisite when they enter the program, they may complete an equivalent upgrading course at university that will satisfy the prerequisite requirement.
More details on admission requirements, application dates and the application process are available on the Desautels Faculty of Music apply for admission page.
What is unique about this program at the U of M?
The Marcel A. Desautels Faculty of Music offers an internationally renowned faculty who combine their expertise with a passion for teaching. Recently named a Cultural Capital, Winnipeg enriches the lives of our students with numerous world-class events throughout the year.
In Winnipeg, 1.9 million seats are filled each year by just twelve local arts and cultural organizations – this is more than double the attendance for professional sports franchises in the city combined!- source: Artsforall.ca
“Winnipeg is home to 12% of [Canada's] musicians...even though it makes up just 2.25% of the country's population.” Who's Your City?: How the Creative Economy Is Making Where to Live the Most Important Decision of Your Life by Richard Florida, Vintage Press, 2009.
Our students are frequent winners of many competitions locally, nationally, and internationally. Our faculty consistently achieve high standards and recognition in their fields (including two Rh Award recipients, in 2010 and 2009).
Important Links
Faculty of MusicDegree and Diploma Programs
Graduate Programs
