Desautels Faculty of Music

At the Desautels Faculty of Music, you are more than a student. You are part of a thriving music community, working with accomplished professionals and exploring your talents in inspiring, leading-edge facilities. You will be able to explore the true depth and breadth of your talents as you prepare for a successful, fulfilling career in music or the arts.

Music faculty and staff intranet Information for current Desautels Faculty of Music students

blurred image of someone playing saxophone

Desautels Concert Hall Grand Opening Series

We are pleased to unveil the Desautels Concert Hall! Coming September 2024, experience your favourite performers in an intimate performance venue at the heart of the University of Manitoba at the Desautels Concert Hall Grand Opening Series.
Tickets on sale now

What We Offer

The men of the 2019 Musical Theatre Ensemble perform an excerpt from the musical Newsies

Programs of study

Our faculty offers an inspiring and broad choice of programs and courses. You will pursue your major practical study in a conservatory-style atmosphere, with the freedom to explore many musical styles, from traditional classical to jazz and experimental genres.

A student saxophonist performs at a jazz ensembles concert.

Student experience

There has never been a better time to study music at the University of Manitoba. Our students perform and create in Canada’s most advanced and inspiring facilities. Our offering of music scholarships, fellowships and bursaries is one of the most impressive in Canada.

University Singers director Elroy Friesen conducting students with pipe organ in background

Performances and lectures

On campus and in the community, our ensembles, faculty, students and guest artists perform in a wide range of concerts open to the public. Our students participate in more than 250 performances annually. Our lectures feature topics including wellness, Indigenous composition, world music and musicology research.

The Desautels Faculty of Music Jazz Ensembles bring soul to St. Boniface.

Community and partners

The Desautels Faculty of Music is a vital component of the Winnipeg arts community. Our alumni, faculty and students perform with a number of leading ensembles. Our community lessons and professional development offerings reflect our commitment to innovative programming of the highest quality at all levels of music study.

Faculty and Staff

Two people seated at a desk inside the electro-acoustic composition lab surrounded by various equipment.

A faculty of mentors

Learn from our outstanding faculty -- internationally recognized performers, composers, scholars and researchers who are dedicated to teaching private lessons, masterclasses, large and small ensembles, and in the classroom.

Our instructors are active in the international music world, continuing to perform, record, compose, conduct and publish regularly.

Our faculty attract acclaimed guest artists to our masterclasses and provide countless opportunities for students to perform.

Meet our faculty and staff

World Class Facilities

Be inspired in our spaces

A stunning transformation of our facilities has created an impressive performing arts complex, with state-of-the-art spaces and equipment.

Explore our facilities

News & Stories

Marcel Desautels was a visionary business leader who understood the power of music.

In 2008 Dr. Desautels pledged a $20 million gift to the University of Manitoba’s music faculty—one of the largest gifts in Canadian history to a department, school or faculty of music.

Born in Winnipeg, Dr. Desautels earned his Master of Laws degree from UM and went on to a distinguished career in financial services. He long held an interest in post-secondary education and funded innovative programs at universities across Canada.
Dr. Desautels’s contribution to our music faculty allows us to offer student and faculty support that is among the most generous in the country. Half of his $20 million contribution powers an endowment fund that generates millions of dollars of support for music scholarships and innovative research and creative works by our professors.

Their achievements are a testament to the vision of this visionary and business leader, who was also a passionate and highly gifted musician. It is a great honour for our faculty to bear his name.

Contact Us

Desautels Faculty of Music
Room 319 Taché Hall
150 Dafoe Road
University of Manitoba (Fort Garry campus)
Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2 Canada

music@umanitoba.ca

204-474-9310

204-474-7546