Note: This is the 2019–2020 eCalendar. Update the year in your browser's URL bar for the most recent version of this page, or .
Program Requirements
Instrumental and Choral
Applicants to the Performance program are expected to have a background in Music Theory equivalent to the B.Mus. in Performance. Applicants found to be deficient in their background preparation may be required to take certain additional music theory undergraduate courses.
The following program prerequisite courses may be assigned as additional courses based on transcript review:
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MUPD 560 Introduction to Research Methods in Music (1 credit)
Overview
Music Professional Development : Introduction to music research, including print and online tools for finding printed and recorded music and research on music; appropriate citation of sources; writing grant proposals, program/liner notes, and reviews.
Terms: Fall 2019
Instructors: Sarid, Shulamit; Willis, Laurence; Noble, Jason (Fall)
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MUSP 500D1 Keyboard for Professional Practice (1 credit)
Overview
Musicianship : Training in keyboard skills required for research, score study, professional presentations, and teaching: figured bass realization, melody harmonization, transposition, score reading, improvisation, and performance for dictation, taught through group meetings and weekly practical assignments.
Terms: Fall 2019
Instructors: Lee, Changhee (Fall)
Enrolment preference will be given to students enrolled in graduate programs in music theory and conducting.
Restriction(s): By permission of the instructor.
Students must register for both MUSP 500D1 and MUSP 500D2.
No credit will be given for this course unless both MUSP 500D1 and MUSP 500D2 are successfully completed in consecutive terms.
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MUSP 500D2 Keyboard for Professional Practice (1 credit)
Overview
Musicianship : See MUSP 500D1 for description.
Terms: Winter 2020
Instructors: Lee, Changhee (Winter)
Prerequisite: MUSP 500D1.
No credit will be given for this course unless both MUSP 500D1 and MUSP 500D2 are successfully completed in consecutive terms.
Enrolment preference will be given to students enrolled in graduate programs in music theory and conducting.
Choral Conducting:
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MUCO 261 Orchestration 1 (3 credits)
Overview
Composition : Study of the instruments of the western orchestra, including performance techniques, used in different combinations. Score reading and notation. Analysis of excerpts of the repertoire from the point of view of instrumental writing and timbral combination. Reduction of orchestral scores for piano; scoring and transcription of piano works for different ensembles. Instruments studied: strings, harp, woodwinds, standard keyboards. Orchestration: scoring for string quartet, string ensembles, woodwind quintet and ensembles, small orchestra.
Terms: Fall 2019
Instructors: Bouliane, Denys (Fall)
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MUPG 210 Italian Diction (2 credits) *
Overview
Performance : Study of International Phonetic Alphabet. Study of Italian pronunciation in singing using song and opera texts.
Terms: Fall 2019
Instructors: Popescu, Maria (Fall)
2 hours
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MUPG 211 French Diction (2 credits) *
Overview
Performance : Study of French pronunciation in singing using song and opera texts.
Terms: Winter 2020
Instructors: Godin, Olivier (Winter)
2 hours
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MUPG 212 English Diction (2 credits) *
Overview
Performance : Study of International Phonetic Alphabet. Study of Standard English pronunciation in singing using song and opera texts with a special emphasis on problematic vowels, diphthongs and consonants.
Terms: Fall 2019
Instructors: Koch, Elizabeth (Fall)
2 hours
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MUPG 213 German Diction (2 credits) *
Overview
Performance : Study of German pronunciation in singing using song and opera texts.
Terms: Winter 2020
Instructors: Strauss, Anja (Winter)
2 hours
* Students take either MUPG 210, MUPG 211, MUPG 212 or MUPG 213
OR
Instrumental Conducting:
3 credits of:
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MUCO 261 Orchestration 1 (3 credits)
Overview
Composition : Study of the instruments of the western orchestra, including performance techniques, used in different combinations. Score reading and notation. Analysis of excerpts of the repertoire from the point of view of instrumental writing and timbral combination. Reduction of orchestral scores for piano; scoring and transcription of piano works for different ensembles. Instruments studied: strings, harp, woodwinds, standard keyboards. Orchestration: scoring for string quartet, string ensembles, woodwind quintet and ensembles, small orchestra.
Terms: Fall 2019
Instructors: Bouliane, Denys (Fall)
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MUCO 360 Orchestration 2 (3 credits)
Overview
Composition : Reduction of orchestral scores for piano. Scoring and transcription of piano works for different ensembles. Instruments studied: brass and percussion. Orchestration: brass ensembles, percussion ensembles and combinations. Scoring for full orchestra.
Terms: Winter 2020
Instructors: Bouliane, Denys (Winter)
Prerequisite: MUCO 261
Restrictions: Only open to B.Mus. Major in Composition students; students from other programs may be accepted with the permission of the instructor, after submitting samples of previous work.
Thesis Performance (27 credits)
18 credits:
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MUIN 630 Conducting Tutorial 1 (3 credits)
Overview
Practical Instrument : Group conducting tutorial. Technical and interpretive development, preparation of thesis performance projects.
Terms: Fall 2019
Instructors: Hauser, Rudolf-Alexius; Vallée, Jean-Sébastien; Cazes, Alain; Bourgogne, Guillaume (Fall)
Restriction: Open to students in the Master of Music (M. Mus.) in Performance; Conducting option.
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MUIN 631 Conducting Tutorial 2 (3 credits)
Overview
Practical Instrument : Group conducting tutorial. Continuing technical and interpretive development, preparation of thesis performance projects.
Terms: Winter 2020
Instructors: Hauser, Rudolf-Alexius; Vallée, Jean-Sébastien; Bourgogne, Guillaume; Cazes, Alain (Winter)
Prerequisite(s): MUIN 630
Restriction: Open to students in the Master of Music (M.Mus) in Performance; Conducting option.
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MUIN 632 Conducting Tutorial 3 (3 credits)
Overview
Practical Instrument : Additional group conducting tutorial. Interpretative preparation of thesis performance projects and development of individual artistic vision.
Terms: Fall 2019
Instructors: Vallée, Jean-Sébastien; Bourgogne, Guillaume (Fall)
Prerequisite(s): MUIN 631
Restrictions: Open to students in the Master of Music (M. Mus.) in Performance; Conducting option.
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MUPG 600 Recital Project 1 (9 credits)
Overview
Performance : Solo recital, collaborative piano recital, conducting recital or principal Opera Role (by audition) with program notes.
Terms: Fall 2019, Winter 2020
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2019-2020 academic year.
Solo recital (60-70 minutes), collaborative piano recital (60-70 minutes), conducting recital (30-35 minutes) or Principal Opera Role as defined by the American Guild of Musical Artists' website (), Lead, Schedule C
9 credits from the following:
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MUPG 601 Recital Project 2 (9 credits)
Overview
Performance : Solo recital, collaborative piano recital, conducting recital or principal opera role (by audition) with program notes. May include chamber music providing none of the repertoire was prepared in a chamber ensemble taken for credit.
Terms: Fall 2019, Winter 2020
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2019-2020 academic year.
Solo recital (60-70 minutes), collaborative piano recital (60-70 minutes), conducting recital (35-40 minutes) or principal opera role (by audition) as defined by the American Guild of Musical Artists' website (), Lead, Schedule C
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MUPG 602 Recital Project 3 (6 credits)
Overview
Performance : Recital, conducting recital or featured opera role (by audition) with program notes.
Terms: Fall 2019, Winter 2020
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2019-2020 academic year.
Recital (30-40 minutes), conducting recital (20-25 minutes) or featured opera role (by audition) as defined by the American Guild of Musical Artists' website (), Featured, Schedule C
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MUPG 605 Recording Project (3 credits)
Overview
Performance : Recording project with liner notes.
Terms: Fall 2019, Winter 2020
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2019-2020 academic year.
Limited enrolment; admissions by proposal only and with approval of the Department; additional fees apply.
Required Courses
3 credits in:
Students are required to take MUGS 605
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MUGS 605 Graduate Performance Colloquium
Overview
Graduate Faculty Music Courses : Participation in three professional development workshops or research colloquium approved by the department on topics such as performance pedagogy, academic teaching, music production, copyright, business, grantsmanship, etc. Students participate in each semester of residency until requirements have been met.
Terms: Fall 2019, Winter 2020
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2019-2020 academic year.
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MUPG 580 Rehearsal Techniques for Conductors (1.5 credits)
Overview
Performance : Exploration of rehearsal techniques used by conductors and coaches in a variety of different settings (at McGill and in the larger Montreal community) including orchestra, orchestra sectionals, contemporary music ensembles, wind ensembles, early music ensembles, choral ensembles, jazz ensembles, chamber music ensembles, and opera through observation and discussion.
Terms: Fall 2019
Instructors: Vallée, Jean-Sébastien (Fall)
Restriction: Open to graduate students in choral, wind, and orchestra conducting or with the permission of instructor
Complementary Courses (15 credits)
Seminars:
3 credits from the following:
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MUPP 690 Performance Practice Seminar 1 (3 credits)
Overview
Performance Practice : Seminar in performance practice. Topic varies by year.
Terms: Fall 2019, Winter 2020
Instructors: Klorman, Edward (Fall) Foster, Adrian (Winter)
3 hours
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MUPP 691 Performance Practice Seminar 2 (3 credits)
Overview
Performance Practice : Seminar in performance practice. Topic varies by year.
Terms: Fall 2019, Winter 2020
Instructors: Strauss, Anja (Fall) Smith, Tracy (Winter)
3 hours
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MUPP 692 Performance Practice Seminar 3 (3 credits)
Overview
Performance Practice : Seminar in performance practice. Topic varies by year.
Terms: Fall 2019, Winter 2020
Instructors: Weman Eriksson, Lena (Fall) Frey, Elinor (Winter)
3 hours
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MUPP 693 Performance Practice Seminar 4 (3 credits)
Overview
Performance Practice : Seminar in performance practice. Topic varies by year.
Terms: Fall 2019
Instructors: Chiasson, Rachelle A M (Fall)
3 hours
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MUPP 694 Performance Practice Seminar 5 (3 credits)
Overview
Performance Practice : Seminar in performance practice. Topic varies by year.
Terms: Fall 2019
Instructors: Marandola, Fabrice (Fall)
3 hours
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MUPP 695 Performance Practice Seminar 6 (3 credits)
Overview
Performance Practice : Seminar in performance practice. Topic varies by year.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2019-2020 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2019-2020 academic year.
3 hours
3 credits of a graduate seminar with the prefix MUCO, MUGS, MUGT, MUHL, MUMT, MUPP, or MUTH.
One additional graduate 3-credit seminar approved by the Department.
Complementary Performance (6 credits)
Choral Conducting:
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MUEN 572 Cappella Antica (2 credits)
Overview
Ensemble : An ensemble of 8 to 12 voices specializing in early music. N.B. This ensemble may substitute as a Basic Ensemble in programs that specify Choral Ensemble, with Departmental approval.
Terms: Fall 2019, Winter 2020
Instructors: Leblanc, Suzie (Fall) Leblanc, Suzie (Winter)
4 hours
Prerequisite: Audition.
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MUEN 593 Choral Ensembles (2 credits)
Overview
Ensemble : Students enrolling in Choral Ensembles will be assigned to one of the above groups.
Terms: Fall 2019, Winter 2020
Instructors: Vallée, Jean-Sébastien; Simmons, Georgia; Hon, Chun Fung (Fall) Vallée, Jean-Sébastien; Hon, Chun Fung; Simmons, Georgia (Winter)
4 hours
Prerequisite: Audition.
Section 001 Chamber Singers: a group of approximately 24 mixed voices which explores the a cappella repertoire of all periods as well as works with chamber accompaniment.
Section 002 Concert Choir: an ensemble of approximately 60 voices (S.A.T.B.) which performs the repertoire from all periods appropriate to a group of this size.
Section 003 University Chorus: a mixed chorus of approximately 100 which performs a variety of choral material including both traditional and popular selections.
Section 004 Women's Chorale: an ensemble of approximately 40 women stressing the fundamentals of singing and ensemble participation.
OR
Instrumental Conducting:
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MUEN 573 Baroque Orchestra (2 credits)
Overview
Ensemble : Open to singers and instrumentalists, this ensemble specializes in chamber music primarily of the Baroque era.
Terms: Fall 2019, Winter 2020, Summer 2020
Instructors: Knox, Hank (Fall) Knox, Hank; Bandy, Dorian (Winter) Knox, Hank (Summer)
4 hours
Prerequisites: Audition
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MUEN 590 McGill Wind Orchestra (2 credits)
Overview
Ensemble : Large ensemble for wind instruments.
Terms: Fall 2019, Winter 2020, Summer 2020
Instructors: Cazes, Alain (Fall) Cazes, Alain (Winter)
4-6 hours
Prerequisite: Audition
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MUEN 592 Chamber Jazz Ensemble (2 credits)
Overview
Ensemble : This ensemble will deal with the extensive repertoire of music which exists for small jazz orchestra (9-13 instruments).
Terms: Fall 2019, Winter 2020
Instructors: Trottier, Jean-Nicolas (Fall) Trottier, Jean-Nicolas (Winter)
Restriction: Open to Jazz Performance students only.
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MUEN 594 Contemporary Music Ensemble (2 credits)
Overview
Ensemble : Ensemble for contemporary music - instruments and voice.
Terms: Fall 2019, Winter 2020
Instructors: Bourgogne, Guillaume (Fall) Bourgogne, Guillaume (Winter)
4 hours
Prerequisite: Audition.
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MUEN 595 Jazz Ensembles (2 credits)
Overview
Ensemble : Ensemble for jazz - instruments and voice.
Terms: Fall 2019, Winter 2020
Instructors: Jimenez, Carlos Alberto; Jensen, Christine; Di Lauro, Ronald; Mahar, William V (Fall) Jimenez, Carlos Alberto; Jensen, Christine; Di Lauro, Ronald; Mahar, William V (Winter)
3-4 hours
Prerequisite: Audition.
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MUEN 597 McGill Symphony Orchestra (2 credits)
Overview
Ensemble : Ensemble for orchestral instruments.
Terms: Fall 2019, Winter 2020
Instructors: Hauser, Rudolf-Alexius (Fall) Hauser, Rudolf-Alexius (Winter)
6 - 7 hours
Prerequisite: Audition.