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Music, General Studies: Bachelor of Music in Musical Arts Degree

Description

The Bachelor of Music in Musical Arts degree is a fusion of Western art music traditions with contemporary music practices. In addition to private lessons, music theory and history, aural musicianship and keyboard skills, and ensemble experience, practical courses such as Music Video Production, 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.

It is recommended that prospective music students attend a music information session where program content and application procedures will be explained. For more information, please visit kpu.ca/music


Foundation Courses

Some applicants who demonstrate musical talent may not have taken private lessons or do not have the rudimentary knowledge of music theory necessary for university music study. Such students can be given the opportunity to register in one or more foundation courses to upgrade specific musical and technical skills. These courses generally cannot be applied toward the degree. The Foundation courses include:

Admission Requirements

The Faculty's Admission Requirements, which consist of KPU's undergraduate English Proficiency Requirement, apply to this program.

Continuance Requirements

Successful completion of three credits of ENGL at the 1100-level within the first 30 credits.

Declaration Requirements

Students intending to graduate with this Bachelor of Music in Musical Arts degree must declare the credential. At the time of declaration, the student must satisfy all of the following requirements:

  • A successful performance audition/interview
  • A satisfactory score on the KPU Music Placement Test

Audition/interview - Applicants will have a scheduled audition on their instrument to demonstrate their musical and technical skills. For details, see the Music Department's website kpu.ca/arts/music

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.

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). For details, see the Music Department's website kpu.ca/arts/music

Students 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.

Students 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.

Regardless of their music background, all declarants to the music program take the aural skills section of the placement test.

Curricular Requirements

The Bachelor of Music in Musical Arts program requires a minimum of 122 credits, including 18 credits of non-music electives. Students completing the General Studies Major may also elect to complete one of four concentrations. Each concentration requires additional credits.

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):
  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):
  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):
  MUSI 1153 History of Music I: Cornerstones of Music History 3 credits
  MUSI 1253 History of Music II: Heroes, Politics, and War 3 credits
  MUSI 2353 History of Music III: Music and the Arts 3 credits
  MUSI 2453 History of Music IV: Challenging the Conventions of Music 3 credits
4 credits of Keyboard Skills or Electives:
  Either all of:
  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
  Or, for students whose main instrument is piano:
  Electives   4 credits
8 credits of Studio Lessons (all of):
  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
  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:
  ENGL 1100 Introduction to University Writing 3 credits
  One additional English/Writing Intensive course 3 credits
And:
  MUSI 1112 Introduction to the Music Industry 2 credits
And 6 credits of Non-Music Electives:
  Course(s) numbered 1100 or higher, not in the MUSI subject area. 6 credits

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):
  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):
  MUSI 3553 History of Jazz and Pop Music 3 credits
  MUSI 3653 World Music 3 credits
8 credits of Studio Lessons (all of):
  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
  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:
  MUSI 3512 The Business of Music  3 credits
  MUSI 3551 Conducting I  3 credits
And 12 credits of Non-Music Electives:
  Any course numbered 1100 or higher not in the MUSI subject area. 12 credits
And 6 additional credits of Music Electives:
  Any MUSI 3000 or higher course not already included in the program 6 credits

Major Without Concentration

To complete their degree, students who do not complete one of the Concentrations listed below, must complete an additional four (4) credits of Music Electives (MUSI 3000 or higher courses).

Music Education Concentration

(Not currently offered)

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:
  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 4851 Conducting II 3 credits
  MUSI 4899 Music Practicum 3 credits

Studio Pedagogy Concentration

(Not currently offered)

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:
  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

Jazz Studies Concentration

(Not currently offered)

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:
  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

(Not currently offered)

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:
  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 Applied Desktop Recording 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 enroll 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.

Fees in addition to course tuition apply for private music lessons and chamber ensembles. Please contact the Music Department for further information.

Credential Awarded

Upon successful completion of the major program, students are eligible to receive a Bachelor of Music in Musical Arts.  Transcripts will indicate a Major in General Studies.

At a Glance

Faculty of Arts

kpu.ca/arts

Music

kpu.ca/arts/music

Program Type:

  • Undergraduate

Credential Granted:

  • Baccalaureate Degree

Offered At:

  • KPU Langley  Langley

Start Date(s):

  • Fall Intake (September)  September
  • Spring Intake (January)  January
  • Summer Intake (May)  May

Intake Type:

  • Open Intake  Open intake

Format:

  • Full-time  Full-time
  • Part-time  Part-time

Minimum Credits Required:

  • 122

Instructional Cycle:

  • Semester-based

Curriculum Effective Date:

  • 01-Sep-2017

How to Declare:

Applying to KPU:

Last Updated: 20-Dec-2018

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