Music Degree Requirements

StFX offers two basic degrees in Music: Bachelor of Music, and Bachelor of Arts.    

Bachelor of Music

The Bachelor of Music course plan includes the following courses:  

• Music Theory (including Arranging and Composition, Basic Keyboarding Skills, and Songwriting Lab): 11 courses (18 credits)  
• Ensembles: Eight courses over four years (12 credits total)  
• Jazz History (including Styles and Analysis): Three courses (9 credits)  
• Music History: Two courses (6 credits)  
• Applied Performance (instrumental or vocal lessons): Bachelor of Music: six courses (18 credits); Bachelor of Music Honours: eight courses (24 credits)  
• Improvisation: Two courses (6 credits)  
• Music Electives: Two courses (6 credits) 
• Electives: Bachelor of Music: 13 courses (39 credits); Bachelor of Music Honours: 10 courses (30 credits)  
• Recital (Fourth year): Bachelor of Music: 30-minute recital (0 credits); Bachelor of Music Honours: 60 minute recital, plus Thesis (3 credits)  

Details on particular courses and the course plan for transfer students can be found in the Academic Calendar. 

Bachelor of Arts with Major in Music

Students may complete a major in Music in the BA program by completing a minimum of 36 credits:  

• MUSI 104 Structure of Common Practice Music, and MUSI 105 Aural Skills I  
• 12 credits of Applied Performance, chosen from:  
  • Applied Performance (audition required): MUSI 181, MUSI 195, MUSI 281, MUSI 295, MUSI 381, MUSI 395, MUSI 481, MUSI 495  
  • Vocal or Instrumental Ensembles (placement audition required): MUSI 146/156, MUSI 147/157, MUSI 246/256, MUSI 247/257, MUSI 346/356, MUSI 347/357, MUSI 446/456, MUSI 447/457  
  • MUSI 166 Basic Keyboarding Skills  
  • MUSI 214 History and Instrumental Techniques for Guitar  
• Plus 18 credits of Music courses (see list within the Academic Calendar). No more than 9 credits may be from courses at the 100 level; 18 credits are required to be in courses at the 300-400 levels.  

See section 4.1.3 of the Academic Calendar  for other degree requirements. Minimum grade requirements do not apply to the major in music.  

Minor in Music

Students may complete a minor in Music with 24 credits from the following courses, or others in consultation with the department chair: MUSI 104 (required), MUSI 105 (required), 106, 107, 108, 109, 117, 118, 119, 165, 166, 206, 207, 208, 209 214, 217, 275, 276, 312, 319, 322, 323, 465. Applied Music courses (x81, x95) are also permitted; admission to those courses is by audition only.