The Bachelor of Music (BMus) program focuses on music making in multiple styles and genres. We believe that an undergraduate music program in a liberal university should strive to be more of a laboratory for creativity and experimentation than merely a conservatory of past traditions.
Our foundational curriculum combines courses in music theory, music history and culture, musicianship skills, keyboard skills, improvisation, composition, intensive ensembles, and one-on-one music lessons with professional teachers. The aim is to graduate well-rounded contemporary musicians who can thrive in a variety of professional contexts.
All students in our unique Bachelor of Music program will develop as performers, composers, educators, improvisers, and musical leaders. The cornerstone of this innovative program is our Chamber Music Workshop. All students will participate by researching, playing and performing various repertoire with a small group and a faculty coach. Each group receives weekly coaching, academic lectures, assignments and various performance opportunities. We are very excited to share this dynamic program with you!
The Bachelor of Music with a concentration in Education degree prepares students for entrance into a Bachelor of Education program with the ultimate goal of becoming elementary, junior high, or high school music teachers. Students acquire skills in instrumental, choral and classroom music teaching. Music Education students demonstrate a high level of skill in music performance, musicianship, technology, and a broad-based knowledge of instrumental and choral disciplines, and an understanding of Orff and Kodaly methodologies. Upon completion of a Bachelor of Education degree, music education students find employment in public school systems across Canada and internationally.
- Elementary and Secondary music education
- Instrumental or choral streams
- Training on all orchestral and band instruments
- Intensive conducting workshops
- Opportunities to conduct Acadia’s large ensembles
All students interested in Music Therapy will apply for admission to the Bachelor of Music degree program. At the end of the students’ second year in the Bachelor of Music, and upon the successful completion of the School of Music core requirements, students interested in music therapy will apply for admission to the Bachelor of Music Therapy degree.
The Bachelor of Music Therapy degree is unique to Eastern Canada, and leads to accreditation as a registered music therapist. Acadia offers both a Bachelor of Music Therapy degree and a post-graduate Certificate in Music Therapy.
Music Therapy is a growing health profession integrating a range of interdisciplinary studies including music, psychology, and clinical therapeutic models. Our music therapy graduates have gained employment in areas such as hospitals, mental health facilities, prisons and youth centres, seniors’ homes, schools, and private practices.
Our goal is to provide opportunities and experiences for each student to enable them to continue to the next phase of their development as a music therapist, the 1000-hour internship required for accreditation by the Canadian Association for Music Therapy (CAMT).
- 4-year degree leading to music therapy accreditation (MTA)
- Clinical and classroom training in music therapy practices and techniques
- Training in four instruments used in therapy: piano, guitar, percussion, and voice
- Practicum placements in schools, hospitals, seniors homes, detention centres, and special needs institutions
- Outstanding record of job placements after graduation
The Certificate in Music Therapy is available for students with an earned degree in music who wish to study at Acadia University in order to become eligible for professional music therapy credentials.
Students interested in pursuing a Certificate in Music Therapy must have completed 6 hours of Psychology (equivalent to PSYC 1013 and PSYC 1023 at Acadia University) before applying to the program.
Note: Certificate students are not required to take private lessons, participate in musical ensembles, or fulfill a recital attendance requirement.
The Bachelor of Arts in Music degree provides a well-rounded degree path for students interested in pursuing the academic study of music within a Liberal Arts framework. It can be used to launch a number of different careers including; music journalism, criticism, broadcasting, jobs in the cultural sector and acts as a great preparatory degree for law school or medical school.
The Bachelor of Arts in Music (BAM) is offered as a non-performance based program, while still allowing for students to fully participate in ensembles, chamber music workshop, music electives, and concert credit. The honours option of this degree is designed for students who wish to pursue a more vigorous research opportunity within the academic study of musicology without applied music or performance requirements.
- Honours degree option
- No audition required
- Liberal Arts approach to music education
- Courses in music theory, history and culture, composition, education, and music therapy can be applied to the program
- Graduates are prepared for graduate programs, professional school programs, and music industry professions
There are opportunities to combine areas of study, such as music and math, or to study music as a second major. Reach out to us if you think this might apply to you! Or consult the Academic Calendar here.