Find your artistic identity at UPEI!

Department of Music Open House - November 17, 2023

Read about our 2023–2024 Recital Series 


Follow your passion, develop your artistry, and fulfil your ambitions at UPEI. Live in Charlottetown, PEI’s artistically vibrant capital city, and study under the guidance of our world-class faculty.

UPEI offers three degree programs in music:

Visit each program's site for more information and complete admission requirements.

What makes UPEI's Department of Music unique?

  • Dynamic, supportive, and inclusive environment
  • Small class sizes + accessible instructors = personalized experience
  • Comprehensive curriculum prepares you for success in graduate studies and diverse music careers
  • Access to professional-level work opportunities within PEI’s thriving music and theatre scene
  • New 400-seat performance space opened in 2023; newly renovated 200-seat recital hall
  • Bright, spacious practice rooms

Need more information about Music (Bachelor of Arts with a Major in Music)?

First Name:
Last Name:
E-mail Address:
Birthdate:
Overview
Study music in a more general Arts curriculum

The Bachelor of Arts with a Major in Music is a four-year program (120 semester hours) designed for those who wish to study music in a more general Arts curriculum.  As a general program, it will not prepare students for teaching music, but will prepare them for further study toward careers such as music librarian, musicology, music publishing, communications media, and sound recording.

two music students

Course Structure

Note: Current UPEI students should refer to Student Planning in myUPEI and the UPEI Academic Calendar governing their entry year, and speak to an academic advisor about course requirements. The course structure presented for this program is a recommended, unofficial progression for prospective students.


Note: As per Academic Regulation 1h, all undergraduate degree programs require successful completion of IKE-1040 (new for students beginning or returning after re-application in Fall 2022); one of UPEI-1010, UPEI-1020, or UPEI-1030, and a Writing Intensive Course. 


Year I

Music 1130-1140 — Theory (6 semester hours)
Music 1150, 1170— Aural Skills (6 semester hours)
Music 1230-1240 — Music and Culture (6 semester hours)
Non-Music electives (6 semester hours)
Free electives (6 semester hours)

NOTE: Students in the BA with a major in Music program will be required to take part in at least one ensemble for each semester they are in the program. This is equal to a minimum of four full-year ensembles for a BA Major in Music degree, two of which must be in large ensembles. Unless the ensemble requirement is fulfilled, graduation will be denied.

NOTE: Students wishing to take Studio Minor (Music 1050) must have the permission of the relevant applied instructor and the department chair.

Year II

Music 2130-2140 — Theory (6 semester hours)
Music 2150, 2170 — Aural Skills (6 semester hours)
Music 2230 — Music and Culture (3 semester hours)
Music Elective (3 semester hours)
Non-Music electives (6 semester hours)
Free electives (6 semester hours)

NOTE: Ensembles required (see note at end of Year I).

Year III

Music Electives (12 semester hours)
Non-Music electives (9 semester hours)
Free electives (9 semester hours)
Total 30 credits

NOTE: Ensembles required (see note at end of Year I)

COMMENT: Students may take a maximum of six (6) semester hours credit in Music Education toward the Music electives required for Years III and IV. 

Year IV

Music Electives (12 semester hours)
Non-Music electives (9 semester hours)
Free electives (9 semester hours)
Total 30 Credits

NOTE: Ensembles required (see note at end of Year I).

See Comment at the end of Year III regarding Music Electives.  PLEASE NOTE: AT LEAST 30 SEMESTER HOURS (10 COURSES) OF THE NON-MUSIC ELECTIVES MUST BE ARTS COURSES.

SDU Main Building
SDU Main Building
What can you do with an Arts degree? Anything you want!

UPEI provides a solid education in the liberal arts, committed to rigorous study and inquiry, belief in the value of knowledge, lifelong capacity-building, and the development of the whole person.

Admissions Criteria
What's Required for Arts Admission?

High School Graduates

Canadian High School Equivalency Chart

Successful completion of Grade 12 examinations in a University Preparatory Program with an overall average of at least 70% (75% for Quebec Secondary V students) in the following subjects:

  • English;
  • one Social Studies or Language;
  • any 3 other academic courses. Grade 12 math recommended.
    Note: Grade 12 Math is a prerequisite for some 1st year Arts courses.

Please refer to the UPEI Academic Calendar for complete admissions information.

Additional Entrance Requirements

Entrance Requirements

In addition to the standard University of Prince Edward Island entrance requirements, candidates for the Bachelor of Music and Bachelor of Music Education programs will demonstrate technical proficiency, musical expression and learning potential on their instrument or voice. 

A personal interview, audition, and diagnostic tests in theory and aural skills will be arranged prior to registration for each student wishing to enter a Music Program. An audition is not required for entrance into the BA Program with Major in Music.  

Prospective music students must meet both a) the general University admission requirements for UPEI, and b) the following Departmental requirements:

  1. Each student seeking admission to the BMus, or BMusEd program must audition on an instrument or voice, showing proficiency in performance, technique and sight-reading at the Grade VI RCM (Royal Conservatory of Music) level.
  2. Students seeking admission to a Music program must undergo theory and ear testing to determine skill level.

Auditions

The schedule for the various components of the audition procedures will be forwarded approximately two weeks in advance of the actual audition date. Be sure that you are familiar with the audition requirements and procedures, and that you are prepared to write the theory and aural skills assessments. NOTE: Applicants for the BA (Music) Program are not required to perform an audition unless they wish to take Applied Music as an elective.

Courses for Non-Music Majors

Understanding Music as a Socio-Cultural Practice 2010 and Explorations in Music 2020 may be offered to any non-music major. Students should check with the Chair of the Department in which they are majoring to ensure that these courses may be counted as electives. Note: These courses are not offered every year.

Refer to the UPEI Academic Calendar for complete information.

students in UPEI quad
students in UPEI quad
Millions in scholarships and awards

Each year we award over 3,000 scholarships and awards to qualified students. Our comprehensive program—valued at over $8 million—includes some awards that are equal to full tuition and renewable!

Fees and Funding
Faculty of Arts Programs Tuition

UPEI's undergraduate tuition is the second-lowest in the Atlantic region, and we offer millions of dollars in scholarships and awards.

Tuition

$6,828 per year, based on 30 credit hours ($682.80 per 3 credit course).
International students pay $8,010 per year in addition to full-time student tuition.

For a complete breakdown of part-time or full-time study as a student in the Faculty of Arts, visit our Tuition and Fees page.

Scholarships and Awards

UPEI supports you and your educational goals. We administer millions of dollars in scholarships and awards to our undergraduate and graduate students every year. Depending on your faculty or program, and year of study, you may be eligible for available awards.

Search the complete list of scholarships for information and application forms.  

Celebrating Student Achievement

Including Guaranteed Entrance Scholarships and Academic Excellence Awards, these awards recognize the academic achievements of all students who meet the eligibility criteria while studying towards their first undergraduate degree.

Visit the Scholarships site for complete information.

Faculty Members
Your mentors. Our professors.

UPEI has about 250 faculty—exceptional scholars, teachers, and mentors, with more being hired each year as we open new, progressive, and unique programs. But the story isn’t just in the numbers. It’s in the quality of our people. Award-winning faculty from around the globe have made UPEI home. Here, you’ll learn directly from these world-class professors and researchers in small classes where you’ll have easy access to them.

Stephen Bouey - voice
Krista Bryson - percussion
Richard Covey - aural skills
Jim Dickson - guitar
Adam Hill - double bass
Sean Kemp - violin / viola
Morgan Saulnier - flute
Sung Ha Shin-Bouey - voice / choir
Amy Simon - clarinet
Dale Sorensen - brass (trumpet / horn / trombone / euphonium / tuba)
Nicole Strum - saxophone / theory / Wind Symphony
Magdalena von Eccher - piano
Natalie Williams Calhoun - cello
Andrew Zinck - history

Questions?
Contact:
Marlee Saulnier
Department of Music
music@upei.ca
902-566-0507