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Explore music through a program designed to adapt to your creative interests. At Waterloo, you can learn to play over 20 different instruments or develop your vocal skills. However, our offerings extend far beyond performance.Combine your training in performance, music theory, and history with courses examining music's connections to technology, gender studies, and peace initiatives. Investigate the psychological aspects of music or explore diverse genres including pop, jazz, opera, and film scoring.This program provides the foundation whether you aspire to become a performer, composer, educator, audio engineer, or music software developer. Gain practical experience before graduation by choosing the co-op option. The University of Waterloo's Music Department integrates classical musical training in performance, history, and theory with innovative courses covering popular music, global music traditions, music technology, music psychology, and sacred music. The Music and Culture travel course includes educational trips to London, UK, and other significant destinations. Flexible program combinations let students pair music studies with other disciplines, including an interdisciplinary Church Music and Worship Minor.
Nearly all music courses welcome students from every faculty. Prospective music majors typically enter the program in second year, evaluated on their first-year academic achievements including multiple music courses. First-year students are encouraged to enroll in Music studio courses, though studio acceptance doesn't guarantee admission to the Music program.Graduates often embark on teaching careers in schools or private studios, launch music-related businesses in retail, recording, or publishing, pursue specialized fields like music therapy, or continue to graduate studies in academic or performance disciplines. An honours undergraduate degree is generally required for advanced music education or graduate studies.