Fountain School of Performing Arts

Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences

Music Programs

 

Why Study music at Dal?

Challenge yourself with many performance opportunities through the personalized benefits of a “small school within a big school.” Through our programs, you’ll develop expertise as a listener, performer, and creator, in styles ranging from classical to popular.

At the multidisciplinary Fountain School of Performing Arts you’ll receive world class one-on-one instruction and perform a diversity of styles in our ensembles. You’ll have the opportunity to perform opera, wind ensemble repertoire, cannon orchestral repertoire, new music and composition, choral music, jazz, funk, music theatre, and pop music. 

Our faculty and a vibrant arts community of Halifax musicians support studies in:

  • Brass (euphonium, horn, trombone, trumpet, tuba)
  • Organ
  • Percussion 
  • Piano 
  • Saxophones
  • Strings (cello, bass, guitar, harp, viola, violin)
  • Woodwinds (bassoon, clarinet, flute, oboe)
  • Voice

If you don't see your instrument listed here, please contact us to see if we may be able to support your music studies: performingarts@dal.ca. 

Halifax Nova Scotia is the cultural centre of Eastern Canada. A hub for classical music institutions like Symphony Nova Scotia, ScotiaFest, Cecilia Concerts, and nearby Lunenburg Academy of Music. The city is also home to SuddenlyLISTEN, OpenWaters Festival, Alkali Collective, Halifax JazzFest, Nocturne and Halifax Pop Explosion. 

Our active music student society can provide you with social and academic support and finding your place in community.

Undergraduate Studies

Our undergraduate options provide a variety of ways to study music—from dynamic and intensive training to prepare you for professional performance to interdisciplinary studies that allow you to explore music in the context of other fields.

There are many ways to tailor your Music studies at Dalhousie. Undergraduate students are encouraged to contact the Music Advisor to discuss their program and course selection: fspa.music@dal.ca. 

Graduate Studies

The Fountain School of Performing Arts welcomes students interested in the study of Musicology at the graduate level, leading to a Master of Arts in Musicology. Graduate students seeking program advising should contact the Associate Director, Graduate & Research: adresgrd@dal.ca.  

Music elective classes

Even if music is not your major, the Fountain School of Performing Arts offers courses of interest to you—courses that can help you deepen your appreciation and understanding of music and the performing arts. Courses include Writing about Performance, Writing about Music, The History of Jazz, The Rock 'n' Roll Era and Beyond, Electroacoustic Music, and a summer study abroad class in Baroque Culture. See a list of classes offered.

For course requirements for music degree programs, see the Academic Calendar.