Music Programs
Why Study music at Dal?
Challenge yourself with many performance opportunities with 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 wide variety 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 can support studies in:
•violin
•viola
•cello
•bass
•organ
•piano
•clarinet
•bass clarinet
•flute
•oboe
•saxophone
•trumpet
•trombone
•horn
•tuba
•percussion
•harp
•voice
•french horn
•bassoon
•double bass
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.
There are many ways to tailor your Music studies at Dalhousie.
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.
- Explore the undergraduate Music program site
- Read more about our program offerings
- Bachelor of Music
- Bachelor of Arts in Music
- Combined Honours programs
- University of King's College cooperative degree programs
- Add a Minor to your degree
- Learn about Study Abroad music programs and classes
- Learn about the Application and Audition process
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.
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 Dalhousie Calendar.