Music Program Guidelines

Students must achieve a minimum overall average GPA of 2.7 (B-) in their first and second year Music classes in order to proceed to the third year of any BMus program. See below for specific requirements pertaining to each Area of Concentration.
Students must achieve a minimum overall average GPA of 2.7 (B-) in Music classes beyond the 1000-level in order to graduate with a BMus degree.
Grades in Music classes beyond the 1000-level must be C or better in order to count toward the BMus degree.
Regardless of the program, students must achieve a minimum grade of C in Year 1 applied study in order to proceed to Year 2 of applied study. This standard applies to non-music students taking applied study as an elective.

In addition to 1-3 above, students must submit a proposal for their intended graduation requirement (Graduation Project Form [PDF - 10 kB]) by March 1 of the third year of study. See MUSC 4599 Graduation Project. Alternatively, students may substitute a 4000-musicology seminar or a thesis (MUSC 4399.03) in the place of MUSC 4599.03.
Students must achieve a minimum grade of B- (GPA 2.7) in this credit in order to graduate.

In addition to 1-3 above, students wishing to enter the Performance area must achieve a minimum grade of B+ (GPA 3.3) in their first and second year Applied Study, and must audition at the end of second year to apply for admission to this concentration.
Students who are accepted to this concentration must achieve a minimum grade of B+ (GPA 3.3) in third year Performance Applied Study as well as in the Third Year Recital in order to remain in the concentration. (Note: There are different class numbers for the third and fourth year Performance applied study classes).
Students must achieve a minimum grade of B- (GPA 2.7) in their fourth year Performance Applied Study and in their Fourth Year Recital in order to graduate in this concentration.

In addition to 1-3 above, students wishing to enter the Musicology area must submit two writing samples by March 1 of the second year of study to apply for admission to this concentration.
Students who are accepted to this concentration must achieve a minimum grade of B- (GPA 2.7) in the graduation requirement MUSC 4399.03 (Thesis).
See MUSC 4399 Thesis Guidelines [PDF - 68 kB] and MUSC 4399 Thesis form [PDF - 11 kB]. (Note: BA Music Honours students will also follow these procedures)

In addition to 1 above, students wishing to enter the Composition area must achieve a minimum overall average GPA of 3.3 (B+) in their Music Theory and Composition classes (MUSC 1201, 1222, 2221, and 2210) and must submit a portfolio of original music (normally prepared in the new class MUSC 2210 Introduction to Composition) by March 1 of the second year to apply for admission.
Students who are accepted to this concentration must achieve a minimum grade of B+ (GPA 3.3) in Composition 1a and 1b (MUSC 3211/3212) in order to remain in the concentration.
Students must achieve a minimum grade of B- (GPA 2.7) in both MUSC 4211/4212 (Composition 2a and 2b) and MUSC 4299 (Graduation Recital) in order to graduate in this concentration.

In addition to 1-3 above, students must submit a proposal for their intended graduation project (Graduation Project Form [PDF - 10 kB]) by March 1 of the third year of study. See MUSC 4599 Graduation Project. Alternatively, students may substitute a 4000-musicology seminar or a thesis (MUSC 4399.03) in the place of MUSC 4599.03.
Students must achieve a minimum grade of B- (GPA 2.7) in this credit in order to graduate.

March 1	All BMus students complete the Application for Third-Year Studies/Area of Concentration form [PDF]
	BMus Musicology candidates submit two writing samples at this time to obtain approval.
	BMus Composition candidates must submit a portfolio for approval.
April 8, 2025	BMus Performance - acceptance by live audition normally held on the day following the last day of classes in winter term.

March 1	BMus Musicology students submit MUSC 4399 Thesis form [PDF - 11 kB]. No sample paper is required, but you must submit an outline of your thesis proposal approved by the supervisor. (Note: BA Music Honours students also use this form for their thesis requirement).
March 1	BMus General students submit a Graduation Project Form along with a proposal and relevant supporting materials as necessary for approvals.
March 1	Students NOT enrolled in BMus Performance may choose a performance option for the MUSC 4599 Graduation Project or perform a half-recital as an elective (MUSC 3199). Live audition is requred for approval. For a 3199 audition, please submit a 3199 Audition Form to the FSPA office by March 1. Auditions will be held on April 8, 2025.
End of term	BMus Performance and BMus Composition: Grades are assessed at the end of term to ensure standards met to continue in Concentration. No forms required.

Dalhousie University