Major map:
Music
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) - View all program options
Learn how to get the most out of your degree and prepare for your future career.
The Bachelor of Arts in Music program offers students the opportunity to study music a part of a broader focus on the humanities. The degree is geared towards students who are interested in music as an academic discipline, as well as those who want to maintain a minimum number of music courses in their class schedule while exploring other interests. Students may also enroll in this degree before transferring to the B.Mus. program, following a successful audition.
Not a USask student?
Learn more about studying music at USask and apply for admission.
Explore your major
Learn more about some of the required major-specific courses for this degree. View the course and program catalogue or meet with an academic advisor to understand all program requirements.
The courses listed here and in the Course and Program Catalogue are not necessarily offered each year and do not represent the totality of your requirements.
MUS 120.2 | Musicianship I
MUS 121.2 | Musicianship II
MUS 133.3 | Fundamentals of Music Theory I
MUS 134.3 | Fundamentals of Music Theory II
MUS 155.3 | Music in History and the Present
MUS 156.3 | Music History I Compositions Cultures and Connections from Antiquity to the High Classical Period
You choose
- One course (1 cu) from MUAP Ensemble
- From a variety of courses to fulfill your degree requirements
Academic tips
- Explore information about your program in the course and program catalogue
- Meet with an academic advisor for help choosing your courses and planning your degree
- Visit the student Learning Hub for help developing your academic skills
- Get to know the School of Arts - Music through the Self-Guided Virtual Open House Tour
What will I learn?
- Students will learn to analyze and perform a variety of musical styles and forms
- Students will discover and develop their musical intuition and learn how to problem solve in a dynamic musical environment
- Students will have the opportunity to participate in ensembles, working together as a community to create musical performances
- Students will be able to develop an understanding of music’s role in society, both past and present
- Students will learn to appreciate the many different perspectives from which music can be analyzed and enjoyed
Gain relevant experience
- Familiarize yourself with study abroad programs to make informed decisions in your later years of study
- Explore undergraduate research opportunities
- Consider enrolling in an experiential learning course
- Volunteer at one of the many music festivals in the department or the community over the course of the year
Create local and global connections
- Visit the USask Community Centre to make connections and build community
- Get involved in your campus community through student groups, USask Rec and USask events
- Before you register in your first-year courses, sign up to be a part of a Learning Community
- Get to know your faculty and their research interests
- Join the Association of Student Musicians (ASM) to make friends, plan events, and gain experience
- Introduce yourself to upper-year students and talk about what interests you
Get career ready
- Meet with a career educator at Career Services to explore your career possibilities
- Take a career assessment to learn more about your strengths, personality, interests, and values
- Create your résumé and cover letter to take advantage of part-time and summer job opportunities
- Develop your LinkedIn profile to begin building your professional brand
Featured courses
- MUAP 201.1 Wind Orchestra
- MUAP 203.1 Greystone Singers
- MUS 200.3 Music and Wellbeing
- MUS 203.3 Introduction to Composition
- MUS 283.3 Jazz Improvisation
Explore your major
Learn more about some of the required major-specific courses for this degree. View the course and program catalogue or meet with an academic advisor to understand all program requirements.
The courses listed here and in the Course and Program Catalogue are not necessarily offered each year and do not represent the totality of your requirements.
MUS 220.2 | Musicianship III
MUS 221.2 | Musicianship IV
MUS 229.0 | Recitals
MUS 233.3 | Fundamentals of Music Theory III
MUS 234.3 | Fundamentals of Music Theory IV
MUS 255.3 | Music History II Compositions Cultures and Connections from the Late Classical Period to the Present
You choose
- From ensembles including MUAP 202.1 Concert Band, MUAP 203.1 Greystone Singers, MUAP 206.1 Music as Theatre, and MUAP 208.1 Jazz Ensemble
- From a variety of courses to fulfill your degree requirements
Academic tips
- Check DegreeWorks and meet with an academic advisor to ensure your degree is on track
- Apply for scholarships and bursaries
- Declare your major in PAWS
- Survey the research being undertaken by faculty, graduate students, and upper-years students within the department
Add to your major
Choose from a variety of certificates to complement your major.
- Jazz (certificate)
- Arts and Science certificate programs
Gain relevant experience
- Explore study abroad options or gain support as an international student through the International Student and Study Abroad Centre (ISSAC)
- Become a peer mentor through the College of Arts and Science, University Library, or Peer Health
- Sign up for a Student Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE)
- Get involved in research by applying for a research assistantship
- Present a pre-concert talk at a departmental ensemble’s performance, focusing on one of the pieces on the program
- Attend the annual Saskatchewan Music Conference to network, gain knowledge, and have fun while meeting leaders in the music education community
Create local and global connections
- Engage with your community through volunteering and Co-Curricular Record activities
- Meet with new people and grow your cultural understanding through Building Bridges and Global Connections
- Join the Association of Student Musicians (ASM) to make friends, plan events, and gain experience
- Make contacts with other students in your non-music courses and consider inter-disciplinary opportunities
- Audition for and join a variety of ensembles within the School of Arts - Music
Get career ready
- Conduct occupational research through Job Bank and LinkedIn
- Discover job opportunities, explore career options, and meet professionals at Career Services events and career fairs
- Explore experiential learning opportunities to gain relevant experience and skills
- Expand your professional network on LinkedIn
- Get a better understanding of your career possibilities through career informational interviews
USask Student Competencies
USask Student Competencies are the knowledge, skills, and attributes developed and leveraged to achieve success in your learning and work:
- Engaging in our intercultural society
- Nurturing successful relationships
- Leveraging technology
- Adaptive design and problem solving
- Communicating meaningfully
- Cultivating well-being
Explore your major
Learn more about some of the required major-specific courses for this degree. View the course and program catalogue or meet with an academic advisor to understand all program requirements.
The courses listed here and in the Course and Program Catalogue are not necessarily offered each year and do not represent the totality of your requirements.
You choose
- From a variety of courses to fulfill the requirements of your Three-Year B.A., Four-Year B.A., or Honours B.A. program
Academic tips
- Meet with your faculty advisor early in the year to ensure you are on track to graduate
Gain relevant experience
- Consider running for a leadership position with the Arts and Science Student Union (ASSU) or the USask Students’ Union (USSU)
- Consider running for a leadership position with the Association of Student Musicians (ASM)
- Pursue volunteer and paid performance opportunities in the community
- Explore the possibility of presenting interdisciplinary research
Create local and global connections
- Join the USask Alumni and Friends community
- Consider submitting to the USURJ (University of Saskatchewan Undergraduate Research Journal)
Get career ready
- Update your résumé, cover letter or CV to apply for jobs
- Meet with Career Services to prepare for your interview
- Explore experiential learning opportunities to gain relevant experience and skills
- If you are new to Canada, take time to learn about how to search for a job in Canada
USask Student Competencies
USask Student Competencies are the knowledge, skills, and attributes developed and leveraged to achieve success in your learning and work:
- Engaging in our intercultural society
- Nurturing successful relationships
- Leveraging technology
- Adaptive design and problem solving
- Communicating meaningfully
- Cultivating well-being
Possible destinations
People with a music degree take their knowledge and skills into many different industries and occupations. Note that some of the career paths listed here require further education and training.
Career paths
- Band Director
- Choral Director
- Composer
- Conductor
- DJ
- Instrument Designer
- Instrumental Musician
- Music Advisor
- Music Critic
- Music Editor
- Music Educator
- Music Journalist
- Music Lawyer
- Music Librarian
- Music Specialist
- Music Therapist
- Music Video Director
- Musician
- Radio Program Director
- Recording Engineer
- Singer
- Sound Effects Designer
- Studio Musician
- University Professor
Recently hired USask students have been assets to our community, both in their current symphony roles and as USask music students, and are quickly becoming critical members of our team. On top of their breadth of musical knowledge, their incredibly strong work ethic and passion for success have shown them to be quick learners who went from entry level members of the staff to being vital in our work. In short time, they proved to be able to be creative thinkers who added new value to our team.
—Mark Turner, CEO and Creative Producer, Saskatoon Symphony Orchestra
Where do USask alumni work?
- Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools
- Long & McQuade Musical Instruments
- MacEwan University
- Prince Albert Catholic School Division
- Royal Conservatory of Music
- Saskatoon Academy of Music
- Saskatoon Public Schools
- Saskatoon Symphony Orchestra
- Self-Employed
- Sony Music Entertainment
- Ottawa Chamberfest
- University of Saskatchewan
Explore Canadian salaries for various occupations using the Job Bank Career Planning Tool
"Music taught me how to learn, and how to continue to strive to learn and improve over time. I have so many joyful memories from the friendships and powerful artistic moments I experienced while singing and performing in ensembles that have made me a more resilient and centered person as I pursue a career in healthcare."
Devynn, Bachelor of Music (Mus.Ed.) '19