Theory Major (B.Mus.)
124 credits · Schulich School of Music · 2026-2027 catalogue
Theory Major (B.Mus.) as a checklist, with when each course runs in 2026–27. On a computer, check off the courses you have taken or plan to take to add up your credits.
Plan your whole degree in myDegree. It adds your other programs, a Foundation year, electives, prerequisite checks and a term-by-term schedule. Free, no account; your plan stays in your browser. Open myDegree
Program Prerequisites - Foundation Program (32 credits)
32 credits selected as described below, in consultation with the Program Adviser: 22 credits of Prerequisite Courses 4 credits of Large Ensembles 6 credits of Non-Music Electives
Prerequisite Courses
22 credits, select all of the courses below: Note: Students who can demonstrate through auditions, placement tests or equivalencies that they have mastered the material in any of the courses below will be exempt from them and may proceed to more advanced courses.
- MUHL 186 Western Musical Traditions (3 credits) · Offered: Fall
- MUIN 180 BMus Practical Lessons 1 (3 credits) · Offered: Fall
- MUIN 181 BMus Practical Lessons 2 (3 credits) · Offered: Fall, Winter
- MUPD 135 Music as a Profession 1 (1 credits) · Offered: Fall
- MUSP 140 Musicianship Training 1 (2 credits) · Offered: Fall
- MUSP 141 Musicianship Training 2 (2 credits) · Offered: Winter
- MUSP 170 Musicianship (Keyboard) 1 (1 credits) · Offered: Fall
- MUSP 171 Musicianship (Keyboard) 2 (1 credits) · Offered: Winter
- MUTH 150 Theory and Analysis 1 (3 credits) · Offered: Fall
- MUTH 151 Theory and Analysis 2 (3 credits) · Offered: Winter
Required Courses (25 credits)
Theory
Musicianship
Music History
- MUHL 286 Critical Thinking About Music (3 credits) · Offered: Fall, Winter
Performance
Professional Development
- MUPD 235 Music as a Profession 2 (1 credits) · Offered: Winter
Complementary Courses (40 credits)
Theory
Music History (6 credits)
6 credits from courses with a prefix of MUHL or MUPP.
Performance (4 credits)
4 credits selected from:
- MUEN 563 Jazz Vocal Workshop (2 credits) · Offered: Fall, Winter
- MUEN 572 Cappella Antica (2 credits) · Offered: Fall, Winter
- MUEN 573 Baroque Orchestra (2 credits) · Offered: Fall, Winter
- MUEN 587 Cappella McGill (2 credits) · Not scheduled for 2026–2027
- MUEN 590 McGill Wind Orchestra (2 credits) · Offered: Fall, Winter
- MUEN 592 Chamber Jazz Ensemble (2 credits) · Offered: Fall, Winter
- MUEN 593 Choral Ensembles (2 credits) · Offered: Fall, Winter
- MUEN 594 Contemporary Music Ensemble (2 credits) · Offered: Fall, Winter
- MUEN 595 Jazz Ensembles (2 credits) · Offered: Fall, Winter
- MUEN 597 McGill Symphony Orchestra (2 credits) · Offered: Fall, Winter
Elective Courses (27 credits)
9 credits of non-Music Electives. 18 credits of free Electives.
6 credits selected from: (6 credits)
6 credits selected from:
6 credits selected from: (6 credits)
6 credits selected from:
6 credits selected from: (6 credits)
6 credits selected from:
- MUTH 526 Methods in Tonal Theory and Analysis (3 credits) · Not scheduled for 2026–2027
- MUTH 528 Schenkerian Theory and Analysis (3 credits) · Not scheduled for 2026–2027
- MUTH 529 Proseminar in Music Theory (3 credits) · Not scheduled for 2026–2027
- MUTH 538 Mathematical Models for Musical Analysis (3 credits) · Not scheduled for 2026–2027
12 credits selected from courses not taken above and the following: (12 credits)
12 credits selected from courses not taken above and the following:
Source: McGill Course Catalogue. myDegree is an independent student project, not affiliated with McGill University.