Program Requirements
A one-year graduate performance diploma that allows excellent musicians to refine their technique and master repertoire through intensive coaching, practice, and performance projects. Designed as a polishing diploma, the program prepares musicians for professional careers as soloist, opera singers, collaborative pianists, chamber, jazz and orchestral musicians or for further graduate studies in performance. Flexible program requirements, with range of performance project options including solo, chamber, recording, orchestral auditions, and creative collaborations. Admission is by audition, with candidates having previously completed a B.Mus., a Licentiate, or M.Mus.
Required Courses (16 credits)
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MUIN 634 Graduate Diploma Tutorial 1 (8 credits)
Overview
Practical Instrument : Practical Instruction; Individual artists: specific performance projects detailed at audition. Jazz Musicians: includes arranging and composition. Chamber ensembles: individual artistry, development of group identity with respect to sound, communication skills, performance practice, and artistic/interpretative vision.
Terms: Fall 2024
Instructors: Algieri, Stefano; Dean, Kevin; Haimovitz, Matt; Hashimoto, Kyoko; Mdivani, Marina; Roy, Andre J; Demers, Isabelle; Strauss, Axel; Lemelin, Stéphane; Labelle, Dominique; Box, James; Devuyst, Russell; Dolin, Elizabeth; Kolomyjec, Joanne; Levesque, Stephane; McMahon, Michael; Robinson, Brian; Marandola, Fabrice; Hollenbeck, John; Pilc, Jean-Michel; Stoelzel, Richard; Mac Master, John; Cho, Jinjoo; Trevino, Matthew; Bergeron, sylvain; Bolduc, Remi; Derome, Denys; Desgagne, Alain; Dyachkov, Yegor; Johnston, Jeff; Lozano, Francisco J; Manker, Brian; Maute, Matthias; Napper, Susan; Swartz, Jennifer; Bluteau, Denis; Popescu, Annamaria; Beaudry, Pierre; Richer, Patrice; Normand, Jean-Francois; Cope, Todd; Basque, Alexis; Cote, Nadia; Melancon, Violaine; Brouwer, Albert G; Brault, Olivier; Andriani, Laura; Lambert, Frédéric; Yazdanfar, Ali; Wan, Andrew; Smith Bessette, Tracy; Cowan, Steven; Thibeault, Marina (Fall)
Restriction(s): Open to students in the Graduate Diploma in Performance.
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MUIN 635 Graduate Diploma Tutorial 2 (8 credits)
Overview
Practical Instrument : Continued Practical Instruction; Individual artists: specific performance projects detailed at audition. Jazz Musicians: includes arranging and composition. Chamber ensembles: individual artistry, development of group identity with respect to sound, communication skills, performance practice, and artistic/interpretative vision.
Terms: Fall 2024, Winter 2025
Instructors: Popescu, Annamaria (Fall) Algieri, Stefano; Dean, Kevin; Haimovitz, Matt; Hashimoto, Kyoko; Mdivani, Marina; Roy, Andre J; White, Andre; Poletaev, Ilya; Demers, Isabelle; Strauss, Axel; Lemelin, Stéphane; Labelle, Dominique; Box, James; Devuyst, Russell; Dolin, Elizabeth; Kolomyjec, Joanne; Levesque, Stephane; McMahon, Michael; Robinson, Brian; Marandola, Fabrice; Hollenbeck, John; Pilc, Jean-Michel; Stoelzel, Richard; Hargreaves, Stephen; Mac Master, John; Cho, Jinjoo; Trevino, Matthew; Bergeron, sylvain; Derome, Denys; Desgagne, Alain; Dyachkov, Yegor; Lozano, Francisco J; Manker, Brian; Maute, Matthias; Napper, Susan; Swartz, Jennifer; Bluteau, Denis; Popescu, Annamaria; Trottier, Jean-Nicolas; Richer, Patrice; Bourassa, Francois; Normand, Jean-Francois; Cope, Todd; Basque, Alexis; Cote, Nadia; Melancon, Violaine; Brault, Olivier; Andriani, Laura; Lambert, Frédéric; Yazdanfar, Ali; Wan, Andrew; Smith Bessette, Tracy; Cowan, Steven; Thibeault, Marina; Miller, Elizaveta (Winter)
Restriction(s): Open to students in the Graduate Diploma in Perfomance.
Complementary Courses (14 credits)
8 credits from the following:
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MUPG 640 Graduate Diploma Performance Project 1 (4 credits)
Overview
Performance : A public solo, collaborative piano, chamber music or jazz recital, or preparation/presentation of a Featured Opera Role (by audition).
Terms: Fall 2024, Winter 2025
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Restriction(s): Only open to students in the Graduate Diploma in Performance.
Recital (40 - 45 minutes), Featured Opera Role (by audition) as defined by the American Guild of Musical Artists. For jazz students, three repertoire streams will be identified: Improvisation or Composition recital will consist entirely of the candidate’s original compositions; jazz composition recital will include a significant large ensemble component (normally at least half). Jazz Orchestra students perform an approved repertoire as lead players and soloists with a large ensemble (usually Jazz Orchestra).
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MUPG 641 Graduate Diploma Performance Project 2 (4 credits)
Overview
Performance : A second public solo, collaborative piano, chamber music or jazz recital, or preparation/presentation of a Featured Opera Role (by audition).
Terms: Fall 2024, Winter 2025
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Restriction(s): Only open to students in the Graduate Diploma in Performance.
Recital (40 - 45 minutes), Featured Opera Role (by audition) as defined by the American Guild of Musical Artists. For jazz students, three repertoire streams will be identified: Improvisation or Composition recital will consist entirely of the candidate’s original compositions; jazz composition recitals will include a significant large ensemble component (normally at least half). Jazz Orchestra students perform an approved repertoire as lead players and soloists with a large ensemble (usually Jazz Orchestra).
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MUPG 642 Graduate Diploma Performance Project 3 (8 credits)
Overview
Performance : A public solo, collaborative piano, chamber music or jazz recital, orchestral excerpts, or preparation/presentation of a Lead Opera Role (by audition).
Terms: Fall 2024, Winter 2025
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Specific restrictions may apply to the studio recording option depending on available resources.
Restriction: Open to students in the Graduate Diploma in Professional Performance.
Recital (60-70 minutes): or Lead Opera Role (by audition) as defined by the American Guild of Musical Artists. For jazz students, three repertoire streams will be identified. Jazz Improvisation or Composition recital will consist primarily of the candidate’s original compositions; Jazz Improvisation recital may include some standard repertoire; Jazz Composition recital will include a significant large ensemble component (normally at least half) and may include some original arrangements. Jazz Orchestra students perform an approved repertoire as lead players and soloists with a large ensemble (usually Jazz Orchestra).
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MUPG 643 Graduate Diploma Interdisciplinary Project (4 credits)
Overview
Performance : Research-creation involving collaboration between different disciplines resulting in a new work, interpretation or contribution to knowledge presented in public or through recorded media (e.g., performer and composer; performer and actor/dancer; performer and CIRMMT researcher; performer and sound recording student (classical stream), with program notes as relevant.
Terms: Fall 2024, Winter 2025
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Restriction: Open to students in the Graduate Diploma in Professional Performance.
By proposal only and with approval of the Department.
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MUPG 644 Graduate Diploma Concerto Performance (4 credits)
Overview
Performance : Concerto performance.
Terms: Fall 2024, Winter 2025
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Specific restrictions may apply to the studio recording option depending upon available resources.
Restriction(s): Open to students in the Graduate Diploma in Performance.
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MUPG 645 Graduate Diploma Recording Project (4 credits)
Overview
Performance : Studio recording with liner notes, by approval of the department.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Restriction(s): Only open to Jazz students in the Graduate Diploma in Performance.
For Jazz students only: three repertoire streams will be identified: Improvisation or Composition recital will consist mostly of the candidate’s original compositions (normally at least half); jazz composition recital will include a significant large ensemble component (normally at least half). Jazz Orchestra students perform an approved repertoire as lead players and soloists with a large ensemble (usually Jazz Orchestra). By proposal and with approval of the Department.
6 credits of Performance courses with Schulich School of Music approval from the following:
6 credits of any ensemble courses from the following list for these areas:
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MUPG 571 Free Improvisation 1 (1 credit) *
Overview
Performance : Introduction to the creative practice of improvisation for performers. The course focuses on the development of listening as applied to the practice of collective and solo improvisation.
Terms: Winter 2025
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Prerequisite(s): Audition.
Restriction(s): Available to Music students; open to others by permission of the department. Not open to Jazz students. Not open to students who have taken MUEN 571.
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MUPG 572D1 Free Improvisation 2 (0.5 credits)
Overview
Performance : This course is designed for performers who want to develop their skills as advanced improvisers. Both collective and solo contexts are addressed as performance practices, touching upon the history of improvisation as well as current trends.
Terms: Fall 2024
Instructors: Trudel, Marianne (Fall)
No credit will be given for this course unless both MUPG 572D1 and MUPG 572D2 are successfully completed in consecutive terms
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MUPG 572D2 Free Improvisation 2 (0.5 credits)
Overview
Performance : This course is designed for performers who want to develop their skills as advanced improvisers. Both collective and solo contexts are addressed as performance practices, touching upon the history of improvisation as well as current trends.
Terms: Winter 2025
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Prerequisite(s): MUPG 571 or MUJZ 224 and MUPG 572D1
Prerequisite: MUPG 572D1
No credit will be given for this course unless both MUPG 572D1 and MUPG 572D2 are successfully completed in consecutive terms
and the additional courses from the following list for these areas:
Voice
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MUIN 610 Vocal Coaching 1 (1 credit)
Overview
Practical Instrument : Individual coaching sessions on advanced vocal repertoire with emphasis on musical and linguistic nuance.
Terms: Fall 2024, Winter 2025
Instructors: Hansen, Patrick; McMahon, Michael; Hargreaves, Stephen; Nigrim, Dana; Pelletier, Louise; Gonthier, Esther; Ventura, Dorothéa; LeBlanc, Julien; Dubé, Martin; Leblanc, Suzie; Nadler, Rona (Fall) Hansen, Patrick; McMahon, Michael; Hargreaves, Stephen; Nigrim, Dana; Pelletier, Louise; Gonthier, Esther; LeBlanc, Julien; Dubé, Martin; Leblanc, Suzie; Nadler, Rona (Winter)
Restriction: Not open to students who have taken MUIN 600
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MUIN 611 Vocal Coaching 2 (1 credit)
Overview
Practical Instrument : Continuation of Vocal Coaching I with emphasis on musical and linguistic nuance.
Terms: Fall 2024, Winter 2025
Instructors: McMahon, Michael; Hargreaves, Stephen; Gonthier, Esther (Fall) Hansen, Patrick; McMahon, Michael; Hargreaves, Stephen; Nigrim, Dana; Pelletier, Louise; Gonthier, Esther; Ventura, Dorothéa; LeBlanc, Julien; Dubé, Martin; Leblanc, Suzie; Nadler, Rona (Winter)
Restriction: Not open to students who have taken MUIN 601
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MUPG 590 Vocal Styles and Conventions (3 credits) **
Overview
Performance : Emphasis on vocal performance practices through practical application: text, language, inflection, pronunciation and interpretation considered with individuality of each student's voice and technical development. After examining historical treatises, students will discuss and present musical selections utilizing modern performance standards yet remaining true to stylistic demands of each period.
Terms: Winter 2025
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2024-2025 academic year.
3 hours
Restriction: Not open to students who have taken MUPG 690.
Piano
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MUPG 670 Advanced Continuo 1 (2 credits) **
Overview
Performance : A historically-oriented study of the principles of figured bass. Standard idioms from historical treatises will be introduced. Preparation of operatic excerpts from the standard high Baroque repertory is required.
Terms: Fall 2024
Instructors: Miller, Elizaveta (Fall)
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MUPG 671 Advanced Continuo 2 (2 credits) **
Overview
Performance : A study of the many different styles of figured bass accompaniment as revealed in contemporary sources. The emphasis will be on realization at the keyboard of representative 17th- and 18th- century operatic recitatives and arias.
Terms: Winter 2025
Instructors: Miller, Elizaveta (Winter)
2 hours
Prerequisite: MUPG 670
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MUPG 683 Piano Seminar 1 (1.5 credits)
Overview
Performance : Content to include comparative studies of recorded solo and ensemble repertoire, and lecture-recital presentations reflecting knowledge of historical context and performance practice. Analysis and discussion will accompany attendance at specific performing events at McGill and beyond, as well as presentations by guest lecturers and piano area faculty.
Terms: Fall 2024
Instructors: Hashimoto, Kyoko; Poletaev, Ilya (Fall)
Restriction: Not open to students who have taken MUPG 681
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MUPG 684 Piano Seminar 2 (1.5 credits)
Overview
Performance : Content to include detailed critiques of in-class teaching, and general discussion of preparation for competitions and academic job applications. Analysis and discussion will accompany attendance at master classes and competitions and beyond, as well as presentations by guest lecturers and piano area faculty.
Terms: Winter 2025
Instructors: Poletaev, Ilya; Hashimoto, Kyoko (Winter)
Restriction: Not open to students who have taken MUPG 682
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MUPG 687 Collaborative Piano Repertoire 1: Song (1 credit) ***
Overview
Performance : Issues in collaborative piano song repertoire and performance in different genres and musical styles.
Terms: Fall 2024
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Prerequisite: MUEN 556 or equivalent or permission of the instructor
Restriction: Open to graduate students in collaborative piano or with the permission of the instructor
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MUPG 688 Collaborative Piano Repertoire 2: Instrumental (1 credit) ***
Overview
Performance : Issues in collaborative piano instrumental repertoire and performance in different genres and musical styles.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Prerequisite: MUEN 556 or equivalent or permission of the instructor
Restriction: Open to graduate students in collaborative piano or with the permission of the instructor
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MUPG 689 Collaborative Piano Rep.3: Orch. Reduction, Opera, Oratorio (1 credit) ***
Overview
Performance : Issues in collaborative piano orchestral reduction, opera, oratorio and performance in different genres and musical styles.
Terms: Winter 2025
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Prerequisite: MUEN 556 or equivalent or permission of the instructor
Restriction: Open to graduate students in collaborative piano or with permission of the instructor
Chamber Music
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MUIN 500 Practical Instruction 1 (1 credit)
Overview
Practical Instrument : Individual coaching sessions for musicians in advanced ensembles to focus on their individual instrumental technique.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Restriction(s): Open only to musicians in Chamber Music Stream in the Graduate Diploma in Performance and the Graduate Artist Diploma. May be taken by D.Mus. students with special permission.
30 minutes
Organ
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MUPG 575D1 Organ Repertoire and Performance Practice (1.5 credits)
Overview
Performance : Seminar covering topics related to organ playing, such as liturgical organ playing, organ repertoire and improvisation.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2024-2025 academic year.
1. 1 1/2 hours
2. Students must register for both MUPG 575D1 and MUPG 575D2.
3. No credit will be given for this course unless both MUPG 575D1 and MUPG 575D2 are successfully completed in consecutive terms.
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MUPG 575D2 Organ Repertoire and Performance Practice (1.5 credits)
Overview
Performance : For description see MUPG 575D1.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Prerequisite(s): MUPG 575D1.
1. 1 1/2 hours
2. Students must register for both MUPG 575D1 and MUPG 575D2.
3. No credit will be given for this course unless both MUPG 575D1 and MUPG 575D2 are successfully completed in consecutive terms.
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MUPG 670 Advanced Continuo 1 (2 credits) **
Overview
Performance : A historically-oriented study of the principles of figured bass. Standard idioms from historical treatises will be introduced. Preparation of operatic excerpts from the standard high Baroque repertory is required.
Terms: Fall 2024
Instructors: Miller, Elizaveta (Fall)
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MUPG 671 Advanced Continuo 2 (2 credits) **
Overview
Performance : A study of the many different styles of figured bass accompaniment as revealed in contemporary sources. The emphasis will be on realization at the keyboard of representative 17th- and 18th- century operatic recitatives and arias.
Terms: Winter 2025
Instructors: Miller, Elizaveta (Winter)
2 hours
Prerequisite: MUPG 670
One 3-credit seminar at the 500 or 600 level approved by The Schulich School of Music
Early Music/Harpsichord
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MUPG 670 Advanced Continuo 1 (2 credits) **
Overview
Performance : A historically-oriented study of the principles of figured bass. Standard idioms from historical treatises will be introduced. Preparation of operatic excerpts from the standard high Baroque repertory is required.
Terms: Fall 2024
Instructors: Miller, Elizaveta (Fall)
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MUPG 671 Advanced Continuo 2 (2 credits) **
Overview
Performance : A study of the many different styles of figured bass accompaniment as revealed in contemporary sources. The emphasis will be on realization at the keyboard of representative 17th- and 18th- century operatic recitatives and arias.
Terms: Winter 2025
Instructors: Miller, Elizaveta (Winter)
2 hours
Prerequisite: MUPG 670
Jazz
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MUJZ 640 Jazz Composition and Arranging 1 (2 credits) **
Overview
Jazz Studies : Analysis and application of a variety of jazz and 20th Century compositional and arranging techniques, including writing for small and medium size jazz ensembles.
Terms: Fall 2024
Instructors: Sullivan, Joseph Leo (Fall)
2 hours
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MUJZ 641 Jazz Composition and Arranging 2 (2 credits) **
Overview
Jazz Studies : Students compose and arrange for a variety of instrumental combinations including large jazz ensembles of ten or more instruments.
Terms: Winter 2025
Instructors: Sullivan, Joseph Leo (Winter)
One 3-credit seminar starting with MUPG**
* Not open to Jazz students
** if not already taken
*** may be repeated with the permission of the instructor
