Getting involved with music at Waterloo

Music degrees

You don’t have to be a music major to get involved with music, but you can pursue a music degree at Waterloo if you’re interested. Our Music program is housed at Conrad Grebel University College, one of four University Colleges located on our main campus. You can choose to major or double major in Music with almost any other program! For example, if you take our Honours Arts and Business program, you could major in Music. If you’re more interested in something like a musical theatre degree, you could choose to study Theatre and Performance. 

You can also choose to do a music minor or just take a few electives. Electives can include lecture-based courses where you can study things like music and culture, or soundtracks in films. You could also join an ensemble and gain course credits from singing or playing music! 

You can also take courses in music theory or take a studio course which involves one-on-one instruction with a professor for your instrument of choice (we can find a professor for almost any instrument, including voice!). While some courses require prerequisites or auditions, many are open to all students. Choosing electives in music is a great way to bring your passion into your studies, no matter your program. 

Join an ensemble

Another fun way to stay involved with music is by joining an instrumental or vocal ensemble. Students from all faculties are welcome to take part in Waterloo's music ensembles, which include the University Choir, Chapel Choir, Vocal Techniques, Chamber Choir, Instrumental Chamber Ensembles, Jazz Ensemble, and the Balinese Percussion Gamelan. 

Interested in playing in an orchestra? You can audition for orchestra@uwaterloo and perform classical music. This full ensemble features strings, woodwinds, brass, and percussion players. The orchestra welcomes participation from undergrads, grads, faculty, staff, and even alumni. The group holds auditions each term, so there’s always a chance to get involved. 

Connecting music lovers

The Waterloo Undergraduate Student Association (WUSA) has a bunch of clubs you can join where you can connect with other music lovers! Here are just a few. 

JamNetwork

JamNetwork was formed by three Faculty of Arts students and connects music lovers of all genres, backgrounds, and skills. With weekly drop-in meetings and outings, JamNetwork is all about expanding the music scene in Waterloo and connecting students through music! 

DJ Club

If you’re on campus and hear bumping music off in the distance, that’s probably the DJ club. Whether you're a seasoned DJ, eager to learn, or just love the music, this club is all about bringing the DJ community together. Have you ever wondered what DJs do when they’re pressing all of those different buttons on a turntable? Well, you can learn about that here! Every week UWDJ Club holds knowledge-sharing sessions where you can spin your favourite tunes.

Canada's largest university a cappella

Did you know that Waterloo has the largest university a capella organization in Canada? Since 2010, the University of Waterloo A Capella Club (UWACC) has grown to include over 200 members and six different a capella groups: 

• The Water Boys: a lower-voice auditioned group; 
• The Unaccompanied Minors: a mixed-voice auditioned group; 
• The AcaBellas: an upper-voiced auditioned group; 
• A Cappella Ensemble (ACE): a mixed non-auditioned group; 
• The Musical InterDudes: a small mixed-voice auditioned group focused on musical comedy; and 
• In Full Colour: a mixed-voice auditioned competitive small group focused on storytelling. 

UWACC supports and develops all its ensembles, hosting end-of-term concerts where students can showcase their talent — or just enjoy the show. UWACC provides plenty of opportunities to get those vocal cords warmed up and live out your Pitch Perfect dreams! 

However you want to follow your love of music, you’ll find endless chances at Waterloo to express yourself and discover something new.