Choose Music at The University of Waterloo
At the University of Waterloo, you have the freedom to study music as a major or minor, to sample courses, or combine studies in music with almost any program. Waterloo’s diverse selection of courses, choirs, and instrumental ensembles will help you fulfill your musical dreams. Be part of a supportive academic community with flexible programs, inspiring classes, excellent teaching, and extraordinary musical experiences. You’ll receive a University of Waterloo degree and have access to all the resources of a world-class university.
Explore the many ways that music is meaningful in today's world
Conrad Grebel University College is home to the University of Waterloo's Department of Music and offers instruction in more than 20 instruments as well as vocal lessons.
The flexible Bachelor of Arts program will allow you to:
- Pursue a major or minor in music.
- Combine music courses and ensembles with most other areas of study.
- Study performance, music history, and theory while discovering the ways music relates to technology, film, gender, and global culture.
- Be a part of small class sizes to provide opportunity to get to know classmates and professors.
![Noon Hour Concert link](/music/sites/default/files/uploads/images/noon-hour-concert-series-website-square-002.jpg)
Events
Noon Hour Concert: Something Shiny
The Kestrel String Quartet, with 4 well known local musicians, will be performing "Something Shiny"
Noon Hour Concert: From Western to Eastern Europe
Jung Tsai (violin) & Felix Hong (piano) are familiar figures at Conrad Grebel. They will be performing Schnittke’s Polka and more.
Noon Hour Concert: Brass Beyond Boundaries
Brass Beyond Boundaries - "A stylistic journey through the sounds of Brass Quintet - from Classics to Contemporary".
News
2025 Concerto & Aria Competition Winners
The winners of the orchestra@uwaterloo Concerto & Aria Competition are:
1. Bowei Zhang, piano.
2. Jacob Lee, piano.
Two Decades of Musical Excellence -20th Anniversary of the Orchestra@UWaterloo
“In 2004, when we started Orchestra@UWaterloo, we had a conductor, Erna Van Daele, and a concertmaster, new faculty member Romy Shioda, but really nothing else — no budget and no rehearsal space. Luckily, Catharine Scott, Associate Provost of Human Resources and Student Services, was willing to support me — a computer science prof with the unlikely ambition to manage an orchestra,” reflected Anna Lubiw, one of the professors who started Orchestra@UWaterloo.
Now, two decades later, the Orchestra is preparing for its 20th anniversary concert and has been part of the University of Waterloo Music Department, managed by Conrad Grebel University College, since 2017. “Our first open rehearsal at the Humanities Theatre in September 2004 attracted more than 100 players. There are so many extraordinarily talented people at the University of Waterloo for whom music is a passion but not their career,” added Lubiw. “Taking the orchestra from a wishful dream to reality depended on the support of many people. It was fun to interact with people from across the campus.” she said. “The orchestra was also incredibly hard work, and I remember transporting borrowed percussion to every rehearsal in the early years.”
Music as a Serious Pursuit
“I've never considered music as a serious option for me until I gave it a try,” Michael Wu reflected.
Michael is a third-year Math student at the University of Waterloo who is actively involved in the Music program at Conrad Grebel University College and also lives at Grebel.
Michael’s interest lies in vocal music, which is why he has immersed himself in all the choirs that Grebel offers: Chapel Choir, Chamber Choir, and University Choir. He was also involved in the production of “Something Rotten!,” a musical put on by Grebel students two years ago. “I enjoy singing much more than just listening to music,” he explained. “Part of that is because I love creating music; when I sing my part and hear it blend perfectly with the other voices to form chords, it feels incredible. Singing those notes myself adds to that joy; it makes the experience even more fulfilling."