The following music courses are offered by Waterloo's Department of Music at Conrad Grebel University College.
Most courses are open to majors and non-majors. Studio and most ensemble performance courses require an audition.
Ensemble Courses | Studio courses | Travel courses | Directed Studies | Research Seminar & Thesis
*Note: more recent course outlines for some courses can be found on the University course outline site.
Music 100 Courses
| Course ID | Course name | Course outline | Offered (not official; subject to change) |
|---|---|---|---|
| MUSIC 100 | Understanding Music | Every term | |
| MUSIC 110 |
How Music Matters (formerly called: Music in Cultural Contexts) (Antireq: MUSIC 100 removed Sept 1 2021) |
see University course outline site for current term outline. |
Every fall term and winter term |
|
MUSIC 111 |
Fundamentals of Music Theory (does not count towards a music major or minor) |
see University course outline site for current term outline. | Every fall and winter term |
| MUSIC 116 |
any Ensemble (first time taken) |
See music ensemble courses below |
Every term |
| MUSIC 117 |
any Ensemble (second time taken) |
See music ensemble courses below |
Every term |
| MUSIC 140 | Popular Music and Culture | Every term |
100 | 200 | 300 | 400 | Back to top
Music 200 Courses
| Course ID | Course name | Course outline | Offered (not official) |
|---|---|---|---|
| CMW 201/202 | Worship Practicum | see University course outline site for current term outline. |
normally: 201 every fall term |
| MUSIC 216 |
any Ensemble (third time taken) |
See music ensemble courses below |
Every term |
| MUSIC 217 | any Ensemble (fourth time taken) **counts towards the EDGE certificate program |
See music ensemble courses below |
Every term |
| MUSIC 222 | Conducting 1 | Every fall term | |
| MUSIC 226 | Music Studio (first time taken) |
See music studio courses below |
Every term (Open to anyone who passed the audition) |
| MUSIC 227 | Music Studio (second time taken) |
See Music 226 above for combined course outline. See music studio courses below |
Every term |
| MUSIC 231 |
Music Cognition (previously called Psychology of Music) |
Fall 2023 (normally every 3 years) |
|
|
MUSIC 232 |
Antireq: MUSIC 245 |
Fall 2025 |
|
|
MUSIC 233 |
Winter 2026 |
||
| MUSIC 240 | Introduction to Jazz | see University course outline site for current term outline. | Every winter term |
| MUSIC 246 | Soundtracks: Music in Film | Every term | |
|
MUSIC 250 *NEW as of Sept 2025 |
European History I: Middle Ages to Classical | TBD | Every fall term |
|
MUSIC 251 *NEW as of Sept 2025 |
European History II: Romantic and Modern | TBD | Every winter term |
|
MUSIC 253 *discontinued after W25 |
Cathedral to Court: Music to 1600 | ||
|
MUSIC 254 *discontinued after W25 |
Monteverdi to Mozart: 1600-1800 | ||
|
MUSIC 255 *discontinued after W25 |
The Romantic Century: Beethoven & Beyond |
||
|
MUSIC 256 *discontinued after W25 |
Music Since 1900 | ||
| MUSIC 260 |
Music for Orchestra (formerly:The Symphony) |
Music 260 - W21 Remote (PDF - accessible format) |
tba (not 2024-25 academic year) (normally on a three-year rotation with 261 and 262) |
| MUSIC 261 |
Opera & Musical Theatre (was Opera) |
Fall 2025 (normally on a three year rotation with 260 and 262) |
|
| MUSIC 262 |
Music for Vocal Ensemble Antireq: MUSIC 290 "Choral Music" taken Winter 2015 |
(not 2024-25 academic year) (normally on a three-year rotation with 260 and 261) |
|
| MUSIC 270 | see University course outline site | Every term | |
| MUSIC 271 |
Fall 2025 & Every winter |
||
| MUSIC 275 |
Music and Technology
|
Every Fall and likely every Winter | |
| MUSIC 290 |
Special Topics: (repeatable, subject to different content; may be completed a total of 3 times) |
Not Fall 2025 (As announced, with rotating topics) Winter 2025: Introduction to Video Game Music (email music@uwaterloo.ca to override if not at least 2A) |
100 | 200 | 300 | 400 | Back to top
Music 300 courses
| Course ID | Course name | Course outline | Offered (not official) |
|---|---|---|---|
| MUSIC 316 | any Ensemble (fifth time taken) **counts towards the EDGE certificate program |
See Music Ensemble Courses below |
Every term |
| MUSIC 317 | any Ensemble (sixth time taken) **counts towards the EDGE certificate program |
See Music Ensemble Courses below |
Every term |
| MUSIC 322 | Conducting 2 |
Winter 2025 - cancelled |
|
| MUSIC 326 | Music Studio (third time taken) |
See Music 226 above for combined course outline. See Music Studio Courses below |
Every term *Music majors and minors only |
| MUSIC 327 | Music Studio (fourth time taken) |
See Music 226 above for combined course outline. See Music Studio Courses below |
Every term *Music majors & minors only |
| MUSIC 332 | Aesthetics of Music |
tba (usually every 3 years, on rotation with 333 & 334) |
|
|
MUSIC 333 |
Music and Landscape Antireq: Music 390 taken Winter 2011 or 2014 |
tba (usually every 3 years, on rotation with 332 & 334) |
|
| MUSIC 334 |
Cross-listed with GSJ 334 |
Winter 2025 - cancelled (usually every 3 years, on rotation with 332 & 333) |
|
|
MUSIC 335 |
Perspectives in Music and Peace Antireq: Music 391 and PACS 301 "Music, Peace and Conflict" taken W15 |
Music 335-PACS 335 - W17 (PDF) |
tba |
| MUSIC 355 |
Music and Culture Travel Course (rotates locations) |
See Music and Travel Courses below |
tba (Bali, Indonesia) |
| MUSIC 361 | Art Song | tba (every 2-3 years, winter term) |
|
| MUSIC 362 | Piano Literature | tba (not 2024-2025 academic year) (normally every 2-3 years, winter term) |
|
|
MUSIC 363/ CMW 363/ RS 357/ TS652 |
The Church's Song (was The Christian Hymn and Christian Hymnody) |
see University course outline site for current term outline. |
Winter 2024 (usually every 2 years, on rotation with 364) |
|
MUSIC 364/ CMW 364 |
Worship and its Music (was Worship and Music) |
see University course outline site for current term outline. | see University course outline site for current term outline.Fall 2022 (usually every 2 years, on rotation with 363) |
| MUSIC 370 | Music Theory 3 (19th Century) |
see University course outline site for current term outline. |
Every second fall term (not Fall 2025) Contact Dr. Sunabacka for details |
| MUSIC 371 | Music Theory 4 (20th Century) |
not Winter 2025 (usually ever other winter) Contact Dr. Sunabacka for details |
|
| MUSIC 376 | Composition Seminar | see University course outline site for current term outline. |
Fall 2025 |
| MUSIC 380 | Directed Study in Music (first time taken) |
By arrangement *Upper-year Music majors and minors only |
|
| MUSIC 381 | Directed Study in Music (second time taken) |
By arrangement *Upper-year Music majors and minors only |
|
|
MUSIC 390 (Dept consent) Note: Music 391 inactivated as of fall 2017 |
Special Topics in Music (repeatable, subject to different content; may be completed a total of 3 times) Fall 2025: Music, Health & Healing (at least 3A recommended) -------Past topics--------- Winter 2024: Section 01: (email instructor for override - at least Music 271 preferred) Winter 2024: Section 02: (email instructor for override - at least 3A recommended) Fall 2019: Winter 2018: Fall 2018: |
Fall 2025 (As announced, with rotating topics and instructors) |
|
|
MUSIC 392 |
Special Topics in Global Music (repeatable, subject to different content; may be completed a total of 2 times) Winter 2025: Introduction to Balinese Music and Culture ------Past topics--------------- Winter 2024: Balinese New Music Creation |
------------- |
Winter 2025 (as announced, with rotating topics) |
100 | 200 | 300 | 400 | Back to top
Music 400 Courses
| Course ID | Course name | Course outline | Offered (not official) |
|---|---|---|---|
|
MUSIC 416 |
any Ensemble (seventh time taken) **counts towards the EDGE certificate program |
See Music Ensemble Courses below |
Every term starting Fall 2020 |
|
MUSIC 417 |
any Ensemble (eighth time taken) **counts towards the EDGE certificate program |
See Music Ensemble Courses below |
Every term starting Fall 2020 |
| MUSIC 426 | Music Studio (fifth time taken) |
See Music 226 above for combined course outline. See music studio courses below |
Every term *Music majors only |
| MUSIC 427 |
Music Studio Antireq: Music 428 |
See Music 226 above for combined course outline. See music studio courses below |
Every term *Music majors only |
| MUSIC 428 |
Music Studio Antireq: Music 427 |
Music Studio 428 (with grad recital) - W22 Remote (PDF, accessible) See music studio courses below |
Every term, if needed *Music majors only |
| MUSIC 491 | Senior Honours Research Seminar |
By arrangement *Music majors (at least level 3A) only |
|
| MUSIC 492 | Senior Honours Thesis |
By arrangement *Music majors (level at least level 3A) only |
100 | 200 | 300 | 400 | Back to top
Ensemble Courses | Studio courses | Travel courses | Directed Studies | Research Seminar & Thesis
Above chart updated: Jan 28, 2025
*Note: music history courses--three of the four are offered every year:
MUSIC 253: Cathedral and Court: Music to 1600
MUSIC 254: Monteverdi to Mozart: Music from 1600-1800
MUSIC 255: The Romantic Century: Beethoven and Beyond
MUSIC 256: Music Since 1900
Starting Sept 2025, the above history courses will no longer be offered and will be replaced with the following:
Music 250: European History 1: Middle Ages to Classical
Music 251: European History 2: Romantic to Modern Era
Music ensemble courses
The University of Waterloo's music department invites all students, faculty, staff, and community members to join any of the eight musical ensembles that it sponsors and organizes. Waterloo students can participate in ensembles for credit (0.25 untis, CR/NCR) or as an extracurricular activity. The Music department offers the following six ensembles: University Choir, Chapel Choir, University of Waterloo Chamber Choir, Vocal Techniques, Instrumental Chamber Ensembles, Jazz Ensemble, Orchestra@UWaterloo, and the World Music: Balinese Percussion Gamelan Ensemble. The sequence for enrolling in any music ensemble courses for credit, regardless of the particular ensemble, is as follows for all students:
- MUSIC 116 (first time taken)
- MUSIC 117 (second time taken)
- MUSIC 216 (third time taken)
- MUSIC 217 (fourth time taken)
- MUSIC 316 (fifth time taken)
- MUSIC 317 (sixth time taken)
- MUSIC 416 (seventh time taken)
- MUSIC 417 (eighth time taken)
For students enrolled in the ensemble for credit, they will be evaluated by the ensemble director on a pass/fail basis. Regular attendance at rehearsals is required and attendance at dress rehearsals and performances is mandatory. For musical reasons, admission to any particular ensemble is at the discretion of the director. See ensembles for more information on audition requirements, audition dates, and other ensemble-specific information.
Each of the above ensemble courses can count towards the EDGE certificate program.
Music Studio courses
Music Studio refers to individual instruction on an instrument or voice. Individualized instruction is offered in the following (but not limited to) applied music areas:
- Voice
- Piano
- Organ
- Classical Guitar
- Percussion
- Flute
- Oboe
- Clarinet (including Bass Clarinet)
- Saxophone
- Trumpet
- French horn
- Trombone
- Tuba
- Violin
- Viola
- Cello
- Double bass
- Balinese instruments (private or semi-private) - contact Prof. Maisie Sum for information
The sequence for enrolling in Music Studio courses, regardless of the particular instrument (or voice), is as follows for all students:
- MUSIC 226 (first time taken)
- MUSIC 227 (second time taken)
- MUSIC 326 (third time taken)
- MUSIC 327 (fourth time taken)
- MUSIC 426 (fifth time taken)
- MUSIC 427 (sixth time taken) or MUSIC 428 (sixth time taken, with graduation recital)
In order to enrol in Music Studio, students must be at a level equivalent to Royal Conservatory Grade 8 and have successfully auditioned with the Music faculty. See Music Studio for audition and other information, including availability to non-majors. An additional studio fee per term will apply. Participation in an ensemble during studio term is required.
Music travel course - MUSIC 355
Description
MUSIC 355 is a spring term seminar, approximately three weeks long in the month of May, that is taught on location. The seminar includes lectures, attendance at musical performances, and tours of places of cultural importance. Past and possible future locations include Vienna, London, New York, and South Africa, Bali and Estonia. See website.
Prerequisite: Department consent
Schedule
TBA
Cost
The cost of this trip varies, depending on the location and other factors. The cost usually includes tuition, airfare, housing, transportation, admission to events, and breakfast. A Music and Culture Award is available for students enrolled in this course who have demonstrated involvement in the music department. The Chair of the Music department will announce when letters of interest are being accepted for this award.
More information
For more information on music travel courses, contact the respective faculty member or contact the Undergraduate Officer,
Directed Studies: 380 and 381
Upper-year Music majors and minors are eligible to propose a course of directed studies (Music 380 or 381), which entails individual study of a specialized topic under the guidance of a full-time member of the music faculty.
The purpose of the directed studies course is to permit students to pursue a topic of the student's own choosing. Students might be interested in pursuing further studies beyond an existing course they have taken (e.g. composition, piano literature, medieval music, women in music, psychology of music, etc.). Alternatively, the student might wish to propose studies in areas not served by the existing music curriculum (e.g. arranging, analysis, biography, etc). A Directed Studies course may involve a regime of reading, listening, score analysis, or a project of the student's devising. A major goal of the Directed Studies courses is to encourage students to read scholarly writings on music and to increase their familiarity with musical repertoire.
Since supervision is at the discretion of the faculty member, the student needs to show sufficient initiative, independence, and resourcefulness to attract the voluntary participation of a faculty member.
Students are encouraged to speak to the Undergraduate Officer and submit a directed-studies proposal before the term in which they would like to take the course.
Admission to Music 380 and Music 381 requires Music Department consent.
Honours Research Seminar & Thesis: 491 and 492
Music 491 and 492 are open to Music majors (level at least 3A) through Department consent.
Music 491: Honours Research Seminar (0.5 units)
This is designed to give students an opportunity to develop and hone research and writing techniques through individual research projects and regular meetings with other students and faculty.
Music 492: Senior Honours Thesis (0.5 units)
Students may wish to write a Senior Honours Thesis over two terms rather than a term paper. This can be done by taking Music 491 followed by 492 in a subsequent term. Students are encouraged, however, to identify their intention of writing a before embarking on Music 491, so that a suitable faculty advisor can be found and so that the project’s scope and topic can be adapted accordingly.
The length of the thesis should be between 5000 and 7500 words. The final copy should be typed, double spaced, and include footnotes or endnotes and bibliography. The grade for Music 492 is based on the final essay submission and is assigned by the faculty advisor and a second reader.
The student is expected to demonstrate at the end of Music 492:
1. Sufficient familiarity with some of the basic and most essential literature on the subject (primary and secondary sources)
2. Clarity on the main issues and the related issues to the subject
3. The ability to make a reasonably learned exposition of the question(s) under discussion
4. Some comprehensiveness, inclusion of knowledge from various fields of music, and awareness of their methodologies.
***Music 491 and 492 are recommended for all Honours Music students intending to pursue graduate studies.
Ensemble Courses | Studio courses | Travel courses | Directed Studies | Research Seminar & Thesis