The UBC School of Music offers excellent training for graduate assistant conductors with ample podium time in front of outstanding ensembles. Degrees are offered with emphases in Choral, Orchestral, or Wind conducting.
The conducting program features private conducting study and significant podium time. Teaching Assistantships in conducting and ensembles provide vital experiential learning opportunities throughout the degree. Collaboration among conducting faculty and students in all emphases makes it a cooperative and collegial learning environment.
Entrance to the M.Mus. in conducting is based upon the admission portfolio (including a pre-screen video) as well as an in-person audition for invited candidates. Artist teachers seeking to advance their conducting studies are also encouraged to apply.
For specific program requirements, please refer to the departmental program website
The M.Mus. with emphasis in choral conducting is a selective program designed to give the aspiring professional and/or academic choral conductor exceptional training and experience at the graduate level. The program features four core components: extensive podium time with the UBC choral ensembles, an intensive two-year seminar in choral history and literature, high-level performance opportunities of both a cappella choral works and choral/orchestral masterworks, and individual instruction and guidance from the director of choral activities.
The cohort of graduate choral conductors totals approximately 4-6 students, with 2-3 new students accepted each year. This is to ensure ample podium time, and quality of individual instruction.
The program features four core components: extensive podium time with the UBC choral ensembles, an intensive two-year seminar in choral history and literature, high-level performance opportunities of both a cappella choral works and choral/orchestral masterworks, and individual instruction and guidance from the director of choral activities. Students get extensive experience as teaching assistants and conductors of the five active choirs at the School of Music.
The Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies establishes the minimum admission requirements common to all applicants, usually a minimum overall average in the B+ range (76% at UBC). The graduate program that you are applying to may have additional requirements. Please review the specific requirements for applicants with credentials from institutions in:
Each program may set higher academic minimum requirements. Please review the program website carefully to understand the program requirements. Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission as it is a competitive process.
Applicants from a university outside Canada in which English is not the primary language of instruction must provide results of an English language proficiency examination as part of their application. Tests must have been taken within the last 24 months at the time of submission of your application.
Minimum requirements for the three most common English language proficiency tests to apply to this program are listed below:
Overall score requirement : 4.5
Reading
4.5
Writing
4.5
Speaking
4.0
Listening
5.0
Overall score requirement : 90
Reading
22
Writing
21
Speaking
21
Listening
22
Overall score requirement : 6.5
Reading
6.0
Writing
6.0
Speaking