Schulich School of Music

Music teaching at the institution began in 1884, although the program was first reserved for women. In 1889, a teaching specialist was engaged at the request of the students by a gift from the university's Chancellor, Donald A. Smith, Lord Strathcona. In 1896, the Royal Victoria College for girls by Lord Strathcona was founded. In September 1899, the Royal Victoria College was opened, and pianist Clara Lichtenstein (1860–1946) arrived on the invitation of Lord Strathcona. In 1902, examinations of the Associate Board of the Royal Schools of Music of London were introduced.

• 1904 Introduction of the Licentiate diploma (LMus), Bachelor in Music degree (BMus), and Doctor in Music degree (DMus).
• September 21, classes began in the Workman House with 426 students and 23 instructors.
• October 14, official inauguration in the presence of the Governor General, Lord Minot, with a recital by violinist Albert Chamberland and pianist Ellen Ballon.
• 1908 Appointment of Harry Crane Perrin, organist of Canterbury Cathedral, as professor and director.
• 1908 McGill's first university symphonic ensemble is created.
• 1909 Set-up of McGill's own system of music examinations.
• 1911 Charles Henry Mills receives the first DMus degree, for composition.
• 1917 Endowment through a generous gift from Sir William Macdonald permitting the establishment of a faculty of music.

• 1920 April 26, establishment of the Faculty of Music. Perrin combined the duties of director of the conservatory and dean of the faculty. Premises, professors and budget were shared.
• 1949 First Music honorary degree to Sir Thomas Beecham.
• Re-organization (1955–1957)
• 1955 Douglas Clarke retires. Marvin Duchow is acting dean of the faculty and director of the conservatory. Three departments were created within the faculty: Theory, Keyboard and Voice, Instrumental. The conservatorium was divided into a senior department, with courses leading to diplomas, and a junior department, its courses confined to basic musical training.
• 1956 The McGill Opera Studio is founded by Luciano and Edith Della Pergola

• The two institutions shared staff, budget and premises.
• 1964 Helmut Blume named dean of the Faculty of Music. He served until 1979 and oversaw the school's early development into one of Canada's major music schools.
• 1964 The Electronic music Studio is established under the direction of István Anhalt.
• 1966 The McGill Conservatorium of Music becomes the McGill Preparatory School of Music.
• 1968 Introduction of the MMA degree in music for composition and musicology.
• 1970 Introduction of the MMA degree in music for theory.
• 1970 The two institutions were separated, but remained under the same direction until 1978.
• 1971 Both institutions moved to the Royal Victoria College, which was renovated and renamed the Strathcona Music Building.
• 1975 Introduction of the MMA degree in performance.
• 1975 The Pollack Concert Hall opened on April 10.
• 1976-7 The faculty's MMA degrees become the MMus in Composition, the MMus in Performance, the MA in Theory and the MA in Musicology.
• 1978 The Preparatory School becomes the McGill Conservatory of Music.
• 1978 The PhD programs in Musicology, Music Theory, and Music Education are introduced.
• 1979 Introduction of the MMus in Sound Recording.
• 1981 McGill becomes the first university in Canada to offer a BMus degree in jazz performance.
• 1981 The Hellmuth Wolff organ, a French classical model with mechanical action, is inaugurated in Redpath Hall.
• 1989 The McGill Opera Studio is renamed Opera McGill, with Bernard Turgeon as director and Timothy Vernon as conductor.
• 2003 Construction begins on the new facilities for the Faculty of Music.
• 2004 The Faculty of Music celebrates 100 Years of Music at McGill.

• 2005 The New Music Building is opened and the Faculty of Music changes its name to the Schulich School of Music of McGill University.
• 2008 Renovations begin on the practice rooms located in the East Wing.
• 2009 Renovations on the East Wing practice and ensemble rooms are completed.
• 2010 Inaugural season of the McGill International String Quartet Academy.[2]

• 2015 New Music Building renamed the Elizabeth Wirth Music Building following McGill Alumna Elizabeth Wirth's landmark donation of $7.5 million

The performance programs at the Schulich School of Music are designed to train professional musicians of the highest standard. Each individual is encouraged to reach her or his potential as a performer through private lessons with renowned faculty as well as numerous performing opportunities with Schulich's ensembles. The high level of artistry for which Schulich's performing ensembles are renowned is made possible by an outstanding corps of instrumental instructors. Every year, the Department hosts a number of visiting artists and presents hundreds of concerts, workshops, masterclasses and other activities.

• Bachelor of Music (BMus) in Early Music (Instruments and Voice), Faculty Program (Jazz or Classical), Guitar, Jazz (Instruments and Voice), Orchestral Instruments (Brass, Percussion, Strings, Woodwinds), Organ, Piano, Voice[3]
• Licentiate in Music (LMus) in Early Music (Instruments and Voice), Guitar, Jazz (Instruments and Voice), Orchestral Instruments (Brass, Percussion, Strings, Woodwinds), Organ, Piano, Voice[4]

Double Majors and Double Degree

Bachelor of Music students can add a second major or degree to their program, either within the School of Music or at other faculties at McGill University[5]

Music Performance Minors[6]

• Early Music
• Conducting
• Jazz Arranging and Composition
• Jazz Performance
• In addition to Music minors, B.Mus. students can add minors offered by other faculties at McGill University

• Master of Music (MMus) in Conducting, Early Music (Instruments and Voice), Guitar, Jazz (instruments and Voice), Orchestral Instruments (Brass, Percussion, Strings, Woodwinds), Organ, Piano, Collaborative Piano, Voice and Opera
• Graduate Diploma in Performance[8] and Artist Diploma[9] in Early Music (Instruments and Voice), Guitar, Jazz (Instruments and Voice), Orchestral Instruments (Brass, Percussion, Strings, Woodwinds), Organ, Piano, Voice and Opera
• Graduate Certificate in Choral Conducting[10]
• Doctor of Music (DMus) in Performance Studies[11] (Brass, Conducting, Early Music, Guitar, Jazz, Organ, Percussion, Piano, Strings, Voice and Opera, Woodwinds)

The Music Research Department administers both undergraduate and graduate programs in Composition, Music Education, Music History / Musicology, Music Theory, a general music Faculty Program (classical or jazz concentration), Sound Recording, and Music Technology, as well as various undergraduate minor programs. The departmental faculty include some of the leading scholars and teachers in North America. It is the philosophy of the Schulich School of Music that all students should receive a substantial proportion of their instruction from full-time professorial staff rather than from teaching assistants. Every year, the Department hosts a broad range of public lectures and sponsors major conferences and symposia.

For students who wish to pursue a liberal arts education, the Department also administers the B.A. with a Major Concentration in Music (admission through the Faculty of Arts).

• Bachelor of Music (BMus) in Composition, Faculty Program (Classical or Jazz), Music Education, Music History/Musicology, Music Theory

Double Majors and Double Degree

Bachelor of Music students can add a second major or degree to their program, either within the School of Music or at other faculties at McGill University[5]

Music Research Minors

• Composition
• Music Education
• Music Entrepreneurship
• Music History / Musicology
• Musical Applications of Technology
• Music Science and Technology
• Music Theory
• In addition to Music minors, B.Mus. students can add minors offered by other faculties at McGill University

• Master of Music (MMus) in Composition, Sound Recording
• Master of Arts (MA) in Music Education, Music History/Musicology, Music Technology, Music Theory
• Doctor of Music (DMus) in Composition
• Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Composition, Music Education, Musicology, Music Technology, Music Theory, Sound Recording

• McGill Symphony Orchestra (MGSO)
• Contemporary Music Ensemble (CME)
• McGill Wind Orchestra
• Baroque Orchestra
• Beethoven Orchestra

• McGill Jazz Orchestra I
• McGill Jazz Orchestra II
• McGill Chamber Jazz Ensemble
• Jazz Rhythm Section Ensembles
• McGill Jazz Choir
• Jazz Combos

• McGill University Chorus
• Schulich Singers
• McGill Concert Choir
• Cappella Antica

Opera McGill was described by Opera Canada magazine as "the premiere program in Canada."[12] Every year, Opera McGill produces at least three operas on the Pollack Hall stage. It collaborates with the Early Music Program at Schulich to produce a baroque opera (accompanied by period instruments and in period tunings). In 2016, the program celebrated its 60th anniversary.

• Chamber Music
• Early Music Ensembles
• Song Interpretation
• Guitar Ensemble
• Piano Ensembles
• Percussion Ensemble
• Tabla Ensemble