Music, Diploma

Program Information
Credential: 
Diploma
Duration: 

2 years

Delivery: 
Main Campus
Program Cost Estimates: 

Contact Information

Contact Name: 
Dr. Peter Fielding
Contact Title: 
Associate Dean
Contact Phone: 
403.342.3400 OR 1.888.732.4630
Contact Email: 
inquire@rdc.ab.ca

Department Information

For more information on the Music program, visit the Music Department, under Academic Departments.

One-Year Music Preparatory Program

The one-year Music Preparatory Program is designed to:

  1. provide an opportunity for students who have a general interest in music to broaden their knowledge and skills;
  2. provide an entry-level opportunity for students with limited formal musical training who are considering a career in music and intend on pursuing the Music Diploma program.

In this program you will learn the fundamentals of reading, writing, hearing, and performing music. Through classroom instruction and private lessons you will gain valuable knowledge and will sharpen your playing skills. Optional participation by audition in small and/or large ensembles will allow you to further develop your performance abilities.

The program has three main components:

1. Core Classes: All students are required to take classes in music rudiments and aural skills, introductory music history, basic piano, and communications (or English). These courses will provide fundamental training in the basics of music.

2. Primary Instrument Study: Each semester of the program you will take private lessons on the instrument on which you had a successful entrance audition. Lessons are available on most standard instruments (subject to instructor availability). Current options include:

  • Voice
  • Woodwinds
  • Brass
  • Percussion
  • Strings
  • Classical Piano
  • Jazz Piano
  • Organ
  • Classical Guitar
  • Electric Guitar
  • Bass Guitar

3. Optional Classes: Depending on your interests, course load and performance abilities, a variety of music ensembles are open to all students on the basis of audition.

Note: Completion of the Preparatory Program does not guarantee admission into the Music Diploma Program.

Students who wish to pursue the two-year Music Diploma program at RDC after completing the Music Preparatory program will be required to re-audition on their primary instrument. Since there is some overlap in course requirements between the two programs, students who complete the Music Preparatory program will have already fulfilled some of the requirements for the Music Diploma.

Program Content

  • MUSI 194 Introductory Music Theory I
  • MUSI 195 Introductory Aural Skills I
  • MUSI 196 Introductory Music Theory II
  • MUSI 197 Introductory Aural Skills II
  • MUSS 145/MUSS 145 Private Lessons (repeated for credit)
  • MUSI 233 Introduction to Music History
  • MUSI 241/MUSI 242 Basic Piano I & II*
  • COMM 250 Business and Workplace Writing** (ENGL 219, ENGL 210 or ENGL 200 may be substituted if you have English 30-1)
  • Open Option (may include Music) (3 credits)

* Piano majors are automatically exempt. Students with Gr. 4 Piano from the Royal Conservatory or equivalent may apply for exemption through Prior Learning.

** See "Communications Course Placement Testing" below.

Other approved music options may be selected providing you have the necessary prerequisites and the courses fit your timetable.

The Program

The two-year Music Diploma may be taken for general interest or to help prepare you for a professional career in music. In today's world, musicians are required to be highly-trained, well-rounded, and versatile. The Music Diploma program provides you with a solid core of essential courses while allowing you to focus on particular areas of interest. Our unique blend of traditional and contemporary courses provides you with the utmost flexibility in pursuing career choices.

The Music Diploma program is designed to:

  1. provide a solid foundation of transferable courses for those students who wish to use the Diploma as a stepping stone towards a 4-year university degree;
  2. provide valuable skills and hands-on experience for those students who may choose to pursue more immediate interests in the music industry, in the pop/rock field, or in private teaching.

The program has four main components:

1. Core Classes: All students are required to take classes in music theory, aural skills, music history, music business, basic piano, and english.

2. Primary Instrument Study: Each semester of the program you will take private lessons (MUSP) on the instrument on which you had successfully auditioned. Lessons are available on most standard instruments subject to instructor availability. Current options include:

  • Voice
  • Woodwinds
  • Brass
  • Percussion
  • Strings
  • Classical Piano
  • Jazz Piano
  • Organ
  • Classical Guitar
  • Electric Guitar
  • Bass Guitar

Private instruction in areas such as Conducting or Composition may be available to qualified students.

3. Ensembles: It is expected that you will participate in at least one MUSE performance ensemble each semester and that you remain in the same ensemble for an entire year.

4. Specialized Options: You will choose an additional 9 credit hours of course options in consultation with your music faculty advisor that allow you to pursue individual areas of interest. Some examples of possible options include:

  • MUSI 401 Graduation Recital
  • MUSI 361/MUSI 362 Composition I & II
  • MUSI 321 Music Business: Career and Products
  • MUSI 322 Music Business: Performance
  • MUSI 280/MUSI 282 Recording Studio Technology I & II
  • Additional music ensembles or private lessons
  • Courses outside the music area (ex. Psychology, Science, etc.)
Transfer Features

Graduates of the Music Diploma may be able to pursue university degree studies in a variety of areas. These include baccalaureate degrees in Music, Arts, and Education as well as a number of more specialized areas such as Music Business and Music Therapy.

Individual courses in the Music Diploma program can be transferred to many North American universities on a course-by-course basis.

Transfer arrangements are different at each university and you are advised to consult the Alberta Transfer Guide, your Chairperson, Academic Advisors and the university to which you will transfer for more information.

The following transfer arrangements are currently in place:

The University of Alberta - Augustana Faculty:

Music Diploma graduates who have a GPA of 2.30 and have majored in classical piano, organ, classical voice, classical guitar or an orchestral instrument may be accepted into the B.Mus. or B.A. (Music) program at the University of Alberta - Augustana Faculty.

The University of Lethbridge:

Music Diploma graduates who have a GPA of 2.50 and have majored in classical piano, classical voice, classical guitar or an orchestral instrument may be accepted into the Post-Diploma B.Mus./B.Ed program at the University of Lethbridge. Students who wish to pursue a more general music and education combination may also choose the B.A. (Music)/B.Ed. route.

Burman University:

Music Diploma graduates who have a GPA of 2.50 and have majored in classical piano, organ, classical voice, classical guitar or an orchestral orchestral instrument may be accepted into the B.Mus. or B.A. (Music) program at Burman University.

Requirements
Admission Requirements: 

1. High School Diploma with a minimum mark of 50% in ELA 30-1 or ELA 30-2

OR

2. Mature Student

You must be 19 years of age or older, out of high school at least one full year before the program starts, and have a minimum mark of 50% in English 30 or ELA 30-1 or ELA 30-2, or a minimum score of 80 on the Reading component, 86 on the Sentence component and 5 on the written essay component of the College Board Placement Test.

Note: In addition to the program admission requirements applicants, whose first language is not English, must demonstrate English language proficiency.

Other Requirements: 

1. Audition: College music study assumes that an acceptable standard of proficiency in an instrumental or vocal area has already been acquired. You must declare a principal instrument (eg. guitar, voice, piano, etc.) when you apply and present a playing audition on this instrument. You will continue to pursue lessons on this instrument during your time in the program.

The audition consists of the following elements:

  • A polished performance of two contrasting pieces of your choice that demonstrate your playing or singing abilities.
  • A demonstration of technical skills appropriate to your instrument (eg. scales, chords, arpeggios, long tones, tonguing, rudiments, etc.as appropriate to your instrument).
  • Aural tests (eg. recognition of chord qualities and melodic intervals, clap back of rhythmic patterns).
  • Playing or singing a short unfamiliar excerpt at sight.
  • A brief interview to discuss your musical background, interests and goals.

2. Theory placement test: This written test covers key signatures, major and minor scales, triads, intervals, meter and rhythm, clefs, catences and common musical terms. A score of 75% or greater is required. Students with Royal Conservatory Advanced Rudiments (or equivalent) are exempt. Requests for exemption should be directed to the Test & Assessment Centre.

Note: The audition requirements and the theory placement test are the same for both the Music Preparatory program and the Music Diploma program. The results of these will determine the appropriate program placement.

For further guidelines regarding audition expectations and the theory placement test, check out the Auditions page on our Music Department website.

Graduation Requirements: 

You must pass all courses for Year 1 and 2 and achieve a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0. Those students considering a transfer to the Post-Diploma B. Mus./B.Ed. at the University of Lethbridge should be aware that a minimum GPA of 2.50 is required for admission.

Note: Those students considering a transfer to the Post-Diploma B. Mus./B.Ed. at the University of Lethbridge or the B. Mus at Canadian University College should be aware that a minimum GPA of 2.50 is required for admission. Those students considering a transfer to the B. Mus. at the University of Alberta-Augustana Faculty should be aware that a minimum GPA of 2.30 is required for admission.

Communications Course Placement Testing

Students will be required to take a College placement test before registering in a written communications course. (Students with 60% or greater in ELA 30-1 will be exempted from this test.) Students who do not achieve a satisfactory mark in this test will be required to complete COMM 150 before they can register in the required course, COMM 250. Students should take the placement test early in the event preparatory work (COMM 150) is required.

Program Content
Year 1 Course Descriptions
  • MUSI 257/MUSI 258 Comprehensive Music Theory I & II
  • MUSI 259/MUSI 260 Comprehensive Aural and Keyboard Skills I & II
  • MUSE 201/MUSE 202 Symphonic Winds or MUSE 205/MUSE 206 Jazz Ensemble or MUSE 217/MUSE 218 Chamber Choir I & II
  • MUSP 145/MUSP 245 Private Lessons
  • MUSI 233 Introduction to Music History
  • MUSI 241/MUSI 242 Basic Piano I & II*
  • ENGL 219 Essay Composition and Critial Reading (COMM 250 may be substituted if you have English 30-1)

* Piano majors are automatically exempt. Students with Gr. 4 Piano from the Royal Conservatory or
equivalent may apply for exemption through Prior Learning.

COMM 250

Theory and practice in composition to prepare students for academic and professional work in business and office environments. Emphasis will be on mechanics; style; tone; and organization of communications including research reports; memos; letters; business proposals and resumes. Prerequisite: Placement Criteria must be met.

ENGL 219

The focus is on formal preparation for university level essay writing and the skills related to critical reading; interpretation; and argument. Prerequisite: ELA 30-1 or English 095 NOTE: Credit will not be granted for both ENGL 219 and ENGL 210.

MUSE 201

A concert band that rehearses and performs wind literature representing traditional and contemporary styles; with priority given to important European and North American stylistic periods. Emphasis is placed on learning musicianship through the stylistic diversity of selected repertoire. The choice of repertoire will also consider the literature available to future educators in the secondary school setting.

MUSE 202

A concert band that rehearses and performs wind literature representing traditional and contemporary styles; with priority given to important European and North American stylistic periods. Emphasis is placed on learning musicianship through the stylistic diversity of selected repertoire. The choice of repertoire will also consider the literature available to future educators in the secondary school setting.

MUSE 205

A jazz band that rehearses and performs music charateristic of the big band era as well as literature of the modern day jazz ensemble. Students will explore the various styles within the genre and develop improvisational skills required for this idiom.

MUSE 206

A jazz band that rehearses and performs music characteristic of the big band era as well as literature of the modern day jazz ensemble. Students will explore the various styles within the genre and develop improvisational skills required for this idiom.

MUSE 217

This ensemble is geared towards the experienced singer and will explore advanced choral literature in both traditional and contemporary genres. Enrolment is limited to approximately 12-20 members. Specific goals include gaining experience performing choral music in front of a live audience; building a varied repertoire of music; and learning the principles of group work and intergrating these principles with individual skills.

MUSE 218

This ensemble is geared towards the experienced singer and will explore advanced choral literature in both traditional and contemporary genres. Enrolment in limited to approximately 12-20 members. Specific goals include gaining experience performing choral music in front of a live audience; building a varied repertoire of music and learning the principles of group work and integrating these principles with individual skills.

MUSI 233

A survey of Western music from Antiquity through the 20th Century. Through lecture; listening; and basic score examination; students will explore the traditions and practices that have culminated in both art music and popular music idioms with exist today.

MUSI 241

Piano technique; scales; and keyboard harmony. Emphasis is on developing a repertoire of easy to moderate piano pieces to enhance the keyboard as a useable musical tool. Prerequisite: Ability to read music and a basic skill in voice or an instrument other than the piano.

MUSI 242

Skills acquired in MUSI 241 will be refined and expanded. Particular emphasis will be placed keyboard fluency; fingering; and music reading. Prerequisite: MUSI 241 or consent of the Department Chair.

MUSI 257

Music rudiments review (scales; intervals; chords; rhythms); non-harmonic tones; cadences; introduction to harmonic progression and voice-leading principles; and melodic construction. Prerequisite: Successful completion of the Theory Placement Exam or equivalent.

MUSI 258

Harmonic analysis; harmonic progression; and four-part writing techniques for diatonic chords; seventh chords; secondary dominant chords; leading-tone chords; and modulation; binary and ternary musical forms. Prerequisite: MUSI 257

MUSI 259

The aural study of music theory concepts covered in MUSI 257 using sight-singing; dictation; and keyboard harmony. Prerequisite: Successful completion of the Theory Placement Exam or equivalent.

MUSI 260

The aural study of music theory concepts covered in MUSI 258 using sight-singing; dictation; and keyboard harmony. Prerequisite: MUSI 257 and 259 Pre or Co-requisite: MUSI 258

MUSP 145

Fifty-five minute weekly private lessions in a principal musical instument or voice. Emphasis is on technique; style; musicianship; and interpretation and on developing repertoire and performance experience. Prerequisite: Open to Music Diploma students by successful performance audition.

MUSP 245

MUSP 145 continued. Prerequisite: MUSP 145

Year 2 Course Descriptions

Year 2

  • MUSI 346/MUSI 347 Comprehensive Music Theory III & IV
  • MUSI 348/MUSI 349 Comprehensive Aural and Keyboard Skills III & IV
  • MUSE xxx Performance Ensemble (4 credits)
  • MUSP 360/MUSP 460 Principal Instrument Study III & IV
  • MUSI 321 Music Business: Career and Products or MUSI 322 Music Business: Performance

Note: Students who wish to attend the NAMM Winter Show in Los Angeles are required to enroll in MUSI 321.

MUSI 346

Review of harmonic progression and voice-leading principles employed in the 17th and 18th centuries; harmonic analysis; harmonic progression; and four-part writing techniques for 19th century music including borrowed chords; Neapolitan 6th chords; augmented 6th chords; and modulation techniques; analysis of major musical forms (sonata; rondom and theme and variations). Prerequisite: MUSI 250 or MUSI 258

MUSI 347

Analysis and part writing techniques incorporating extended and chromatic harmonies from the 19th and 20th centuries (9th; 11th; and 13th chords; altered dominants; chromatic mediants; coloristic chords; quartal chords; polychords); and serialism. Prerequisite: MUSI 346

MUSI 348

The aural study of music theory concepts covered in MUSI 346 using sight-singing; dictation; and keyboard harmony. Prerequisite: MUSI 250 and 251; or MUSI 258 and 260 Corerequisite or prerequisite: MUSI 346

MUSI 349

The aural study of music theory concepts covered in MUSI 347 using sight-singing; dictation; and keyboard harmony. Prerequisite: MUSI 346 and 348 Pre or Co-requisite: MUSI 347

MUSI 321

A study of the business of music as it pertains to music products and the retail industry; with emphasis on product areas; marketing and sales. Throughout the practicum portion; the students will participate in 'hands-on' approaches to a variety of marketing and production situations. Students will be expected to complete a minimum of 45 practicum hours (20 hours must be in the area of retail music in order to attend the NAMM Show in January. Prerequisite: 2nd year music diploma student or consent of the Music Department.

MUSI 322

A study of the business of music as it pertains to the performing musician; with emphasis on booking; touring; and the recording industry. Throughout the practicum portion; the students will participate in 'hands-on' approaches to a variety of marketing and production situations. Students will be expected to complete a minimum of 45 practicum hours (20 hours must be in the area of performance; booking and/or tours. Prerequisite: Music Diploma student or consent of the Music Department.

MUSP 360

MUSP 245 continued. Prerequisite: MUSP 245

MUSP 460

MUSP 360 continued. Prerequisite: MUSP 360

Year 1 or 2

Choose one of the following music history classes:

  • MUSI 304 History of Medieval, Renaissance & Baroque Music
  • MUSI 301 History of Classical and Romantic Music
  • MUSI 302 History of Post-Romantic & 20th Century Music AND Music Option (3 credits)
  • MUSI 303 History of Popular Music

AND

  • Music Option (3 credits)
  • Open Options (may include Music) (6 credits)

Note: Options should be selected after consultation with your music faculty advisor.

Electives Course Descriptions

MUSI 301

A performance-lecture survey of the styles; composers; and performers of the Classical and Romantic periods of music history. Prerequisite: MUSI 233 or 202

MUSI 302

A performance-lecture survey of the styles; composers; and performers of the post-Romantic and 20th Century periods of music history. Prerequisite: MUSI 233 or 301 Note: Skill in music reading is an asset.

MUSI 304

A performance lecture survey of the styles; composers; and performers of the Medieval; Renaissance and Baroque periods of music history. Prerequisite: MUSI 233 Note: Skill in music reading is an asset.

Special Fees and Expenses

Note:

  • For each semester add $200 if taking MUSP private lessons and $440 if taking MUSS private lessons.
  • In addition to tuition and course fees, you should budget each year for the following: music scores (approximately $150.00), instrument purchase (if necessary), instrument maintenance (strings, reeds, drum heads, etc. approximately $200.00), plus textbooks and materials (approximately $1000.00).
  • MUSI 321 - Special materials fee of $550 for the NAMM field trip.