Music 
Loading... **This program is currently under review. NWP will not be accepting applications for the 2023-2024 academic year.**
Music programs at Northwestern Polytechnic will help prepare students to pursue a career in music or to continue their studies at other educational institutions. Students will have the opportunity to specialize on an instrument, including voice, and to perform with talented musicians. Participation in Northwestern Polytechnic Ensembles is required of our programs, and performances in community productions or events is also encouraged.
Music students have access to our Fine Arts Recording Studio complex that consists of four individual studios, a digital lab/classroom with many modern workstations, and numerous well-equipped practice rooms. Music performances take place in the Collins Recital Hall, the Douglas J. Cardinal Performing Arts Centre or off campus.
The Fine Arts Department offers the music programs at the Grande Prairie Campus on a full-time or part-time basis during the day and evening.
Admission is based on the quality of an audition, a music theory prerequisite, and also academic entrance examinations as per institutional requirements.
Students of Northwestern Polytechnic Fine Arts music programs have also successfully completed music degrees at institutions in Alberta and across Canada.
Other Program Opportunities
If students are interested in other music programs, Northwestern Polytechnic offers courses towards:
- Bachelor of Music, University Transfer program
- Bachelor of Music/Bachelor of Education combined degree programs
- Bachelor of Arts, University Transfer music major/minor program
- Bachelor of Education, University Transfer music major/minor program
Admission Requirements
Applicants require an Alberta Education High School Diploma and the following:
- English 30-1
- Music 30 or consent of the department
- Royal Conservatory Level 8 Theory (previously Advanced Theory [2009]), Conservatory Canada Grade 4, or MU1000*
*A performance audition is required before applicants are offered admission. Contact the Fine Arts Department to schedule an audition.
Mature Student Admission
Students who have been out of school for one full year may also be admitted. Applicants must have English 30-1 or be admissible to EN0130 as determined by Northwestern Polytechnic placement assessments. If EN0130 must be taken in order to fulfill the English requirement, it must be taken in the first semester which means that first year requirements may not be completed within a year. In addition to the English requirement, applicants must have the equivalent of Royal Conservatory Level 8 Theory (previously Advanced Theory [2009]), Conservatory Canada Grade 4, or MU1000*.
*Applicants who do not present successful completion of MU1000 or equivalent will be required to write a Music Theory Placement examination before registering in this program. Students who do not demonstrate the equivalent of Royal Conservatory Level 8 Theory skills will take longer to complete this program of study.
Advanced Standing
Advanced standing for selected courses may be given at the discretion of the Fine Arts Department in accordance with Northwestern Polytechnic policy.
Program Curriculum
-
First year (30 credits)
- Junior English (3), EN1201 recommended
- MU2091 Electronic Notation (3)
- MU1010 Introduction to Music (3)
- MU1250 Applied Music I (6)
- MU1510 Aural and Keyboard Skills I (3)
- MU1550 Music Theory I (3)
- MU1560 Music Theory II (3)
- MU1650 Introduction to World Music (3)
- Music Ensemble (3) chosen from
Second year (30 credits)
- MU1081 Music Technology I (3) or DD1082 Introduction to Video Production (3)
- MU2081 Music Technology II (3) or MU2570 Song Writing I (3)
- MU2250 Applied Music II (6)
- MU2510 Aural and Keyboard Skills II (3)
- MU2550 Music Theory III (3)
- MU2560 Music Theory IV (3)
- Music Ensemble (3) chosen from
- One of
- MU1021 Popular Music in the 20th Century (3)
- MU2620 Women in Music (3)
- MU2800 Introduction to the Study of Western Music History (3)
- MU2830 Western Art Music History (3)
- Approved Option (3)
For students interested in music technology, an alternative sequence of courses for the Music Diploma – Performance is recommended. Below is the first and second year lay out of courses to accommodate this interest within the Diploma. Students interested in this pathway should contact finearts@nwpolytech.ca to explore course options. Not all courses in this pathway will be available in the 2022/2023 academic year.
First year (30 credits)
- MU1081 Music Technology I (3)
- MU2081 Music Technology II (3)
- Junior English (3), EN1201 recommended
- MU2091 Electronic Notation (3)
- MU1250 Applied Music I (6)
- MU1510 Aural and Keyboard Skills I (3)
- MU1550 Music Theory I (3)
- MU1560 Music Theory II (3)
- Music Ensemble (3) chosen from MU1400 Chorale Ensemble I, MU1410 Instrumental Ensemble I or MU1490 Jazz Ensemble
Second year (30 credits)
- MU2250 Applied Music II (6)
- MU2510 Aural and Keyboard Skills II (3)
- MU2550 Music Theory III (3)
- MU2560 Music Theory IV (3)
- Music Ensemble (3) chosen from MU2400 Chorale Ensemble II, MU2410 Instrumental Ensemble II or MU2490 Jazz Ensemble II
- MU1010 Introduction to Music (3)
- MU1650 Introduction to World Music (3)
- One of: MU1021 Popular Music in the 20th Century (3), MU2620 Women in Music (3), MU2800 Introduction to the Study of Western Music History (3), MU2830 Western Art Music History (3) or MU2281 Music Technology III (3)
- Approved Option (3)
Graduation Requirements
Students will need to successfully complete the program requirements to graduate with a Diploma in Music, Performance. If students meet these requirements, they may apply to graduate.
Post-Diploma
Degree Programs
Acceptance into any university degree program once students have completed their studies at Northwestern Polytechnic is based on their audition, the depth of their musical experience and their academic standing. Option courses vary from institution to institution and are often evaluated on a course-by-course basis. Early contact with the institution to which students are transferring is encouraged and close consultation with a Northwestern Polytechnic Fine Arts advisor is suggested. All post-secondary Bachelor of Music programs are slightly different. An audition is normally required by each university and students should pay attention to specified audition dates published by each university. Students are advised to consult directly with the university they are interested in transferring their diploma to for these degree opportunities. Most receiving institutions will transfer a maximum of 60 credits from Northwestern Polytechnic. Bachelor of Music students are advised to take 9 credits of options for Music, Art or Science.
The Northwestern Polytechnic Diplomas give students flexible and varied musical experiences, but credit is often awarded on a case-by-case basis. Transfer admission to a Bachelor of Music or Bachelor of Arts, Music, or Post-Diploma program is based on audition and is considered on an individual basis.
Transfer opportunities exist within Alberta at the following universities:
University of Alberta
Augustana Faculty, University of Alberta
University of Lethbridge
Post-Diploma Bachelor of Music
Post-Diploma Bachelor of Music/Bachelor of Education
Post-Diploma Bachelor of Fine Arts-Multidisciplinary
Concordia University College
King’s University College
University of Calgary
Contact Information
