Master of Arts in Community Music - NEW
The Master of Arts in Community Music is a part-time, interdisciplinary program that balances theory and practice for the development of leadership skills in community music. Leadership and creativity in community music are in higher demand as music continues to play a vital role in our community in such events as street festivals and concerts, and in such venues as seniors' residences, community centres, church, and in the personal lives of people.
This unique program can be completed in 6 terms of registration and is designed to attract community leaders who are or plan to be engaged in creating and/or making music in schools, places of worship, ensembles, private studies and elsewhere. Typically, a candidate takes one course per term, while simultaneously serving in an Applied Community Service placement, and planning and conducting the research project.
For those who are currently in music careers will find the The Master of Arts in Community Music tailored to the deepening of their skills and interests through scholarship and applied experience.
A foundation of musical training and experience is required for entrance to this program. Applicants are expected to have a four-year honours degree and should have a minimum B standing or equivalent. An applicant who does not meet these requirements may still apply for admission as a qualifying student.
Applications are reviewed by the CM Admissions Committee, which considers:
• A four-year honours degree (20 full credits, or the equivalent from a foreign institution) from an accredited university
• Minimum "B" standing in the final two years of study;
• A statement of musical background supporting the applicant's candidacy (including formal and informal study, and related career experience)
• A statement of interest (500 words) outlining areas of research interest and relationship of graduate degree to professional goals with regard to the applicant's community perspectives.
Alternative Requirements
Candidates with recently conferred undergraduate degrees are welcome to apply to this Master’s level program as a sequential continuation of their study. However, the program design and content are meant for the practitioner with some career or vocational experience. Candidates will be assessed on an individual basis, and while not a requirement, it is recommended that the candidate provide evidence of:
• Teaching or musical leadership experience
• Two years professional experience
• Some administrative planning, budgeting, or related experience
The committee then forwards their recommendations for admission to the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, which determines the final offers of admission.
Proficiency in English usage, both written and oral, is essential to pursue graduate studies at Laurier. Applicants whose language of instruction during the undergraduate degree was not English, must furnish evidence of superior proficiency in English prior to admission. (http://www.wlu.ca/gradstudies/international)
Application Form: www.wlu.ca/gradstudies/apply
Application Deadline: March 15 for first consideration; applications will be accepted until the program is full.
To qualify for the degree a student must complete the following:
- MU620 Music and Meaning in Community Contexts
- MU621 Community Music Practices and Leadership
- MU622 Creativity and Inter-disciplinary Arts
- MU623 New Media, Business, Administration, and Marketing
- MU698 Applied Community Services and Research Project
One of the following:
- EU504 Quantitative Research Methods
- EU505 Qualitative Research Methods
- PS606 Research in Community Settings
- TH655I Qualitative and Quantitative Research
And one elective:
- One full graduate course in an approved area that must be completed during the degree program. Elective courses will be chosen from an area relevant to the candidate’s research, subject to approval by the graduate coordinator, and may be chosen from a wide range of cognate disciplines available in the Faculties of Music, Education, Arts, or from the Waterloo Lutheran Seminary.
Students are advised to consult the Graduate Calendar for information concerning the general policies and regulations of the University.
Typical Program Progression
Offered as part time studies, the MA in Community Music is designed with flexibility in both sequence of courses and duration of program. Typically, a candidate would take one course per term, while simultaneously serving in an Applied Community Service placement, and planning and conducting the research project. A candidate would be able to complete the course work in five terms (i.e. twenty months) but more likely the program would be concluded within three years. Students in this program will be encouraged to take a course in another Faculty on campus to fulfill their elective requirements. This will provide students the opportunity to gain a capacity for integrated research and develop an integrated scholarly perspective, in their specific areas of interest, from a wider range of faculty.
As part-time students, Teaching Assistantships and Bursaries are not provided. However, research assistantships funded by professors’ grants as well as a variety of community arts funds may be available through application.
Information about graduate awards is available from the WLU Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies website.
