Music Programs
Composing herself: Music grad discovers confidence in her creative voice
Study music your way. At 蘑菇AV, everybody plays.
Develop your talent, perform alongside other passionate artists, and learn from accomplished musicians in Halifax's supportive professional community. With Dal BA听 in Music, you'll gain the experience and confidence to build a meaningful music career.听
Explore our Fountain School music programs for professional musicians, composers and singers, and start imagining what's possible.
Can I build a career as a professional musician?
Yes.
Technology continues to change how music is created, shared, and experienced. Our music degree helps you explore both traditional and emerging jobs in a rapidly changing industry while developing the skills needed for sustainable careers in:
- Performing
- Composing
- Music production
- Film, TV, and screen music
- Audio design
- Teaching and arts-related careers
- Arts leadership
The foundation you get from 蘑菇AV鈥檚 Music program, and the hands-on skills you acquire, will make you a stronger, adaptable musician in the arts sector.
What makes Dal Music different?
蘑菇AV鈥檚 Fountain School is not just a collection of separate degrees, housing different departments of study. We鈥檙e a well-oiled machine, preparing versatile, practical, working-career musicians.
Instead of functioning as a conservatory or teacher-training program, 蘑菇AV鈥檚 Fountain School runs on a performing arts model many other Atlantic Canadian universities are now trying to build.
We鈥檙e a truly multi-disciplinary performing arts school, with an already established and solid infrastructure that facilitates collaborative learning, and degree customization. You鈥檒l benefit from:
- Modern music specific performance and learning spaces
- Collaboration opportunities with fellow students and faculty across our Theatre, Costume Studies, Cinema and Media Studies, Voice, Opera and six Fountain School ensembles.
- A diverse collection of music faculty providing one-on-one mentorship.
- Masterclasses and workshops with guest artists
- Connections to Symphony Nova Scotia and the professional music community.
Jeremie Boudrea in DalJazz Ensembles Spring Swings and Sings Concert, 2025 (photo:Kate Hayter)
Provided you're motivated enough, you can really check out everything the school has to offer. There鈥檚 a lot of intersection and collaboration that goes on. The 鈥渨hat if鈥� question will take you far here -听Jeremie Boudreau, '24 BMus Grad profile
What can I specialize in?听
We offer BA degrees with concentrations in:
鈥别谤蹿辞谤尘补苍肠别
鈥辞尘辫辞蝉颈迟颈辞苍
鈥opular Music
鈥耻蝉颈肠辞濒辞驳测
鈥�Vocal Performance (Voice)
Can I combine music with another area of study at 蘑菇AV?
Absolutely.
Many Dal students pursue double majors, combine degrees, or add minors. Because our music program is part of a performing arts school听and a comprehensive research driven university, students can connect their love of music with other academic interests.
Can I join the Dal music ensembles?
Yes. Everyone plays at the Fountain School. Our 2026-2027 ensembles are open to majors and non-majors (for credit), and include:
鈥丑辞谤耻蝉
鈥ontemporary Music
鈥补锄锄
鈥辫别谤补
鈥ymphony Orchestra
鈥� Wind
Singing in our new Joseph Strug Concert Hall is a gift, and I鈥檓 really going to miss it.
- Sophia Maskine
BMus with concentration in Vocal Performance (2025)
Stage time is not really what drives me. What can I study beyond performance?
- Music Theory
- Music History
- Musicology
- Orchestration & Composition
- Improvisation
- Conducting
- Performance
- Audio Production
Electives we offer found here.
What does a typical day look like?
As a Fountain School music student, you鈥檒l learn through many different modes rather than a single classroom format. But no two days are exactly alike. You鈥檒l have:
- Music theory or music history classes
- Seminars
- Private lessons
- Ensemble rehearsals and/or performances
- Independent practice
- Academic coursework and assignments
How will you support my studies?
You鈥檙e going to be busy. But in a good way.
Our Music students learn to balance a full schedule of classes, rehearsals, performances, and practice. Faculty mentors will help you develop time-management skills, build artistic confidence, and learn how to balance high standards with resilience as part of your professional artistic development.
The Fountain School prides itself on its ability to annually offer between $350,00-400,000 one-time and renewable scholarships and awards. This can help you focus on your passion, while still paying the bills.
Besides being by the ocean, why choose to study music in Halifax, Nova Scotia?
Training in one of Eastern Canada鈥檚 most vibrant music communities means you鈥檒l have access to its thriving arts scene. Halifax is home to Symphony Nova Scotia, Scotia Festival of Music, SuddenlyLISTEN, Halifax Jazz Festival, and many more, offering real-world performance, networking, and collaboration opportunities.
Where can it take you?
Our grads build careers as performing artist, educators, and arts leaders and administrators. You鈥檒l graduate with highly transferable skills like creativity, confidence, discipline, critical thinking, and collaboration, that open doors in fields like business, law, and medicine.