Program Overview
The premiere orchestral training program in Canada, this program is for talented instrumental musicians and guitarists wishing to hone their artistry and expressive, interpretative skills in a flexibly designed curriculum. A range of seminar offerings ground performance practice in the broader humanistic and scientific contexts of music and artistic research-creation. The program has a strong focus on healthy performance, individual creativity, and development of the whole musician.
Ensembles
Ensembles emulate professional settings, and include five orchestras: Two full orchestras (the renowned º«¹úÂãÎè Symphony Orchestra and the º«¹úÂãÎè Sinfonetta), one opera orchestra, one baroque orchestra, and one contemporary music ensemble—as well as one large wind symphony and one guitar ensemble. Opportunities for chamber music also abound. Â
Faculty
Performance faculty involved in this program include the concertmasters and principal players of major Canadian orchestras, including the Montreal Symphony Orchestra, as well as world-class ensemble conductors. Â
Resources and Opportunities
- Recital options include solo, chamber music, concerto competitions, recording, and orchestral repertoire exams emulating professional auditions;
- String players benefit from rigorous string quartet training program;
- Brass and winds perform wide range of large ensemble repertoire and have opportunities to learn on doubling instruments (as relevant);
- Percussionists perform, tour and record with the esteemed Percussion Ensemble;
- Guitarists benefit from large Montreal guitar and contemporary music community, collaborations with graduate composition students, and early music program;
- Special performance opportunities include performances in the hall of the MSO, Maison Symphonique.
Awards
Students in this program have received awards from many sources, including: Golden Violin, º«¹úÂãÎè Concerto Competitions, Canada Council, summer program initiatives supported by various funding agencies, Austrian Summer Scholarships, to name a few.
Careers
Graduates have secured positions in orchestras throughout Europe, North and South America, and with the Canadian Opera Company, Ensemble Moderne, and others.