Accomplishments
Music is one of Laurier’s three sector-leading programs, along with programming in our School of Social Work and our Lazaridis School of Business & Economics.
Our Music Therapy program is unique in Ontario and one of only a few in North America. We offered the first Bachelor of Music Therapy in Canada (1986) and the first Master of Music Therapy in Canada (2002). We recently developed our first Music-Therapistin- Residence program in partnership with Homewood Health Centre (2016). This position delivers and develops music therapy for Homewood patients and clients, teaches and supervises Laurier Music Therapy students and undertakes research in the field.
We offer ground-breaking programs in Community Music, built on a firm foundation of cultural diversity and social entrepreneurship. Laurier offered the first Master of Arts in Community Music in Canada (2013) and the first Bachelor of Music in Community Music in Canada (2016).
The Faculty of Music is home to two unique research institutes: The Manfred and Penny Conrad Institute of Music Therapy Research and the Laurier Centre for Music in the Community.
We are proud of our world-famous faculty including Laurier’s quartet-in-residence, the Penderecki String Quartet (PSQ). Every season the PSQ performs across Canada and the United States and tours worldwide. In recent seasons the PSQ has performed in the UK, the Netherlands, Hong Kong, Russia, New Zealand, Italy, Spain, France, Germany, Serbia, Slovakia, Poland, Lithuania, Croatia, Mexico, Venezuela, Brazil, and China
Academic excellence is one of the Faculty of Music’s hallmarks. Music and Business students have the highest entering averages of any programs at Laurier. A robust peer-tutoring program is in place to ensure continued academic excellence.
Our programs are in great demand. We receive over four times as many applications as available first-year spots – a 50% student conversion rate, by far the highest of any program at Laurier. Our enrollment numbers meet or exceed targets year after year.
Make Space for Music
To remain competitive and to continue to attract Canada’s best students and teachers, Laurier must have a facility that can truly support their talents and ambitions and prepare them to make a meaningful impact in the arts community and beyond after graduation.