The BMus degree includes areas of emphasis in Composition, History and Literature, Performance, Elementary Music Education, Secondary Music Education, and Music Theory. Each of these routes balances academic and performance based music courses as well as a complement of courses from other disciplines, depending on the area of emphasis. These programmes prepare skilled musicians who are equipped for a wide range of careers, either within music or in other fields. While the dominant musical culture studied is European and North American, students are exposed to other musical cultures as well. Within most routes language courses are either required or recommended to aid further research and travel.
Emphasis is placed on learning by doing.
Students interact with each other in small chamber music groups and in large ensembles such as choirs and orchestra. They also interact with professionals from the community such as accompanists, composers, and other professional musicians. They have been introduced to world history and foreign cultures. They relate to abstract concepts. They have experience in research.