The Engineering Music Performance Minor was designed for U of T Engineering undergraduates interested in exploring creativity in performance with music technology. Through a partnership with the Faculty of Music, the faculty is providing engineering students with access to a performance-based program, including courses typically only offered to music students.
There are courses within this minor that are only eligible as Free Electives (FE), Extra Courses (EXT), or Complementary Studies (CS) requirements beyond the 1.0 credits required for an undergraduate degree in U of T Engineering. Thus, students who wish to pursue this minor must be prepared to take on coursework above and beyond their degree requirements.
Students with limited elective availability may wish to consider pursuing a Music Technology certificate.
Eligibility
This minor is open to any student completing an undergraduate degree in the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering. Students may submit requests to their home departments to take ECE 446 and/or technical courses from the Faculty of Music as Technical Elective Substitutions (TES) for their degree programs.
Enrolment
Enrolment in the minor is conditional on a student's acceptance into the minor's core course: PMU 299Y (PDF).
Acceptance in PMU 299Y (Applied Music Lessons) is based on both auditions and the availability of suitable instructors from the Faculty of Music. Auditions will be adjudicated by one faculty member from the Faculty of Music and one other instrument specialist.
Placement may become competitive if the demand for the minor exceeds the maximum number of placements that are available. The minimum playing level required is RCM Gr. 8, plus a background in theory and rudiments (Level 8 Theory, Rudiments II or equivalent).
Additional information about course schedules and enrolment details will be available in June.
Audition Request
Students must audition either in-person or through a pre-recorded audition video.
Please submit your audition request here by April 15, 2025: https://forms.office.com/r/DFjHEWUrsq.
Audition Repertoire:
- Solo Instrumental Applied - Classical
- Two contrasting (era, style) solo works (or movements) at Fr. VIII RCM level or above
When submitting the audition form, please include the following information:
- Instrument and style
- Your choice: a) In-person audition OR b) pre-recorded video
- Indicate if you have completed RCM Advanced Rudiments (formerly called Grade II Rudiments) or equivalent (NOTE: This is not required at the time of audition, but will be required before course enrolment)
Requirements
The requirements for a Music Performance Minor in the Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering are the successful completion of the following courses:
- PMU299Y1Y: Applied Performance (CS) 1.0 credit weight
- TMU130H1F: Music Theory I (CS) 0.5 credit weight
- ECE446H1F: Audio Acoustics and Sensing (TE/TES/FE/EXT) 0.5 credit weight
- Two other electives (1.0 FCE) from the list of designated courses or departmental thesis and design courses subject to the following constraints:
a. At least one elective (0.5 FCE) must come from the Technical (T) category.
b. A thesis or design course can count for up to two (half-year) courses towards the two elective courses if the course is strongly related to music. This requires approval by the Minor Director.c. The courses listed below may be considered eligible electives for students taking the Music Minor, subject to the student meeting any prerequisite requirements. Students must also seek the approval of their home program to ensure that they meet their degree requirements. In situations where these courses do not meet those of their home program, students can elect to take these courses as extra courses (EXT).
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- DMU111H1: Introduction to Computer Applications in Music (FE/EXT) 0.5 credit weight, T category (formerly TMU111)
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- DMU313H1: Introduction to Music Recording (TES/FE/EXT) 0.5 credit weight, T category (formerly TMU313)
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- DMU406H1: Max/MSP (TES/FE/EXT) 0.5 credit weight, T category (formerly TMU406)
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- Music Related Thesis or Capstone (TE) 0.5 or 1.0 credit weight, T category
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- HMU111H1: Introduction to Music & Society (HSS) 0.5 credit weight
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- TMU131H1: Music Theory II (CS) 0.5 credit weight
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- Any cultural or historical MUS course (excluding vocal and instrumental performance courses)
Note for electives: The Faculty of Arts & Science updates the list of MUS courses offered each year. For 2025-2026, the course offerings are:
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- MUS200H1 F – music of the World’s Peoples
- MUS207H1 F – Music for Orchestra
- MUS215H1 S – Performing Arts of East Asia
- MUS111H1 S – Historical Survey of Western Music
- MUS305H1 F – Latin American and Caribbean Music
- MUS306H1 S – Popular Music in North America