Performance (M.Mus.): Piano (Thesis) (45 credits)
Offered by: Music (Schulich School of Music)
Degree: Master of Music
Program credit weight: 45
Program Description
The M.Mus.; Performance Piano program blends performance training with humanities-based scholarship in a vibrant musical environment. The program provides opportunities for chamber music and a range of recital options including solo and chamber music performance, sound recording, and creative interdisciplinary projects.
Students admitted to the M.Mus.; in Performance; Piano program who have undergraduate degrees other than the B.Mus.; Major in Performance Piano from McGill University, may be required to successfully complete one or more undergraduate course(s) before completion of the Master's degree. Students with a B.Mus.; Major in Performance Piano degree from McGill University may be required to successfully complete MUPD 560 Music Information and Research Skills. before completion of the Master's program.
Note: For information about Fall 2025 and Winter 2026 course offerings, please refer to Visual Schedule Builder. A technical issue is causing the "Terms offered" field to incorrectly report "this course is not currently offered" for many courses in the Course Catalogue.
Required Courses (21 credits)
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MUGS 605 | Graduate Performance Colloquium. | 0 |
Graduate Performance Colloquium. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Participation in three professional development workshops or research colloquium approved by the department on topics such as performance pedagogy, academic teaching, music production, copyright, business, grantsmanship, etc. Students participate in each semester of residency until requirements have been met. | ||
| MUPG 683 | Piano Seminar 1. | 1.5 |
Piano Seminar 1. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Content to include comparative studies of recorded solo and ensemble repertoire, and lecture-recital presentations reflecting knowledge of historical context and performance practice. Analysis and discussion will accompany attendance at specific performing events at McGill and beyond, as well as presentations by guest lecturers and piano area faculty. | ||
| MUPG 684 | Piano Seminar 2. | 1.5 |
Piano Seminar 2. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Content to include detailed critiques of in-class teaching, and general discussion of preparation for competitions and academic job applications. Analysis and discussion will accompany attendance at master classes and competitions and beyond, as well as presentations by guest lecturers and piano area faculty. | ||
Thesis Courses
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MUIN 620 | Performance Tutorial 1. | 3 |
Performance Tutorial 1. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Individual instrumental, vocal, conducting, collaborative piano or operatic tutorial. Technical and interpretive development, preparation of thesis performance projects. | ||
| MUIN 621 | Performance Tutorial 2. | 3 |
Performance Tutorial 2. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Additional individual instrumental, vocal, conducting, collaborative piano or operatic tutorial according to area of performing specialization. | ||
| MUIN 622 | Performance Tutorial 3. 1 | 3 |
Performance Tutorial 3. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Individual tutorial according to area of performing specialization. Interpretative preparation of thesis performance projects and development of individual artistic vision. | ||
| MUIN 622D1 | Performance Tutorial 3. 1 | 1.5 |
Performance Tutorial 3. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Individual tutorial according to area of performing specialization. Interpretative preparation of thesis performance projects and development of individual artistic vision. | ||
| MUIN 622D2 | Performance Tutorial 3. 1 | 1.5 |
Performance Tutorial 3. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Individual tutorial according to area of performing specialization. Interpretative preparation of thesis performance projects and development of individual artistic vision. | ||
| MUPG 600 | Recital Project 1. | 9 |
Recital Project 1. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Solo recital, collaborative piano recital, conducting recital or principal Opera Role (by audition) with program notes. | ||
- 1
Students may take MUIN 622 Performance Tutorial 3. or MUIN 622D1 Performance Tutorial 3. and MUIN 622D2 Performance Tutorial 3..
Complementary Courses (24 credits)
9 credits from the following:
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MUPG 601 | Recital Project 2. | 9 |
Recital Project 2. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Solo recital, collaborative piano recital, conducting recital or principal opera role (by audition) with program notes. May include chamber music providing none of the repertoire was prepared in a chamber ensemble taken for credit. | ||
| MUPG 602 | Recital Project 3. | 6 |
Recital Project 3. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Recital, conducting recital or featured opera role (by audition) with program notes. | ||
| MUPG 603 | Recital Project 4. | 3 |
Recital Project 4. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Concerto performance with accompaniment or supporting opera role (by audition) with program notes. | ||
| MUPG 604 | Chamber Music Recital. | 6 |
Chamber Music Recital. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Chamber Music Recital with program notes. Repertoire may not include works performed in MUEN courses. Various instrumentations permitted as long as student performs in all works. | ||
| MUPG 606 | Interdisciplinary Project 1. 1 | 3 |
Interdisciplinary Project 1. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Research-creation involving collaboration between different disciplines resulting in a new work, interpretation or contribution to knowledge presented in public or through recorded media (e.g., performer and composer; performer and actor/dancer; performer and CIRMMT researcher; performer and sound recording student) with program notes as relevant. | ||
| MUPG 607 | Interdisciplinary Project 2. 1 | 6 |
Interdisciplinary Project 2. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Research-creation involving collaboration between different disciplines resulting in a new work, interpretation or contribution to knowledge presented in public (i.e., performer-composer commission); performance and actor/dancer collaboration, participant as co-researcher in CIRMMT study including participation in analysis of data, etc.) with program notes as relevant. | ||
- 1
If chosen, students may take either MUPG 606 Interdisciplinary Project 1. or MUPG 607 Interdisciplinary Project 2..
9 credits at the 500 level or higher, to be chosen from the Schulich School of Music’s seminar offerings; 3 of the 9 credits must have a MUCO, MUGS, MUGT, MUHL, MUMT, MUPP or MUTH subject code.
6 credits from the following:
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MUEN 540 | Chamber Music Project 1. | 0.5 |
Chamber Music Project 1. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Chamber music ensemble for various instruments. | ||
| MUEN 541 | Chamber Music Project 2. | 0.5 |
Chamber Music Project 2. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Chamber music ensemble for various instruments. | ||
| MUEN 553 | Vocal Chamber Ensemble. | 1 |
Vocal Chamber Ensemble. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Vocal ensemble repertoire written after 1800. | ||
| MUEN 560 | Chamber Music Ensemble. | 1 |
Chamber Music Ensemble. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Ensemble for chamber music - various instruments. | ||
| MUEN 561 | 2nd Chamber Music Ensemble. | 1 |
2nd Chamber Music Ensemble. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Chamber music of the Medieval, Renaissance and Baroque periods. | ||
| MUEN 568 | Multiple Ensemble 1. | 1 |
Multiple Ensemble 1. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Special arrangement ensemble. Topic varies by year. | ||
| MUEN 569 | Tabla Ensemble. | 1 |
Tabla Ensemble. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Performance and practice of the tabla of North India. | ||
| MUEN 578 | Song Interpretation 1. | 1 |
Song Interpretation 1. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Normally open only to Voice and Piano Performance students. Study of the standard song repertoire with emphasis on the singer and pianist as partners. A public recital will be given at the end of each term. | ||
| MUEN 579 | Song Interpretation 2. | 1 |
Song Interpretation 2. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Study of song repertoire for singers and pianists. | ||
| MUEN 582 | Piano Ensembles. | 1 |
Piano Ensembles. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Ensemble playing in two-piano and piano 4-hand repertoire. | ||
| MUEN 584 | Studio Accompanying. | 1 |
Studio Accompanying. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Highly qualified collaborative partners will be assigned to work independently with studio teachers and their students. | ||
| MUEN 585 | Sonata Masterclass. | 1 |
Sonata Masterclass. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Exploration of the vast literature for sonatas with piano and instrument, including multiple issues of ensemble preparation and performing. | ||
| MUEN 588 | Multiple Ensemble 2. | 1 |
Multiple Ensemble 2. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Special arrangement ensemble. Topic varies by year. | ||
| MUEN 590 | McGill Wind Orchestra. | 2 |
McGill Wind Orchestra. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Large ensemble for wind instruments. | ||
| MUEN 594 | Contemporary Music Ensemble. | 2 |
Contemporary Music Ensemble. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Ensemble for contemporary music - instruments and voice. | ||
| MUEN 597 | McGill Symphony Orchestra. | 2 |
McGill Symphony Orchestra. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Ensemble for orchestral instruments. | ||
| MUEN 688 | Multiple Ensembles. | 2 |
Multiple Ensembles. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Student participation in more than one ensemble in different concert periods over the course of a term. | ||
| MUPD 580 | Piano Pedagogy Practicum. | 2 |
Piano Pedagogy Practicum. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Observation of studio and master class teaching, videotaped private instruction, and adjudication of student performances. | ||
| MUPG 571 | Free Improvisation 1. | 1 |
Free Improvisation 1. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Introduction to the creative practice of improvisation for performers. The course focuses on the development of listening as applied to the practice of collective and solo improvisation. | ||
| MUPG 572D1 | Free Improvisation 2. | 0.5 |
Free Improvisation 2. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. This course is designed for performers who want to develop their skills as advanced improvisers. Both collective and solo contexts are addressed as performance practices, touching upon the history of improvisation as well as current trends. | ||
| MUPG 572D2 | Free Improvisation 2. | 0.5 |
Free Improvisation 2. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. This course is designed for performers who want to develop their skills as advanced improvisers. Both collective and solo contexts are addressed as performance practices, touching upon the history of improvisation as well as current trends. | ||
| MUPG 670 | Advanced Continuo 1. | 2 |
Advanced Continuo 1. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. A historically-oriented study of the principles of figured bass. Standard idioms from historical treatises will be introduced. Preparation of operatic excerpts from the standard high Baroque repertory is required. | ||
| MUPG 670D1 | Advanced Continuo 1. | 1 |
Advanced Continuo 1. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. A historically-oriented study of the principles of figured bass. Standard idioms from historical treatises will be introduced. Preparation of operatic excerpts from the standard high Baroque repertory is required. | ||
| MUPG 670D2 | Advanced Continuo 1. | 1 |
Advanced Continuo 1. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. For description see MUPG 670D1. | ||
| MUPG 671 | Advanced Continuo 2. | 2 |
Advanced Continuo 2. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. A study of the many different styles of figured bass accompaniment as revealed in contemporary sources. The emphasis will be on realization at the keyboard of representative 17th- and 18th- century operatic recitatives and arias. | ||
| MUPG 671D1 | Advanced Continuo 2. | 1 |
Advanced Continuo 2. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. A study of the many different styles of figured bass accompaniment as revealed in contemporary sources. The emphasis will be on realization at the keyboard of representative 17th- and 18th- century operatic recitatives and arias. | ||
| MUPG 671D2 | Advanced Continuo 2. | 1 |
Advanced Continuo 2. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. For description see MUPG 671D1. | ||
| MUPG 687 | Collaborative Piano Repertoire 1: Song. | 1 |
Collaborative Piano Repertoire 1: Song. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Issues in collaborative piano song repertoire and performance in different genres and musical styles. | ||
| MUPG 688 | Collaborative Piano Repertoire 2: Instrumental. | 1 |
Collaborative Piano Repertoire 2: Instrumental. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Issues in collaborative piano instrumental repertoire and performance in different genres and musical styles. | ||
| MUPG 689 | Collaborative Piano Rep.3: Orch. Reduction, Opera, Oratorio. | 1 |
Collaborative Piano Rep.3: Orch. Reduction, Opera, Oratorio. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Issues in collaborative piano orchestral reduction, opera, oratorio and performance in different genres and musical styles. | ||
