Carleton University has long been among Canada’s leading centres for scholarship on Canadian cultural heritage. SSAC/Music’s new “Certificate in Carillon Studies” opens a new performance-studies option to both Canadian and International music students, and contributes to the continuing recognition of the cultural and historical significance of Canada’s national carillon on Parliament Hill.
One of the world’s most monumental carillons was installed in the Peace Tower of Parliament Hill in 1927. In 1936, the Guild of Carillonneurs in North America (GCNA) was founded in Ottawa at a congress hosted by Percival Price, Canada’s first Dominion Carillonneur. Seventy-five years later, the GCNA still continues to consider Ottawa’s National Carillon its historic “ground zero.” Yet while numerous carillon degree- and diploma-programs exist in both the U.S.A. and Europe, no Canadian University has previously offered post-secondary certification in Carillon studies. Carleton University is therefore proud to announce the launch of this new program, offered in collaboration with Parliament Hill and Dr. Andrea McCrady, Canada’s Dominion-Carillonneur. Students interested in applying for admission to this program should contact James McGowan, Supervisor of Performance Studies (james.mcgowan@carleton.ca) for further information. (Details about admission and the program of study are listed below.)
Dr. Andrea McCrady (pictured at right, photo courtesy of the House of Commons, Heritage Collection) was appointed Dominion Carillonneur (Canada’s fifth) by the House of Commons in 2008. In 2011, she joined the Carleton University Associate Performance Faculty (Carillon Studies).
Thanks to a generous donation by Carleton alumnus Dianne Parsonage (shown at left with Bachelor of Music student Anna-Sophie Neher), the University has installed a practice carillon in a specially-designed room on the campus. Carleton’s carillon students will practice on the campus instrument, and perform periodically on the Parliament Hill Peace Tower instrument. Carleton University has long been among Canada’s leading centres for scholarship on Canadian cultural heritage. Carleton’s carillon program opens a new performance-studies option to both Canadian and International music students, and contributes to the continuing recognition of the cultural and historical significance of Canada’s national carillon on Parliament Hill.
The Carleton University Music Department has existed since 1967, and the performance program was introduced in 1975. In 1991 the School for Studies in Art and Culture (SSAC) – of which Music is a division, together with Art History and Film Studies – was formed. SSAC/Music currently offers a wide range of innovative courses and programs, including the Honours Bachelor of Music, Honours Bachelor of Arts (Music), and Master of Arts degrees. Carleton’s Bachelor of Music program was one of the first on the continent to offer performance degrees to students studying a broad range of musical genres, including classical, jazz, pop, rock, folk, music theatre and world music styles.
Certificate in Carillon Studies (4.0 credits)
Admission Requirements
To be eligible for admission to the Certificate in Carillon Studies, applicants must have:
- Successful audition (a minimum piano proficiency level equivalent to Royal Conservatory of Music Grade 8 is expected)
- Grade II Theory Rudiments, Royal Conservatory of Music (or equivalent)
- Approval of the relevant SSAC/Music Associate Performance Instructor (normally the Dominion Carillonneur)
- Approval of the Music Program
[ For additional admission requirements, please check the Admissions site here. ]
Year One (2.0 credits):
Requirements
1. 1.0 credit in Performance Studies:
MUSI 1900 [0.5] Performance I
MUSI 1901 [0.5] Performance II
2. 0.5 credit from:
MUSI 1000 [0.5] Introduction to the Study of Music
MUSI 1001 [0.5] A History of Western Classical Music: Medieval to Present
MUSI 1710 [0.5] Theoretical Studies: Aural Training I
3. 0.5 credit from:
Music elective approved by both the Dominion Carillonneur and the Supervisor of Performance Studies
Specialized studies course (MUSI 4201, MUSI 4205, MUSI 4206, MUSI 4209)
Practicum internship course (MUSI 4800, MUSI 4801)
Total Credits for Year One: 2.0
Year Two (2.0 credits):
Requirements
1. 1.0 credit in Performance Studies:
MUSI 2900 [0.5] Performance III
MUSI 2901 [0.5] Performance IV
2. 0.5 credit from:
Canadian Music (MUSI 3103, MUSI 3104, MUSI 4103 or MUSI 4104)
Composition (MUSI 2602)
3. 0.5 credit from:
Music elective approved by both the Dominion Carillonneur and the Supervisor of Performance Studies
Specialized studies course (MUSI 4201, MUSI 4205, MUSI 4206, MUSI 4209)
Practicum internship course (MUSI 4800, MUSI 4801)
Total Credits for Year Two: 2.0
While the Certificate in Carillon Studies may be completed as an independent, stand-alone certificate, all courses taken in completion of the curriculum outlined above may be applied for credit toward the Bachelor of Music or B.A. Music degrees, should a certificate student opt to apply for acceptance to one of these programs. Since the courses are transferable in this way, it will also be possible for students currently enrolled in one of Carleton’s undergraduate Music programs to concurrently complete the Certificate in Carillon Studies.