About Community Music
Laurier’s Bachelor of Music in Community Music is based on a world-recognized model of music as social intervention where it is harnessed towards social change, including but not limited to: working with marginalized communities; using music for individual or community development; and using music toward systemic change. Community music as a professional discipline values the diversity of musical cultures and sees all music as cultural practices.
As a student, you will have a significant amount of freedom to design your program to suit your interests, curiosities, and career goals. You will learn a broad suite of skills, from playing various instruments to designing lesson and rehearsal plans to conducting needs assessments for business plans but still have some flexibility to narrow your focus in specific areas of interest.
You are not required to play multiple instruments to be accepted into Community Music, but you will receive training in voice, drumming, and either piano or guitar. Students may also choose to learn other instruments through the technique courses.
You will receive the opportunity to participate in experiential learning placements in a variety of contexts. From schools to nursing homes to libraries to community ensembles to teaching music lessons at community music schools. In your first two years, you will observe or support community musicians already working professionally. In senior years, you will propose, design and implement music programming under the supervision of faculty.
In fourth year, with guidance from a Laurier instructor, you'll have the freedom to create a capstone project that puts your strengths and interests into action. Capstone projects are music initiatives with a social impact.
