The Department of Music at Laurentian University was founded in 1978 at Huntington College, in collaboration with the Department of Music at Cambrian College, after approval by the Board of Regents, as well as the Senate and Board of Governors of Laurentian University. At that time, the first General Bachelor of Arts in Music (three-year program) was offered to the Sudbury community. The model for this program was the B.A. in Music offered at Algoma University College, which had been formulated by John Beckwith from the University of Toronto.
The next historical step occurred in 1983-84, when the Honours Bachelor of Arts in Music (four-year program) was first offered in order to enable our students to enroll in the secondary school level for their Bachelor of Education. The Honours degree has become the program of choice for the majority of students. We continue to be proud of our graduates, many of whom are now teaching in both elementary and secondary schools in the Greater Sudbury area, producing award-winning ensembles at the district and national level, and encouraging their students in turn to pursue post-secondary music education at their alma mater.
The two most significant changes occurred in 2006, when Laurentian University officially adopted the Department of Music, bringing it under its auspices, and in 2007, when the Department moved to its new facility in the School of Education. Students have greeted their new practice rooms and classrooms with great enthusiasm, and the music enclave serves as a draw to prospective students as well.
Other academic changes have included the introduction of a Concurrent Program in Education in 2004, which has become extremely popular. Students may take their B.A. in Music at the same time as courses pursuant to preparation for their Bachelor of Education. Many music courses are listed as optional integration courses in this program. In addition, the interdisciplinary Bachelor of Fine Arts instituted in 2000 has been revamped into a specialist in music degree in either Music or Music Performance in 2013. With the restructuring of all B.A. programs in the new Faculty of Arts came the creation of minors in Music and Music History, so students in other disciplines can retain and acquire their musical skills, all helpful for future teachers. In addition, several music courses are part of interdisciplinary programs and certificates at the university, such as Early Modern Studies, English (Rhetoric and Media Studies), and Gerontology. The Department also serves as host to the Northern Ontario Music Festival Honour Concert Band program.
With respect to student musical life, our student ensembles, such as Laurentian University Choir, and the Laurentian Concert Band, continue to thrive, with their performances serving as highpoints in the concert season. Since its inception in 2007, the latter has garnered success at the Northern Ontario Music Festival. The Laurentian University Choir for over twenty years has presented large choral works such aws Messiah and Carmina Burana. The Laurentian Jazz Ensemble has been invited to perform at the Jazz Sudbury Festival, with such legends as Oliver Jones. This ensemble's high artistic standard never fails to meet expectations. In addition, many of our students have enjoyed success in pursuing graduate studies in areas of ethnomusicology, musicology, and performance (flute, piano and voice). The Music Students Association is a vital part of our department, providing assistance to 1st-year and auditioning students. Music students and graduates are our best salespeople, aiding us as we move forward to meet any future challenges.