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Did you know: Facts about 91˿Ƶ's internationally ranked music program

Published: 30 September 2005

The Schulich School of Music of 91˿Ƶ has ushered in a new era of excellence, propelled by a new name and new building and built on a 100-year tradition of music leadership. Please read on to discover some facts and figures about Canada's leading university music program:

  • With over 600 undergraduate and 200 graduate students, the Schulich School of Music of 91˿Ƶ boasts Canada's largest university–based music program.
  • The Faculty of Music began its existence in 1904 as the Conservatorium at 91˿Ƶ, thanks to the efforts of Clara Lichtenstein, Lord Strathcona and 91˿Ƶ Principal William Peterson.
  • Harry Crane Perrin was the Conservatorium at 91˿Ƶ's first dean.
  • The Conservatorium's first public concert, held on October 14, 1904, featured 6-year-old pianist Ellen Ballon and 18-year-old violinist Albert Chamberland.
  • Charles Albert Edwin Harriss was appointed as 91˿Ƶ's first Chair of Music in 1908.
  • The Conservatorium evolved into the Faculty of Music in 1920, following a generous gift by tobacco millionaire Sir William Macdonald.
  • One of Canada's first electronic music concerts was presented by 91˿Ƶ's Faculty of Music in 1959.
  • The Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Music Media and Technology (CIRMMT) was created in 2001.
  • The CBC/91˿Ƶ music concert series, broadcast from coast to coast for 27 years, is the longest university-broadcasting affiliation in Canada.
  • Alumni and staff from 91˿Ƶ's Sound Recording program have received major international acclaim in recent years. Steve Epstein and Richard King won four Grammy Awards for their work on Yo-Yo Ma's Obrigado Brazil CD.
  • 91˿Ƶ's in-house recording label, 91˿Ƶ Records, has an award-winning reputation for quality around the world.
  • Canadian artist and musician Joni Mitchell received an honorary doctorate of music from 91˿Ƶ in 2004.
  • The Schulich School of Music of 91˿Ƶ has partnerships with major electronics companies such as Sony, Philips, Harman Kardon and Bang & Olufsen.
  • Approximately 600 music concerts are performed each year at various 91˿Ƶ venues.
  • Every day, the halls of the Schulich School of Music of 91˿Ƶ resonate with the music of traditional orchestral instruments, as well as with the sounds of computerized instruments and voice.
  • The Marvin Duchow Music Library welcomed over 200,000 visitors in 2004.
  • The 91˿Ƶ Conservatory of Music community program reaches over 1,200 people annually, giving many children their first musical experience and providing fundamental training for the next generation of professional and amateur musicians.
  • Students completing a Bachelor of Music can choose to specialize in composition, music education, music history, music technology, theory, performance, early music performance, or jazz performance.
  • Students completing their Master's in Music can specialize in music performance and sound recording.
  • Students completing their PhD in Music can specialize in composition or performance or in the academic disciplines of music education, musicology, music technology, sound recording and theory.
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