Master of Music in Instrumental Performance is a two-year, course-intensive training program for musicians of orchestral instruments, including woodwinds, strings, brass, percussion, guitar, harp, saxophone, and accordion. Students study music history, theory, and performance practice while refining their musical skills through personalized studio lessons and ensemble participation.
Why it stands out
The program has a decades-long track record of training exceptional orchestral musicians. In partnership with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, the Canadian Opera Company Orchestra, and other professional organizations, it offers students ample opportunities to train with distinguished professional musicians.
Who it's for
Curious and motivated performance students interested in applying a scholarly understanding of music to their music-making are ideal participants in this program.
Outcomes
Opportunities for study
Students learn from leading scholars and musicians and gain invaluable experience playing in large and small ensembles. They emerge as more complete and better-informed musicians.
Opportunities after graduation
Program graduates typically pursue careers as performing musicians and teachers. They also work as arts administrators, journalists, broadcasters, and researchers.
Postgraduate opportunities
Successful graduates qualify to apply for entry into the Doctor of Musical Arts in Performance, Orchestral Instruments program.
Studying accordion at the University of Toronto with Professor Macerollo changed my life, and he opened doors for me to a multifaceted professional career in performance. Prof. Macerollo’s rigorous intellectual and artistic training transformed me from a ‘folk accordionist interested in classical music’ to a multifaceted artist experienced in baroque, contemporary, improvised, and avant-garde music of many types. In the rich U of T musical environment, I was welcomed by faculty, composers, students, and myriad ensembles who wanted to collaborate—performing over 50 premieres written by up-and-coming student composers during my degrees. My professional career as a performer was also launched during this time, and the musical toolkit from my studies continues to serve me on some of North America’s largest stages—from The Metropolitan Opera, to symphonies across this continent, to my touring groups, Bridge & Wolak and Ladom Ensemble.
– Michael Bridge
Bachelor of Music in Performance 2015 - Accordion Master of Music in Performance 2017 - Accordion Doctor of Musical Arts 2023 - Accordion Performance
During my time as a Master's student at the University of Toronto's Faculty of Music, I had an enriching and transformative experience. I chose the University of Toronto because of its world-class faculty and being challenged by different perspectives. As a performance major I received specialized instruction for my instrument, wonderful masterclass opportunities and experiences as a teaching assistant within my area of expertise. My experiences in the trombone, brass chamber and larger ensembles are highlights of my time there, as these experiences have also prepared me for a career within the commercial and freelance world within Toronto. Toronto has many different groups and musical experiences that are perfect for a young person to seek out and explore in a rich and culturally diverse city. I am grateful to call Toronto my new home and to have studied at the U of T’s Music Faculty.
– Dominic Ghiglione
Master of Music in Performance 2023 - Trombone
One thing that really stands out to me when reflecting on my time at U of T is the meaningful relationships I made throughout my masters degree. There is plenty to be said about the quality of education, the standard of performance, and the fantastic central location of the school and the city, but the ability to be surrounded by fantastic like-minded musicians across various disciplines? That cannot be beat. I made my best friends at this school, and they also happen to be future lifelong collaborators. I am wholly grateful to my time at U of T for bringing us together.
– Jacob Valcheff
Bachelor of Music 2020 - Music Education (Percussion) Advanced Certificate in Performance 2021 - Percussion Master of Music in Performance 2023 - Percussion
The program’s core consists of individual instruction in the student’s primary performance medium (the equivalent of two full-year courses) in preparation for two recitals candidates are required to perform during their program. Students also study critical approaches to music history, music analysis, and historical performance (the equivalent of two full-year courses). Subject to audition, brass, percussion, strings, and woodwinds students may gain credit for performing in a large ensemble (the equivalent of one full-year course).
Electives
The Music Faculty provides an approved list of electives from which students choose the equivalent of three full-year courses. Students not engaged in large ensemble performances choose additional electives (the equivalent of one full-year course).
Ensembles
Students perform with the University of Toronto Symphony Orchestra (UTSO), the University of Toronto Chamber Orchestra (UTCO), the University of Toronto Wind Ensemble (UTWE), and the University of Toronto Wind Symphony (UTWS). They also have options for playing with early music groups such as the Collegium Musicum and modern music groups such as the gamUT Contemporary Ensemble.
The opportunity to study with highly knowledgeable, kind, and forward-thinking professors, the variety of courses available, and the fact that I was able to explore various subjects of interest, were some of the factors that influenced my decision to pursue a M.Mus. and D.M.A. in Organ Performance at U of T, after having completed my B.Mus. in History & Theory (with a minor in historical keyboard) there. I’ve also enjoyed the opportunities to gain practical experience, including through working as a teaching assistant and course instructor while as a graduate student, and appreciate the wonderful connections I’ve made with other musicians, scholars, and educators at the Faculty of Music.
– Stefani Bedin
Bachelor of Music 2017 - History, Culture & Theory (Organ) Master of Music 2019 - Organ Performance Current Doctor of Musical Arts candidate - Organ Performance
One thing that really stands out to me when reflecting on my time at U of T is the meaningful relationships I made throughout my masters degree. There is plenty to be said about the quality of education, the standard of performance, and the fantastic central location of the school and the city, but the ability to be surrounded by fantastic like-minded musicians across various disciplines? That cannot be beat. I made my best friends at this school, and they also happen to be future lifelong collaborators. I am wholly grateful to my time at U of T for bringing us together.– Jacob Valcheff
