NOTICE:  The Diploma in Advanced Music Performance Studies program is currently suspended and therefore no new applications are being accepted.

There is a new repertoire focus in the Diploma in Advanced Music Performance Studies (DAMPS). The diploma is a two-year, 30 credit program. Two recitals (6 credits each) and two private instruction courses (3 credits each year, at 1.5 hours per week) constitute the core courses. The remaining 12 credits may be drawn from the following courses as well as other electives available within the program (e.g. an ensemble workshop with a focus on new music, where students will be playing contemporary music with prominent guest musicians).

Teachers in the program include Lori Freedman (Clarinets), Clemens Merkel (Violin), Guy Pelletier (Flute), Jocelyn Veilleux (Horn) and many other stars of the Montreal new music scene – including "Ensemble Transmission" and "Quatuor Bozzini" - as well as international guest artists regularly invited from Europe, Asia and the Americas.

AMPS 515 Seminar Workshop in Performance Skills
Performing with Music Technology (3 Credits)

Music Technology, whether fixed or interactive, has become a staple of new music performance. This course will address questions related to performing works with technological support, including questions such as “how to read a score with technology instructions”, “working with microphones/computer setups (what does a computer do to your sound)”, “how to prepare for and what to expect at a tech rehearsal”, “how to collaborate with music technicians and computer musicians (vocabulary, expectations, conventions, time management issues etc.)”. The course will also include a practical component where students would work with computer musicians and music technicians.

AMPS 501 Performance Practices
From Analysis to Performance (3 Credits)

This course examines the musicological, aesthetic and dramaturgical aspects of putting together an enlightening and exciting recital program. Themes will include: “important living composers and streams of thought and aesthetics in new music worldwide”, “which pieces to choose for which reasons”, “how to decide on the sequence of works”, “how to write interesting and useful program notes” and “how to effectively present a recital program to prospective venues, festivals and agents”, etc. As the research materials in most of contemporary music are not yet in the public domain, this course will include techniques for background and context research on contemporary works as well as excursions to concerts of contemporary music. Musicians and new music presenters will visit the course to present aspects of new music life in Canada and Quebec.

AMPS 598 Special Topics in Music Performance Studies
Comprovisation, Interdisciplinary, Inter-traditional Music (3 Credits)

This project course will offer performance-based exploration of comprovisation collaborative work, both intramusical and interdisciplinary, together with regular seminar sessions on subjects such as “comprovisation model", “how different arts disciplines use the senses”, “non-traditional techniques of ensemble interpretation”, “aesthetics of interactive music”, "playing with musicians/instruments from other music traditions," etc. Students will be encouraged upon to create a common project with artists from other disciplines, other music traditions or with interactive technology.

Audition Dates and Requirements