Mount Allison Department of Music

10/14/2026

Maclean’s has released its 2027 University Rankings and Mount Allison has once again been ranked #1 in Canada in its category!

Maclean’s has introduced a new methodology and categories this year. Previously, universities were grouped by type — Medical Doctoral, Comprehensive, and Primarily Undergraduate. They are now grouped by full-time student population size: Large (30,000+), Mid-Size (10,000–30,000), and Small (Under 10,000).

This means Mount Allison is now being compared with institutions with different full-time student populations and profiles, including universities with up to 10,000 full-time students. Mount Allison’s current student population is just over 2,400.

Mount Allison has been ranked #1 in the Small University category! The University has ranked #1 in the previous primarily undergraduate category more times than any other university (26 out of 35 years).

Read full story: https://brnw.ch/21x6pqw

10/14/2026

James Ehnes’ 50th Canada Birthday Tour – Sackville Recital
16th J.E.A. Crake Concert
Monday, October 19 in Brunton Auditorium
8pm concert start time; doors open at 7:30pm

We are delighted to be welcoming one of the world’s finest violinists to the Department of Music next week!

Renowned Canadian violinist James Ehnes will be performing with pianist Andrew Armstrong on his 50th Canada Birthday Tour. This is their only stop in New Brunswick, presented with the generous support of the J.E.A. Crake Foundation.

The concert program will include Sinding’s Suite im alten Stil, Brahms’ Sonata No. 3, Bartók’s Rhapsody No. 1, and Carmen Braden’s Imaginal, for violin and piano, commissioned by the Northern Arts and Cultural Centre (lead commissioner), Mount Allison University, and other partners.

Tickets are required and may be purchased at the link below.
Don’t delay, as this concert may sell out, and tickets may not be available at the door.
Tickets: https://ehnes2026sackville.eventbrite.ca

We hope to see you in Brunton Auditorium for this very special event!

10/13/2026

MtA Admission and Scholarships – Application now open!

Interested in the BMus or BMusEd program?
Remember to submit your Music supplemental application and book your audition date!
For details, see https://mta.ca/admissions/how-apply/applying-bachelor-music-and-bachelor-music-education
Application deadline: February 1, 2027

Thinking of attending Mount Allison starting in Fall 2027? Our application for the 2027-28 academic year is now open!

With one application for admission and scholarships, applying is easy 👉 mta.ca/apply

There are a few things you can prepare ahead of time to make it even easier:

1️⃣ CHOOSE WHAT TO STUDY

On your application, you'll need to choose what degree you want to pursue at Mount Allison. You have seven degrees to choose from:

▸ Bachelor of Arts (BA)
▸ Bachelor of Science (BSc)
▸ Bachelor of Commerce (BComm)
▸ Bachelor of Music (BMus)
▸ Bachelor of Music Education (BMusEd)
▸ Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA)
▸ Bachelor of Arts and Science (BASc)

Students only need to declare their chosen major at the end of their second year. A major is your primary area of study designed to be approx. half of the coursework you complete towards your chosen degree.

2️⃣ CHECK OUR ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Once you've chosen a degree, check to see if you meet our admission requirements. Requirements vary based on the degree you're applying to, your level of education completed, and the country you live in.

3️⃣ FIND THE BEST TIME TO APPLY

The application to start Mount Allison in September 2027 is now open! Your supporting documents will depend on when you apply:

▸ Early admission (Oct.-Jan.)
▸ General admission (Feb.-Aug.)

Deadline to apply for scholarships and bursaries: March 1

4️⃣ REVIEW WHAT WE’LL NEED FROM YOU

You'll need to prepare supporting documents, depending on what type of student you are. For example, high school students need to submit transcripts.

To be considered for scholarships and bursaries, you should also include additional information on your application, such as:

▸ activities and interests
▸ work experience
▸ awards, honours, and achievements
▸ letters of reference

Your application and all supporting documents must be received by March 1.

👉 FULL DETAILS: mta.ca/admissions/you-apply

10/06/2026

MtA Music Ensembles: Pops Concert
Friday October 9, 7:30pm, Convocation Hall

This year’s evening Pops program—Songs of the Sea—will take audience members on a guided voyage through some of the many evocative ways water and the ocean are portrayed in music. The concert will feature performances by Music Department ensembles: Symphonic Band, Choral Society, Jazz Ensemble, and Chamber Orchestra.

Free admission, with donations received for student scholarships and awards.

10/04/2026

Coffee Concert: Divine Dowland
Lutenist Lucas Harris with Mount Allison voice students
Wednesday October 7, 5:30 pm
Cranewood on Main, 113 Main Street, Sackville, NB

“Divine Dowland” celebrates the enduring artistry of John Dowland through an intimate program of Renaissance lute songs performed by Mount Allison voice students and renowned lutenist Lucas Harris. Set within the welcoming atmosphere of Cranewood on Main, this Coffee Concert invites audiences to experience the emotional depth, elegance, and storytelling of Dowland’s music while discovering the rich cultural world from which it emerged.

Presented in partnership with the Sackville Festival of Early Music, the performance is accompanied by creative, student-developed historical and audio installations created by the European Art Music to 1750 class, which deepen the concert experience.

For ticket details, visit https://sackvilleearlymusic.com/

10/04/2026

The Barra MacNeils are celebrating 40 years — and we’re celebrating with them.

If you attended MtA while the MacNeil siblings were there, you know exactly how much fun this is going to be. And there will be garlic fingers and pizza at intermission.

Make plans to join us on October 24th at Pier 21. General admission is $50, or gather seven of your favourite people and reserve a table for eight surrounding the dance floor ($400 per table).

Register today: https://barrashalifaxmta.eventbrite.ca

10/02/2026

Mount Allison Honour Band Day
Teacher recommendations due soon!

On Saturday, October 31, MtA Music will welcome brass, woodwind, and percussion students from across the Maritimes for an enjoyable day of rehearsal and performance. Nominate a student today for our Garnet and Gold Honour Bands – deadline is Friday, October 9!

Schedule and link to the recommendation form may be found at mta.ca/music/outreach/

10/01/2026

Sweet Silent Thought: English Lute Songs
𝗟𝘂𝗰𝗮𝘀 𝗛𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗶𝘀, lute and 𝗣𝗮𝘂𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗮 𝗙𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗼, soprano

Lute songs by John Dowland and his contemporaries, showcasing the intimate chamber repertoire of the English Renaissance.

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Chants pour luth de John Dowland et de ses contemporains, illustrant le répertoire de chambre intime de la Renaissance anglaise.

🎟️ sackvilleearlymusic.com

09/30/2026