Desautels Faculty of Music

Desautels Faculty of Music The Desautels Faculty of Music is developing the next generation of talented music professionals.

Welcome to the Desautels Faculty of Music at the University of Manitoba!

Swipe through for a few of our Fall 2026 music electives 🎶Whether you’re a music major or just curious, there’s a course...
09/01/2026

Swipe through for a few of our Fall 2026 music electives 🎶

Whether you’re a music major or just curious, there’s a course here for you — from songwriting and jazz history to electroacoustic music and the business side of the industry. No prior music background required for most of these courses.

Business of Music — MUSC 3016, A01
Fall 2026: Thursdays, 5:30 - 8:30 pm

Unlock the business side of music! Musicians of any genre will learn from industry pros, with topics ranging from marketing and contracts to artist management and funding.

Introduction to Composition — MUSC 3820
Fall 2026: Mondays/Wednesdays/Fridays 1:30-2:20 pm

Introduction to Composition explores basic components, considerations, and approaches pertaining to music composition. Topics include the compositional process, pitch logic, rhythm, timbre, texture, form, collaboration, rehearsal, and performance. Classes feature lectures, including listening and analysis, as well as exercises and masterclasses. The course culminates with a recital of selected student compositions.

Electroacoustic Music — MUSC 3650
Fall 2026: Tuesdays/Thursdays 10:00 - 11:15 am

Whether your background is in classical music, jazz or popular music, this course will broaden your perspective on what music can be. Instead of working within a single genre, you will explore how any sound can become the foundation for a musical work. You will work with microphones and computer software to create your own music.

Songwriting 1: Mechanics of Songwriting — MUSC 3002
Fall 2026: Mondays, 4:30 - 7:30 pm

This class teaches the craft of songwriting—structure, melody, lyrics, production, and arrangement—through lectures, discussion, and both solo and collaborative writing exercises leading to an end-of-term recital. No background in Western music notation or an instrument is required.

Discovering Jazz — MUSC 1040
Fall 2026: Tuesdays/Thursdays 1:00-2:15 pm

This course is a comprehensive guide for listening to and understanding the genre of jazz. Students will examine how the musical elements of jazz such as improvisation and swing rhythm have evolved and developed from the 1800s to today. This course will also profile some of the

06/16/2026

CALLING ALL HIGH SCHOOL AGED SOLO ARTISTS AND BANDS OF ALL POPULAR GENRES! WE WANT TO HEAR YOUR ORIGINAL MUSIC! 

It’s time to BRING IN THE BANDS! The University of Manitoba and Desautels Faculty of music is excited to present this brand-new opportunity for high-school aged solo artists and bands making their own original music. Submit your songs by November 16, 2026, and if we like what we hear, we’re bringing you, your band, and a chaperone to Winnipeg for BRING IN THE BANDS 2027, where you’ll get a chance to be mentored and accompanied by some of Canada’s best musicians, collaborate with other musicians, grow in your skills, and learn about Manitoba’s diverse music scene. 

Head to umanitoba.ca/music/bring-bands-2027 to read all the submission guidelines and information on this opportunity. Stay tuned for more information including announcements of MENTORS and PRIZES!!! We can’t wait to hear your incredible music when we BRING IN THE BANDS!!

Congratulations to the class of 2026! We are so proud of all you have accomplished and wish you the best as you move int...
06/03/2026

Congratulations to the class of 2026! We are so proud of all you have accomplished and wish you the best as you move into the next stage of your life in music!

Coming Together at the Crossroads: Music Study in Canada in 2026 May 21-24, 2026https://event.fourwaves.com/crossroads/p...
05/15/2026

Coming Together at the Crossroads: Music Study in Canada in 2026

May 21-24, 2026
https://event.fourwaves.com/crossroads/pages
This hybrid conference will bring together members of four scholarly societies — the Canadian University Music Society (MusCan), the Canadian Society for Traditional Music (CSTM), the Canadian Association of Music Libraries (CAML), and the Canadian Network for Musicians’ Health and Wellness (CNMHW) — along with community members, musicians, and artists for dialogue and exchange.

The conference features two special events, open and free to the public. On Thursday, May 21, 2026, Kyle Devine will give the opening keynote lecture, “Recomposed: Music, Climate, Crisis, Change,” at 4:30pm in the Desautels Concert Hall, followed by a 6pm reception catered by Sharecuterie.
We are also welcoming the public to join us at the Desautels Concert Hall on Friday, May 22, 2026 at 7:30pm for a Contemporary Composers’ Concert, featuring new works by Canadian composers Tristan Zaba, Willyn Whiting, Greg Steinke, David Litke, Justin Maisonneuve, and Marko Marinic.

Join us in celebrating Manitoba jazz legend, Ron Paley [BMus/71]. 🎷 On May 23, the Ron Paley Big Band takes the stage fo...
05/14/2026

Join us in celebrating Manitoba jazz legend, Ron Paley [BMus/71]. 🎷 
On May 23, the Ron Paley Big Band takes the stage for a special tribute concert honouring Ron Paley’s extraordinary legacy — and helping launch the Ron Paley Jazz Scholarship Fund to support future students. 
🎟️ Get your tickets: https://www.showpass.com/the-ron-paley-tribute-concert/ 
🎓 Make a gift: https://crowdfunding.umanitoba.ca/project/honouring-ron-paley/

04/28/2026

The Desautels Concert Hall is a one-of-a-kind, state-of-the-art performance venue in the heart of the Fort Garry Campus known for its elegant design and exceptional acoustics.

Home to band and symphonic concerts, musical theatre and opera theatre, TED talks, dance competitions, and more, the Desautels Concert Hall’s configurable stage makes it perfect for performances of all kinds.

Take your place on the stage of the Desautels Concert Hall and visit us online (umanitoba.ca/music) to learn more about our programs and how to apply.

04/08/2026

What does life look like after studying at the University of Manitoba Desautels Faculty of Music?

Hear from some of our outstanding alumni that have used their DFOM education to succeed in their careers as educators, lawyers, healthcare professionals, and of course, musicians.

Start your journey at the Desautels Faculty of Music today! Visit us online (umanitoba.ca/music) to learn more about our programs and how to apply.

Thank You, Winnipeg!May 1, 2026 – 6:00 p.m.Desautels Concert Hall – 150 Dafoe Road A free concert at the Desautels Conce...
04/06/2026

Thank You, Winnipeg!
May 1, 2026 – 6:00 p.m.
Desautels Concert Hall – 150 Dafoe Road

A free concert at the Desautels Concert Hall featuring:
Colin Carr, Cello
Wan-Chi Su, Piano
Ă–rjan Sandred, Composer
Minna Rose Chung, Cello
Stephen Runge, Piano
The C-String Collective with Élie Boissinot, Cello

Tickets are free. Register through the link in bio.

Congratulations to the Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra () , whose album East Meets West: Connections has won the Juno Award for ...
03/31/2026

Congratulations to the Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra () , whose album East Meets West: Connections has won the Juno Award for Jazz Album of the Year (Group)!

UM musicians involved in the project include: faculty Fabio Ragnelli, Will Bonness, Jon Challoner, Karl Kohut, Victoria Sparks, Richard Gillis; retired faculty Larry Roy; alumni and occasional sessional instructors Niall Cade, Neil Watson, Joel Green, Shane Hicks, and Andrew Littleford.

(Pictured: Juno Award Winners - Will Bonness, Jon Challoner, and Karl Kohut with DFoM Instructor Karly Epp and a DFoM student at the UM 2025 Homecoming Concert)

Echoes of Change - University of Manitoba SingersApril 2, 2026 – 7:00 p.m.Crescent Arts Centre – 525 Wardlaw AveLed by ...
03/30/2026

Echoes of Change - University of Manitoba Singers
April 2, 2026 – 7:00 p.m.
Crescent Arts Centre – 525 Wardlaw Ave

Led by Dr. Elroy Friesen, the University of Manitoba Singers present a diverse and exciting program of choral music spanning different languages and eras ahead of their tour to Sweden this spring.

Tickets:
$20 for general and $10 for students. Tickets can be purchased by the link in bio.

Address

150 Dafoe Road
Winnipeg, MB
R3T2N2

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 3pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 3pm
Thursday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Friday 8:30am - 4:30pm

Telephone

+12044749310

Website

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