Students in the 2019 Musical Theatre Ensemble perform a duet

Community music programs and recording studio

In addition to offering a strong academic program, our faculty is a leader in music education for all ages, whether for personal enjoyment or professional development. We invite outside groups and individuals to explore the recording production options offered by the Desautels recording studio.

A musician plays electric guitar in concert

Micro-Certificate in Songmaking

New for 2023, the one-year Micro-Certificate in Songmaking gives musicians of popular genres the essential skills they need to write, record, produce, and promote their music, all while being mentored by notable industry professionals.

Registration information for the program's first intake will be available soon. Musicians interested in the program should submit the Expression of Interest form at right to be alerted when registration information is available.

Join us at our open house

  • Two students from the Desautels Faculty of Music perform together on stage, both are washed in a purple spotlight.
  • Every fall we host an open house for Grade 11 and 12 students interested in post-secondary studies in music. 

    Students spend the day attending classes, rehearsals, and performances with our Desautels Faculty of Music students. They also have a chance to talk with our professors and students and play in an ensemble. 

    Stay tuned for upcoming 2022 dates and events!   

Performances and lectures

In a normal year, the Desautels Faculty of Music presents more than 200 performances that are open to the public. Whether you are interested in jazz, opera, classical, musical theatre, choral or new music, you will find our students and faculty performing a wide range of repertoire.

Alumni

Inspired and inspiring, our graduates are blazing new trails to excellence. Desautels alumni have achieved global recognition in every field of music. You will find them performing at the National Arts Centre, La Scala, Jazz at Lincoln Centre, Carnegie Hall, the Ravinia Festival, Concertgebouw (Amsterdam) and the Banff Centre for Fine Arts. Their accomplishments inspire the hundreds of music students who attend our university every year.

News and stories

Inspiring new spaces: The Taché Arts Project

Thanks to the support of our generous donors through the Taché Arts Project, music students at the University of Manitoba have access to a modern arts complex, filled with inspiring spaces where students can learn, create and collaborate.

The centrepiece of the project is Taché Hall, the university’s most iconic and historic building. This former student residence has been transformed into the hub and gathering space for studies in music, theatre and visual arts.

The century-old character of Taché Hall now intersects with the contemporary architecture of ARTlab and the sleek, light-filled atrium of the newly constructed music addition. Music students now learn in some of the most modern and technologically advanced facilities at any university in Canada. This melding of historic and modern reflects the artistic traditions of the past and the pathway to innovations of the future.

The Taché Arts Project is truly the centre of culture on campus and a valuable new asset for the community. Public funders and donors are helping to make these improvements possible.

The Desautels Concert Hall

The next phase of the Taché Arts Project is construction of the new Desautels Concert Hall, supported by a generous $2.5 million gift from Dr. Michael Nesbitt. This venue will be custom-designed for acoustic excellence and fully equipped to provide the best possible experience for both performers and audiences. The performance facility will be connected to the new music rehearsal and recording centre, as well as to the main campus residence.

Features will include professional-grade sound recording equipment, control booth, orchestra pit, and orchestra/choir staging area, box office, dressing rooms and green room. The concert hall will be equipped to mount a variety of live performing arts productions, both from within the university and from the broader Winnipeg arts community.

Giving to the Desautels Faculty of Music

We are grateful for the support of our many donors, who have made the Taché Arts Project possible and have provided financial support to 60 per cent of our students. If you are interested in joining our community of donors, your gift can be directed to the Taché Arts Project or a bursary or scholarship of your choice.

To learn more about the Taché Arts Project, scholarships and bursaries, and other opportunities to provide support, please contact:

Contact us

Desautels Faculty of Music
Room 319, Taché Hall
150 Dafoe Road
University of Manitoba (Fort Garry campus)
Winnipeg, Manitoba R3T 2N2 Canada

204-474-9310
204-474-7546