Wilfrid Laurier University Speciality : Performing Arts
programme: Music

Listen. Music school isn’t for everyone. It’s an incredibly specific degree with not a lot of uses – and that’s okay! If you want to specifically be an academic in musicology, a music therapist, a music educator, or a performance student I could recommend this program. Especially if you would like to go on to a master’s degree. But in general, over my time at WLU I watched the quality of the music faculty go down significantly.

The shrinking of the woodwind/brass/percussion departments to be managed by one full-time flute professor who really hates non-woodwinds. The constant quartet drama from the PSQ for string students. The shuttering of the ancient and baroque music history and theory classes and ensemble. Many, many classes taught my professors who were just, generally culturally insensitive or voyeuristic. (Have you ever had a contemporary music history class that only spent one two-hour lecture on the ENTIRE history of jazz and improvisation?) Constant administrative and executive pushback from student diversity initiatives. The lack of support for students who experience things like sport injuries from playing and performing. I just, really don’t have a lot to say. I got a degree. It wasn’t the right choice for me. But I recognize the school might be for others out there who don’t get injured and are there for a specific academic program or private music teacher that can really support them and help them grow.
Also the campus is kind of small, but the location is decent, even if the train doesn’t go there directly.

I had an amazingly positive experience at Laurier. From the professors who were so positive and supportive of me to the friendships and relationships I made along the way, to all of the performance experiences and personal growth, Laurier helped shape me into the person I am today