MUSIC 260Music for Orchestra
- Units
- 0.50
- Faculty
- Arts
- Subject
- Music
When it runs
- F24
- W25
- S25
- F25
- W26
- S26
- F26
- W27
- S27
Ran in 1 of the last 7 terms. Winter 2027: not on the schedule. Spring 2027: schedule not out yet.
This course introduces students to the development of the symphony and other orchestral repertoire, including the overture, symphonic poem and concerto, from the 18th century to the present. Students will learn to recognize the principal musical forms of orchestral genres, with a focus on critical listening. Students will learn to make connections between historical examples of symphonic music and examples from outside the concert hall, such as music in video games and soundtracks.
Prerequisites
None listed.
Antirequisites
None listed.
Notes
- The ability to read music notation is not required.
Leads to
No course lists it as a requisite.
Reviewed on UW Flow
67% liked it83% easy83% useful
From 3 ratings and 2 comments on UW Flow. The most helpful comments, quoted as written, without names. Read them all on UW Flow.
One month into this course it was already my favourite thing I'd taken in my degree (so far). Highly recommend for anyone who likes classical music!!!!!!
Apr 2023 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
An absolute pleasure learning about the history and development of the symphony in a class that is waaaaay easier than my engineering classes.
Mar 2023 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
Discussed on r/uwaterloo
3 posts and comments in 3 threads mention MUSIC 260, July 2013 to December 2024. Quoted word for word, newest first; each reply sits under the post and the comment that started its branch. Search r/uwaterloo for newer posts.
Fall 2020
MUSIC 256 Reviews? 5 points, 1 comment
u/clew3: “… I'd honestly recommend MUSIC 260 (The Symphony) if you're looking for the more "classical" kind of classical music. I'd also suggest MUSIC 240 (Intro to Jazz) and MUSIC 270 (Music Theory 1) cause they do be veryyyyy birdy. …”
Spring 2015
Music electives for engineers? 3 points, 3 comments
u/LittleEponine: “I have a CSE next term and I want to take a music elective. Has anyone taken music electives from the list? MUSIC 100, MUSIC 231, MUSIC 240, MUSIC 246, MUSIC 254, MUSIC 255, MUSIC 260, MUSIC 361 If you have, how was it? Would you recommend?”
Spring 2013
Former uWaterloo music prof got caught doing child porn... 18 points, 16 comments
u/Pfaffian: “Christ. I took a class with him a little over a year ago, I think it was MUSIC 250 or 260 (The Symphony). It was great too, his lectures were really interesting. He wasn't ever a prof at UW, just a lecturer.”
Check it elsewhere for Fall 2026
- Undergraduate Calendar, 2026–27The official entry
- Requirements for Fall 2026Waterloo’s requisite checker
- Schedule of Classes, Fall 2026Instructors, rooms, live seats
- Quest Class SearchWhere you enrol
- Course outlinesSyllabi from past terms (UW login)
- UW FlowStudent ratings and reviews
- WClassesPast sections back to 2004, and who taught them