海角社区

The ensemble program comprises areas of activity designed to provide an enriched and cohesive curriculum in practical musicianship for every student. Much of this training is accomplished in the context of a large instrumental or choral ensemble, or specialized ensembles, over the three-year period that students normally spend on undergraduate studies.

Students are advised to check their program carefully in order to verify their basic (large) and small ensemble requirements.

Basic (large) Ensemble: All students registered as full-time or part-time students in the Department of Performance must audition for, and participate in, a basic (large) ensemble.

This means that a student from the Province of Quebec must have a minimum of 12 credits for basic ensemble in order to graduate. A student from outside the province must have a minimum of 16 credits in order to graduate. In those cases where a student in the orchestral training program is registered for additional sessions, he/she must also register for basic ensemble for each additional session. (For exemptions, see Exemption from a Required Ensemble.)

A student in the Orchestral Training Program who is not assigned a basic ensemble following the auditions in either September or January because there is not a space available may substitute either:

1. an additional small ensemble in lieu of the basic ensemble with the approval of the Chair of the Performance Department, or
2. a choral ensemble following an audition, with the permission of the Area Chair and the Chair of the Performance Department.

Small Ensemble: With the exception of students registered in the regular Voice program, all students registered as full-time or part-time students in the Department of Performance must audition for, and participate in, a small ensemble. A student must have a minimum of 6 credits for small ensemble in order to graduate. With the exception of Keyboard, Guitar and Jazz students, this is an ongoing requirement.

Performance majors as well as sufficiently advanced players and singers from other programs are encouraged to participate in one or more small ensembles which meet their particular interest.

Important: This policy also applies to all students enrolled in vocal and instrumental techniques classes (MUCT 235, MUCT 335, MUIT 201, MUIT 202, MUIT 203, MUIT 204, MUIT 301, MUIT 302) and in choral and instrumental conducting classes (MUCT 315, MUCT 415, MUIT 315, MUIT 415) who are required to participate in Music Education ensemble labs. STUDENTS IN THESE LABS MUST FILL OUT REQUEST FORMS FOR ALL ABSENCES, INCLUDING ALL FIELD TRIPS IN WHICH THEY MAY PARTICIPATE. These forms should be returned to the Chair of the Music Education Area, not to the Ensemble Committee; students should consult the Chair of the Music Education Area for further details.

This policy and its regulations apply to all students performing in all ensembles, large or small, required, complementary, or elective. They apply also to all students who have been assigned to an ensemble for any reason, including conducting students, composers- and arrangers-in-residence, and others.

Basic ensemble training requirements vary by program and according to the student's practical concentration. For ensemble purposes, the orchestral instruments include flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, saxophone, french horn, trumpet, trombone, tuba, percussion, harp, violin, viola, cello and double bass. Students studying these instruments will receive their basic ensemble training in the large instrumental ensembles. Students whose principal instrument is other than one of these (except voice majors) will normally receive their basic ensemble training in the choral ensembles. Voice majors may choose from a group of vocal and choral ensembles appropriate to the level of their development.

In all programs which specify an assigned small ensemble, the following are considered assigned small ensembles:

Additional ensembles chosen by students to reflect their particular interests may, with Departmental approval, be applied as Music Elective credit. Students electing an ensemble will normally be required to audition and will be placed accordingly.

All students registered as full-time or part-time students in the Department of Performance must audition for a basic ensemble in September. A student who cannot audition for a basic ensemble at the times indicated on the website must give due notice to the Ensemble Resource Administrator in the Performance Department of their non-availability at least five days before the date of the first audition. The student must have a valid reason (i.e., illness, death in the family, career commitment, etc.). If a student misses an audition for reasons unacceptable to the Performance Department, that student will not be allowed to audition and his assignment will be left entirely to the discretion of the Performance Department. If the reason given is valid, the student will audition for whatever positions remain unassigned upon his/her arrival at the Faculty.

Assignments are posted on the Large Ensemble notice board. Reassignments may be made from time to time during a term and will also be posted. Students are reminded that auditions for major ensembles are mandatory. Students who do not take the auditions will see their assignment be left entirely to the discretion of the Performance Department.

In the case of the Jazz Ensembles, an open challenge system is used as follows:

1. At any time during a term, a student may challenge for a position in a Jazz Ensemble.
2. The challenger must speak to the band directors involved, specifying the chair being challenged.
3. The challenger will have a private audition with not less than two directors who will offer a non-binding recommendation to the student as to whether or not to proceed with the challenge.
4. Should the challenger wish to proceed, the student being challenged will be notified by the Coordinator of the Jazz Ensembles.
5. The challenge will take the form of an audition of both the regular member of the ensemble and the challenger in a full band rehearsal, following which the directors will make a decision.

Ensembles are courses. Each student who has registered for an ensemble, or who has been assigned to an ensemble, has made a commitment to the ensemble and is required to attend all rehearsals, concerts, performances, field trips, recordings and other activities which constitute the course requirements of that ensemble. Except for reasons of ill health or in the case of an excused absence; any unexcused absence may result in a failing grade for the student.

A failing grade in any of the mandatory ensembles (Basic Ensemble, assigned small ensemble, complementary or elective ensemble) obliges the student to make up the credit at a later date. A subsequent failure in the same course may result in the student being required to withdraw from the Faculty.

ANY STUDENT WHO CANNOT ATTEND A REHEARSAL OR COACHING SESSION FOR ANY ENSEMBLE IS REQUIRED TO FILL OUT AN "ENSEMBLE EXCUSE FORM". THIS FORM IS AVAILABLE ON THE ENSEMBLE PAGE FOR THE SCHULICH SCHOOL OF MUSIC.

Students are required to submit a completed form at least eight (8) days prior to the rehearsal or coaching session which will be missed, stating the reason for the request. Students who have missed a rehearsal or coaching session due to illness must submit one of these forms within three (3) days of returning to school. In such cases a doctor's certificate or statement from the Student Health Service or equivalent medical service must be submitted electronically via email or in hard copy to the Office of the Ensemble Resource Administrator.

Students may be excused from a rehearsal or coaching session of an ensemble for the following reasons; however, submitting a form with one of these reasons does not guarantee approval of a request:

1. Sickness, or emergency medical or dental work.

   IMPORTANT NOTE: ANY STUDENT WHO IS EXPERIENCING PAIN WHILE PLAYING OR SINGING SHOULD INFORM THEIR PRACTICAL TEACHER AND THE DIRECTOR OF THEIR ENSEMBLE(S), AND SHOULD SEEK APPROPRIATE MEDICAL ATTENTION. Students should not be reluctant to admit to injury; it is entirely acceptable for students to be excused from ensemble rehearsal(s) for health reasons. The Faculty does not want students to perform with pain or with injury.

2. An audition for a permanent professional engagement.
3. A master class.
4. A major competition.
5. A professional engagement deemed to be very important for a student's developing career.
6. Family emergency or an especially important family occasion.
7. A conflict between an irregularly scheduled ensemble rehearsal or coaching session and a previous important commitment made by the student (proof required).
8. A field trip for another ensemble or class.
9. An authorized 海角社区 function.
10. A religious holiday.

For Nos. 2, 3, 4 and 5, the request must be accompanied by authorization from the student's practical teacher and the appropriate Area Chair. This permission is given for no more than three (3) rehearsals or coaching sessions.

Students are not excused from ensemble rehearsals or coaching sessions for either of the following reasons:

1. Gigs, including orchestra engagements
2. Non-emergency medical or dental appointments. Students should request appointment times that do not conflict with rehearsals or coaching sessions.

Absences or delays (especially, but not limited to, tardiness) without an approved Ensemble Excuse Form will result in a final mark deduction as follows:

• Absences due to illness (with Medical Certificate) = no loss of grade
• Tardy to rehearsal, without approved Ensemble Excuse Form = loss of one grade point (i.e., B to B-)
• Absences without approval = loss of one entire letter grade (i.e., A to B)

If the Director of an ensemble is not satisfied with the quality of preparation that a student has been making for the ensemble, the Director shall first warn the student. This warning shall be communicated by the Director to the Ensemble Resource Administrator and Area Chair, who shall inform the student in writing. If, in the Director's opinion, this lack of preparation continues, the student will be required to perform the music for a committee consisting of the Director of the ensemble, the Chair of the area (Orchestral Training, Choral, Opera, Voice, etc.) and the Department Chair. If this committee decides that there has been a lack of sufficient preparation, the student will be required to appear before the Area Chair to show cause why he or she should not be required to withdraw.

For any particular performance, if 鈥� after a written warning to the student(s) at least two (2) weeks prior to the performance, with copies to the Ensemble Resource Administrator, practical instruction teacher, Area Chair and Department Chair 鈥� the Director, in consultation with his/her coaches, feels that the performance of a student or group of students will not meet a certain minimum standard established by the Director, the Director may cancel the performance of the student(s).

The Director of an ensemble may recommend that a student withdraw from an ensemble for disciplinary reasons. A student asked to do so will be required to appear before the Ensemble Committee to show cause why he or she should not be required to withdraw.

Students who are required to withdraw from an ensemble for reasons of lack of preparation or discipline will be given a grade of F which will be reflected in their Grade Point Average (GPA).

Withdrawal for any reason obliges the student to make up the credit(s) at a later date.

In order to be given permission not to participate in a required ensemble for a term or part thereof, a student must:

1. be a participant in a major national or international competition, or (in the case of voice students) be given a significant role with a recognized performing arts ensemble, and (in the case of all students) have completed the minimum number of required terms of the ensemble, and have the permission of:
   • his or her practical teacher
   • the area Chair
   • the Director of the ensemble
   • Chair of the Orchestral Training, Choral, Opera or Voice Area (where appropriate), or
2. have completed all program requirements except the final exam on his or her instrument, or
3. have completed all musical requirements of his or her program, having only Arts and Science electives remaining, or
4. have a significant medical reason.

1. In order to be given permission to substitute another large ensemble for a required or complementary large ensemble for a term, a student must:
   • have completed the minimum number of terms in the required or complementary large ensemble and
   • have the permission as in bullet 1 under Exemption from a Required Ensemble, with the added condition that the Director of the required or complementary large ensemble may refuse consent for the simple reason that the student is needed in that ensemble.
2. Keyboard and Guitar Performance majors in all programs may substitute up to two (2) terms of Studio Accompanying (MUEN 584) for two (2) terms of Choral Ensemble.
3. Performance majors are not permitted to substitute Basic Ensemble credits for required or complementary assigned small ensemble credits.

Whenever possible and musically satisfactory, and in order to ensure equal opportunity and experience for students in the large instrumental ensembles, the seating of students in these ensembles may be rotated periodically throughout the term or year. The Director of the ensemble will determine whether or not rotation is possible and musically satisfactory.

Situations will arise where students are required to miss classes 鈥� both in the Schulich School of Music as well as in other faculties 鈥� because of field trips. Teaching staff in the Schulich School of Music are encouraged to assist students who approach them for information about course content and assignments that have been missed. Nonetheless, the onus remains on the student who goes on a field trip to complete class work.

The previous ensemble participation of students coming to 海角社区 from other universities will be recognized if their ensemble experience was similar to that required of 海角社区 students. In general, transfer credit is made on a term-for-term basis (not by credits) and usually does not exceed two (2) terms. Students are normally not permitted to reduce the Basic Ensemble Training requirements of their 海角社区 program to less than the number of terms required for them to complete the rest of their program. In such cases, transfer credit may be given as Music and/or Free Elective credit.

Basic Ensemble Training credits accumulated above the minimum may be applied as Music and/or Free Elective credits.

Students are responsible for the music which has been loaned to them for their use, and for its return in good condition to the Gertrude Whitley Performance Library. Students will be required to pay for the replacement of any music which has been lost, stolen or damaged and a hold on a student's Minerva account can be placed by the Performance Librarian should music or fines not be handed in to the library.