91社区

The ensemble program is designed to provide an enriched and cohesive curriculum in practical musicianship for every student. Much of this training is accomplished in ensembles (instrumental, choral ensemble, or specialized) for the duration of a student's studies.

Students are responsible for checking their program requirements carefully in order to verify and fulfil Large (Basic) and Small (Assigned) ensemble requirements; the Performance Department does not follow the particular enrolment of any student's participation in their Large or Small ensembles.

For each program's Large and Small ensemble requirements, a student should refer to the appropriate section of the Undergraduate eCalendar (all Undergraduate, Licentiate, and Artist Diploma requirements are found under Department of Performance; graduate programs are in the Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies eCalendar).

In cases where a student studying an orchestral instrument (see Large Ensemble Training and Small Ensembles) is registered for additional academic sessions, he/she must also register for a Large ensemble for each additional session. (For exemptions, see Exemption from a Required Ensemble.)

Small Ensembles: Generally, all students registered as full-time or part-time students in a Performance Department program must audition for, and participate in, a Small ensemble.

The following policy and 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.

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. Voice majors may choose from a group of vocal and choral ensembles appropriate to the level of their development.

In all programs which specify Small ensembles, the following are considered Small ensembles:

Additional ensembles chosen by students in non-performance programs to reflect their particular interests may, with Departmental approval, be applied as Music and/or Free Elective credit. Students in performance may apply a maximum of four credits as Complementary Performance Courses. Students electing an ensemble will normally be required to participate in the ensemble placement auditions and will be placed accordingly. Performance majors, as well as sufficiently advanced players and singers from other programs, are encouraged to participate in one or more Small ensembles that match their particular interest.

All students registered as full-time or part-time students in the Department of Performance must audition for a Large ensemble in the beginning of the school year. (If a mid-year audition is offered for a particular year or ensemble, notice will be given to students.)

Auditions for Large and Small ensembles are mandatory. Information on all auditions for ensembles can be found on the ensembles website: www.mcgill.ca/music/current-students/undergraduate/all-students/ensembles.

A student who cannot take the ensemble auditions at the times indicated on the website must contact the Ensemble Resource Manager at least two (2) weeks before the date of the audition. The student must submit, in writing, the reason for his/her lack of availability and, if applicable, submit a recording of his/her audition materials prior to the day of the auditions. If a student misses an audition with an accepted reason, but does not deliver the audition materials to the Department, or if a student misses an audition for reasons unacceptable to the Performance Department, that student will not be allowed to audition and his/her assignment will be left entirely to the discretion of the Performance Department.

Assignments for Large and Small ensembles are posted on the ensemble notice boards located in the main hallway of the Strathcona Music Building, as well as on the ensembles website. Reassignments may be made from time to time during a term and will be communicated to students. A student registered in a Performance Department who is not assigned a Large ensemble following the ensemble placement auditions should take a choral ensemble as their Large Ensemble.

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 be available to attend all rehearsals, concerts, performances, field trips, recordings, and other activities, which constitute the course requirements of that ensemble. If rehearsals outside class meeting times occur, advance notice will be given. These additional rehearsals will be avoided when possible.

A failing grade in any of the ensembles (large, small, complementary, or elective) obliges the student to make up the credit during a later semester. A subsequent failure in the same course may result in the student being required to withdraw from the program.

Any student who cannot attend a rehearsal for a Large ensemble is required to fill out an Absence Request Form () as soon as they learn of their conflict and at least eight (8) days prior to the rehearsal that will be missed. The student may be required to find a replacement for their part, in collaboration with the Director.

How to submit a request to be absent from a rehearsal

Important: No permission is given to be excused from a rehearsal in the week before a concert, including the dress rehearsal and the concert itself, except in the case of illness or an audition for a permanent professional engagement.

Absences or tardiness without an approved Ensemble Excuse Form (available at ) will result in a final mark deduction as follows:

• Excused absences = no loss of grade
• Tardy to rehearsal, without approved Absence Request Form = loss of one grade point (e.g., B to B-)
• Absences without approval = loss of one entire letter grade (e.g., A to B)

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

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, further action will be taken to remedy the situation.

For any particular performance, if鈥攁fter 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鈥攖he 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 a student's participation in a performance.

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 Department Chair, Area Chair, and Director 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) during a later semester.

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
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 non-music and/or free 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;
   • however, if a student does satisfy the above requirements (first bullet) under Exemption from a Required Ensemble, the Director of the required or complementary large ensemble may refuse consent if 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 ensembles.
3. Performance majors are not permitted to substitute Large (Basic) ensemble credits for required or complementary Small (Assigned) ensemble credits.

When possible, and to help 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, along with the guidance of the Area Chairs and/or practical instruction teachers, will determine whether or not rotation is possible.

The previous ensemble participation of students coming to 91社区 from other universities will be recognized if their ensemble experience was similar to that required by the Schulich School of Music; determination of this experience will be approved by the Area Chair and the Department Chair. 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 Large ensemble training requirements of their 91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 for students in non-performance programs. Students in performance may apply a maximum of four credits as Complementary Performance Courses.

Large ensemble credits accumulated above the minimum may be applied as Music and/or Free Elective credits for students in non-performance programs. Students in performance may apply a maximum of four credits as Complementary Performance courses. Participation in additional large or Small ensembles implies that the same policies will apply.

Students are responsible for the music that 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 that 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.