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Ensemble Policy and Regulations
Preamble
Preamble
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 (Basic) or Small (Assigned) ensembles.
For each program's Large (Basic) and Small (Assigned) ensemble requirements, a student should refer to the appropriate section of the Undergraduate Programs, Courses and University Regulations publication (all Undergraduate, Licentiate, and Artist Diploma requirements are found under Department of Performance; graduate programs are in the Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies Programs, Courses and University Regulations publication also available at www.mcgill.ca/study).
In cases where a student studying an orchestral instrument (see Large (Basic) Ensemble and Small (Assigned) Ensembles) is registered for additional academic sessions, he/she must also register for a (Large) Basic ensemble for each additional session. (For exemptions, see Exemption from a Required Ensemble.)
Small (Assigned) 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 (Assigned) 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.
Large (Basic) Ensemble and Small (Assigned) Ensembles
Large (Basic) Ensemble Training and Small (Assigned) Ensembles
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 (Assigned) ensembles, the following are considered Small (Assigned) ensembles:
Small Ensembles | |
---|---|
MUEN 556 | Introduction to Collaborative Piano 1 |
MUEN 557 | Introduction to Collaborative Piano 2 |
MUEN 560 | Chamber Music Ensemble |
MUEN 562 | Guitar Ensemble |
MUEN 570 | Jazz Combo |
MUEN 578 | Song Interpretation 1 |
MUEN 579 | Song Interpretation 2 |
MUEN 580 | Early Music Ensemble |
MUEN 581 | Piano Ensemble Seminar 1 |
MUEN 582 | Piano Ensemble Seminar 2 |
MUEN 584 | Studio Accompanying |
MUEN 585 | Sonata Masterclass |
MUEN 589 | Woodwind Ensembles |
MUEN 598 | Percussion Ensembles |
Additional Ensembles
Additional 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 (Assigned) ensembles that match their particular interest.
Assignment and Auditions
Assignment and Auditions
All students registered as full-time or part-time students in the Department of Performance must audition for a Large (Basic) 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 (Basic) and Small (Assigned) ensembles are mandatory. Information on all auditions for ensembles can be found on the ensembles website: www.mcgill.ca/music/ensembles.
A student who cannot take the ensemble auditions at the times indicated on the website must contact the Ensemble Resource Administrator 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. 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 (Basic) ensemble following the ensemble placement auditions should take a choral ensemble as their Large (Basic) Ensemble.
Commitment
Commitment
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. If rehearsals outside class meeting times occur, advance notice will be given. These additional rehearsals will be avoided when possible.
Failing Grade
Failing Grade
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.
Request to be Excused from a Rehearsal
Request to be Excused from a Rehearsal
ANY STUDENT WHO CANNOT ATTEND A REHEARSAL FOR A LARGE (BASIC) ENSEMBLE IS REQUIRED TO FILL OUT AN “ENSEMBLE EXCUSE FORM.” THIS FORM IS AVAILABLE ON THE ENSEMBLE PAGE OF THE SCHULICH SCHOOL OF MUSIC (www.mcgill.ca/music/ensembles).
Students are required to submit a completed form at least eight (8) days prior to the rehearsal that will be missed, stating the reason for the request and providing sufficient proof. Students who have missed a rehearsal due to illness must submit a form within three (3) days of returning to school. In such cases, a doctor's certificate or statement from the Student Health Service or equivalent 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 of an ensemble for the following reasons; however, submitting a form with one of these reasons does not guarantee approval of a request:
-
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 School does not want students to perform with pain or with injury. If a student is experiencing pain while playing, then he/she is permitted to sit in rehearsal in their assigned place without playing in the rehearsal.
- An audition for a permanent professional engagement
- A master class
- A major competition
- A professional engagement deemed to be very important for a student's developing career
- Family emergency or an especially important family occasion
- A conflict between an irregularly scheduled ensemble rehearsal and a previous important commitment made by the student (proof required)
- A field trip for another ensemble or class
- An authorized McGill function
- A religious holiday
For reasons 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.
Students are not excused from ensemble rehearsals for either of the following reasons:
- Gigs, including orchestra engagements
- Non-emergency medical or dental appointments. Students should request appointment times that do not conflict with rehearsals.
Absences or tardiness without an approved Ensemble Excuse Form will result in a final mark deduction as follows:
Preparation
Preparation
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—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—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 a student's participation in a performance.
Discipline
Discipline
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
Withdrawal
Withdrawal for any reason obliges the student to make up the credit(s) during a later semester.
Exemption from a Required Ensemble
Exemption from a Required Ensemble
In order to be given permission not to participate in a required ensemble for a term or part thereof, a student must:
- 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:
- have completed all program requirements except the final exam on his or her instrument, or
- have completed all musical requirements of his or her program, having only non-music and/or free electives remaining, or
- have a significant medical reason.
Substitution of an Ensemble
Substitution of an Ensemble
-
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.
- 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.
- Performance majors are not permitted to substitute Large (Basic) ensemble credits for required or complementary Small (Assigned) ensemble credits.
Rotation in Large (Basic) Ensembles
Rotation in Large (Basic) Ensembles
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.
Transfer Credits
Transfer Credits
The previous ensemble participation of students coming to McGill 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 (Basic) ensemble training requirements of their McGill 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.
Extra Large (Basic) Ensemble Credits
Extra Large (Basic) Ensemble Credits
Large (Basic) 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 (Assigned) ensembles implies that the same policies will apply.
Performance Library
Performance Library
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.