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MPS Handbook - Ensembles

Large Ensemble Participation

Every music student registered for Undergraduate Applied Music instruction (except Music 1925, 2925, 3925 or 4925) must participate in a Large Ensemble in each year of registration. Students registered in Graduate Applied Music instruction need only register in for one of their two years (9528). Graduate students studying an orchestral instrument must also do an additional half course in Chamber Orchestra unless they are participating in the Early Music Studio. 

Students must be able to attend every weekly rehearsal in order to be placed in a choir/ensemble. Choristers and instrumental brass, woodwind and percussion players are advised to keep Mon-Thurs 3:30-5:30 pm available in their schedules until their ensemble is assigned.

If wind, brass, percussion, or string majors do not audition at an appropriate level, or skip the audition process, the ensemble directors may choose to refuse them instrumental ensemble placement. The instrumental ensemble directors will notify the appropriate students of non-placement by the Sunday following auditions. In such cases, it will be the responsibility of the student to arrange a choral audition either at the regularly scheduled times, or with Jen Moir (jmoir@uwo.ca; MB 323) at least a half hour prior to the first choral rehearsals, Monday, September 12 at 3 pm.
Placement in any ensemble is not guaranteed.

Please note, the audition is one step among several in determining Large Ensemble assignments. Other factors, such as course requirement levels and ensemble assignments in previous years, will also be taken into account. The final decision on assignments rests with the Dean’s Office on the advice of the auditioners.

Large Ensembles offered in 2011/2012 are:

• Orchestra
• Wind Ensemble
• Symphonic Band
• Jazz Ensemble
• UWO Singers
• Les Choristes
• Chorale
• St. Cecilia Singers
• Early Music Studio*
• Accompanying for Credit (by Permission of Dept.)*
• UWOpera Workshop*

*Admission to these ensembles is by audition and studio teacher permission. Also note that Opera Workshop does not fulfil the Large Ensemble Requirement for Undergraduate Programs; a separate course credit is offered.

Keyboard majors, guitarists:  A few pianists will be able to elect Accompanying for Large Ensemble credit (see below), but most keyboard players and guitarists will audition on a secondary instrument or sing in a choir. They should therefore follow the audition instructions for voice or orchestral instruments.

Woodwind, Brass and percussion majors are eligible to audition for the Symphony Orchestra, any Band or the Jazz Ensemble.

All string players, other than guitar, must play in the Symphony Orchestra unless by permission of the department.

Students may be off instrument for their Large Ensemble credit for a maximum of two out of four years.

Large Ensemble Rehearsals

Large Ensemble rehearsals are not like other classes or labs, but rather like a professional service; attendance is mandatory.  Instrumental rehearsals are normally held from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. two days per week. Choirs rehearse for one hour, four days per week.  Extra dress rehearsals are scheduled before each concert and performances are generally held outside of the normal rehearsal times.

First Rehearsals for the 2011-2012 Season

• Early Music Studio
  • Monday, Sept. 12: 3:30-5:30 (MB 236)
• Symphony Orchestra
  • Tuesday, Sept. 13: 3:30-6:00 (MB 104)
• Wind Ensemble
  • Wednesday, Sept 14: 3:30-5:30 (MB 104)
• Symphonic Band
  TBA-general meeting
  • TBA- first rehearsal
• Jazz Ensemble
  • Thursday, Sept. 15: 7:00-10:00 (MB 104)
• UWOpera
  • Tuesday, Sept. 20: 7:30-9:00 (MB 104)
• Chamber Orchestra
  • Thursday, Sept. 15, 7:00-8:45pm (TC 131)

Choral Concert Attire

Men: black tuxedo, white shirt, black bow tie, black dress shoes, black socks.
Women: full-length black skirt, long-sleeved black blouse, flat or low-heeled black dress shoes.

Note: All choir members are required to provide their own black folder.

Instrumental Concert Attire

Men: Black tuxedo, white shirt, and black bow tie, black dress shoes and black socks.
Women: Full-length black skirt or black pants, long-sleeved black blouse, and black dress shoes.

Ensemble Auditions

Admission to all Ensembles is by audition.  Auditions are held during the first week following Labour Day, and, if necessary, during the first week of classes. Accompanists are only required for the UWOpera Workshop auditions. The Ensembles bulletin board on the second floor of the Music Building carries news about Ensembles, including auditions, sign-up sheets, etc. 

• Accompanying for Large Ensemble Credit
• Choirs
• Early Music Studio
• Strings
• UWOpera
• Winds, Brass and Percussion
  

Accompanying for Credit
Accompanying for Credit is permitted as an alternative to participation in a choir for piano students in second, third or fourth year, and in first year with permission of the instructor and the Performance Department Chair.  To obtain this credit, accompanists must accompany for all lessons, rehearsals, juries, and/or recitals, one Performance major or two non-performance majors.  Students wishing to be considered for Accompanying for Credit must see the Accompanying Coordinator no later than the first week of classes. All piano performance majors are required to accompany for credit for at least one year.

Students auditioning for Accompanying for Credit should be aware that this is not generally available for first year students.  Also, students registering for accompanying for credit should audition for a choir or other ensemble in the event that they are not required for accompanying for credit.