MAJOR ENSEMBLES

Major Ensemble Placement Auditions will be done in-person, September 5-7, 2023.

Please follow the directions for your instrument/voice:
Non-Music Students

Instrumental
Tuesday, September 5 – Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon, French Horn
Wednesday, September 6 – Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass, Euphonium, Saxophone, Percussion
Thursday, September 7 – Trumpet, Trombone, Bass Trombone, Tuba

Choirs for Non-Voice Students (including Pianists, Organists, Accordionists, etc.)
Tuesday, September 5

Unified Vocal Auditions (for all Voice Majors no matter degree)
Tuesday, September 5 – Opera, Historical, Masters, DMA
Wednesday, September 6 – Undergraduate (non-Opera)

Jazz Students – for placement in jazz ensembles
Tuesday, September 5 – Instrumental
Wednesday, September 6 – Vocal

Harp – Placements in all Major Ensembles will be coordinated by the Harp Faculty

Guitar – Your required Major Ensemble is Guitar Orchestra directed by Rob MacDonald, please ensure that you are registered for this course

If you have any questions or would like to audition for any other ensembles, please contact the Performance Office at performance.music@utoronto.ca

2023/2024 Major Ensembles:

  • UT Symphony Orchestra: Mon, Wed & Fri 3:00-5:00pm Uri Mayer
  • Wind Ensemble: Mon, Wed & Thurs 3:00-5:00pm Gillian MacKay
  • Wind Symphony: Tues, Thurs & Fri 3:00-5:00pm Pratik Gandhi
  • Contemporary Music Ensemble: Tues & Thurs 3:00-5:00pm Wallace Halladay
  • MacMillan Singers: Mon & Wed 3:00-5:00pm Jamie Hillman
  • Chamber Choir: Mon & Wed 3:00-5:00pm Lori-Anne Dolloff
  • Soprano/Alto Chorus: Tues & Thurs 3:00-5:00pm Kathleen Allan
  • Tenor/Bass Chorus: Tues & Thurs 3:00-5:00pm Thomas Burton
  • Guitar Orchestra: Wed & Fri 3:00-6:00pm Rob MacDonald
  • Graduate Classical Saxophones: TBA Wallace Halladay
  • Jazz Orchestra: Mon & Wed 11:00am-1:00pm TBA
  • Jazz Orchestra: Tues & Thurs 10:00am-12:00pm TBA
  • Jazz Orchestra, 12tet: Tues & Thurs 10:00am-12:00pm TBA
  • Vocal Jazz: Mon & Wed 11:00am-1:00pm Christine Duncan

Attendance & Punctuality:

Attendance is mandatory for all scheduled rehearsals and concerts.  Absences for medical reasons and outside engagements must be reported in advance to the Ensemble Conductor.  Appropriate documentation will be required to support the absences.  Absences on medical grounds must be documented with a University of Toronto Medical Certificate.  You will still be responsible for making sure your music arrives at the rehearsal/sectional.  Please check with the individual Ensemble Conductor regarding their policy on substitute players.  Unexcused absences may result in loss of credit or loss of assigned part.

Inability to perform due to physical problems does not excuse anyone from attending rehearsals.  Students must be present to observe the rehearsal even if unable to play or sing.

A professional standard of punctuality is expected; ensemble members are to be seated (and tuned if applicable), ready to begin at the scheduled start time.

Musicianship & Preparation:

It is understood that performers are to come prepared to every rehearsal, including the first one.  It is at the discretion of the Conductor to evaluate that this is so.  The Ensemble Conductor will evaluate musicianship and preparation on an ongoing basis.

Participation:

Evaluation of the quality of student’s contribution will be at the discretion of the Ensemble Conductor.

Performing ensembles are not, and should not be, considered in the same light as other university classes.  Since the Faculty of Music is a professional school of music, it is appropriate that all ensemble groups be treated like professional organizations.  A casual approach to attendance is unacceptable and necessity of teamwork, mutual dependency within the ensemble, and a strong sense of responsibility to one’s colleagues as well as the ensemble as a whole, is essential.