Policy *
Ensemble auditions
All full-time and part-time students in this program must participate in large and small ensembles as assigned.
For descriptions of our perennial ensembles and all audition schedules, visit the Ensembles webpages.
Assignments & requirements
Auditions for large and small ensembles take place in the beginning of each school year. Audition requirements vary by ensemble and by instrument. Please find detailed instructions and information on the Orchestral Instruments Auditions page.
When: Ensemble assignments are determined following the auditions, normally in the first week of classes.
How to register: As soon as they receive their ensemble assignments, students are responsible for registering on MINERVA with the correct course number.
- Students are required to complete 16 credits of large ensemble and 6 credits of small ensemble.
- Students with a Music DEC from Québec or transfer from a BMus program at another university are granted up to 4 transfer credits of large ensemble and 2 transfer credits of small ensemble.
- Students who graduate from high school or transfer from a non-music major program (where they did not complete any ensemble) are required to complete a minimum of 16 credits of large ensemble and 6 credits of small ensemble, excluding Beethoven Orchestra (MUEN 567).
- Students majoring in violin, viola, or cello must register for two terms of String Quartet Seminar (MUEN 565) in their first year of enrollment. This course will count towards their required large ensemble credits and may include placement in the McGill Symphony Orchestra.
- With permission of their violin teacher, violin majors may request to complete up to two terms of ensemble playing on viola.
- “B-” is the minimum passing ensemble grade for students in this program.
Music & free elective options
- Students may register for Beethoven Orchestra, with the ensemble director’s approval.
MUEN 567 can count as complementary performance elective (up to a maximum of 4 MUEN credits), not small or large ensemble.
