Major Ensembles & Placements
2024/2025 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: Tues & Thurs 3:00-5:00pm Jamie Hillman
- Chamber Choir: Mon & Wed 3:00-5:00pm Kathleen Allan
- Soprano/Alto Chorus: Mon & Wed 3:00-5:00pm Maria Conkey
- 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 (12tet): Mon & Wed 11:00am-1:00pm Jim Lewis
- Jazz Orchestra: Tues & Thurs 10:00am-12:00pm Shirantha Beddage
- Hybrid Ensemble: Tues & Thurs 10:00am-12:00pm Andrew Downing
- Vocal Jazz: Mon & Wed 11:00am-1:00pm Christine Duncan
![The Wind Ensemble performs in concert](/sites/default/files/styles/scale_width_600/public/assets/image/2024/utso_brass_section.jpg?itok=FYomzqn0)
Major Ensemble Placement Auditions
Auditions will be done in-person, September 3-6, 2024 (after 3:00pm).
Specific information can be found on the Performance Office website.
![UTJO perform](/sites/default/files/styles/scale_width_600/public/assets/image/2024/uoft_jazz_orchestra.jpg?itok=wd2qPY7w)
Audition Dates and Times for Faculty of Music Students
- Tuesday, September 3 – Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon
- Wednesday, September 4 – Percussion, Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass, French Horn, Trumpet, Trombone, Bass Trombone, Euphonium, Tuba
Thursday, September 5 – Saxophone, Piano
- Tuesday, September 3 – 2nd, 3rd and 4th year Piano and Organ students, for Choir Placement
Wednesday, September 4 – 1st year Piano and Organ students, for Choir Placement
- Tuesday, September 3 – All Opera Voices (Opera Undergrad, Opera Diploma, Masters Opera)
- Wednesday, September 4 – All Historical Voices, Masters and DMA Voices (not Opera)
- Thursday, September 5 – All Common Year, Comprehensive, Composition, Music Education Voices, 1st year Performance and ACP Voices
Friday, September 6 – All 2nd, 3rd and 4th Year Performance Voices
- Tuesday, September 3 – Instrumental
Wednesday, September 4 – Instrumental and Voice
Placements in all Major Ensembles will be coordinated by the Harp Faculty
Your required Major Ensemble is Guitar Orchestra directed by Rob MacDonald, please ensure that you are registered for this course
Important Information for Arts & Science Students
The application form and further information are available on the Performance Office website.
MUS 120Y1 & MUS 220Y1: Classical and Jazz Instrumental and Vocal Ensembles I and II
- Tuesday, September 3 – CLASSICAL Flute*, Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon*
- Tuesday, September 3 – JAZZ Instrumental
- Wednesday, September 4 – CLASSICAL Percussion*, Violin, Viola, Cello*, Double Bass, Horn, Trumpet, Trombone, Bass Trombone, Euphonium, Tuba, Voice
- Wednesday, September 4 – JAZZ Instrumental
- Thursday, September 5 – CLASSICAL Saxophone*
- TBA – CLASSICAL Guitar, Harp
- * We have extremely limited positions for CLASSICAL Flute, Bassoon, Saxophone, Percussion and Cello this year, and will only consider auditions on these instruments from those applying for the Arts & Science Major/Specialist programs with the ensemble option.
- We have no availability on JAZZ Drums, Piano or Voice.
- We especially need :
- CLASSICAL Clarinet, Horn, Viola, Double Bass, Harp and Guitar
- CLASSICAL Tenor and Bass Voices
- JAZZ Trumpet, Trombone, Bass Trombone, Double Bass
Placement Audition Questions?
If you have any questions, or would like to audition for any other ensembles, please contact the Performance Office.
Ensemble Rehearsal Calendars
Current students can find their ensemble rehearsal schedules and locations on the Performance Office's SharePoint page.
![Orchestra](/sites/default/files/styles/square_1_1_600/public/assets/image/2023/event.jpg?itok=3Rfn4ZGa)
Opera Undergrad
U of T Opera has in-person auditions for registration in the Opera Undergraduate course 394Y or 494Y every spring. Open to Degree students going into 3rd or 4th year, and Art Dip students going into 2nd or 3rd year.
The application form to audition is available in February. 2024/2025 placements are now complete.
Ensemble Managers
Those interested in applying to the ensemble manager positions should contact Eddy at performance.music@utoronto.ca.
Positions will not be confirmed until after placement auditions are completed
General Ensemble Policies
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.
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.
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.
During the academic year many students wish to take advantage of performing opportunities that may enhance and complement their studies in the Faculty of Music. Should a scheduling conflict arise because of a performing opportunity, this must be reported to the Performance Office, where an attempt will be made to resolve the problem. Students must realize, however, that academic obligations take priority over any outside engagement.
Upcoming Concerts
![UTSO and MacMillan Singers perform](/sites/default/files/styles/scale_width_600/public/assets/image/2024/utso_macmillan_singers_beethovens_9th.jpg?itok=EAT-9ix3)