The School for the Arts - Music is proud to have world-class ensembles rehearsing and performing right here on the USask campus and beyond! Ensembles are open to all USask students, music majors and non-music majors alike. Some groups require an audition, while others are open to individuals of all skill levels.
Worried about auditioning? Don’t stress – our directors and conductors are friendly and fully support you during the audition process. Come on down to the Education building and make some music!
Students participating in ensembles may register for 1 c.u. or 0 c.u. (pass/fail). Note: USASK students may not participate in an ensemble without registering in one of these options. BMus students must follow their program of study and register for the required number of 1 c.u. ensembles (paying close attention to the ensemble type(s) required in their particular degree stream). Non-BMus students and BMus students who have fulfilled their ensemble requirements may choose to register for the 0 c.u. or 1 c.u. version of any of our ensembles. If a student completes three 1 c.u. ensembles over and above their ensemble requirements, the credits earned can be used to fulfill an open arts elective.
All ensemble auditions take place during the first week of classes. All BMus students are required to first audition for the ‘A’ Ensemble area that best matches their primary instrument (i.e. woodwind players will audition for the band area comprised of Wind Orchestra and Concert Band, voice majors will audition for the choral area comprised of Greystone Singers and University Chorus, bowed string players will audition for Symphony Orchestra). Piano and guitar majors may select whichever 'A' ensemble area best matches their abilities and/or interests. Students may then choose to audition for any of the other auditioned ensembles that are of interest and fit in their schedules.
Chamber Ensemble
Concert Band
Jazz Ensemble
The Jazz Ensemble, directed by Prof. Dean McNeill has toured Western Canada, Northern USA, and Quebec, and has commissioned and premiered many new works for the contemporary large jazz ensemble idiom.
Music as Theatre
Symphony Orchestra
The Symphony Orchestra is a large ensemble open to students, staff and faculty, as well as community members.
University Chorus
Currently conducted by Dr. Jennifer Lang (T1) & Mr. James Hawn (T2), the popular non-auditioned University Chorus rehearses once a week and is a fine example of the community outreach program of the School for the Arts - Music.