Department Code of Conduct

  1. The Department of Music will not tolerate any expressions or acts of discrimination towards any other person or group on campus on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, or ability. Anyone exhibiting these behaviours will be asked to leave the premises.
  2. Avoid any behaviour that disturbs the learning environment. This includes making loud noises in the hallways, chatting in classrooms whilst the instructor is speaking, using personal electronic devices in classrooms (except those directly linked with classroom learning), and any other actions identified by instructors as disruptive.
  3. Be on time! In the music industry, it is expected that musicians arrive before the start of a class, rehearsal, or concert. If another commitment or an unavoidable occurrence causes you to be late, please reach out to your instructor or ensemble director to inform them as such.
  4. When utilizing a department space, be sure to leave it the same as you found it (or better!). If you move furniture around, put it back in its place before leaving. The next inhabitant should not be required to clean up after you. A photo of each room’s standard setup can be found on or beside the door to the room.
  5. Do not share department key codes with anyone outside of the music department. These key codes are to ensure the safety of everyone in the department and of department equipment like pianos. They also make sure that department spaces are reserved for department members only.
  6. Request permission from the office coordinator before circulating any public information to students or placing any advertisements of the department bulletin boards.
  7. Recording department classes or concerts is permitted with instructor or ensemble director approval. Do not operate a recording device in these settings unless you have already obtained permission.
  8. Avoid critiquing the music making of other students unless you are invited to comment by either the student or an instructor. Please keep comments constructive and supportive. Every musician is on their own personal journey and it is important to be respectful of each other’s different directions and speeds.
  9. In performance, show your appreciation to your audience by acknowledging them for coming, showing your enthusiasm, and dressing in appropriate concert attire. Please see your studio instructor or ensemble director for specific dress code information.
  10. When attending a department event (or any performance), show your respect by adhering to the appropriate audience etiquette for the concert’s genre. It is common courtesy in performances of Western classical music to listen quietly, turn off electronic devices, and applaud at the end of each piece. Other musical traditions may differ so please ask about audience etiquette if unsure.
  11. For any safety concerns while on campus, please contact protective services at (306) 966-5555. You can also download the USAFE app on to your cellular device to request supports like Safewalk or to get updates about safety concerns on campus.
  12. Lastly, be kind, caring, respectful, and empathetic to all those around you. Stress is inevitable, particularly around exams, but we can still do our best to ensure that everyone feels welcome and supported!

Required Courses

MUS 129-429: Event Attendance

All B.Mus students are required to take MUS 129-429 in the appropriate year (i.e. MUS 129 in their first year). These courses are pass / fail and track your attendance at department events throughout the academic year. Please check the Course Syllabus to confirm the event attendance requirements for the current year. There will be a sign in / sign out sheet at each department event. Please ensure that you sign in AND out as you will only receive the attendance credit if both of these steps are completed. Your attendance will be tracked by the office coordinator. Please reach out to them at music.department@usask.ca to confirm your current attendance credits.

MUS 160: Piano Proficiency

All B.Mus students are required to demonstrate proficiency on the piano at a RCM grade 4 level. To meet this requirement, students must register in MUS 160 Piano Proficiency. This course is pass / fail. Students will need to submit a departmental approval request via the Request a Class Override form. Please list the department of music office coordinator as the approver for this request. Piano majors will receive an automatic pass, but will still need to register in the course. Students with a minimum of an RCM grade 4 certificate or equivalent may email a scan of their certificate to kathleen.solose@usask.ca to receive a pass in the course. All other students will need to arrange for a piano proficiency exam with Professor Kathleen Solose within the term in which they are registered for MUS 160.

Override Requests

 To request a class override, please complete and submit the Request a Class Override form. Make sure that you have listed the appropriate approver for your request (i.e. the course instructor or your department head). The following is the list of overrides a student can request:

  • Special approval: for when a course requires departmental or instructor approval.
  • *Class limit override: for when you want to register in a course that is full.
  • Class restriction override: for when you want to register in a course outside your program.
  • Time conflict override: for when you want to register in a course that conflicts with another course (this is sometimes required for the Event Attendance courses). 
  • Lecture/Lab exemption: for when you want to register in a lecture course without the corresponding lab section.
  • Pre-requisite / corequisite waiver: for when you want to register in class without having the required pre-requisite or co-requisite course(s).

*Please note that the class limit override cannot be used to extend your own credit limit. To increase your credit limit please complete and submit the A&S Permission to Increase Credit Units form. Please note that you must have at least a 70% average to request a credit unit increase. Also, first years cannot request a credit unit increase.

The Request a Class Override form can also be used to request a late registration after the course add deadline. Please note that there is a $35 fee for late registrations.

Ensembles

The following is a list of all the USASK Department of Music ensembles, including the links to their individual webpages.

Chamber Ensemble
Concert Band
Greystone Singers
Jazz Ensemble
Music Theatre
Symphony Orchestra
University Chorus
Wind Ensemble

B.Mus. students are required to register for at least 1 CU ‘A’ ensemble each year. All ensembles run Sept-April (over both terms). ‘A’ ensembles include Greystone Singers, Wind Orchestra, University Chorus, Concert Band, and USASK Symphony Orchestra. For violin, viola, cello, and double-bass students who are successfully admitted into the Saskatoon Symphony Orchestra (SSO), this may also be used as an ‘A’ ensemble credit. Other ensembles such as Jazz Ensemble, Chamber Ensemble, and Music Theatre Ensemble are highly valued and considered for the sake of course credit as ‘B’ ensembles. These ensembles may be taken in addition to ‘A’ ensembles. As long as you are registered in at least one ‘A’ ensemble for 1 CU credit each year, you may take other ‘A’ or ‘B’ ensembles for either 1 CU or for zero CU, as they interest you and/or as they fit with your schedule. To meet your for-credit ensemble requirements, you are able to register in each ‘A’ ensemble up to four times (once for each year of your program). You are also able to enroll in additional ‘A’ ensembles each and every year of your program for credit. This additional ensemble credit can be applied to your degree within the Open Music Elective space in Degree Works. There are additional specific ensemble requirements depending on your specific program of study (see SECTION 2.0).

All ensembles are open to music majors and non-music majors alike. Some ‘A’ ensembles require auditions, while others do not. Auditioned ensembles include Greystone Singers, Wind Orchestra, Jazz Ensemble. Non auditioned ensembles include Music Theatre, Concert Band, University Chorus, Chamber Ensemble and Symphony Orchestra. If you are interested in an auditioned ensemble, but are stressed about your ability to audition, please try not to worry. Our department is a community, and our ensemble directors are here to support you throughout your auditions and your program.

Ensemble auditions will take place during the first week of classes. All B.Mus. students are required to 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). Piano and guitar majors may select whichever 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 schedule as well.

Instrument Rentals

The music department owns a large selection of instruments that can be borrowed by music students. Music students or students playing in a department ensemble may borrow these instruments at no cost. However, any damages to the instrument may result in a fine to cover the cost of repairs. To select an instrument, please speak to your studio or ensemble instructor to select the appropriate model. Once the selection is made, please see the office coordinator to sign out the instrument. You will need to fill out a rental form and sign off on an inspection of the instrument’s condition. All instruments are to be returned to the department during the exam period in April each year unless special permission has been obtained from the music office to hold onto the instrument over the summer.

Lockers

The music department lockers can be found in the basement next to the staircase that descends from beside the music office. Every music student is entitled to request a locker for each academic year (September-April). Once you have selected a locker, please notify the music office with your name and chosen locker number. Locker assignments may be extended into the spring and summer terms upon request. These lockers are a privilege so please treat them with respect. Do not leave rotting food, half finished drinks, or anything that could smell or leak in your locker.

Students are required to provide their own lock. Please ensure that your lock meets basic quality standards to avoid potential theft. While the building is very secure and monitored by protective services at night, this does not absolutely guarantee that lockers will not be the target of theft. A good lock is your best security. Neither the university nor the department is responsible for items stolen from student lockers.

There are a number of larger wooden lockers (the SR series) that are key operated, specifically for students with larger instruments (i.e. tuba and double bass). Please see the office coordinator to request a key if you need one of these lockers. There is a $20 deposit required for an SR locker key. Lockers that are occupied without the music office’s knowledge will have their locks cut off.

Practice Rooms

Practice Rooms within the department of music are utilized on a first come, first served basis. There are two main practice room areas: 1101 and 1104 in the Education Building. Both spaces house multiple individual practice rooms. The practice room areas can be found at the entrance to the Northern wing of the Education Building on the ground floor. Both spaces are keypad protected. Please reach out to the office coordinator to find out the key code for the current academic year and do not share this practice room key code with any non USASK music students. Also report any practice room misuse issues to the office coordinator. This may include things like damage to a room or musical equipment that you notice whilst in a practice room.

There are two practice rooms reserved for piano majors that house grand pianos. These are 1101.4 and 1101.7. Both require a physical key to open. Piano majors can request a personal key for these rooms for the year from the office coordinator.

Percussion practice rooms are found in the basement in the same hallway as the music department lockers. They also require a physical key to open. Percussion majors can request a personal key for these rooms for the year from the office coordinator. Please speak to the percussion instructor for specific information regarding the different percussion instruments in each practice room.

Space Booking

For larger classrooms and rehearsal spaces, students will need to request permission to book the space. This can be done via the 25Live portal. To see a list of the available spaces and for the links to them in 25Live, please visit the Room Bookings and Keys webpage. For spaces outside the music department like Convocation Hall, please see the office coordinator to sign out keys. There is a $20 deposit required for all key sign outs.

Recitals

Recitals are an integral component of a music student’s university experience. All students registered in MUAP 245, 335, 345, 435, and 445 are required to present a recital. Recitals are optional for students registered in MUAP 145. However, they must obtain permission from their applied lesson instructor if they wish to perform this optional recital. You can find information about recital durations on the Recitals and Juries webpage. Recital date selection will happen in mid-October (please see the department At A Glance for the precise dates). To request your recital date, please submit a Recital Request Form. Most recitals occur in the Winter term. Students will also need to submit a Recital Setup Form as well as their program and other required documents to the office coordinator no less than two weeks prior to your recital. Please visit the Recital Resources webpage for the Recital Program Template and information about the other required documents. Students wanting to change their recital date after it is confirmed will need to submit a date change request to the performance committee chair, Dr. Veronique Mathieu (veronique.mathieu@usask.ca). 

Juries

Juries occur at the end of each term. All students registered in MUAP 143, 145, 243, 245, 333, 343, 433, and 443 present a jury. Students registered in MUAP 335, 345, 435, 445 present a recital in lieu of a jury. Students registered in MUAP 245 present both a jury and a recital. However, they may perform the same music for both. Jury times and spaces will be assigned and announced by the music office a minimum of three weeks prior to the jury date. If a student is unable to attend their assigned jury timeslot due to an unavoidable conflict, they may request to switch timeslots with another student within the same instrument family (piano, woodwinds, brass…). This switch MUST be reported to the office coordinator no less than one week prior to the jury date and both students involved MUST express their consent to the switch. Students will need to complete a Repertoire Form to bring to the jury. These can be found in the manila envelope on the bulletin board across from 1047.

Student Societies

USMES

The University of Saskatchewan Music Educators Society is a student lead group that promotes and provides professional development to enhance the learning opportunities of students involved in music education. USMES acts as the collective voice of the USASK music education students in communication with the faculty. This upcoming school year’s executive is currently made up of:

President: Hanna Hashi
Vice-President: Jon Tait
Secretary: Piper Van Beek
Treasurer: Samuel Boyd
Director of Public Relations: Rochelle Wright
Lower-Year Representative: Tyrell Hardlotte
Upper-Year Representative: Tommy Vaquer

USMES looks forward to the 2023-24 school year and working with students interested in pursuing a career in music education.

ASM

The Association of Student Musicians is the society that represents all music students within the department. The ASM can answer student's questions about anything music! We also offer advice and can act as a mediator if there are problems within the department. The ASM runs many programs such the buddy program and music department merchandise. The ASM also puts on many fun activities and events throughout the year.

For more information, please visit the Student Associations webpage.

Academic Misconduct

The University of Saskatchewan is committed to the highest ethical standards in all academic endeavors. Cheating, plagiarism, and any other unethical academic practices will not be tolerated Please review The Regulations on Student Academic Misconduct before the commencement of classes. If you have any specific questions or concerns about the methodologies you are utilizing, please confer with your instructor.

Contacts

Main Office

Dean McNeill – Department Head
Office: Education 1045.1
Email: music.depthead@usask.ca
Phone: (306) 966-6169

Office Coordinator
Office: Education 1045.2
Email: music.department@usask.ca
Phone: (306) 966-4568

Undergraduate Chair

Dr. Glen Gillis
Office: Education 1047
Email: glen.gillis@usask.ca
Phone: (306) 966-8356

Faculty

Dr. Glen Gillis
Music Education, Conducting, Saxophone
Office: Education 1047
Email: glen.gillis@usask.ca
Phone: (306) 966-8356

Dr. Amanda Lalonde
Music History, Musicology
Office: Education 1058
Email: amanda.lalonde@usask.ca
Phone: (306) 966-2443

Dr. Jennifer Lang
Music Education, Choral Conducting
Office: Education 1049
Email: Jennifer.lang@usask.ca
Phone: (306) 966-6812

Dr. Greg Marion
Music Theory
Office: Education 1054
Email: gregory.marion@usask.ca
Phone: (306) 966-8355

Dr. Veronique Mathieu
Violin
Office: Education 1103
Email: veronique.mathieu@usask.ca
Phone: (306) 966-2404

Dean McNeill
Jazz, Trumpet
Office: Education 1045.1
Email: dean.mcneill@usask.ca
Phone: (306) 966-6169

Kathleen Solose
Piano
Office: Education 1105
Email: Kathleen.solose@usask.ca
Phone: (306) 966-6179

Dr. Mark Tse
Instrumental Music Education, Conducting
Office:
Email: mark.tse@usask.ca
Phone: