Student handbook
Our handbook below addresses the current needs of our students. We invite prospective students to browse our handbook for information on student resources and polices.
Additional information for graduate students can be found in the Graduate Handbook.
Important dates
Important dates
May 15 | Class schedule available to view |
June 10 | Registration opens |
July 4 | Theory placement test due |
New student checklist
New student checklist
As a student, it is your responsibility to register for classes, submit audition materials, and attend mandatory events.
In addition, students must:
- Register for all courses (fall AND spring).
- Submit your placement audition recording for all ensembles except UVic Chorus; audition excerpts for all instruments are sent by email.
- First year students: complete the theory placement test.
- Contact your private instructor to arrange your lesson time. (See our directory)
- Request a locker and purchase lock from the Music Office.
- Sign out a practice room key from the Music Office.
- Sign and submit this disclosure form to the Music Office (music@uvic.ca)
Registration and academic calendar
Registration and academic calendar
The Academic Calendar is the official guide to all programs, courses, services and regulations of the University.
Here are some important links to sections of the calendar:
While students should seek assistance with their academic advisors, it is your responsibility to register for appropriate classes for your degree (see the “Program Requirements” calendar links above).
May 15: available for viewing and
May 30: Individual registration dates assigned
June 10: Registration opens
Bachelor of Music students complete a common first year, as do those in the Music and Computer Science program. Program worksheets (Music is listed under Fine Arts) outline the recommended courses to be taken in first year. If you are interested in Music Education, additionally register for MUS 131; if you are interested in Composition & Theory, take MUS 105.
Questions?
For inquiries regarding registration (i.e. permission overrides, time conflicts, course substitutions, courses on rotation, etc), contact the School of Music Administration Officer, Louise Thornton (musicadmin@uvic.ca).
Questions regarding academic advising (i.e. declaration, degree report, graduation, transfer credit, pursuing a minor, etc.) should be directed to the Academic Advisor for Fine Arts, Sarah Riecken (fineartsadvising@uvic.ca).
Registration and program planning quick links:
Theory requirements for new students
Theory requirements
Theory Placement Test due date: July 4
All incoming students who have not completed a transferrable, post-secondary theory class must write the . The results of this test will determine whether you register for MUS 101A or MUS 111 in your first semester. The passing grade for admission to MUS 101A is 70%.
You can practice the 25-minute test as many times as you like by selecting “Unrestricted Practice”. Once you are ready to complete, select “Begin Placement Test.” You will need your UVic ID and passphrase to log in.
Please note:
- Completion of the Royal Conservatory of Music’s advanced rudiments does not exempt you from writing the placement test.
- Since the test completion deadline is later than your registration date, we recommend you register for MUS 101A initially. If you are required to take MUS 111 in your first semester, you can switch your registration once the test results are known.
- We rely on the honour system for this assessment. If you cheat, we won’t know (at first), but you will face a significant challenge in MUS 101A. The test is designed to place you appropriately in the theory class that will best provide you with the necessary fundamentals that will be integral to your music studies going forward. Don’t cheat.
- For students with advanced theory and musicianship skills, an optional exemption/placement test will be administered prior to the start of classes to determine whether a student can advance to second-year theory and/or musicianship.
Resources
Sample exam questions:
MUS 101A species counterpoint:
Keyboard proficiency requirements
Keyboard proficiency
All School of Music students are required to schedule and pass a keyboard proficiency exam.
Students can fulfill this requirement in two ways:
- Provide documentation of passing Royal Conservatory grade level 5 or higher; or
- Pass the School’s keyboard proficiency test which can be done at any time throughout your degree program.
Keyboard proficiency exam requirements:
- Two contrasting works (or excerpts if longer) from the grade 5 level RCM or higher
- Major scales two octaves hands together, up to 4 sharps and 4 flats
- Major arpeggios, root position only, two octaves hands together, up to 4 sharps and 4 flats
- Sight reading - grade 3 level
Transfer students
Transfer Students
If you are transferring to UVic from another post-secondary institution, you will have received your transfer credit evaluation report(s).
Direct credit for an equivalent course at UVic will be given for some courses, while others will be assigned “level credit.” Level credit means you have been given credit toward the total number of units required for your degree, but not toward a specific course. In some cases, we may be able to use level credit courses toward core requirements.
Please note: Individual Tuition (lessons) does not transfer directly to UVic – lesson placement is based on your audition. Your transfer credit evaluations will be assessed and you will be contacted with course planning recommendations.
Placement auditions
Placement auditions: Large ensembles and chamber music
*A link to audition excerpts will be sent to all students by email.
Large ensemble (MUS x80A-F) is a requirement for most School of Music students. Available ensembles include:
- Orchestra (MUS x80A) (audition required; see below for details)
- Wind Symphony (MUS x80B) (audition required; see below for details)
- UVic Concert Band (MUS X80C) (no audition)
- Jazz and Creative Music Ensemble (MUS x80D) (audition required at the beginning of the academic year)
- Chorus (MUS x80E) (no audition)
- Chamber Singers (MUS x80F) (audition required at the beginning of the academic year)
Placement in ensembles that require an audition is determined by faculty on the basis of the audition results. The process varies depending on your instrument:
- Orchestral strings: Register for Orchestra (MUS x80A); placement auditions determine seating (basses: note that you may be placed in Wind Symphony; you also have the option of auditioning for the Jazz and Creative Music Ensemble). Auditions for strings’ final placement (and small ensemble placement) will take place at the beginning of the academic year.
- Pianists and guitarists: You have the option of registering directly for Chorus (no audition required) or auditioning for the Jazz and Creative Music Ensemble.
- Singers: You have the option of registering directly for Chorus (no audition required) or auditioning for Chamber Singers.
Orchestra and Wind Symphony auditions
Woodwinds, brass & percussion
Returning students:
- Preliminary placement auditions for returning woodwinds, brass and percussion students will take place during the last week of classes in the Spring semester.
- Contact music@uvic.ca for audition excerpts.
- Students will schedule their audition time via an , due March 25.
Entering students:
- Entering students are placed in either Wind Symphony or Orchestra on the basis of the admission audition.
- Those wishing to participate in an ensemble other than Wind Symphony or Orchestra should contact musicadmin@uvic.ca.
- Preliminary placements are announced by May 15. Students should enrol in the course in which they are placed.
- Final placements are announced by September 1. If placements have changed for any enrolled students, they will need to change course enrolment at this point.
Chamber Music (MUS x81)
Most students will register for chamber music, or small ensemble (MUS x81). Chamber ensemble assignments are typically done by your principal instrument instructor in consultation with their performance faculty colleagues during the first week of classes. There are a couple of exceptions:
UVic Vocal Jazz Ensemble
Auditions are required for those interested in participating in the Vocal Jazz Ensemble. Further information regarding 2024-25 auditions coming soon.
Collaborative Piano
Most pianists will participate in collaborative piano for their chamber music component. This consists of a weekly ‘collab class’ as well as accompaniment of fellow students. Your piano instructor will assist you with selecting a section of the collab class and with the assignment of instrumentalists and/or singers to accompany.
If you are registered for MUS x81 but have not been assigned a group by the second week of classes, please check in with your principal instrument instructor.
MUS 335 – Singing for the Stage
Singers interested in taking MUS 335 (when offered) may do so in place of MUS x81
Practice and rehearsal rooms, and building access
Private teaching at the School of Music (for students only)
*Effective February 17, 2023
Students are permitted to teach or tutor privately in School of Music practice rooms provided they get insurance for private teaching. UVic School of Music students shall obtain and maintain Commercial General Liability Insurance with a limit of not less than $2,000,000 inclusive per occurrence for bodily injury, (including death) and damage to property. The 51勛圖 must be named as an additional insured on the policy, but only with respect to activities related to teaching within the UVic School of Music’s facilities. Students should obtain General Liability coverage* at
*Liability coverage costs are approximately $25-$100/term. When filling out the online form, select “Meeting Event,” “Music,” and $2,000,000.
Practice rooms
- We reserve nearly 40 practice rooms for music student use, located on the ground floor of the MacLaurin B-Wing building.
- Each BMUS, MMUS and MTech student receives a practice room key. As of August 1st, 2024, a one-time, refundable deposit of $35 is required to sign out a practice room key, to be paid at the Music office.
Before graduation, students should come to the Main Office in person to return their key and get their deposit back. Deposits will not be refunded if claimed after one month past Spring or Fall Convocation ceremonies. - Practice rooms must be in advance.
- Students may book up to 2 hours per day. An additional 2 hours may be reserved if available as of 8am of the same day of booking.
RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR PRACTICE ROOM USE:
- No food or drinks on the pianos—no exceptions.
- Do not move or remove the pianos or benches.
- Do not cover the practice room windows (this is an important security issue).
- Vacant rooms are only reserved for 15 minutes, regardless of the presence of personal belongings.
- Do not leave personal belongings or valuables unattended in any room or area of the School.
- Never remove music stands from individual practice rooms.
Rehearsal rooms and bookings
These rooms may be reserved by ensembles/groups of two or more students registered in either the undergraduate or graduate Music program. Please use our online booking form.
- B016—Large rehearsal room/classroom with two grand pianos
- B037—Largest rehearsal room/classroom with two grand pianos
- B115—Lounge for recital receptions
- B120—Classroom with Boston B piano (no soundproofing)
- A166—Classroom with upright piano
- A168—Lecture-style classroom with upright piano
- A169—Lecture-style classroom with upright piano
The Phillip T. Young Recital Hall may only be booked for dress rehearsals, recitals, and recording sessions.
B115 (Lounge) is available for recital receptions only.
B117 (Graduate seminar room) may be reserved for meetings.
Building access and keys
- The Music Building (MacLaurin B-Wing) is open from 7am to 11pm daily.
- Most rooms in MacLaurin B-Wing require key access, and all rooms are to be kept locked when not in use.
- Keys are available from the Music Office.
*Please note that some keys can be checked out for day use, others longer. Terms for room usage vary by student and status and are controlled at the will of the School of Music administration.
Lost keys/fobs
As of January 1st, 2024, any lost key/fob will be charged with a $35 replacement fee. Payments to be made in cash to the School of Music Main office. Room booking requests will be not be processed until all key/fob replacement fees are paid in full.
Scholarships and work study
Scholarships
School of Music students receive more than $400,000 in scholarships and bursaries each year. Most details on funding and financial aid (including work study) are managed and provided by UVic, not the School of Music.
Scholarships are awarded in two ways:
- By recommendation (no action required)
- By application
Work study
The work study program is funded by the UVic's Student Awards and Financial Aid (SAFA) office and provides additional financial assistance through on-campus part-time employment opportunities to students with financial need.
Eligible students may hold one work study position at a time and work up to a maximum of 340 hours. The program runs from September to April.
School of Music positions include:
- Concert Assistant (usher)
- Recording Technician
- Live Streaming Video Technician
- Stage Manager for the Phillip T. Young Recital Hall
- Stage Manager for Orchestra & Wind Symphony
- Social Media Addistant
Degree recitals
Degree recitals
Student recital times are limited to the pre-designated times and must be scheduled directly with the Concert Manager. Students with degree recitals wil