COVID-19

School of Music office hours:
Tuesday to Friday: 10am–12pm and 1–4pm (subject to change)
*staff on site Mondays, 10am-4pm

Building hours (1 May to 6 September):
Monday to Friday: 10am–4pm
Saturdays, Sundays and holidays: closed

We encourage you to communicate whenever possible by phone and email and restrict in-person visits to the office as much as is practical. 

Our administrative staff are available during regular business hours and emails are being monitored regularly. Until further notice, email is the best way to contact staff members who continue to work both from home and in-office.

See a full list of administrative contacts here.

How will piano proficiency exams be administered?

Piano proficiency exams may be done in person or via submitted recording. Those who are ready to sit the test should contact Professor Bruce Vogt directly (bvogt@uvic.ca)

How will chamber music classes be delivered? 

Chamber Music (MUS x81) will be delivered face to face. This includes collaborative piano. Note that there is no online option and those who are not physically on campus this year will defer chamber music to a future year. Chamber music courses will not be delievered in the summer months.

Will it be possible to have an accompanist?

At this time, all accompanists must be a School of Music student or instructor. If the room permits three or more people, a student’s accompanist will be permitted in lessons. Note that there are different capacities for forced air vs. non-forced air instruments. 

How will masterclasses be run if one or more students are taking individual tuition online? How can they participate?

Masterclasses will take place live for those students attending on person. Those not on campus will attend remotely via Zoom or another video conferencing platform. While specific participation details will be at the discretion of each instructor, it is likely that remote-learning students will submit recordings for their participation in masterclass.

Is there still a performance requirement for each semester?

Performance requirements will be at the discretion of each individual tuition instructor, as outlined in their course syllabus. Accommodations will be made for those participating remotely.

Is the music building accessible at this time?

As of September 14, the music wing of the MacLaurin Building is open to School of Music students, instructors and staff only. Students may enter the building only for scheduled classes, lessons and rehearsals and should not congregate in groups while in the building. Use of any facilities must be booked in advance. 

What measures have been put in place to ensure the safety of all building users?

The School of Music has Safe Work Plans in place for all courses and facilities. Plans are posted in all rooms and common areas along with signage detailing sanitization protocols, room capacities and directional flow. Sanitization supplies are provided in every room as well as at building entrances/exits. Should a room be out of sanitation supplies, please inform our administrative staff by emailing music@uvic.ca. 

All students are required to bring their own music stand for lessons, classes and rehearsals.

Am I required to wear a mask?

The university recommends that everyone wear a mask in public indoor spaces on campus such as hallways, stairways, building entryways and other high-traffic areas where physical distancing can’t be maintained for longer than brief periods. In classrooms, keep your mask on until you are seated in a designated seat and please wear your mask as you enter/exit the classroom. More details can be found on UVic's COVID-19 website. 

Wherever possible, singers are encouraged to wear masks.

Will practice rooms be accessible during the Fall semester?

Practice rooms are available to School of Music students who are not able to practice their instrument at home or an alternate location. Students that require a practice room will be assigned to a specific room with a pod of 4-5 students. 

Each student assigned to a practice room will have the opportunity to book a 1.5-hour practice block between 8:30am and 6pm each weekday and a 1-hour block on Saturdays between 10am-5pm. 

There must be a 30-minute air-out time between all bookings, therefore your practice time must start and end promptly at the time you have booked. Please arrive no more than 5 minutes before your scheduled start time.

Booking reservations must be made online in advance.

Any changes to your booking or time swaps with another student in your pod must also be updated in the online booking system.

If you would like to book a practice room but havenot been assigned to a pod, would like to change rooms/pods, or no longer need a practice room, and for all other practice room inquiries, please email concert@uvic.ca. 

My assigned practice room does not have a piano, but I need to prepare for the piano proficiency exam. What should I do?

All but a very few practice rooms will have either a piano or a keyboard. In the event you are assigned a room without either, you’ll be permitted to book time in a room with a piano to prepare for the proficiency exam.

Can I book a room for rehearsals with an accompanist or chamber group?

School of Music students may request to book rooms for course-related activities such as chamber music rehearsals (including duos) and recordings. All solo practice must take place in your assigned practice room. Booking requests can be submitted online and will be processed by the Music office in the order they are recieved. Please do not arrive for your booking until it has been confirmed. We require at least 24 hours notice for all booking requests.

Students may book up to 2 hours per week per room up to 2 weeks in advance of the booking date.

How do I sign out a key for a room that I have booked?

Keys can be signed out from the Music Office during office hours. 

I have keys that need to be returned. When and where can I do so?

For same day key loans: return key by 4pm
Overnight loans: return by 4pm the following day
Saturday key loans: place keys in envelope labelled with name, V# and room number and deposit into office mailbox.

*If key loans are outstanding by the expected return date, keys to additional rooms will not be granted until previous key loan(s) is returned.

Will double reeds still have access to the reed room?

Yes, double reed players will be able to use the reed room. The maximum occupancy is 1. 

What rooms are available to book?

The following rooms may be booked for lessons, coachings, and chamber music rehearsals. Maximum occupancy and room restrictions are listed below.

*Bell covers are required for all forced air instruments.

B030 (Practice room)

• Max. occupancy: 1
• This room is reserved for MUCS students and non-Music majors registered in a music course.
• Students may reserve a 1 hour block, up to 2 times per week (specific booking times are listed for selection in the booking form).

Phillip T. Young Recital Hall

• Max. occupancy: 20
• Stage max: 15
• Forced air instruments: 7
• House seating: 19
• The Recital Hall may only be booked by faculty (for lessons/coaching) or for student recordings (with an instructor present) and degree recital rehearsals. Students wishing to book or change their degree recital date must contact the Concert Manager directly at concert@uvic.ca.

B016 (Class/rehearsal room)

• Max. occupancy: 9
• Non-forced air instruments: 9 / Forced air instruments: 6

B037 (Class/rehearsal room)

• Max. occupancy: 13
• Non-forced air instruments: 13 / Forced air instruments: 9

B115 (Lounge)

• Max. occupancy: 5
• Due to a lack of soundproofing, B115 is reserved for string players only.

B120 (Class/rehearsal room)

• Max. occupancy: 4
• Non-forced air instruments: 4 / Forced air instruments: 1 (clarinet only with 3 NFA)
• For collaborative piano, solo piano, and clarinet only

A166 (Class/rehearsal room)

• Max. occupancy: 8
• Non-forced air instruments: 8 / Forced air instruments: 3

A168 (Class/rehearsal room)

• Max. occupancy: 4
• Forced air instruments: 4

 A169 (Class/rehearsal room)

• Max. occupancy: 13
• Non-forced air instruments: 13 / Forced air instruments: 6

Will concerts take place?

The School of Music will continue to present live student concerts including studio recitals, degree recitals, Fridaymusic, chamber music and small ensemble performances. All events will be broadcast from our live streaming channel. 

Upcoming events will be posted to our online calendar. 

Will concerts be open to the public?

At this time, live performances are not open to the public. We look forward to inviting you back into our recital hall to enjoy live music when it is safe to do so.