Student handbooks

First week checklist

As a new student, it is your responsibility to register for classes, sign up for important auditions, and attend mandatory events. 

In addition, students must:

• Register for all courses (fall AND spring).
• Attend a placement audition for the UVic Orchestra and Wind Symphony (brass, woodwind, and string instruments only); audition excerpts for all instruments will be sent by email. 
• Check the First Week Activities calendar for Theory Placement Test times.
• Contact your private instructor to arrange your lesson time. (See our directory)
• Fill out two timetable cards (available at the Music Office): one for the office and one for your private instructor.
• Sign out a practice room key.
• Sign and submit this disclosure form to the Music Office.
• Make sure to have a portable music stand for rehearsals, etc.

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:

1. Provide documentation of passing Royal Conservatory grade level 5 or higher; or
2. Pass the School’s keyboard proficiency test which is administered at the start of the fall term, usually in a student's second year.

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

Theory requirements

Completion of the Royal Conservatory of Music’s Advanced Rudiments (Theory: Level 8) will enhance your success in the theory program at UVic.

For students with advanced theory skills, an optional exemption/placement test will be administered on the Friday and Tuesday prior to the start of classes to determine whether a student can advance to second year theory.

• List of rudiments requirements

Theory materials

Diagnostic rudiments test for incoming students:

• 101A rudiments test

Sample exam questions:

• 101A sample exam
• 101B sample exam
• 201A sample exam

MUS 101A species counterpoint:

• Counterpoint guidelines and worksheet

Registration and the course calendar

The Course Calendar is a central document that provides students with an encyclopedia of all courses, degree programs, academic standards and regulations, important events, and even the academic calendar (including days off). It is the primary source for academic policies, procedures, and course numbers.

Here are some important links to sections of the calendar:

• Undergraduate program requirements by term
• Graduate program requirements by term
• Courses by University department
• University policies and services
• Undergraduate table of contents
• Graduate table of contents
• Important dates and deadlines

While students should seek assistance with their academic advisors, it is the responsibility of the student to register for appropriate classes for their degree (see the “Program Requirements” calendar links above).

Register

First-year planning worksheet

New BMus student info sheet

Current music electives (Undergraduate)

Scholarships

School of Music students receive more than $250,000 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.

• Undergraduate funding
• Graduate funding

Most scholarships are awarded by recommendation of the faculty, but a few also require students to apply. In such cases, the faculty will notify students that they have been nominated for a particular award.  

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
• Stage Manager for the Phillip T. Young Recital Hall
• Stage Manager for Orchestra & Wind Symphony
• Large Ensemble Librarian
• Social Media Assistant

Degree recitals

The School of Music hosts nearly 200 concerts a year. For this reason, student recital times are limited to the pre-designated times and must be scheduled directly with the Concert Manager. Students with degree recitals will be contacted directly by the Concert Manager via email in the spring before their final year.

All recitals are scheduled on a first-come, first serve basis. Students must have the approval of their primary instructor before requesting a date.

Graduating recitals (undergraduate and graduate) are scheduled on Monday and Wednesday evenings throughout each term.

588 graduate recitals are scheduled on select Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 12:30pm and must not exceed 50 minutes in duration.

Program templates:

• BMus Performance 8.5x11
• BMus Performance 8.5x14
• MMus 588 8.5x11
• MMus 588 8.5x14
• MMus Composition 8.5x11
• MMus Composition 8.5x14
• MMus Performance 8.5x11
• MMus Performance 8.5x14

Degree recital checklist

Non-degree recitals

We are not accepting booking requests for non-degree recitals in the 2020-21 school year.

In the 2020-21 year, we are offering one weekly 50-minute noon-hour concert (there will be no Tuesdaymusic concerts this year):

Fridaymusic

• Open to all performance areas
• Apply by online submission
• Applications must be received at least two weeks in advance and permission of one’s private instructor is mandatory
• Program is scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis
• All concerts will be live streamed.
• Direct inquiries to the Concert Manager, Kristy Farkas

Attending concerts

All School of Music students receive free access to all ticketed School of Music concerts at The Farquhar as well as complimentary tickets to some events in the Phillip T. Young Recital Hall. 

• For concerts in The Farquhar at UVic: Reserve a ticket at the UVic Ticket Centre, in advance or at the door, with your UVic ONECard.
• For concerts in the Phillip T. Young Recital Hall: Complimentary tickets must be reserved in advance through the School of Music office. Book in person or by email. Complimentary tickets are available approximately one hour prior to performance or no later than 15 minutes prior to concert start time.

Complimentary tickets are subject to availability.

*Please refer to our COVID-19 FAQ for current information regarding practice rooms, room bookings, and building access. 

Practice rooms

• We reserve nearly 40 practice rooms for music student use, as well as a variety of rehearsal spaces.
• EACH music student receives an individual practice room key. 

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.

• B120—Classroom with Boston B piano (no soundproofing);
• B115—Lounge with chamber music priority (strings only);
• B016—Large rehearsal room/classroom with two grand pianos;
• B037—Largest rehearsal room/classroom with two grand pianos.

The Phillip T. Young Recital Hall may only be booked for dress rehearsals, recitals, and recording sessions.

Building access and keys

• The Music Building (MacLaurin B-Wing) is open from 8:30 am to 6:00 pm, Monday through Friday and from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm on Saturdays. The building is closed on Sundays.
• 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. 

Lockers

• Lockers are available for each student and are pre-assigned.
• New/transfer students: locker assignments will be emailed the first week of September.
• Returning students: use lockers as per last year’s assignments.
• You must use a lock provided by the School of Music.
• Please keep your locker secured at all times, even when you are at school but away from your locker. Thefts have occurred. 
• All lockers must be vacated by April 22. 

Computers & audio-visual support

The School of Music does not have its own computer lab. The SIM Lab (Studios for Integrated Media), located in the Fine Arts Building (across Ring Road), provides computers and equipment for all of the most sophisticated audio-visual projects, including notation software and the loaning of high-performance audio-visual gear. The university also has libraries and labs across campus for student use.

The School of Music houses sophisticated studio recording equipment and software (usually accessed in relation to students in affiliated courses). Students should inquire directly with Professor Kirk McNally regarding the access and use of this equipment.

Recording, live streaming & audio archive

• All School of Music concerts (excluding non-degree recitals) are recorded and live-streamed. Most recorded concerts are available on the School of Music's Audio Archive.
• Non-standard concerts (such as non-degree recitals) are not automatically recorded. In such cases, students must request that the concert be recorded at least one week before the concert date by contacting the Concert Manager.
• The School of Music provides access to in-house professional recordings at a reduced cost to students. Please contact Kirk McNally for details..

To request live streaming for your degree or non-degree recital, please:

• Complete and submit the Application for live streaming along with the $25 administration fee (payable by cash or cheque to the University of Victoria).
• For non-degree recitals: please make arrangements for a recording technician by contacting the Concert Manager. Technician fees ($15.50/hr) are the responsibility of the student.
• Email your program to concert@uvic.ca for posting to the website.

Important privacy disclosures

ALL School of Music students are asked to complete this form in advance of starting classes.

The School of Music is a dynamic environment of performance opportunities and events. While our desire is to always respect the privacy of our students, the nature of public performance also requires us to use photography, record, and promote student activities, including the use of names, images, etc. Filling out the above form ensures that we are able to respect your rights while also promoting your concert events.

Emergencies

Campus Security and emergency numbers are very important and are available 24/7.

Call 250-721-7599 for SafeWalk, a service that will provides security escorts from place to place all across campus. Never risk commuting alone when you feel unsafe or uncomfortable on campus—trust your intuitions.

Campus security also maintains a lost and found.

Forms and documents

• New BMus student info sheet
• First-year planning worksheet
• UVic student release form (all Music students)
• Consent to broadcast and record (non-UVic performers)
• Fridaymusic request form