School of Music Ensembles
Incoming students may choose among many ensembles within the School of Music.
Participation in ensemble courses is compulsory for students in the baccalaureate of music (BMus) program. Consult the specific sector requirements.
Ensemble descriptions
- Accompaniment (MUS3917)
- Baroque Ensembles (MUS3912)
- Calixa-Lavallée Choir (MUS3905)
- Chamber Music Ensembles (MUS3944, 4944, 7902)
- Choral Ensemble (MUS3904)
- Contemporary Music Ensemble (MUS3914)
- Guitar Ensembles (MUS3907)
- Jazz Ensemble (MUS3908)
- Opera Workshop (MUS3903)
- Percussion Ensemble (MUS3913)
- Piano Duos (MUS3916)
- University of Ottawa Choir (MUS3906)
- University of Ottawa Orchestra (MUS3901)
- University of Ottawa Wind Ensemble (MUS3911)
This course offers piano students training in vocal and instrumental accompaniment. Participation is compulsory for all third-year piano majors, and course times are scheduled in consultation with the professor.
Baroque Ensemble normally consists of several small groups of students in voice, organ, harpsichord, woodwinds and/or strings that study repertoire such as trio sonatas and vocal solo or duo pieces with solo instrumental parts. Participants must be capable of singing or playing solo parts. The ensemble usually presents one or two concerts within the academic year and participates in the university’s Musical Offering for Christmas, held in December.
Calixa-Lavallée Choir (MUS3905)
This is the chamber choir of the School of Music. Participation in this ensemble, which is conducted by Laurence Ewashko, allows singers to expand their knowledge in many ways: by performing a wide variety of vocal styles and repertoire; by developing a sense of blend; and by improving their sight-reading, linguistic and vocal/choral ensemble skills. While limited to 24 singers who are primarily voice majors, competition is open to the entire student body through audition. Rehearsals take place once per week for two hours. The Calixa-Lavallée Choir performs regularly throughout the school year in a variety of concerts, both at the university and within the community at large.
Chamber Music Ensembles (MUS3944, 4944, 7902)
Chamber music ensembles of the University of Ottawa are made up of undergraduate (performance) and graduate students from the string, piano and wind sectors. Students are formed into ensembles of approximately three to eight performers and are assigned a professor as coach. They are encouraged to rehearse independently twice per week (in addition to their weekly coaching sessions), to perform in a weekly chamber music masterclass taught by rotating faculty and guest faculty members, and to perform the works being studied at the end of each semester. Repertoire is decided together with the coordinator and coaches.
This ensemble allows singers to expand their knowledge by performing a wide variety of vocal styles and repertoire, and developing a sense of blend; and by improving their sight-reading, linguistic, and vocal/choral ensemble skills. There is no audition requirement. Participation is compulsory for all undergraduate music students in their first and second year who are not involved in the orchestra. Director Laurence Ewashko divides the rehearsals into three sessions per week: one women’s sectional, one men’s sectional and one joint rehearsal. Each session is 1-½ hours in duration. The Choral Ensemble performs at three major events during the academic year: the university’s Musical Offering for Christmas in early December, the Intervarsity Choral Festival and the year-end concert of the University of Ottawa Orchestra.
Contemporary Music Ensemble (MUS3914)
The Contemporary Music Ensemble is devoted to understanding and performing the music of our time. Participation is open to any singer or instrumentalist in the School of Music. Students (combined in various groupings) study the many diverse and fascinating styles of composition, notation and expression that make today’s music a rich and exciting experience. Rehearsals are held once per week for two hours, and the ensemble performs in at least one concert during the academic year.
All undergraduate guitar students are placed into a small ensemble (duo, trio or quartet) with other students of a similar level. These ensembles work together over the course of the year with one-hour coaching sessions each week provided by a professor (member of the resident Canadian Guitar Quartet) or graduate guitar performance student within the School of Music. All guitar ensembles perform in class concerts as well as public concerts; more advanced ensembles have opportunities to perform in recruitment tours and in other venues.
Students in this ensemble, both vocalists and instrumentalists, have the opportunity to learn jazz theory and performance at a professional level and are trained in both classical and jazz techniques. There are varied performing opportunities within the School of Music throughout the year as well as outside the school at venues such as the Ottawa International Jazz Festival.
Opera Workshop offers young singers the opportunity to experience the preparation of an entire opera or selected scenes, culminating in four to six fully staged performances. Sandra Graham, music and stage director for the annual production and professor of the class, coordinates the myriad activities involved in this ensemble including musical rehearsals, movement and staging classes, as well as information sessions on make-up, costumes, props and sets. Participation is compulsory for all voice performance majors in the third and fourth year of the Baccalaureate of Music program, and by audition for all other interested students. Opera Workshop rehearses two hours per week, with an additional two-hour rehearsal as optional.
The University of Ottawa Percussion Ensemble is open to all students in the percussion sector and is led by co-directors Ken Simpson and Jonathan Wade who are both percussionists in the National Arts Centre Orchestra (NACO). The ensemble meets once per week for 1-½ hours, and participants must be willing to also rehearse outside of class time. At least two public concerts are performed during the academic year.
Piano Duos is offered to undergraduate piano students as an introduction to the art of ensemble playing, studying works for one and two pianos, four-hands. Participation is compulsory for all first- and second-year piano majors. Instruction is given by piano professors, and the content of the course may include topics such as sight-reading and keyboard skills.
University of Ottawa Choir (MUS3906)
This ensemble allows singers to expand their knowledge by performing a wide variety of vocal styles and repertoire, developing a sense of blend; and by improving their sight-reading, linguistic and vocal/choral ensemble skills. It is an amateur choir of approximately 90 auditioned voices, open to all students within the university as well as to the general public. Rehearsals are held once per week for three hours, with occasional extra rehearsals held on Saturdays during each semester. The University of Ottawa Choir, conducted by Laurence Ewashko, prepares two major concerts during the academic year, performing large-scale works that usually involve orchestra and vocal soloists. This award-winning choir has performed in various centres across Canada and Europe.
University of Ottawa Orchestra (MUS3901)
The Orchestra at the University of Ottawa is a pre-professional training ensemble conducted by David Currie who is also Music Director of the Ottawa Symphony Orchestra (OSO). With approximately 50 student musicians, the orchestra has two-hour rehearsals twice per week and is compulsory for string instrument majors. Faculty members often appear as soloists, and concerts are broadcast on the Rogers Television network. In addition, the university produces a number of CDs of the orchestra’s performances. Many orchestra members audition and play for the OSO.
University of Ottawa Wind Ensemble (MUS3911)
The University of Ottawa Wind Ensemble is composed of undergraduate wind, brass and percussion students in the School of Music. The ensemble consists of approximately 45 members and performs varied repertoire from the finest original wind band works to select transcriptions and arrangements. Participation by personnel from outside the School of Music is subject to the permission of the conductor (Daniel Gress) and requires an audition. In addition to four regular concerts on campus, the Wind Ensemble occasionally presents masterclasses, clinics and concerts in cooperation with local school music programs and on tour.
Brass
University of Ottawa Orchestra (MUS3901)
The Orchestra at the University of Ottawa is a pre-professional training ensemble conducted by David Currie who is also Music Director of the Ottawa Symphony Orchestra (OSO). With approximately 50 student musicians, the orchestra has two-hour rehearsals twice per week and is compulsory for string instrument majors. Faculty members often appear as soloists, and concerts are broadcast on the Rogers Television network. In addition, the university produces a number of CDs of the orchestra’s performances. Many orchestra members audition and play for the OSO.
University of Ottawa Wind Ensemble (MUS3911)
The University of Ottawa Wind Ensemble is composed of undergraduate wind, brass and percussion students in the School of Music. The ensemble consists of approximately 45 members and performs varied repertoire from the finest original wind band works to select transcriptions and arrangements. Participation by personnel from outside the School of Music is subject to the permission of the conductor (Daniel Gress) and requires an audition. In addition to four regular concerts on campus, the Wind Ensemble occasionally presents masterclasses, clinics and concerts in cooperation with local school music programs and on tour.
Chamber Music Ensembles (MUS3944, 4944, 7902)
Chamber music ensembles of the University of Ottawa are made up of undergraduate (performance) and graduate students from the string, piano and wind sectors. Students are formed into ensembles of approximately three to eight performers and are assigned a professor as coach. They are encouraged to rehearse independently twice per week (in addition to their weekly coaching sessions), to perform in a weekly chamber music masterclass taught by rotating faculty and guest faculty members, and to perform the works being studied at the end of each semester. Repertoire is decided together with the coordinator and coaches.
Jazz Ensemble (MUS3908)
Students in this ensemble, both vocalists and instrumentalists, have the opportunity to learn jazz theory and performance at a professional level and are trained in both classical and jazz techniques. There are varied performing opportunities within the School of Music throughout the year as well as outside the school at venues such as the Ottawa International Jazz Festival.
Baroque Ensembles (MUS3912)
Baroque Ensemble normally consists of several small groups of students in voice, organ, harpsichord, woodwinds and/or strings that study repertoire such as trio sonatas and vocal solo or duo pieces with solo instrumental parts. Participants must be capable of singing or playing solo parts. The ensemble usually presents one or two concerts within the academic year and participates in the university’s Musical Offering for Christmas, held in December.
Flute Ensemble
Brass Ensemble
Contemporary Music Ensemble (MUS3914)
The Contemporary Music Ensemble is devoted to understanding and performing the music of our time. Participation is open to any singer or instrumentalist in the School of Music. Students (combined in various groupings) study the many diverse and fascinating styles of composition, notation and expression that make today’s music a rich and exciting experience. Rehearsals are held once per week for two hours, and the ensemble performs in at least one concert during the academic year.
Guitar
Guitar Ensembles (MUS3907)
All undergraduate guitar students are placed into a small ensemble (duo, trio or quartet) with other students of a similar level. These ensembles work together over the course of the year with one-hour coaching sessions each week provided by a professor (member of the resident Canadian Guitar Quartet) or graduate guitar performance student within the School of Music. All guitar ensembles perform in class concerts as well as public concerts; more advanced ensembles have opportunities to perform in recruitment tours and in other venues.
Baroque Ensembles (MUS3912)
Baroque Ensemble normally consists of several small groups of students in voice, organ, harpsichord, woodwinds and/or strings that study repertoire such as trio sonatas and vocal solo or duo pieces with solo instrumental parts. Participants must be capable of singing or playing solo parts. The ensemble usually presents one or two concerts within the academic year and participates in the university’s Musical Offering for Christmas, held in December.
Contemporary Music Ensemble (MUS3914)
The Contemporary Music Ensemble is devoted to understanding and performing the music of our time. Participation is open to any singer or instrumentalist in the School of Music. Students (combined in various groupings) study the many diverse and fascinating styles of composition, notation and expression that make today’s music a rich and exciting experience. Rehearsals are held once per week for two hours, and the ensemble performs in at least one concert during the academic year.
Piano
Chamber Music Ensembles (MUS3944, 4944, 7902)
Chamber music ensembles of the University of Ottawa are made up of undergraduate (performance) and graduate students from the string, piano and wind sectors. Students are formed into ensembles of approximately three to eight performers and are assigned a professor as coach. They are encouraged to rehearse independently twice per week (in addition to their weekly coaching sessions), to perform in a weekly chamber music masterclass taught by rotating faculty and guest faculty members, and to perform the works being studied at the end of each semester. Repertoire is decided together with the coordinator and coaches.
Piano Duos (MUS3916)
Piano Duos is offered to undergraduate piano students as an introduction to the art of ensemble playing, studying works for one and two pianos, four-hands. Participation is compulsory for all first- and second-year piano majors. Instruction is given by piano professors, and the content of the course may include topics such as sight-reading and keyboard skills.
Accompaniment (MUS3917)
This course offers piano students training in vocal and instrumental accompaniment. Participation is compulsory for all third-year piano majors, and course times are scheduled in consultation with the professor.
Baroque Ensembles (MUS3912)
Baroque Ensemble normally consists of several small groups of students in voice, organ, harpsichord, woodwinds and/or strings that study repertoire such as trio sonatas and vocal solo or duo pieces with solo instrumental parts. Participants must be capable of singing or playing solo parts. The ensemble usually presents one or two concerts within the academic year and participates in the university’s Musical Offering for Christmas, held in December.
Contemporary Music Ensemble (MUS3914)
The Contemporary Music Ensemble is devoted to understanding and performing the music of our time. Participation is open to any singer or instrumentalist in the School of Music. Students (combined in various groupings) study the many diverse and fascinating styles of composition, notation and expression that make today’s music a rich and exciting experience. Rehearsals are held once per week for two hours, and the ensemble performs in at least one concert during the academic year.
Jazz Ensemble (MUS3908)
Students in this ensemble, both vocalists and instrumentalists, have the opportunity to learn jazz theory and performance at a professional level and are trained in both classical and jazz techniques. There are varied performing opportunities within the School of Music throughout the year as well as outside the school at venues such as the Ottawa International Jazz Festival.
Percussion
University of Ottawa Orchestra (MUS3901)
The Orchestra at the University of Ottawa is a pre-professional training ensemble conducted by David Currie who is also Music Director of the Ottawa Symphony Orchestra (OSO). With approximately 50 student musicians, the orchestra has two-hour rehearsals twice per week and is compulsory for string instrument majors. Faculty members often appear as soloists, and concerts are broadcast on the Rogers Television network. In addition, the university produces a number of CDs of the orchestra’s performances. Many orchestra members audition and play for the OSO.
University of Ottawa Wind Ensemble (MUS3911)
The University of Ottawa Wind Ensemble is composed of undergraduate wind, brass and percussion students in the School of Music. The ensemble consists of approximately 45 members and performs varied repertoire from the finest original wind band works to select transcriptions and arrangements. Participation by personnel from outside the School of Music is subject to the permission of the conductor (Daniel Gress) and requires an audition. In addition to four regular concerts on campus, the Wind Ensemble occasionally presents masterclasses, clinics and concerts in cooperation with local school music programs and on tour.
Percussion Ensemble (MUS3913)
The University of Ottawa Percussion Ensemble is open to all students in the percussion sector and is led by co-directors Ken Simpson and Jonathan Wade who are both percussionists in the National Arts Centre Orchestra (NACO). The ensemble meets once per week for 1-½ hours, and participants must be willing to also rehearse outside of class time. At least two public concerts are performed during the academic year.
Contemporary Music Ensemble (MUS3914)
The Contemporary Music Ensemble is devoted to understanding and performing the music of our time. Participation is open to any singer or instrumentalist in the School of Music. Students (combined in various groupings) study the many diverse and fascinating styles of composition, notation and expression that make today’s music a rich and exciting experience. Rehearsals are held once per week for two hours, and the ensemble performs in at least one concert during the academic year.
Jazz Ensemble (MUS3908)
Students in this ensemble, both vocalists and instrumentalists, have the opportunity to learn jazz theory and performance at a professional level and are trained in both classical and jazz techniques. There are varied performing opportunities within the School of Music throughout the year as well as outside the school at venues such as the Ottawa International Jazz Festival.
Strings
University of Ottawa Orchestra (MUS3901)
The Orchestra at the University of Ottawa is a pre-professional training ensemble conducted by David Currie who is also Music Director of the Ottawa Symphony Orchestra (OSO). With approximately 50 student musicians, the orchestra has two-hour rehearsals twice per week and is compulsory for string instrument majors. Faculty members often appear as soloists, and concerts are broadcast on the Rogers Television network. In addition, the university produces a number of CDs of the orchestra’s performances. Many orchestra members audition and play for the OSO.
Chamber Music Ensembles (MUS3944, 4944, 7902)
Chamber music ensembles of the University of Ottawa are made up of undergraduate (performance) and graduate students from the string, piano and wind sectors. Students are formed into ensembles of approximately three to eight performers and are assigned a professor as coach. They are encouraged to rehearse independently twice per week (in addition to their weekly coaching sessions), to perform in a weekly chamber music masterclass taught by rotating faculty and guest faculty members, and to perform the works being studied at the end of each semester. Repertoire is decided together with the coordinator and coaches.
Baroque Ensembles (MUS3912)
Baroque Ensemble normally consists of several small groups of students in voice, organ, harpsichord, woodwinds and/or strings that study repertoire such as trio sonatas and vocal solo or duo pieces with solo instrumental parts. Participants must be capable of singing or playing solo parts. The ensemble usually presents one or two concerts within the academic year and participates in the university’s Musical Offering for Christmas, held in December.
Contemporary Music Ensemble (MUS3914)
The Contemporary Music Ensemble is devoted to understanding and performing the music of our time. Participation is open to any singer or instrumentalist in the School of Music. Students (combined in various groupings) study the many diverse and fascinating styles of composition, notation and expression that make today’s music a rich and exciting experience.S Rehearsals are held once per week for two hours, and the ensemble performs in at least one concert during the academic year.
Voice
Opera Workshop (MUS3903)
Opera Workshop offers young singers the opportunity to experience the preparation of an entire opera or selected scenes, culminating in four to six fully staged performances. Sandra Graham, music and stage director for the annual production and professor of the class, coordinates the myriad activities involved in this ensemble including musical rehearsals, movement and staging classes, as well as information sessions on make-up, costumes, props and sets. Participation is compulsory for all voice performance majors in the third and fourth year of the Baccalaureate of Music program, and by audition for all other interested students. Opera Workshop rehearses two hours per week, with an additional two-hour rehearsal as optional.
Calixa-Lavallée Choir (MUS3905)
This is the chamber choir of the School of Music. Participation in this ensemble, which is conducted by Laurence Ewashko, allows singers to expand their knowledge in many ways: by performing a wide variety of vocal styles and repertoire; by developing a sense of blend; and by improving their sight-reading, linguistic and vocal/choral ensemble skills. While limited to 24 singers who are primarily voice majors, competition is open to the entire student body through audition. Rehearsals take place once per week for two hours. The Calixa-Lavallée Choir performs regularly throughout the school year in a variety of concerts, both at the university and within the community at large.
Chamber Music Ensembles (MUS3944, 4944, 7902)
Chamber music ensembles of the University of Ottawa are made up of undergraduate (performance) and graduate students from the string, piano and wind sectors. Students are formed into ensembles of approximately three to eight performers and are assigned a professor as coach. They are encouraged to rehearse independently twice per week (in addition to their weekly coaching sessions), to perform in a weekly chamber music masterclass taught by rotating faculty and guest faculty members, and to perform the works being studied at the end of each semester. Repertoire is decided together with the coordinator and coaches.
Choral Ensemble (MUS3904)
This ensemble allows singers to expand their knowledge by performing a wide variety of vocal styles and repertoire, and developing a sense of blend; and by improving their sight-reading, linguistic, and vocal/choral ensemble skills. There is no audition requirement. Participation is compulsory for all undergraduate music students in their first and second year who are not involved in the orchestra. Director Laurence Ewashko divides the rehearsals into three sessions per week: one women’s sectional, one men’s sectional and one joint rehearsal. Each session is 1-½ hours in duration. The Choral Ensemble performs at three major events during the academic year: the university’s Musical Offering for Christmas in early December, the Intervarsity Choral Festival and the year-end concert of the University of Ottawa Orchestra.
University of Ottawa Choir (MUS3906)
This ensemble allows singers to expand their knowledge by performing a wide variety of vocal styles and repertoire, developing a sense of blend; and by improving their sight-reading, linguistic and vocal/choral ensemble skills. It is an amateur choir of approximately 90 auditioned voices, open to all students within the university as well as to the general public. Rehearsals are held once per week for three hours, with occasional extra rehearsals held on Saturdays during each semester. The University of Ottawa Choir, conducted by Laurence Ewashko, prepares two major concerts during the academic year, performing large-scale works that usually involve orchestra and vocal soloists. This award-winning choir has performed in various centres across Canada and Europe.
Baroque Ensembles (MUS3912)
Baroque Ensemble normally consists of several small groups of students in voice, organ, harpsichord, woodwinds and/or strings that study repertoire such as trio sonatas and vocal solo or duo pieces with solo instrumental parts. Participants must be capable of singing or playing solo parts. The ensemble usually presents one or two concerts within the academic year and participates in the university’s Musical Offering for Christmas, held in December.
Contemporary Music Ensemble (MUS3914)
The Contemporary Music Ensemble is devoted to understanding and performing the music of our time. Participation is open to any singer or instrumentalist in the School of Music. Students (combined in various groupings) study the many diverse and fascinating styles of composition, notation and expression that make today’s music a rich and exciting experience. Rehearsals are held once per week for two hours, and the ensemble performs in at least one concert during the academic year.