Music
Department Overview
The Department of Music provides students with the opportunity to develop their artistic expression through the mediums of vocal, instrumental and electronic music, along with an understanding of the role of music in culture. We offer a stimulating environment that integrates performing and creative musical activities with a theoretical and critical approach to musical studies. Students benefit from a small student/teacher ratio as they develop their musical knowledge, skills and abilities.
Our faculty members have achieved national and international recognition in their fields. They work closely with students, encouraging them to engage in a wide variety of performing, compositional and scholarly endeavours. These experiences take place within the department, across the faculty and university environment and within the community at large.
Music Programs
Pursue your musical passion within a close-knit community of inspiring and accomplished composers, performers and historians dedicated to their craft, their colleagues and their students.
Ensembles
The Department has several distinguished instrumental and vocal ensembles.
Auditioned Groups
- Chamber Choir
- Wind Ensemble
- University Orchestra
- Jazz Band
- New Music Ensemble
No Audition Required
There is no audition required for Concert Choir or Concert Band. Saxophone Ensemble requires the permission of the instructor.
Special Admission Requirements
Some programs in the Faculty of Media, Art, and Performance have special admission requirements.
In order to apply for the Bachelor of Music and the Bachelor of Music Education, you must pass an audition and a theory exam.
Bachelor of Music Program (BMus)
All students applying to the Bachelor of Music program must pass both an audition and a theory exam. Both exams will take place on the same day. Contact the Department of Music to register.
Bachelor of Music Education program (BMusEd)
As this program is run jointly by the Faculty of Education and the Faculty of Media, Art, and Performance (Department of Music), you must be admitted to both faculties.
- Applicants must submit an official application to the University of Regina indicating interest in the BMusEd program so that the Faculty of Education can process the application. This is done via the Online Application for Admission.
- If you have not yet taken courses in any university program, you must apply to the Faculty of Education no later than March 1.
- If you have taken courses in a University program, apply no later than February 1st. Note that late applications may not be accepted.
In addition, all applicants to the program must pass both an audition and a theory exam. Both exams will take place on the same day. Contact the Department of Music to register.
Open House Week
- Experience a day in the life of a UR Music Student.
- Meet faculty and current students, attend clinics and workshops.
- There is no registration fee.
- Parents are welcome.
- Contact the Department of Music to register.
Auditions
The Department of Music holds traditional auditions every year, from February through April.
Auditions Dates for Entrance in 2024:
- Saturday, February 10, 2024 (eligible for scholarship consideration)
- Saturday, March 16, 2024 (eligible for scholarship consideration)
- Saturday, March 23, 2024 (eligible for scholarship consideration)
- Additional dates by request
Please contact the Department of Music to register.
Applying to Audition
You must apply to audition at least two weeks prior to your audition date.
- Audition Application Form PDF (71 KB)
Theory Test
Students applying to the Bachelor of Music program (BMus) or to the Bachelor of Music Education program (BMusEd) must pass the Department’s theory entrance exam. The theory exam takes place on the audition dates, and takes no more than one hour to complete. It is comparable in difficulty to the Grade 2 Rudiments exam of the Royal Conservatory.
- Sample Theory Test PDF (559 KB)
Performance Standards
We expect you to be performing at a minimum of Grade 8 Royal Conservatory standard.
Although we accept students every year who have not studied privately, it is an advantage to have had and/or be taking private lessons, as your teacher will advise you whether you are likely to pass a university entrance audition.
We also encourage prospective students to contact our applied teacher for their instrument (or voice), and to come in to play for them. Our teacher will assess whether you are playing at university entrance level. If you attend our annual Open House in November, you can receive further assistance with audition preparation. Contact the Department of Music for information and application procedures for the Open Houses.
Audition Repertoire
Please refer to List of Appropriate Repertoire PDF (129 KB)
Alternatively, you may contact the Music Department to obtain a list for your instrument or voice.
The general recommendation is as follows:
- If you are an instrumentalist, prepare a minimum of two contrasting pieces, from different periods and in different styles.
- If you are a vocalist, prepare three songs in at least two different languages.
Your audition and interview will last about 20 minutes altogether. Therefore, your repertoire should take no more than 10 minutes to perform.
Accompanist for Audition
If you are performing one or more works that require piano or other instrumental accompaniment, you must bring an accompanist with whom you have rehearsed. If you don’t have one, contact the Department of Music at least a month prior to your audition. We maintain a non-exclusive list of accompanists in Regina and can supply you with some names. We do not accept taped accompaniment.
When Will I Know if I Passed My Audition?
You can expect to hear from the Department of Music within two weeks of your audition.
What if I Did Not Pass?
If your audition was unsuccessful, we will advise you if you should re-audition at a later date. Consult the Department Head to discuss your options.
Auditioned Groups
The Chamber Singers is an award-winning select ensemble specializing in the performance of a cappella choral repertoire.
This dynamic ensemble has performed in some of North America's great concert halls including Carnegie Hall in New York, Roy Thompson Hall in Toronto, Symphony Hall in Chicago and the Winspear Centre in Edmonton. They have also previously performed at the national conventions of both ACDA (Association of Choral Directors of America) and ACCC (Association of Canadian Choral Communities.)
The choir has twice captured First Prize in the Mixed Choir Category of the ACCC National Competition for Canadian Amateur Choirs (formerly the CBC Amateur Choral Competition). Previously, they had won Second Prize twice. They were also awarded First Prize in the Chamber Choir category at the International Eisteddfod in Wales, competing against selected choirs from around the world. They were finalists in the 2013 National Choral Competition of the Association of Canadian Choral Communities.
Auditions
Admission into the Chamber Singers is by audition. Singers must prepare a classical art or folk song and be prepared for a sight reading test. Auditions take place in the first week of each semester.
Chamber Singers members must also be able to commit to a higher number of performances each season.
Rehearsals
The Chamber Singers rehearse on Tuesday and Thursday from 3:30 p.m.- 4:45 p.m. in RC 175.
Social Media
Please join the University of Regina Choral Activities Facebook page for all up-to-date information.
Questions
Please direct questions to Professor Melissa Morgan, the Director of Choirs.
The Wind Ensemble provides opportunities for all wind and percussion players. Our repertoire includes transcriptions of orchestral works, concerti, symphonic band works and new music for the wind band. The Wind Ensemble regularly features student and faculty solo artists, and has given numerous Canadian and world premieres of works. We perform two concerts during the first semester, and three to four concerts during the second semester.
Auditions
Admission to the Wind Ensemble is by audition. Musicians should book a time with Professor Brent Ghiglione during the first week of classes. The audition will consist of an excerpt of a solo or study, or an excerpt of some band music.
Rehearsals
Wind Ensemble rehearses on Tuesday and Thursday from 5:30 p.m. - 6:50 p.m. in RC 175.
Questions
Please direct questions to Professor Brent Ghiglione, the Director of Bands.
The University of Regina Orchestra is a high-level ensemble that performs challenging works in an extensive range of styles and eras. It is directed by Dr. Alain Perron.
Some examples of repertoire performed in the past include symphonies by Beethoven, Mendelssohn, Brahms and Tchaikovsky, overtures by Rossini, Rimsky-Korsakov’s Scheherazade, Respighi’s Fountains of Rome, as well as Stravinsky’s Fireworks.
At the end of each semester, the University Orchestra presents a full concert in the University Theatre.
Participation in the University Orchestra is open to musicians of the Music Department, students from other departments and faculties who play an orchestral instrument, former students and other musicians from the university and wider communities.
An audition may be required.
University of Regina students who are not music majors participate by registering for MUEN 171-001 (for 1.0 credit hour) or MUEN 171-002 (for 0 credit hours).
Rehearsals
The University Orchestra rehearses on Tuesday from 7:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. in RC 175.
Questions
Please direct questions to Dr. Alain Perron.
The University of Regina has two jazz ensembles that rehearse twice a week.
Jazz 2, directed by Chad Huel, rehearses from 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. on Wednesdays and performs in the jazz ensembles final concert at the end of each semester.
Jazz 1, directed by Dr. David Dick, rehearses from 12:00 p.m. - 1:15 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays. This ensemble performs five to ten times each semester at the university, at venues in Regina, and in other cities in Saskatchewan.
Students from all majors are welcome.
Auditions
Auditions are held before the first rehearsal.
Repertoire
Concerts feature music from many of the great jazz ensembles lead by performers such as Stan Kenton, Count Basie, Duke Ellington, and Thad Jones, as well as modern big band repertoire.
The U of R Jazz Band has had the pleasure to work with artists such as Wayne Bergeron, Lina Allemano, William Carn, Andrew Downing, Gordon Foote, Alex Goodman, Kelly Jefferson, Jon McCaslin, Kevin Willms, and Brad Turner.
Jazz Band alumni include many fine performers and teachers, known in Canada and internationally.
Questions
Please direct questions to Dr. David Dick.
The Students' New Music Ensemble premieres works by students in the Music Composition Program. It is directed by Dr. Alain Perron.
The Students' New Music Ensemble is open to musicians from the Music Department with strong performance skills, as well as former music students. The ensemble is also open to musicians from the university and from the wider community. Flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, tuba, two pianos, violin, cello, double bass and two percussions, is an example of the instrumentation from a previous semester.
We present a full concert at the end of each semester.
Auditions
An audition may be required, depending on the instrumentation.
Rehearsals
The Students' New Music Ensemble rehearses on Friday from 1:30 p.m. - 3:20 p.m. in RC 175.
Questions
Please direct questions to Dr. Alain Perron.
No Auditions Required
All students are welcome to join the University Concert Choir. If you are interested, you are required to see the choir director for a hearing to determine voice placement. The hearing will consist of vocal warm-ups, a range test and some simple sight singing. Previous choral experience is recommended, but not required. No singers are turned away! Hearings take place in the first week of each semester.
Rehearsals
Concert Choir rehearses on Monday from 4:30 p.m.- 6:50 p.m. in RC 175.
Social Media
Please join the University of Regina Choral Activities Facebook page for all up-to-date information.
Questions
Please direct questions to Professor Melissa Morgan, the Director of Choirs.
The University Concert Band provides a rich and varied musical experience to all university students, regardless of their major. The Concert Band is made up of many music and arts education majors, as well as talented undergraduate and graduate students from other disciplines.
All students are welcome to join. We challenge each player to develop their individual musicianship, through the rehearsal and performance of a wide variety of repertoire. We perform one concert each semester.
If you are interested, you are required to see Professor Brent Ghiglione for a hearing to determine each section. The hearing, which will take place during the first week of classes, will consist of an excerpt of a solo or study, or an excerpt of some band music.
Rehearsals
Concert Band rehearses on Thursday from 7:30 p.m. - 9:20 p.m in RC 175.
Questions
Please direct questions to Professor Brent Ghiglione, the Director of Bands.
The University of Regina Saxophone Ensemble, directed by Jennifer Tenford, is open to saxophonists from the university, including both music and non-music majors. Permission of the instructor is required.
Past performances of the Saxophone Ensemble include appearances at the 2013 North American Saxophone Alliance Regional Conference in Saskatoon, as a guest chamber ensemble with the University Concert Band and Wind Ensemble, and performances at schools in the Regina area. We also perform a concert at the end of each semester.
Rehearsals
The Saxophone ensemble rehearses for two hours per week. Rehearsal times will be determined according to student class schedules.
Questions
For more information, please contact the Music Department General Office.