Music & Culture

Ensembles are open to all UTSC students, regardless of ability or background. The ensemble directors do need to meet you at the beginning of each semester, however, so they can get a sense of your background and musical interests. Interviews are held at the start of each term. Your instructor will contact you about these interviews or let you know during the first day of class. 

ABSOLUTELY!!! It’s worth the risk and you won’t know until you try. The placement interviews are set up in a friendly environment. Instructors are here for you and will be able to provide you with valuable feedback in order to help you improve as a musician. And if you’re not quite ready to participate in one of the ensembles, there are several options we can suggest that may help prepare you for entry and membership during the following semester or academic year.

Interviews take approximately 5 minutes to complete. The directors would like to hear you sing or play something that you love to sing or play. All styles accepted. (Note: this is not an audition!) 

Concert Band, String Orchestra, and Concert Choir are open to the UTSC community for non-credit status, including students, staff, faculty, and alumni. Students interested in Small Ensembles must be enrolled in the course to participate. 

A successful music ensemble comprises a dedicated and engaged membership. The performance and attendance expectations in this stream are the same as those of all members of the ensemble, ensuring a balanced and fair approach for all. This includes performance work (private practice, rehearsals, sectionals, and concerts); attending professional performances held on campus; and midterm and final performance check-ups and feedback. 

UTSC has a limited number of instruments available for student use. These are available on a first-come first-served basis once the auditions have been completed. Please contact ACM Departmental Assistant (AA301) for policies and guidelines regarding instrument rental. The rental fee typically is around $50/term. (Note this is subject to change, per university policy.) 

There are four rooms (with pianos) for student use on the third floor of the AA building. These rooms have restricted access during Winter 2022. Please contact your instructor to assess the possibility for access. 

Yes! We have a weekly ukulele jam called This Uke’s for U-TSC (Wednesdays, 1-2 pm in-person in AA303, and Thursday 12-1 pm online), Ruckus: The UTSC Alumni and Community Choir (Tuesdays, 7:30-9:30 pm, online this year), and a student-led UTSC Glee Club. We welcome you to join any of these initiatives and/or meet with us to discuss the establishment of new music making groups.