Academic Policies

These academic policies are designed to help you understand what's expected in lessons, masterclasses, recitals and more.

Whether you're planning a performance, coordinating with an accompanist, or navigating concert attendance requirements, this guide will help you stay organized and informed throughout your music studies.

Studio Lesson Course (MUPS) Attendance Policy

Lessons and/or coachings cancelled with less than 24 hours’ notice are forfeited A student may petition for a rescheduled lesson or coaching. Lessons cancelled by the instructor shall be rescheduled.

Students are permitted to miss one lesson/coaching/studio class per academic year without a grade penalty. Subsequent missed lessons/coachings/studio classes will result in a loss of 3 percent per missed class from the final studio grade. The grade penalty may be waived at the instructor's discretion only in significant extenuating circumstances.

Accompanying Allocation for Voice and Instrumental Students

The following is the amount of accompanying time (1-1 practice / accompaniment time) provided for students. These times are subject to change.

In addition, all students are provided with accompanying time for their jury, one student recital performance per year for all non-Performance students, and up to two student recital performances per term for students in Performance.  Each student who is entitled to accompaniment will be assessed a fee at the beginning of the term by the university to cover part of the cost of all the accompaniment to which their course entitles them.

Accompanying hours not used in one term cannot be transferred to another term and accompanying hours not used by one student cannot be transferred to another student.

The maximum accompanying (rehearsal) time available for any student in any one week is 30 minutes for students in first- and second-year lessons, and up to one hour for students in third- and fourth-year lessons. If you book time with an accompanist and do not show up, you forfeit that time.

Auditioning for Performance

Students (whether external or internal) may audition up to two times for admission to the Performance Program.* The Jury's decision regarding the first audition for the Performance Program will be communicated via one of three check-boxes on the audition/jury form: 'Admitted to Performance'; 'Not admitted to Performance but encouraged to re-audition in one year'; and 'Not admitted to Performance'. If the jury's decision is 'Not admitted to Performance', this would not prohibit the student from re-auditioning (for a second and final time) if advised to do so by the student's studio instructor; but it should be taken as an indication that the student is not deemed to be at the level necessary for the Performance Program and that the student would be well advised to select a different program. Performance students who are removed from performance on the basis of their jury may not re-audition for the program.

*Keyboard students may only audition for the performance stream after Year 1 or 2 of the program (or at entrance if entering externally)—Keyboard students must be enrolled in 2 years of the Performance program to graduate in Performance. (Appendix C)

Recitals and Concerts

Throughout the year, a wide range of music is performed in student recitals, the Music at Noon Series, and evening and weekend concerts featuring ensembles, student composers, and opera classes. You should consider your attendance part of your commitment to your musical education. Admission is free to all Laurier students. You are expected to attend, and you are encouraged to invite students from other faculties. Hearing live musical performance is an essential ingredient of your musical education, and you should take advantage of every opportunity that is open to you to hear good performance.

In addition to all the concerts sponsored by the Faculty of Music, the Maureen Forrester Recital Hall and Theatre Auditorium are also used for performances by various community organizations. Many of these outside organizations offer special rates to Laurier students and you are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity to hear professional musicians.

Concert Etiquette

An important part of concert attendance is practicing proper concert etiquette, to allow you and the rest of the audience to enjoy the music. This begins with the two basic rules of decorum in the Recital Hall: no food or drink may ever be brought into the hall, and feet may never be put on chairs, no matter how tired you are and how empty the hall. There should never be any noise during performance. To be polite, you must come on time. When you have to make notes during a performance, be sure to write with a pen that is silent; the sound of a pencil scratching on paper is disturbing. Coughing is sometimes unavoidable, but do it as quietly as possible. Unwrapping a cough drop makes the noise that most annoys listeners. Of course there can never be any talking during the music and cellular phones should be turned off. Cameras and other recording equipment are not allowed in the Recital Hall.

Concert Report and Attendance Policy

All students are expected to attend 10 professional concerts per academic year and submit a concert report for each concert attended. Failing to submit your concert reports at the end of the winter term will result in a 10% reduction in your term work grade (1% per missed report).

Performance in Student Recitals

All students are encouraged to take part in noon-hour student recitals, space permitting. All students in the Performance program are required to take part in noon-hour student recitals at least once each term. If you wish to perform, discuss the repertoire with your studio teacher.

Graduation Recitals

Deadlines pertaining to all graduation recitals (Bachelor of Music, Opera Diploma, and Chamber Music Diploma) are outlined in the Graduation Recital Agreement (GRA) that each student receives.

Please note:

Failure to meet any deadlines expressed in the GRA may result in the cancellation of the recital.
Studio teachers must approve the recital program, check it for accuracy and ensure that timings are realistic in accordance to the GRA recital maximum length.
Students who wish to schedule a reception in the Maureen Forrester Recital Hall lobby following their recital will pay any extra administrative costs incurred. Students must ensure all food and beverages at the reception are in accordance with Laurier Food Services regulations.
Two business days prior to a recital, a copy of all music (to be performed during the recital) must be submitted to the Senior Assistant to the Dean's Office.
The Faculty of Music does not pay for chamber support players to participate in recitals or rental/transportation costs for off campus instruments.

Graduation Recital Policy

Undergraduate Performance Program

The timing from first stage entrance to last stage exit must not exceed 70 minutes, including at least 45 minutes and no more than 60 minutes of music to be presented. A description and timing of any other content must be submitted for approval. Spoken introductions, acknowledgements, or capstone project presentations are all examples of content requiring approval. Encores are not permitted.

Repertoire performed for a jury or graded concert in other performance courses may not be included. Repertoire chosen should avoid narrow stylistic specialization and include at least one work of major dimensions. For example, a full-length sonata or song cycle should be included. Singers must perform in a minimum of four languages.

Chamber Music is defined as a work with only one instrument per part, and here applies to works other than for solo or accompanied solo. A Basso continuo (keyboard and bass instrument) or Rhythm Section (in the case of a Jazz performance) is not considered an ensemble. The length of the total chamber work must not be more than half the total program.

Opera Diploma

Total music length should not exceed 25 minutes per student; usually two to three Opera Diploma students share one program for a total of 50-75 minutes, with shared ensemble repertoire.

Repertoire studied in performance courses other than 491B and 398/498 (depending on whether this is the second or third time the student is taking the opera course) may not be included. Repertoire chosen should exhibit a variety of styles and periods, should avoid a narrow specialization, and should include at least three languages and at least one work of major dimension (e.g. major aria with accompanied or secco recitative or large ensemble).

Chamber Music Diploma

Your studio teacher and the coordinator of Chamber Music must approve the program. The recital program will contain 80 minutes of music and may be presented as a single recital, or two half-recitals.

Repertoire chosen should avoid narrow specialization and include at least one work of major dimensions (e.g. a full-length trio, quartet or quintet).