A Message from the Dean regarding the remainder of Winter Term 2020
The following adjustments are being made for the remainder of Winter Term 2020 as a result of COVID-19-related public health measures.
To all students, faculty, and staff,
Let me begin by assuring you that although several aspects of your program have been modified, halted, or cancelled, you will not need to repeat the semester. The following communiqué identifies what you can expect with the various components of our academic program.
Music Theory, Music History, and Musicianship Skills courses
Beginning March 18 there will be no further in-class lectures for the remainder of the semester. Instead, your instructors will shift everything to an online format to complete your term work. Each instructor will be addressing this matter slightly differently, depending upon the course. As such, it is imperative that you monitor your email a couple of times each day to ensure you have received the most current information from your instructor.
Ensembles
All ensembles and rehearsals are cancelled for the remainder of the year. Your grade will be determined by your participation in your respective ensemble until this point in time.
Concerts/Midday concerts
All concerts and midday events (concerts and wellness events) are cancelled for the remainder of the year. Everyone will be given your full concert credit status, regardless of how many credits they have accumulated for the year.
Chamber Ensemble courses
For those who are enrolled in a chamber ensemble, there will be no further rehearsals and there will be no final performance. One’s grade will be assigned by the instructor overseeing a particular ensemble and will be based on the work done up to this point in time.
Techniques courses
If you are enrolled in courses such as woodwind techniques, brass techniques, percussion techniques, etc., your respective instructor will be in contact with you about what the requirements will be to complete the remainder of the semester.
Music Education courses
Your Music Education professor will be in contact with you about what the requirements will be to complete the remainder of the semester.
Masterclasses
All masterclasses are cancelled for the remainder of the semester.
Major Practical Study
All end of semester juries and recitals are cancelled. The grade for your major practical study will be assigned by your studio instructor and will be based on the work you have accomplished up to this point in time.
For those students in second year who want to apply into the performance stream, for this year acceptance will be based on the recommendation of their MPS instructor, predicated on the preparation a student has accomplished. All students entering into Performance in September 2020 will be required to do a half-jury in December, in order to receive feedback as they prepare for their first recital. Please note that this half-jury will have no bearing on your grade and is offered to provide you formative feedback.
The grade for your end of semester recital will also be given by your studio instructor and will be based on your preparation for your recital performance. It is our hope that conditions will allow us to offer an opportunity to students who would have done a 3rd-year, 4th-year, post-bacc, and MMus recital to record a portion of their concert later this summer, towards the end of August. Please note that this recording has no bearing on your grade and is a courtesy we are extending to you since your formal recital was cancelled. More details about this opportunity will be forthcoming this summer.
Your respective MPS instructor will be in contact with you during the summer and, schedules permitting, may choose to provide the opportunity for the occasional lesson (either in-person or via Skype/FaceTime) to monitor your progress.
Please stay well and keep safe in these difficult circumstances.
Ed Jurkowski
Dean, Desautels Faculty of Music