UNI Choirs Syllabi

• Concert Chorale, UNI Singers, Cantorei: An audition is required.  These choruses require students to have the ability to sing beautifully, in tune, and with dynamic range.  A prior background of musical experience or training is expected and students should be able to demonstrate sight-reading and foreign language (Latin, Italian, German, & French) skills.  Concurrent enrollment in applied vocal study at UNI is recommended, but not required.
• Cecilians & Varsity Glee Club: No prerequisites.

Ensemble grades are based primarily on the following five factors, all of which are considered when assigning ensemble grades:

• Performance and preparation
• Quartet Performance (The conductor reserves the right to establish quartet testing to assess for music learning, intonation, and balance.)
• Contribution to the ensemble
• Cooperation and professionalism
• Attendance (Attendance alone does not determine the final grade, but does determine a student’s maximum attainable grade before other factors are considered.)

Attendance Expectations. Students are expected to attend all scheduled events, dress rehearsals, and performances, arriving on time and prepared to fully participate. Attendance is tracked to identify patterns of absence or disengagement, which may affect grades, performance eligibility, and continued participation in the ensemble.

Absence Allowance and Grade Impact. Students are permitted a limited number of absences during the semester based on 90% attendance. [Glee Club / Cecilians = 3 absences; Chorale = 4 absences] These absences are not classified as excused or unexcused and are intended to allow students to manage the normal conflicts of an academic term.

• Each absence beyond this allowance may result in the maximum attainable grade being lowered by one full letter grade (ex: 1 excess absence = maximum grade of B; 2 = C; etc.)
• Excessive absence, repeated patterns of lateness, or willful neglect of ensemble responsibilities may result in removal from performances or expulsion from the ensemble, at the conductor’s discretion

Tardiness

• Students are considered tardy if they arrive after warm-ups have begun
• Two instances of tardiness equal one absence
• Tardiness for performances, dress rehearsals, orchestra rehearsals, Great Hall stage rehearsals, or other major rehearsals is treated as an absence
• Students who leave rehearsal before the scheduled dismissal time are considered tardy

Attendance Tracking. Students are required to maintain a personal attendance tracker provided by the conductor. This document serves as a professional record of attendance and self-management. The conductor will maintain independent attendance records and reserves the right to reconcile discrepancies. Attendance tracker sheets are submitted at the end of the semester and are considered as part of the overall evaluation of professionalism and contribution to the ensemble. Failure to submit an attendance tracker, or submission of an inaccurate or incomplete record, may affect a student’s evaluation of professionalism and contribution. Self-reported attendance does not override performance eligibility decisions. 

Students are required to maintain a personal Attendance Tracker Sheet using the template provided here: [Attendance Tracker Sheet Template] Open the template, select File → Make a copy, and rename the document using the following format: LastName_FirstName_Ensemble_Attendance

At the end of the semester, students will share their Attendance Tracker Sheet with the conductor (view-only). 

Performances and Major Rehearsals

• Any student who misses a dress rehearsal, orchestra rehearsal, Great Hall rehearsal, any rehearsal within two weeks of a performance, or a significant portion of rehearsals leading up to a performance may be removed from that performance
• Any student who misses a dress rehearsal or a performance may be expelled from the ensemble for the remainder of the semester and receive a grade of [F], at the conductor’s discretion
• No absences are permitted during the two weeks preceding a performance without prior approval or documented emergency circumstances

Anticipated Conflicts. All anticipated conflicts with the ensemble schedule must be submitted in writing to the conductor via the Conflict Request Form by the end of the second week of the term.

Professional Leave. Under special circumstances, students may request Professional Leave for conflicts involving significant professional opportunities (ex: graduate school interviews, professional conferences, professional performances). 

• Requests must be made six weeks before the affected rehearsal
• Students should first confirm whether the event can be scheduled outside of prior ensemble commitments (this includes recital hearings)
• Students with major roles in UNI Opera may be considered for Professional Leave for mainstage productions

Approval of Professional Leave does not guarantee performance eligibility.

Medical Leave. Students with short-term medical conditions (up to one week) who still intend to perform are expected to attend rehearsals, even if unable to sing unless:

• They are confined to bed, or
• They pose a risk of contagion to others

Students requesting absences longer than one week may prevent participation in a performance. Vocalists on vocal rest are still expected to attend rehearsals unless otherwise directed. In cases of sudden illness or emergency prior to a performance, students must notify the conductor as soon as possible.

What is a Genuine Emergency? The term “emergency" refers to situations that are sudden, unavoidable, and serious enough that attending rehearsal would be unreasonable or unsafe. Emergencies are rare and should not be anticipated or planned. These may include, but are not limited to:

• Sudden illness or injury requiring medical attention
• Acute mental health crisis or emotional distress
• Family emergency (hospitalization, death, or serious incident involving an immediate family member)
• Situations that pose a risk to personal safety

The following are not considered emergencies and should be managed using the absence allowance and attendance decision guide:

• Academic workload or incomplete preparation
• Exams, papers, or projects in other courses
• Travel plans or transportation issues that could have been anticipated
• Employment conflicts
• Oversleeping or time-management issues
• Minor illness when attendance is still possible
• Social or extracurricular commitments
• High school events
• Routine or manageable health issues
• Some events may be emotionally significant, meaningful, or personally difficult without constituting a genuine emergency. These situations are important and real, but they do not rise to the level of an emergency that overrides ensemble obligations (ex: illness, injury, or death of pets; extended family milestones; social/emotional obligations, general distress). 

Emergencies are evaluated case by case. Experiencing a difficult situation does not automatically constitute an emergency. Repeated emergencies may indicate a need for support and conversation rather than repeated exemptions.

Circles. Each student in the ensemble is assigned to a Circle, a small group designed to support musical preparation, communication, and shared responsibility within the ensemble. Circles exist to strengthen the work of the ensemble by fostering connection, accountability, and awareness. Circles will serve the following functions:

• Encourage musical preparation and engagement
• Provide a first layer of support for students navigating challenges
• Help notice patterns of absence, tardiness, or disengagement that may require attention
• Promote professional habits of communication and responsibility

At each rehearsal, Circles will meet for 4-5 minutes for a brief check-in prompted by the Section Leader. On a rotating basis, Circles will also meet with the conductor during this time.

When a Circle notices a concerning pattern, such as repeated absences or lack of participation, the expectation is conversation. Circles may encourage a member to communicate directly with the conductor. When appropriate, Circles may alert the conductor to concerns related to attendance, engagement, or wellbeing. 

• Musical concerns are shared through section leadership
• Attendance or wellbeing concerns are communicated directly to the conductor