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.)
  • ​Student's may request an absence to be excused based upon the criteria established in University Policy 3.06
  • Each unexcused absence may result in the maximum grade attainable being lowered by a full letter grade. [1 unexcused absence = B; 2 unexcused absence = C; etc.]
  • Any student who is tardy or misses a dress rehearsal, orchestra rehearsal, or who misses a week or more of rehearsals in preparation for a program, may be removed from the concert at the conductor's discretion. Also, any student who misses a dress rehearsal or a concert may be expelled from the ensemble for the remainder of the semester, receiving the grade [F]. More than three absences or willful neglect of ensemble responsibilities may also subject a student to expulsion from the ensemble.
  • Students are considered tardy if they arrive after warm ups have commenced.  Two instances of tardiness are equivalent to one unexcused absence.  Tardiness for performances, dress rehearsals, orchestra rehearsals, or other major rehearsals will be treated as absences. Students who leave rehearsal prior to the end of the regularly scheduled dismissal will be considered tardy.
  • All anticipated conflicts with the ensemble schedule must be submitted to the request board by the end of the second week of the term.  
  • Professional Leave: Under special circumstances, students may request Professional Leave from a rehearsal. Leave will be considered for those with direct conflicts involving major performance or audition opportunities (Graduate School Auditions/Professional Performances). Requests for permission to miss a rehearsal for such professional reasons must be submitted no later than six weeks before the date of the rehearsal in question. Students requesting permission to miss a rehearsal for an audition opportunity should first check with the organization offering the audition to determine whether it could be rescheduled to a time that does not conflict with their prior ensemble obligations. Students with major roles in UNI Opera may be considered for Professional Leave for mainstage productions. 
  • To submit an excused absence request, complete an excused absence request form (on Dr. Wiles' office board) and place the completed form in the excused absence request folder. Requests must be made no later than 2 weeks after the absence in question. These forms will be curated by Dr. Wiles graduate assistant. To make an appeal, speak with Dr. Wiles.
• 9/4 is Conflict Day. We will take time in class to go over the chorus schedule for the term. All students are expected to bring their calendars so they can find any/all conflicts.

Medical Leave

Students with physical conditions requiring short-term medical leave involving up to a week of rehearsals, but who still expect to perform in the program, are required to attend rehearsals even if they cannot play or sing, unless they are confined to bed or pose a risk of exposing other ensemble members to a contagious disease. Students requesting absences of longer than a week, which they expect will prevent them from performing on a program, must submit suitable medical documentation, in English, from a licensed care practitioner to the conductor in a timely manner. Vocalists who are on vocal rest are still required to attend choral ensemble rehearsals. In case of sudden illness or a medical emergency, it is the student's responsibility to notify the conductor of their absence as soon as possible.