The DAN School offers a number of performance courses. These include Large Ensembles (20+ students), Medium Ensembles (8-20 students), Small Ensembles (3-8 students), and Show Courses.
You must submit an application and audition for all of these courses through this online form.
The courses offered in 2026-27 are:
Large Ensembles: Choral Ensemble, Orchestra, Wind Ensemble
Medium Ensembles: Multi-Genre Exploration Ensemble, Percussion Ensemble, Vocal Jazz Ensemble
Small Ensembles: Where students form their own ensembles of 3-8 students.
Show Courses: Cabaret Performance, Dance Performance, Opera Performance, Pit Band
Each Ensemble or Show Course has its own audition requirements. Please ensure that you check the audition requirements listed below for each of the courses you applying to, ensuring sure you upload videos that meet the audition requirements for each course.
All videos should be submitted as links (YouTube, Google Drive, OneDrive etc.) Please double check the permissions of your shared video making sure that they are set to "Public". An easy way to do this to to copy and paste the link to your video into a "Private" or "Incognito" window, to make sure the video opens. If we do not have the correct permissions to access your video your application will not be processed.
We advise taking up to 9 units or Ensemble/Show Courses. In exceptional situations, students may be enrolled in up to 10.5 units. Please check degree requirements on your APR to determine what is required of your degree, and what might be optional for you.
The deadline for applications for returning students is May 15, 2026.
The deadline for incoming students is June 15, 2026.
Click here to apply for all ensembles and courses listed above
Large Ensembles
Course Code: MUSC 115, 215, 315, 415
Terms offered: Year-long course, Fall and Winter
Units: 1.5 per year
Course Information
This SATB large ensemble rehearses throughout the academic year (September–April) and presents several public concerts annually. The ensemble performs a wide range of choral repertoire, including major works, contemporary and Canadian compositions, and regularly collaborates with professional orchestras and choirs. The 2026–27 season will feature one program devoted entirely to Canadian repertoire. Through rehearsal and performance, students develop musicianship, ensemble skills, and an understanding of choral music within historical and contemporary contexts.
Audition Requirements
Admission to the ensemble is by audition; however, the audition is primarily used to ensure correct placement in voice sections, and all are encouraged to apply, regardless of formal singing experience.
Students are asked to submit a short video (1-2 minutes) in which they perform an unaccompanied song of their choice that demonstrates their ability to sing in a choral style. Examples of suitable songs include classical, folk, pop, and choral repertoire.
Course Code: MUSC 115, 215, 315, 415
Terms offered: Year-long course, Fall and Winter
Units: 1.5 per year
Course Information
The Queen’s University Symphony Orchestra, directed by Dan Tremblay, is open to all members of the University and to the Kingston community after passing a successful audition. String players are particularly encouraged to apply. The orchestra usually meets once a week on Tuesday evenings and performs approximately three times a year at the beautiful Isabel Bader Centre for the Performing Arts. This season’s repertoire will be varied, with special attention to Beethoven’s 200th anniversary.
Audition Requirements
Students must submit a recording of the requested orchestral excerpt on their instrument. Please note that woodwind, brass, and percussion orchestral excerpts are the same for Orchestra and Wind Ensemble.
Please note that string players, in addition to their orchestral excerpt, must also record a short excerpt of a solo work of their choice, no accompaniment required. This should be included in a separate video link.
Course Code: MUSC 115, 215, 315, 415
Terms offered: Year-long course, Fall and Winter
Units: 1.5 per year
Course Information
The Queen’s University Wind Ensemble (winds, brass & percussion), directed by Dan Tremblay, is open to all members of the University community by audition. The Wind Ensemble usually meets twice a week and performs approximately three times a year. Previous collaborations include performances with the McGill Wind Symphony (Alain Cazes), Western University (Colleen Richardson), UofT (Gillian MacKay), and the Central Band of the Canadian Forces (Capt. Fullerton).
Audition Requirements
Students must submit a recording of the requested orchestral excerpt on their instrument. Please note that woodwind, brass, and percussion orchestral excerpts are the same for Orchestra and Wind Ensemble.
Medium Ensembles
Course Code: MUSC 112, 212, 312, 412
Terms offered: Fall and/or winter.
Units: 1.5 per term.
Course Information
The Multi-Genre Exploration Ensemble is a collaborative performance course designed to develop versatile ensemble musicianship across a wide range of musical styles. Students will work together in rotating small ensembles, allowing them to experience multiple roles and collaborative contexts throughout the term.
Through hands-on exploration of diverse genres, students will build essential skills for effective musical collaboration, including repertoire selection, rehearsal strategies, stylistic awareness, communication, and shared artistic decision-making. Emphasis is placed on active listening, adaptability, and cooperative problem-solving within a small-ensemble setting.
This course provides a supportive environment for students to experiment with genre, develop collaborative confidence, and deepen their understanding of the artistic and practical skills required for successful ensemble performance.
Audition Requirements
All first-year Bachelor of Music students (including Contemporary, Classical, and Sonic Arts streams) will be automatically registered in the Multi-Genre Exploration Ensemble. No audition is required for these students.
The course is open to students in all years and programs. Students who are not automatically registered and who wish to enroll must submit a video audition demonstrating proficiency on their primary instrument or voice. The video should clearly showcase technical ability, musicality, and readiness to participate in collaborative small-ensemble work.
Course Code: MUSC 112, 212, 312, 412
Terms offered: Fall and/or winter.
Units: 1.5 per term.
Course Information
The Percussion Ensemble at Queen’s has been active since its inception in the mid 70’s. The ensemble performs a wide variety of music for percussion. Repertoire performed has included traditional works by John Cage, Lou Harrison, Edgard Varèse, Amadeo Roldan, Steve Reich, Alan Hovhaness and Michael Colgrass and contemporary works by current composers Michael Udow, Ivan Trevino, Nabojsa Zivkovic, Bob Becker, Emmanuel Sejourne, John Beck and many others.
This course includes weekly rehearsals of a wider variety of repertoire and a minimum of one concert per term for all students. Music for each semester is based on the members’ skills and interests.
Audition Requirements
Any students who were in percussion ensemble in 2025/2026, need not re-audition, and are automatically accepted to the 2026-2027 season. Please write “Previous acceptance” in the audition video link box.
For prospective new members - please prepare:
1 Snare Drum exercise, piece or study, and,
1 mallet percussion piece or study OR 1 drum-set solo/short prepared piece
If access to instruments is any concern or a limitation to anyone considering audition, they are free to email adam.falconi@queensu.ca, and we can make special arrangements for studio access and/or a meeting/coaching in-person to determine eligibility for percussion ensemble. Anyone on the fence or considering an application is encouraged to reach out for more information and guidance.
Course Code: MUSC 112, 212, 312, 412
Terms offered: Fall and/or winter.
Units: 1.5 per term.
Course Information
The Jazz Choir is a select ensemble consisting of a minimum of 12 voices and a maximum of 18 voices. The course focuses on the exploration of choral jazz repertoire, spanning early jazz-influenced works through to contemporary vocal jazz, including music by modern ensembles such as the Swedish group The Real Group.
Audition Requirements
Applicants should prepare one simple popular song of their choice. The selection should demonstrate pitch accuracy, tone quality, and the ability to sing in a contemporary or jazz-influenced style.
Small Ensembles
Course Code: MUSC 100, 200, 300, 400
Terms offered: Fall and/or Winter
Units: 1.5
Course Information
Students create and lead their own small ensembles, exploring repertoire and arrangements across any musical genre. Each ensemble receives a weekly coaching session with an instructor focused on ensemble technique, rehearsal strategy, blend, balance, interpretation, and stagecraft. Outside of coached sessions, ensembles are expected to meet regularly to rehearse, refine repertoire, and prepare public or recorded performances. This course emphasizes collaborative leadership, listening skills, creative arranging, and professional rehearsal habits. Ensembles may combine any instruments and voices and are encouraged to experiment with cross-genre programming.
Audition Requirements
Students who have previously been in a Small Ensemble do not need to provide an audition video. Students who have not taken a small ensemble before should submit a 1-2 minute video demonstrating their technical skills on their instrument/voice of choice.
Show Courses
Course Code: MUSC/DRAM 349
Terms offered: Fall only
Units: 3.0.
Course Information
In this performance and history-based course, students will broaden their knowledge and performance practice in the genre of Cabaret. We will study the art form from its earliest inceptions up to various modern-day expressions. Cabaret, both as venue and art form, has historically been forged by forward-thinking, artistic minds in times of political and economic upheaval. Taking these principles into consideration, what we determine to be other core tenets of the art form, and our own predilections, we will co-create and perform our own cabaret at the end of term. As a student in this course, you will participate in the final cabaret show in whatever discipline or disciplines you are most comfortable with, whether as a singer, actor, improvisor, instrumentalist, dancer, or any combination of thereof.
Audition Requirements
Students are asked to submit a short video (1-2 minutes), performing in an artistic discipline of their choice. Examples include performing a monologue, a song, and instrumental piece, or a dance piece. If the genre of piece is influenced by their ideas about cabaret, great, but any genre is welcome (pop, classical, MT, jazz, modern, tap, etc...).
Course Code: DRAM 339
Terms offered: Fall only
Units: 3.0
Course Information
The objectives of this course are for students to apply their dance skills to various musical works, and to develop their ensemble skills. Assessment will be based on the rehearsal process and the final presentation of each piece. A final public performance will be a part of this course.
Audition Requirements
Students should submit an audition video that shows a 1:00 – 1:30 dance solo.
Course Code: MUSC 332
Terms offered: All year.
Units: 3.0
Course Information
The Opera Ensemble focuses on developing performance skills through the study and presentation of standard operatic repertoire. Repertoire for the upcoming year will include excerpts from the following operas:
The Marriage of Figaro (Mozart)
The Barber of Seville (Rossini)
Orpheus in the Underworld (Offenbach)
Carmen (Bizet)
In addition, a fully staged production of The Old Maid and the Thief by Gian Carlo Menotti is planned for the Winter term. Further details regarding rehearsal schedules and performance dates will be announced.
Audition Requirements
Applicants are required to submit a video recording of one simple song in a classical or semi-classical style. The selection should demonstrate basic vocal technique, musicality, and suitability for operatic repertoire.
Course Code: DRAM 275
Terms offered: Fall
Units: 3.0.
Course Information
Musical Pit Band is a performance-based ensemble course that serves as the pit band for the DAN School of Drama & Music’s Fall 2026 production of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. Students will gain practical experience performing as part of a theatrical production, collaborating closely with actors, directors, music directors, and stage management.
The course focuses on the rehearsal and performance of musical theatre repertoire while developing the essential skills required for professional pit band and ensemble work. Emphasis is placed on stylistic versatility, score preparation, ensemble awareness, following a conductor, and effective collaboration in a theatrical setting.
Musicians playing the following instruments are encouraged to apply:
Piano/Keyboard
Alto Saxophone
B♭ Clarinet
Flute
Oboe
Cello
Percussion
More than one student may be accepted on each instrument.
Students will rehearse during scheduled class hours; however, participation in technical rehearsals and show week is required. Students must be available for extended rehearsal calls and all performances during the final production period.
This course offers an immersive opportunity to develop professional-level rehearsal practices and performance skills specific to pit band and musical theatre environments.
Audition Requirements
Students applying to the Musical Pit Band course must submit a video audition that demonstrates technical proficiency, musical accuracy, and readiness to perform in a pit band setting. Please perform a piece from a musical theatre, contemporary, or jazz genre on your chosen instrument.