From the symphony orchestra and wind symphnoy, to vocal jazz and vikes band, the School of Music has ensembles for everyone. Horn students will typically be placed in either the orchestra or wind symphony (or both!) as their main large ensemble credit; however, depending on scheduling, auditon requirments, and gumption, one can feasibly join any other groups that they wish! This page gives a breif list of the ensembles on offer and a bit of information about each. A full run down can be found here. Details about school of music events can be found in the events page.

Large Ensembles

Symphony Orchestra

The UVic Symphony Orchestra (UViSO), since it's inception in 1969, has performed most of the traditional orchestral repertoire from Beethoven, Brahms, and Haydn to Mozart, Stravinksy, and Schoenberg. Of course dedicated to the standard orchetsral repertoire, the UViSO is also dedicated to performing new compositons, having premiered more than 100 works by student and earl-career composers. In a typicall year, the orchestra will accompany winners of the previous year's concerto competition and, in the spring, collaberates with the chorus in a major choral work.

• Directed by Ajtony Csaba (on leave 2022-23)
• Currently directed by Giuseppe Pietraroia for the 2022-23 year
• Open to undergraduates and graduate students from all departments from across the university, pending succesful audition.
• Typically performs four concerts throughout the year, two per term.
• Meets Mondays and Thursdays 3:30 - 6:30pm

Wind Symphony

Regarded as a premier wind ensemble of the Pacific Northwest, the wind symphony is known for it's adventurous programming and high calibre performance. The wind symphony regulary features works of student and early-career composers, as well as collaborations with soloists, conductors, and anually with the Naden Band of the Royal Candian Navy.

• Directed by Dr. Steven Capaldo
• Open to undergraduates and graduate students from all departments from across the university, pending succesful audition.
• Typically performs four concerts throughout the year, two per term.
• Meets Tuesdays and Fridays 3:30 - 6:30pm

Vikes Band

Nothing says school spirit like a good ol' fashioned pep-band. Featuring a wide array of instrumentalists, the Vikes Band performs creative arrangments of crowd favourites, sure to get the blood pumping!

• Directed by Scott MacInnes
• Open to undergraduates and graduate students from all departments from across the university, no audition required.
• Performs at school sporting events throughout the year.
• Meets Wednesdays 8:00 - 10:20pm

Sonic Lab

Sonic Lab is UVic's contemporary and experimental music ensemble, dedicated to the performance of modern works by composers of the recent and current eras. Recent concerts have included music by Arnold Schoenberg, Edgard Varèse, Claude Vivier, John Cage, Kurt Schwitters, and Steve Reich. The Sonic Lab also experiments with improvisation and soundpainting.

• Directed by Ajtony Csaba (on leave 2022-23)
• Open to undergraduates and graduate students from all departments from across the university, pending succesful audition.
• Performs two concerts per year, once each term.
• Meets Mondays and Thursdays 1:00 - 2:30pm

Chorus

Lend your voice to this triumphant choir, made up of around 150 members!

• Directed by Dr. Adam Con
• Open to the whole of the University and wider Victoria Communities, no audition required.
• Performs twice a year, once in the UVic Choirs Chirstmas Concert at Christ Church Cathedral and in March with the UVic Symphony Orchetsra.
• Meets Tuesdays 7:00 - 10:00pm

Vocal Jazz Ensemble

Known for it's fun-filled and audience engaging concerts, the UVic Vocal Jazz Ensembles has established a reputation for artistic excellence, styilistic flexability, and performance of original and inspired arrangments.

• Directed by Wendell Clanton
• Open to undergraduates and graduate students from all departments from across the university, pending succesful audition.
• Performs twice per year, once each term.
• Meets Wednesdays 6:00 - 7:30pm

Jazz & Creative Music Ensemble

Anything goes in UVic's jazz ensmebles. Made up of an ecclectic mix of instrumentalits, the JCME is open to all (auditon requried) looking to get those toes a-tapping!

• Directed by Dr. Patrick Boyle
• Open to undergraduates and graduate students from all departments from across the university, pending succesful audition.
• Performs twice per year at the school of music, and occasionally in other concerts around town.
• Regulary features special guests, including some of Canada's most outstanding jazz musicians.
• Meets Wednesdays 4:30 - 7:30pm