Ensemble Policies

There are four major ensembles:  Chorale (MUEN 1131), Marching Cardinals (MUEN 1140), Wind Ensemble (MUEN 1185), and Orchestra (MUEN 1181).  The following policies relate to the required enrollment into ensemble courses.

• Music majors must register for six-eight semesters, depending upon their particular degree, of major ensembles while at UIW.  Refer to http://www.uiw.edu/music/musicdegrees.html for details.
• Music minors must register for four semester hours of major ensembles.
• All students on a music scholarship must enroll in their appropriate major ensemble in any semester in which they receive funds
• Transfer students must register for at least four semester hours of the appropriate major ensemble.
• A student can only count one ensemble credit toward fulfilling their degree plan for each semester even if they register for more than one ensemble.

The following policies apply to the required enrollment into ensembles related to their principle instruments.

• Voice PRINCIPALS should be in Chorale (MUEN 1131) both Fall and Spring.
• String PRINCIPALS should be in Orchestra (MUEN 1181) both Fall and Spring.
• Guitar and Piano PRINCIPALS can be in Chorale (MUEN 1131), but they may be in Marching Cardinals (MUEN 1140, Fall) and Wind Ensemble (MUEN 1185, Spring) or Orchestra (MUEN 1181) if they also play a woodwind, brass, percussion, or string instrument.
• Music Industry Studies, Composition, and Music Education MAJORS who are also woodwind, brass, and percussion PRINCIPALS should be in Marching Cardinals (MUEN 1140, Fall) and Wind Ensemble (MUEN 1185, Spring).

EXCEPTIONS:  Because of the varied emphases in voice, guitar, and keyboard, MUSIC THERAPY MAJORS who are also woodwind, brass, and percussion principals can choose between marching Cardinals and Chorale in the Fall.  In the spring, MUSIC THERAPY MAJORS who are ALSO in woodwind, brass, and percussion principals should be in Wind Ensemble.  Composition majors who are woodwind, brass, and percussion principles may opt to be in Chorale for two of their ensemble credits.  Piano and Guitar principals who have a secondary instrument may choose an appropriate major ensemble other than Chorale.

• ORCHESTRA for woodwind, brass, and percussion majors is not considered a MAJOR ENSEMBLE--only for string majors.
• The ensembles below do not count as major ensembles:
  • MUEN 2132, Cardinal Singers
  • MUEN 1182, The Cardinal Jazz Band
  • MUEN 3100, Jazz Combo
  • MUEN 3101, String Quartet
  • MUEN 3102, Percussion Ensemble
  • MUEN 3103, Brass Quintet
  • MUEN 3104, Woodwind Quintet
  • MUEN 3105, Guitar Ensemble
  • Cardinal Red Basketball Band
• All students may participate in more than one ensemble.  Please use the following chart when choosing one or the based on scheduling and/or outside school demands.