All Faculty of Music students registered for a course titled "Applied Principal Instrument" are required to participate in a designated Faculty of Music ensemble. Final assignment to a designated ensemble is made by the Dean, primarily on the basis of an ensemble placement audition. Although most students will audition on the principal instrument, ensemble participation on a secondary instrument is also possible. Keyboard and guitar majors will ordinarily fulfil the ensemble requirement by participation in a chorus or by accompanying. Students may audition for a second ensemble, but credit is only given for one ensemble in any one year.

Students are required to attend all rehearsals and performances of the ensemble(s) to which they have been assigned.