Jacob Liao, Contributing Photographer

For the first time in Yale’s history, undergraduate music ensembles — the Yale Symphony Orchestra, Glee Club, Concert Band and Jazz Ensemble — have attained co-curricular status. 

Students must still audition for these groups, but these musical commitments will appear on their transcripts as zero-credit, pass-fail classes.

This change was the result of a determined effort led by the directors of the respective ensembles, Associate Dean of the Arts Kate Krier, Dean of Music José García León and many others. According to Director of University Bands Thomas Duffy, this shift has been discussed for nearly fifteen years and has been implemented at peer institutions such as Cornell, Brown and UPenn.  

“Our rehearsals and our concerts were being trumped by curricular classes,” said Duffy. “I’ve worked for this for years to try to get some status other than extracurricular for these ensembles.”

Director of YSO William Boughton echoed Duffy’s frustration with music groups’ lack of curricular status and pointed to the hourly commitment.  

According to Boughton, rehearsals can take 28 to 30 hours a month, and student musicians spend many hours outside of this allotted time practicing alone. 

“It’s probably a greater commitment than almost any class,” said Boughton. 

Yale Concert Band President Ana Rodrigues ’25 recalled instances in which academic commitments and musical engagements clashed.

Some members had to miss entire concerts due to midterms or class-related conflicts. Additionally, some students were ineligible to receive make-up exams because Yale’s academic regulations do not excuse absences that aren’t related to an athletic competition or a medically incapacitated circumstance. 

Until last year, undergraduate music directors demanded that musicians receive the same protections as college athletes — the ability to reschedule exams in the case of an ensemble conflict. 

When Duffy mentioned these frustrations and concerns to Dean of Yale College Pericles Lewis, the Dean’s office proposed granting music groups co-curricular status. 

According to Krier, the new system not only prevents scheduling conflicts with rehearsals and concerts but also allows students to receive recognition on their transcripts for these musical involvements. 

Wayne Escoffery, the director of the Jazz Ensemble, added that the change reinforces students’ commitment to their ensemble responsibilities. In some instances, attendance is weighed more heavily after this change. YSO members now have to swipe in before every rehearsal, whereas before a student manager recorded attendance.  

“It sends a strong message that performance ensembles … are a vital and legitimate component of the learning experience at Yale,” Escoffery said.

Boughton said the transcript recognition will benefit students in various ways. Now that these commitments are visible on students’ transcripts, it is easier for music directors to write recommendations for future scholarships and fellowships. 

YSO President Keeley Brooks ’25 added that recommendation letters will carry more weight since ensemble directors are officially recognized as professors of the course.

Some students told the News that little has changed in terms of their music experience, but others have expressed concerns about attendance and expectations.

While Brooks said that the attitude towards attendance has gotten “stricter,” she clarified that the attendance policy remains unchanged. Students are allowed two unexcused absences and may be excused for a variety of reasons. 

Section cellist Christian Phanhthourath ’28 expressed concern about his YSO attendance due to a class that ends at the same time YSO begins. Although he stated that he would demonstrate the same level of commitment regardless of class status, he said he is worried now that the possibility of being late to rehearsal can potentially affect his grade. 

Duffy said that this change emphasizes the importance of communication, as well as reinforces existing expectations.

“The immediate reaction last year before people understood [the change] was, ‘So now we have to come to all the band rehearsals?’” said Duffy. “You always had to come to all the band rehearsals.”  

Rodrigues pointed out that, from a musician’s perspective, the level of dedication remains the same. “In many of our eyes, band has always been something a little more than extracurricular,” she said.

Additionally, members expressed concern about how this shift would affect the student culture of ensembles. While YCB and YGC member Alliese Bonner ’27 acknowledged these concerns, she said that this shift was “more of a change on paper” and anticipates for traditions, such as tap nights and group meals, to continue. 

Some students have faced inconveniences with the new co-curricular arrangement, particularly when registering for these classes. 

Aaron Parr ’28, a first-chair trombonist in the Jazz Ensemble, said that he encountered issues with course registration. He wasn’t officially added until after the add-drop deadline, which caused him stress. 

“It seems like people are still getting acquainted with [the new structure],” Parr said.

Though adapting to the shift might take time, students agreed that the new status will leave a positive impact on music at Yale. Many students are drawn to Yale for its exceptional music scene, and the directors hope that this change will lead to greater awareness and participation in music groups. 

Jared Wyetzner ’27, a physics major and a trumpet player in both band ensembles, was as attracted to Yale’s robust music offerings as he was to its physics department.

“I appreciate the movement for [co-curricular classes] because it really emphasizes that music isn’t just a hobby; it’s a discipline just as much as any other taught here,” Wyetzner said.

While Bonner pursues music as a major, she too finds importance in Yale’s liberal arts approach to musical offerings. She added that the university’s connection to the School of Music drew her in as an applicant. 

These ensembles are offered alongside Yale’s performance courses for credit, which include chamber music and musical theater classes.