Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Dear Dr. Bénard,

I am writing to you to appeal for an extension of an incomplete grade in MUSC 325, my Applied Study Performance Recital (Voice). I was registered in this course for Fall 2018/Winter 2019 (6.0 credits). Due to health conditions I was unable to complete my recital at its scheduled time on Sunday, August 26, 2018. This letter is intended to support my request, first by outlining the extenuating circumstances, followed by an outline of my plan to achieve academic success.

Approximately a week prior to my recital (around Thursday, August 16, 2018) I became ill with a virus and my respiratory system began to suffer. I have asthma as well as very bad allergies and had to increase the dosage of my daily breathing steroid medications as I am instructed to do so when I am suffering through a bad cold or flu. I cancelled a shift at my café job in order to rest and heal prior to professional performances I had on August 18th, as well as on August 21st, in addition to my upcoming school recital on August 26th. Due to increased coughing and respiratory difficulties, I cancelled my professional job on August 21st in order to make extra efforts to heal prior to my recital. I made appointments to see my local physician as well as an ENT specialist in Toronto on Wednesday, August 22nd and Thursday, August 23rd, respectively. The resident physician in Kingston told me that I would probably heal along my usual personal timelines after getting a viral infection, which for me is about two weeks if there are throat and lung problems. The next day I drove to Toronto to visit Dr. Brian Hands, an ENT who has specialized in working with singers over his career. Dr. Hands looked at my throat and fortunately there was no damage (for example, nodes or pre-nodes that can come from improper or strenuous use of the voice, especially if sick). However, based on my recent sickness and the inflammation of my chords from being ill, he recommended I defer my recital. I have attached the note from Dr. Hand's to my appeal application. I did not start singing again until Tuesday, August 28th. In addition to the effect on my specific examination date of Sunday, August 26th, my being sick prevented me from being able to prepare and rehearse for my recital in the week leading up to it as I could not do any physical practice.

The extenuating circumstances for this appeal were for a temporary illness and I have been healthy again for several weeks now. With that being said, I am aware of commitments and conditions in my life that have led to heavier periods of stress on both my mental and physical state. I rely completely on my body when I sing and I know that this stress impacts my ability to do so. I have spoken to my professional manager and we have agreed to be extra mindful of how many gigs I agree to, to ensure I am not overloading my plate. Extra attention would be paid in the weeks leading up to my recital, should it hopefully be rescheduled, to allow for the focus to be first and foremost on the successful completion of MUSC 325. In addition to this general attitude, I also chose to return this academic year as a part-time student in the Bachelor of Music program. Last year I learned that I took on too much and this resulted in my suffering serious vocal issues in April of 2018. An appointment at Hotel Dieu Hospital in Kingston led me to be diagnosed with pre-nodes and I spent the summer working hard to get rid of the pre-nodes and then continuing forward with good vocal health practices. Being a part-time student will help me to maintain a healthier and more balanced lifestyle, providing me with the availability to focus on my academics, and to continue to work and perform professionally outside of the classroom as well.

Thank you for taking the time to read my letter of appeal and to review my request for the extension of my incomplete MUSC 325 course. It was a big decision for me to return to Queen's after several years of working and living elsewhere. Completing my Bachelor of Music successfully is of the utmost importance to me. This class is very important to me in my development as a singer and performer far beyond the grade that I hope to be able to earn. I appreciate the opportunity to appeal and complete my Voice Recital upon the return of your decision.

Sincerely,

Michelle Kasaboski