Zou Xiangping is one of the most significant Chinese composers who writes music for the saxophone. These works, however, are not well-known in the classical saxophone repertoire. The purpose of this dissertation is to help international saxophonists develop an enlightened understanding and ultimately, performance of two selected pieces by Chinese composer Zou Xiangping (邹向平) (b. 1951), Images of Yalong River for Alto Saxophone and Piano (雅砻江印：为中音萨克斯管和钢琴) and Song of Chuanjiang River Boatman for Saxophone Quartet (川江纤夫之歌: 为萨克斯管四重奏) (2022). The compositional background, the relevant introduction about Chinese culture, the manner in which the composer combined this with Western compositional techniques, and comprehensive performance advice of each piece are provided.

Award winning composer Kevin Walczyk's describes himself as a "musical storyteller," using all musical elements of structure, melody, harmony, and counterpoint to convey programmatic content. A variety of subjects are conveyed that include historical events, people, physical objects or locations, and literary texts. Deeper matters, such as spiritual themes, are also often incorporated in his music that enhance the musical program. The technical procedures employed—pertaining particularly to the expression of programmatic content—has produced a unique musical language that stands out in the modern compositional landscape. What are these inherent idiomatic features, and how are they exhibited? The purpose of this dissertation is to provide a detailed examination of Walczyk's distinct musical language. A critical analysis of the technical procedures used to convey his programmatic content, as well as insights into his influences and writing process, illuminate the attributes of this a posteriori musical language. The two works selected for this study to demonstrate this are Symphony No. 2: Epitaphs Unwritten and Talking Winds, both written for wind band.

Quan Ji-Hao is a Chinese contemporary composer who has created significant musical works of different genres. His work includes symphonies, chamber music, and piano pieces. His style combines Chinese ethnic music with Western composition techniques, with unique results. This thesis aims to give a pedagogical perspective by analyzing the musical and technical challenges of Quan Ji-Hao's piano suite Long and Short (1984), offering a practical practice method and introducing the fusion of Eastern and Western musical elements. This piece offers pianists an opportunity to explore diverse cultures and deepen musical understanding. Chapter 2 provides a brief biography of the composer, his music style, and the origin of the title of the piano suite Long and Short (1984). Chapter 3 offers a structural analysis of the suite to give an overall impression to the reader. Chapter 4 explains the musical challenges of contemporary harmonies in this suite, comparing them to similar ideas in works of Western composers and offering suggestions for teaching them. Chapter 5 analyses the technical challenges in the work as well as offering teaching suggestions. Chapter 6 includes practice methods to improve accuracy in performance and maintain a stable tempo.

The purpose of this dissertation is to introduce Violin Concerto No. 2, "Scherben der Stille" (2021) by Unsuk Chin (b. 1961), a South Korean composer based in Berlin. This violin concerto creates a sonic drama. The sound material of this work resembles a "shard," as the subtitle of the work suggests: Shards of Silence. Through this work, Chin shows how music can deliver her dreams and fantasies through unconventional use of instruments and sounds. The dissertation includes a brief biography, observations on the composer's significant works and compositional style, and an overview and analysis of the work. Despite the increasing popularity of Violin Concerto No. 2, the piece has never gained scholarly attention. This writing should also contribute to the available sources about the composer Unsuk Chin and to the study of complex contemporary music that may seem resistant to formal analysis by analyzing its constituent fragments.

Despite its relatively short history, classical singing training in South Korean music colleges has shown quantitative and qualitative growth. Korean undergraduate voice programs have been graduating an abundance of eminent singers who are achieving success in the global music world. The purpose of this research is to examine the evolution of Western classical voice programs in South Korean undergraduate music institutions. By analyzing the strengths and challenges of their voice curricula, comparing them with leading music colleges and universities in the United States, this document will offer suggestions for curricular changes which will train excellent singers while offering practical courses that encourage other career opportunities that will support their long-term financial security.

This dissertation provides a performance guide of Códigos Secretos for flute and electroacoustic sounds (2004) written by Gabriela Ortiz and commissioned by Mexican flutist Alejandro Escuer. Ortiz's compositional language reflects the influence of her teachers in Mexico and London, and the exposure to the evolving musical landscape during her formative years. Her decision to explore the electroacoustic realm stemmed from her fascination with the unlimited possibilities offered by working with a variety of acoustic sources and technological equipment that allowed her to experiment with different musical ideas, compositional processes and unique soundscapes. Códigos Secretos presents various challenges due to the absence of a preface or guide and several elements that may be unfamiliar to flutists, making it challenging or inaccessible to understand and perform the piece. The performance guide includes detailed explanations of the flute and computer scores, addresses discrepancies between different versions of the piece, and provides guidance on improvisatory sections and the execution of extended techniques. These elements enhance the performer's understanding of the piece and facilitate effective engagement and synchronization with the computer, enabling an artistic performance. The purpose of this dissertation is to inform performers and researchers about Gabriela Ortiz's compositional language, raise awareness about the diversity of Mexican music, and bring Ortiz's compositions to a broader audience, making her works more accessible.

Les régions froides sont à la recherche de méthodes plus efficaces pour déneiger les voies de circulation et les espaces publiques afin de diminuer les accidents, la pollution et la dégradation des milieux environnants, tout en diminuant leurs budgets annuels de déneigement. Plusieurs universités et centres de recherche, pendant ces 20 dernières années ont développé des mélanges de béton électriquement conducteurs (BEC) et certains ont poussé la recherche jusqu'au développement et à l'installation de ces systèmes afin de tester leur viabilité. C'est dans l'optique d'apporter sa contribution, que L'Université Laval s'est lancée dans le projet béton chauffant dont la première phase s'est terminée en 2018 avec la création d'un système déglaçant, automatisé, en béton électriquement conducteur. Ce mémoire marque la fin de la seconde partie du projet sur les bétons chauffants à l'Université Laval lors de laquelle le système développé dans la phase 1 a été mis à l'échelle et amélioré afin de le préparer à la commercialisation. Cette mise à l'échelle s'est traduite par l'installation d'un espace de 4m² en dalles électriquement conductrices, avec un banc et un caniveau eux aussi électriquement conducteurs. L'étude de ce système a eu lieu pendant l'hiver 2019-2020 et s'est couronné par une analyse statistique des performances du système. Il est important de souligner que le mobilier et les canalisations en BEC étudiés font de ce projet le premier à proposer des applications autres que les chaussées pour un système en BEC. De plus, une formulation d'un béton conducteur ultra performant (BCUP) a été développée afin d'étendre la technologie à ce type de béton pour multiplier les options d'utilisation de ce système. Même si le mélange proposé requiert de plus amples analyses afin d'être amélioré et caractérisé, cela constitue un pas important pour l'utilisation d'un BCUP dans un système déglaçant. / Cold regions are looking for more efficient and cost-effective methods to clear snow from roads and public spaces to reduce accidents, pollution, and degradation of the surrounding environment. Over the past 20 years, several universities and research centers have developed electrically conductive concrete mixes (ECC). Some have even pushed their research to the point of developing and installing these systems to test their sustainability. With a desire to contribute to this field of research, Université Laval embarked on the heated concrete project, the first phase of which ended in 2018 with the creation of an automated de-icing system made of electrically conductive concrete. This submission marks the end of phase 2 of that heating concrete project. The system developed in phase 1 was scaled up and improved to be ready for commercialization. This scale-up phase prompted the realization of three slabs, one bench, and one gutter, all electrically conductive. The study of these ECC elements occurred during the 2019-2020 winter, more precisely from the end of January to the beginning of March and was crowned by a statistical analysis of the system's performance. It is essential to point out that this project's ECC furniture and drainage channel makes it the pioneer in proposing applications other than pavements for ECC systems. In addition, an Electrically Conductive high-performance concrete (EC-UHPC) formulation was developed to extend the technology to this type of concrete and multiply the range of options for the applications of the system. Although the proposed mix requires further analysis to be improved and characterized, this work is essential to using EC-UHPC in a de-icing system.

Les structures en bois sont une bonne solution pour la construction de bâtiments multiétages. Le bois est reconnu pour son aspect architectural, pour son empreinte écologique faible ainsi que pour sa résistance mécanique. L’ajout d’une mince couche de béton connectée à l’aide de connecteurs de cisaillement sur une pièce de bois lamellé-collé ou bien un CLT permet d’augmenter considérablement la rigidité du plancher. Il est donc possible de construire sur une plus longue portée tout en respectant les critères de flèche d’État Limite de Service (ELS) et de résistances aux États Limites Ultimes (ELU). Ces solutions innovantes sont aussi moins sensibles aux vibrations puisqu’elles sont plus rigides. Le confort des usagers est donc amélioré. Cette thèse se concentre sur le développement d’une connexion de type entaille peu profonde adaptée aux dalles composites. Cette connexion est conçue afin d’obtenir un comportement initial rigide, puis une grande ductilité. Ceci est possible en utilisant le caractère ductile en compression du bois. Plusieurs configurations sont testées dans le CLT et dans le bois lamellé-collé. La profondeur de l’entaille varie. L’influence de la présence d’un isolant acoustique entre le bois et le béton est aussi quantifiée. Les premiers tests de cisaillement sur les différentes configurations ont montré de très bons résultats et des dalles CLT-BHP ont été coulées pour une portée de 8 m. Les dalles de CLT-BHP ont été conçues selon une approche multicritère afin de respecter les normes du Code National du Bâtiment du Canada et de maximiser certains facteurs considérés importants par le milieu de la construction tels l’épaisseur du plancher, le poids du plancher, le coût, etc. / Wooden structures are a good solution for building multi-story buildings. Wood is known for its architectural appearance, low footprint and mechanical strength. The addition of a thin layer of concrete connected using shear connectors to a piece of glued-laminated timber (GLULAM) or a Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) considerably increases the rigidity of the floor. It is therefore possible to build longer span in building while respecting the Serviceability Limit States (SLS) deflection criteria as well as the Ultimate Limit States (ULS) bearing capacity. These innovative solutions are also less sensitive to vibrations since they are more rigid. The comfort of users is improved. This thesis focuses on the development of a shallow notch type connection suitable for composite slabs. This connection is designed to obtain a rigid initial behavior, followed by a big ductility. This is possible by using the compressive ductile nature of the timber. Several configurations are tested in CLT and GLULAM. The depth of the cut varies from 20 mm to 35 mm. The influence of the presence of an acoustic insulation between the timber and the concrete is also quantified. The first shear tests on the different configurations showed very good results. Three 8 m single span CLT-HPC slabs were cast. The CLT-HPC slabs were designed with a multi-criteria approach to meet the National Building Code of Canada (NBCC) standards and to maximize certain factors considered important by the building industry such as floor thickness, floor weight, the cost, etc.

Sur la base d’une étude des équipes de football universitaire, le présent mémoire de maîtrise cherche à mettre en évidence les éléments de l’« esprit de corps » — c’est-à-dire l’adhésion pas forcément consciente « des individus aux valeurs et à la valeur d’un groupe qui, en tant que corps intégré, dispose des espèces d’échanges propres à renforcer l’intégration et la solidarité entre ses membres » (Bourdieu, 1989, p. 258) — qui peuvent être applicables à ce groupe donné tout en analysant de quelle façon cette notion vient influencer les performances des équipes. En s’appuyant sur des notes de terrain recueillies lors d’une observation exploratoire et sur des entretiens semi-dirigés réalisés auprès de joueurs de football qui jouent ou qui ont joué au niveau universitaire, ce mémoire a pour objectif de mieux saisir en quoi un esprit de corps présent à l’intérieur d’une équipe de football vient influencer les performances de celle-ci. Sur la base des données recueillies, une équipe présentant un fort esprit de corps en ses rangs voit ses performances la mener au succès. Lorsque les composantes de l’esprit de corps sont présentes, partagées par tous les joueurs et suivies à la lettre, les équipes sont appelées à mieux performer dans la ligue de football universitaire, contrairement à d’autres formations où certains éléments caractérisant l’esprit de corps ont une importance moindre. / On the basis of a study of college football teams, the current Master’s thesis seeks to highlight the elements of “esprit de corps” present within the teams and how they can affect the teams’ performances. In other words, this thesis investigates the accession, consciously or not, of people to a group’s values who, as an integrated corps, possess common features that reinforce the integration and the solidarity between its members, as applied to college football teams. Combining field notes from exploratory observations as well as semi-directed interviews done with college football players or formers college football players, this thesis aims to lead to a better understanding of how “esprit de corps” amongst a team can have an influence on its performances. On the basis of the collected data, it appears that football teams that present a strong “esprit de corps” tend to perform better. When the “esprit de corps” components are fulfilled, shared and followed by all the players, football teams offer great performances compared to other teams where these components are considered less important. Key

Il y a de plus en plus de preuves que les animaux diffèrent de façon constante dans leur tendance à se servir de l’information sociale et de l’information personnelle, et ces différences interindividuelles sont corrélées avec des traits de personnalité tels que l’hardiesse et l’exploration. Le lien entre la personnalité et l’utilisation d’information sociale serait attribué au fait que les performances cognitives des individus affectent non seulement leur personnalité, mais aussi leur habileté à acquérir de l’information personnelle fiable. La présente étude cherchait à déterminer si les femelles diamant mandarin qui ont tendance à se fier à l’information sociale dans des contextes de choix de partenaire et d’alimentation démontrent également un niveau de contrôle de soi plus faible, une mesure que nous avons utilisée pour évaluer leur capacité à discriminer entre deux alternatives. Nous avons observé que les femelles plus impulsives ont une plus grande tendance à se servir de l’information sociale que celles qui démontrent un degré de contrôle de soi plus élevé. Ainsi, nos résultats suggèrent fortement que les différences individuelles dans les capacités cognitives auraient contribué à l'émergence et au maintien des personnalités animales. / There is increasing evidence that animals differ consistently in their tendency to weight social and personal information and these inter-individual differences have been found to correlate with personality traits, such as boldness or exploratory tendency. One reason that could explain the relationship between personality and social information use is that cognitive capacities of individuals affect both their personality and their ability to acquire reliable personal information. Our study aimed to determine if female zebra finches that relied on social information in a mating and a foraging context also demonstrated a low level of self-control, used as a measure of their ability to discriminate accurately among alternatives. Supporting our expectations, we found that the most impulsive females consistently relied on social information to a greater extent than those that demonstrated higher levels of self control. Thus, our findings strongly suggest that individual differences in cognitive abilities have contributed to the emergence and maintenance of animal personalities.