Auditions - Ceremonial Guard
Primary Reserve Members: Submit your application for the Band of the Ceremonial Guard at the following link: Audition Application. Auditions will be held by virtual means for Brass and Reed musicians and live for Pipes and Drums, beginning in October. Each candidate will receive an audition invitation by email. Keep reading below for important information.
Inform your chain of command upon submission of your application as all official communications will be conducted via those channels.
Civilian Candidates (including Supplementary Reserves): To allow sufficient time to complete the recruiting process, submit your application as soon as possible. It is highly recommended that you apply by 30 September. Applications will be processed after this date, however, there may be issues completing the entire recruiting process in time for the 2025 season. Auditions will begin in October: virtual auditions for Brass and Reed musicians and live auditions for Pipes and Drums musicians. Each candidate will receive an audition invitation by email. Click here to apply and keep reading below for important information.
Please note: Successful candidates will be asked to enroll into the Canadian Armed Forces Primary Reserve prior to being hired with the Band of the Ceremonial Guard.
Applying for a position in the Band of the Ceremonial Guard is a three-phase process that begins after the instrumental competition is announced.
PHASE I – Audition Application
All candidates must submit an audition application before the applicable deadline above. As part of this application, you will be asked to provide a brief musical résumé.
For any questions or inquiries, contact us at CGBand@forces.gc.ca.
PHASE II – Audition
Each year, the Ceremonial Guard auditions musicians from across Canada. The audition committee will create a merit list based on audition results. Candidates who do not meet the musical standard may be informed at any point of the audition process.
Audition Criteria – Brass, Reed, Percussion
- Prepared pieces: two selections of contrasting styles
- Sight-reading: 1-2 excerpts at the discretion of the audition panel
- Secondary instrument: one selection (if applicable)
- Interview
Audition Criteria – Pipes and Drums
Pipers and Drummers: You must be a minimum Grade 3 competitive piper or drummer (or equivalent).
Pipers:
- Slow march (2pts) into 6/8 march (4pts)
- 4/4 march (4pts). Applicants will march to this
- The Flowers of the Forest (music can be supplied at request)
- Strathspey/Reel/Jig (2pts each)
Highland Snare Drummers
- 6/8 march (4pts)
- 4/4 march (4pts)
- 2/4 March/Strathspey/Reel (2pts each)
- Jig (4 pts)
For any questions or inquiries, contact us at CGBand@forces.gc.ca
PHASE III – Final Selection
The final selection will be conducted by the leadership of the Band of the Ceremonial Guard based on two factors: the instrumental requirements of the Band and the audition merit list. The audition results will be published on this site and, for Primary reserve candidates, forwarded to their unit.
Successful civilian candidates will receive a conditional acceptance. A firm employment offer will be based on fulfilment of the following conditions:
- Successful completion of the recruiting process prior to commencement of contract (usually mid-April); and
- Remaining available position in their musical section.
Successful Primary Reservists will be tasked to the Band of the Ceremonial Guard through their chain of command.
Audition Results
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