Apply to be a Canadian Armed Forces Musician

Musicians provide musical support for all aspects of military life, including ceremonial parades, military graduations, and fostering morale and esprit de corps.

If you are a Canadian citizen with professional music skills we encourage you to join the Music Branch of the Canadian Armed Forces.

For Civilians applying to:

   a) Regular Force (full-time) or
   b) Reserve Force (part-time)

For Canadian military applying:

   c) an occupational transfer for Regular Force members
   d) a component transfer for Reserve Force members

Civilians applying to the Regular Force

Regular Force musicians are selected nationally by a competitive two-step audition process prior to enlisting. Your audio recording, live audition and military potential score must be successful before you are recruited into the Canadian Armed Forces.

• step 1 - how to submit your audio recording and documents

If you are selected to participate in a live auditon:

• step 2 - choose your instrument for specific audition requirements

You should expect the live audition to last one full work day.

• step 3 - Join the Forces

Final selection process

We will contact you with the results of your live audition.

The decision to recruit you as a musician is based on:

• the results of your audition
• your military potential score
• the current instrumentation requirements

If your application is successful

The recruiting center will contact you to:

• offer you employment if a position is available immediately or
• let you know that your name is on a waiting list for a maximum of two years

If your application is not successful

If the application does not meet the required standard your file will be closed. You will not be eligible to join the Canadian Armed Forces as a musician.

Civilians applying to the Reserve Force

Reserve Force (part-time) musicians apply to the local unit band prior to enlisting.

To get the auditioning requirements:

• step 1 - contact the Director of Music / Senior Pipe Band Musician of your chosen band

If you are selected to proceed with the recruitment process:

• step 2 - Join the Reserves
• step 3 - you will be offered a position

If the application does not meet the required standard your file will be closed.

If you are already enrolled in the Canadian Armed Forces

Regular Force musicians are selected nationally by a competitive two-step audition process. Your audio recording and live audition must be successful before you can transfer to the Regular Force musician occupation.

• step 1 - how to submit your audio recording and documents

If you are selected to participate in an audition:

• step 2 - choose your instrument for specific audition requirements

Your home unit will take care of your travel arrangements and travel claim to attend the audition competition.

If your audition is successful

Regular Force personnel

• contact your orderly room for the local Personnel Selection Office guidelines for your occupational transfer (OT)
• you will receive an offer when a position becomes available

Reserve Force personnel

• submit an online application for a component transfer (CT)

The Component Transfer broker will:

• complete the selection process once they receive your CT
• make you an offer when a position becomes available

If your application is not successful

If the application does not meet the required standard your file will be closed.

Get answers to music auditions

For Music Branch audition questions use the online form and choose “Music questions” in the subject field.