Euphonium

These are the requirements to become an euphoniumist in a Canadian Forces band. You will perform a live audition, be tested and interviewed by the panel.

Recruiting for this instrument is currently closed.

Audition process and preparation

All auditions will be performed live with a Canadian Regular Force Band.

The live audition is divided into 4 parts:

• solo performance
• ensemble performance
• theory and aural skill tests
• Music Branch interview

Solo performance

Prepared solos

You must prepare at least 2 pieces of contrasting musical styles. Accompanist is not required.

Mandatory Selection No. 1 - Perform one of the following works:

• Watson Sonatina
• Vivaldi (arr. Ostrander) Sonata No. 3
• Marcello (arr. Brown) Sonata in G Major
• McKay Sonata, Play 1st and 2nd Movements
• Delguidice, Any 3 etudes from ‘Douze études mélodiques’
• Galliard (arr. Brown) Sonata no. 4 from Six Sonatas for Trombone

Mandatory Selection No. 2 - Perform a solo of your choice that best exemplifies your abilities.

Optional Selections - Perform a solo of your choice that demonstrates your versatility in any other musical style and/or your ability on an alternate instrument (for example, trombone).

Scales and arpeggios

• Chromatic Scale – from low Db to high Bb
• Diatonic Scales (All keys) – Major, Harmonic and Melodic Minor
• Arpeggios (All keys) – Major and minor triads, dominant and diminished 7ths

Note: All scales and arpeggios must be played from memory, 2 octaves (where possible), in 16th notes at quarter = 80 bpm.

Designated scales will be followed by either an arpeggio, a Dominant 7th arpeggio built on the 5th degree of the scale, or a Diminished 7th arpeggio built on the 7th degree of the scale, and will resolve to the tonic.

Articulations to be requested:

• All slurred
• All tongued
• 2 slurred, 2 tongued
• 2 tongued, 2 slurred
• 2 slurred, 2 slurred
• 3 slurred, 1 tongued
• 1 tongued, 3 slurred
• 1 tongued, 2 slurred, 1 tongued

Ensemble performance

Prepared pieces

Perform various styles of music playing in different ensembles. Material will be provided 4 to 6 weeks prior to your audition.

Sight-reading

Perform various styles of music while sight-reading with various ensembles. Material is provided at the audition.

Theory and aural skill tests

Musical theory

A music theory test will be performed and you will recognize:

• signs
• terms
• chords
• intervals
• score types
• transposition
• abbreviations
• time signature
• identifying keys
• cadences and melody writing
• major, minor and other scales and modes

Aural Skills

The aural skills test will including the following:

• melodic dictation
• incorrect notes in a given melody
• separate dictation treble clef and bass clef
• intervals - harmonic, melodic, ascending and descending
• chords (triads) - major, minor, 1st and 2nd inversion and 4 notes chords: Dom7, dim7, aug7

Music Branch interview

A selection panel within the Regular Force Band will assess you. After the audition, you will be interviewed by the panel. All recordings and assessments will be sent to DHH Music for final selection.

Final selection will be based on the panel’s recommendations.