Violin
Mandatory music selection requirements for auditioning as a violinist.
Recruiting for this instrument
is currently closed.
Mandatory music selections
Requirements for your audio recording
Selections may use accompaniment. Sheet music will not be provided.
Mandatory Selection no.1 - Perform one of the following:
- Mozart W.A. - Concerto in D Major, K 218 (1st and 2nd Mvts with cadenza)
- Khachaturian A. - Concerto in D Minor (1st and 2nd Mvts)
- Two contrasting movements of any one of the following:
- Bach J.S. - Sonata No. 1 in G Minor
- Bach J.S. - Partita No. 1 in B Minor
- Bach J.S. - Sonata No. 2 in A Minor
- Bach J.S. - Partita No. 2 in D Minor
- Bach J.S. - Sonata No. 3 in C Minor
- Bach J.S. - Partita No. 3 in E Major
Mandatory Selection No. 2 - Perform a solo of your choice that best exemplifies your abilities.
Optional Selection - Perform a solo of your choice that demonstrates your versatility in any other musical style (Tango, Jazz, Rock…) and / or your ability on an alternate instrument.
Live audition process and preparation
All live auditions will be performed with the Canadian Forces String Ensemble.
The live audition is divided into 4 parts:
Solo performance
Prepared solos
You must prepare at least two pieces of contrasting musical styles. One piece must be from the list in Mandatory Selection No. 1. The second piece is left to the candidate’s choice.
Mandatory Selection no.1 - Perform one of the following works:
- Mozart W.A. - Concerto in D Major, K 218 (1st and 2nd Mvts with cadenza)
- Khachaturian A. - Concerto in D Minor (1st and 2nd Mvts)
- Prokofiev S. – Sonata Op.115
- Tchaikovsky P.L. – Scherzo Op.42 no.2
- Brahms J. - Sonata in A Major op. 100 (1st and 2nd Mvts)
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 or on a secondary instrument.
Scales and arpeggios
- Chromatic Scale – full practical range of the instrument
- 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, 3 octaves (where possible), in 16th notes at quarter = 100 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.
Ensemble performance
Ensemble skills
Perform with various chamber ensembles such as quintets, quartets, trios, and duos. Choice of material will be left to the discretion of the auditioning unit. Material will be provided 4 weeks prior to your audition.
Sight-reading
Perform various styles of sight-reading and material will be provided at the audition.
Theory and aural skill tests
Note: Candidates holding a university degree in music will not have to perform theory and aural skills 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 include 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.
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