HONOUR ENSEMBLES
2023 information
*Please note, deadline for 2023 applications has been extended until Friday, May 5th.
In conjunction with the annual BCMEA conference, the BCMEA delivers special programming for BC’s most outstanding youth musicians. Hundred’s of students audition annually from across British Columbia for positions in one of five provincial honour ensembles – Choir, Jazz Band, Vocal Jazz, String Orchestra, and Wind Ensemble. These ensembles feature guest conductors from around the world providing rich and rewarding musical experiences for all those involved.
Application & Audition Information
2023 Honour Ensembles Forms Package & Participation Agreement
To complete the online registration the following is required;
Please clearly name your MP3 files with your name and instrument.
(For example, a tenor sax player named Betty Bird, the file name would look like this: TenorSax.Betty.Bird.Excerpt1.mp3)
Live auditions may be later, but students must register online by the due date.
Late submissions and those that are incomplete may not be accepted.
Students must REGISTER ONLINE before arriving to any live auditions.
Prior to doing the online application, please completely read the information package, complete the required forms, and include them with your audio recording (in MP3 format) with your online registrations.
RECORDED AUDITIONS and FORMS ---> The online application & audition submission is located here.
Once an application package has been submitted, please ask your teacher to complete the following reference form:
Teacher Reference Form
For any questions please contact Crystal-Anne Howell at bcmeahonourgroupchair@gmail.com.
To complete the online registration the following is required;
- The Participation Agreement from the information package (click on the button above to access)
- Audition Recordings in MP3 format (see audition requirements on the home page of your chosen ensemble)
Please clearly name your MP3 files with your name and instrument.
(For example, a tenor sax player named Betty Bird, the file name would look like this: TenorSax.Betty.Bird.Excerpt1.mp3)
Live auditions may be later, but students must register online by the due date.
Late submissions and those that are incomplete may not be accepted.
Students must REGISTER ONLINE before arriving to any live auditions.
Prior to doing the online application, please completely read the information package, complete the required forms, and include them with your audio recording (in MP3 format) with your online registrations.
RECORDED AUDITIONS and FORMS ---> The online application & audition submission is located here.
Once an application package has been submitted, please ask your teacher to complete the following reference form:
Teacher Reference Form
For any questions please contact Crystal-Anne Howell at bcmeahonourgroupchair@gmail.com.
Crystal-Anne Howell
Honour Ensembles Coordinator
For any questions please contact Crystal-Anne Howell at
bcmeahonourgroupchair@gmail.com.
Honour Ensembles Coordinator
For any questions please contact Crystal-Anne Howell at
bcmeahonourgroupchair@gmail.com.
Audition Materials
Please carefully read the audition packages below. Scroll to the appropriate ensemble to see the full information for that ensemble.
Concert Choir
Concert Choir Audition Materials 2023
Please Note: you may play a starting chord for vocalizations and the chromatic scale, but must not accompany yourself on either exercise.
LIVE Auditions will be held at Burnaby Central Secondary School on April 20th from 5-7PM
Auditions will not be offered to students who arrive without online registration confirmation.
Please email Carrie Taylor at bcmeahonourchoir@gmail.com with any questions, including arranging an audition time.
Please Note: you may play a starting chord for vocalizations and the chromatic scale, but must not accompany yourself on either exercise.
LIVE Auditions will be held at Burnaby Central Secondary School on April 20th from 5-7PM
Auditions will not be offered to students who arrive without online registration confirmation.
Please email Carrie Taylor at bcmeahonourchoir@gmail.com with any questions, including arranging an audition time.
Vocal Jazz
Vocal Jazz Audition Materials
Please be sure to label your mp3 as listed below. Do not announce your name or school on recording.
Requirements
1. Using the syllable “loo”, sing a one octave ascending and descending chromatic scale beginning on a note of your choice. Please sing a cappella and state your beginning pitch (e.g. “I am starting on a Bb”)
2. Sing your desired part (SSATBB) for the excerpt “I Will” in a ballad style. Sing measures 1-18 as indicated.
3. Sing a well known jazz Standard of your choice (you can find backing tracks on Youtube for your recording or practice, it’s easy! )You must sing the head in, scat solo for one full chorus, and then sing the head out adding embellishments on the melody.
Live auditions will be on Friday May 19 from 2-4:00 at Reynolds Secondary School. Please email to set up a time for an in person audition kerrk222@gmail.com
Please email Katy Kerr at kkerr@sd61.bc.ca with any questions.
Please be sure to label your mp3 as listed below. Do not announce your name or school on recording.
- voice.firstname.lastname.chromaticscale.mp3 eg.tenor.joe.blow.chromaticscale.mp3
- voice.firstname.lastname.alonetogether.mp3 eg.alto.jane.doe.alonetogether.mp3
- voice.firstname.lastname.scat.mp3 eg.bass.bob.jones.autumnleaves.mp3
Requirements
1. Using the syllable “loo”, sing a one octave ascending and descending chromatic scale beginning on a note of your choice. Please sing a cappella and state your beginning pitch (e.g. “I am starting on a Bb”)
2. Sing your desired part (SSATBB) for the excerpt “I Will” in a ballad style. Sing measures 1-18 as indicated.
3. Sing a well known jazz Standard of your choice (you can find backing tracks on Youtube for your recording or practice, it’s easy! )You must sing the head in, scat solo for one full chorus, and then sing the head out adding embellishments on the melody.
Live auditions will be on Friday May 19 from 2-4:00 at Reynolds Secondary School. Please email to set up a time for an in person audition kerrk222@gmail.com
Please email Katy Kerr at kkerr@sd61.bc.ca with any questions.
Instrumental Jazz
Instrumental Jazz Band Information
Audition Materials
Billie's Bounce - Treble Clef (C Instruments)
Billie's Bounce - Bass Clef (C Instruments)
Billie's Bounce - Eb Instruments
Billie's Bounce - Bb Instruments
Please email Carmella Luvisotto at bcmeahonourjazzband@gmail.com with any questions.
Audition Materials
Billie's Bounce - Treble Clef (C Instruments)
Billie's Bounce - Bass Clef (C Instruments)
Billie's Bounce - Eb Instruments
Billie's Bounce - Bb Instruments
Please email Carmella Luvisotto at bcmeahonourjazzband@gmail.com with any questions.
Wind Ensemble
There will be no live auditions for this year's ensemble. Please submit your recorded audition with your registration package.
Please email Rob Murray at rmurray@stgeorges.bc.ca or Han-Ah Park at hpark@holycross.bc.ca with any questions
String Orchestra
Due to a lack of full ensemble submissions we are going to a nomination-based ensemble this year.
If you have students that would be great for this ensemble, please have them fill out the participation agreement and submit it by email to Tristan Clausen at bcmeahonourstrings@gmail.com
by May 26th, 2023. If possible, submitting balanced numbers of players is appreciated (eg. for every two violinists you submit, make sure you have an excellent violist and cellist to also nominate).
*Please note that the requirement would be for ensemble to be present at UBC for rehearsals on October 18-20th with the performance being October 20th at 7PM in the Chan Centre.
Please email Tristan Clausen with any questions at bcmeahonourstrings@gmail.com
If you have students that would be great for this ensemble, please have them fill out the participation agreement and submit it by email to Tristan Clausen at bcmeahonourstrings@gmail.com
by May 26th, 2023. If possible, submitting balanced numbers of players is appreciated (eg. for every two violinists you submit, make sure you have an excellent violist and cellist to also nominate).
*Please note that the requirement would be for ensemble to be present at UBC for rehearsals on October 18-20th with the performance being October 20th at 7PM in the Chan Centre.
Please email Tristan Clausen with any questions at bcmeahonourstrings@gmail.com
