HONOUR ENSEMBLES ANNOUCEMENT
After a long and very difficult decision process we have come to the conclusion that it will not be possible to hold our annual BCMEA Honour Ensembles in the 2020-2021 school year. The Honour Ensembles team sincerely hoped to make this opportunity available for students this school year, but the BC Ministry of Education’s Provincial COVID-19 Health & Safety Guidelines for K-12 Settings states "In-person inter-school events (including competitions, tournaments and festivals) should not occur at this time” and, therefore, the program cannot go forward for the foreseeable future.
We sincerely appreciate the support we receive each and every year from the students and teachers across the province and we look forward to the time that this program can be offered again with its opportunities for student and teacher learning and collaboration.
Please stay safe and healthy,
Janet Wade, Carrie Taylor, Katy Kerr, Imran Amarshi, Carmella Luvisotto, and Tristan Clausen
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
Students interested in participating must complete an Online Application. In addition, students must complete the Participation Agreement (signatures required) in the information package, scan the Participation Agreement in PDF format and submit them electronically along with your online application. (N.B. One electronic application per ensemble!)
**ONLY PARENT/GUARDIAN SIGNATURES ARE NEEDED ON THE APPLICATION FORMS. NO NEED TO WAIT FOR SIGNATURES FROM TEACHERS, ADMINISTRATORS, etc.**
2020 Honour Ensembles Forms Package & Participation Agreement (UPDATED)
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 ---> The online application & audition submission is located here.
FORMS PACKAGE --->> Once completed, your forms package must be submitted here.
For any questions please contact Janet Wade at bcmeahonourgroupchair@gmail.com.
**ONLY PARENT/GUARDIAN SIGNATURES ARE NEEDED ON THE APPLICATION FORMS. NO NEED TO WAIT FOR SIGNATURES FROM TEACHERS, ADMINISTRATORS, etc.**
2020 Honour Ensembles Forms Package & Participation Agreement (UPDATED)
To complete the online registration the following is required;
- The Participation Agreement from the information package
- 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 ---> The online application & audition submission is located here.
FORMS PACKAGE --->> Once completed, your forms package must be submitted here.
For any questions please contact Janet Wade 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 2020
Please Note: you may play a starting chord for vocalizations and the chromatic scale, but must not accompany yourself on either exercise.
Due to COVID-19 a live audition option is not available.
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.
Due to COVID-19 a live audition option is not available.
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 1 Vocal Jazz Audition Materials 2
Ensure that you download & prepare BOTH materials listed.
Due to COVID-19 a live audition option is not available.
Auditions will not be offered to students who arrive without online registration confirmation.
Please email Katy Kerr at bcmeahonourvj@gmail.com with any questions, including arranging an audition time.
Ensure that you download & prepare BOTH materials listed.
Due to COVID-19 a live audition option is not available.
Auditions will not be offered to students who arrive without online registration confirmation.
Please email Katy Kerr at bcmeahonourvj@gmail.com with any questions, including arranging an audition time.
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.
