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Yamaha All-Star Band

The Yamaha All-Star Band is celebrating its 21st year and will feature 20 of the most outstanding young jazz players in Canada. The national honour band is comprised of successful applicants who will converge for a week of music education, history and celebration under the direction of Terry Promane (University of Toronto). During their week together, the students will develop their musical talent, technique and skill while being immersed in peer workshops and master classes with top performers. The band will present a showcase concert on Saturday, May 19 at the National Arts Centre, Southam Hall. Yamaha Saxophonist Cam Ryga from Vancouver will be the guest soloist.

Participation in the band is free, and members receive tickets to all MusicFest concerts and clinics and access to the MusicFest Canada scholarship program.

How to apply

Applications must be submitted online with audio audition files in an MP3 or WAV file format. Each file can be no larger than 10 MB. You can create an MP3 file using Apple iTunes or Windows Media Player.

Please read the audition materials carefully and, where provided, listen to the excerpts — to recognize the style and inflection — before you prepare your recording. When recording, we recommend you place the microphone a few feet away from your instrument and play naturally. Applicants are to play the excerpts alone or may choose to have percussion accompaniment. The musical excerpts are for reference purposes only; they are not to be played with your audition recording. Remember that we are listening for tone, pitch, and time. The tempos indicated as part of the big band excerpts for the Yamaha All-Star Band auditions are for guideline purposes only and you should play at a speed that is comfortable for you.

Required audition material

Saxophone Audition process and excerpts If Dreams Come True Louisiana Trumpet Audition process and excerpts Louisiana Tribute To Art Fern Tenor Trombone Audition process and excerpts Blue Daniel Slow Grind Bass Trombone Audition process and excerpts Slow Grind The Shuffle Boogie Swamp Groove Blues

Guitar Audition process and excerpts Shiny Stockings Piano Audition process and excerpts Shiny Stockings Bass Audition process and excerpts Louisiana Drums Audition process and excerpts Shiny Stockings

Note: If applying for the Yamaha All-Star Band and scholarship program, you must also include two (2) contrasting selections or one (1) selection which includes two styles, with or without accompaniment. Improvisation is required.

Apply now