Performance Standards for Ensemble Members
Auditions are held annually for all NEW members wishing to join the Cosmopolitan Music Society. The audition process is designed to assess the new members musical ability, and to assist in placing the musician within the correct performing ensemble and to also assist their placement within the ensemble. It is important that members be placed with other players of similar skill. Placements are subject to vacancies within the ensemble.
Existing members, who wish to move from one ensemble to another, must also follow the audition process listed below.If you are not sure about your audition piece, please ask the music director for assistance.
Instrumental Members
Please be prepared to play the following:
Play all scales at the levels indicated below for the various ensembles.
Prepare and play one piece of music that demonstrates your current skill level. (NOTE: Please do not prepare pop music or jazz material for concert band auditions). See Technical Requirements.*
We would recommend that you prepare your selection from an etude or study book for your instrument. Visit Bandstand Music to find such material.
You will be asked to sight read a number of exercises.
Chorus Members
Please be prepared to Sing O Canada.
You will also be asked to demonstrate your vocal range and sing some sight singing exercises.
Instrumental MembersPlease be prepared to play the following:Play all scales at the levels indicated below for the various ensembles.Prepare and play one piece of music that demonstrates your current skill level. (NOTE: Pleasedo not prepare pop music or jazz materialfor concert band auditions). See Technical RequirementsWe would recommend that you prepare your selection from an etude or study book for your instrument. Visit Bandstand Music to find such material.You will be asked to sight read a number of exercises.ChorusMembersPlease be prepared to Sing O Canada. You will also be asked to demonstrate your vocal range and sing some sight singing exercises.
| Name & Description of Group | Level of Music | Technical Requirements | Rhythmic Proficiency | Sight-Reading/ Singing Proficiency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Chorus |
Beginner to Intermediate |
An understanding of written music is helpful, although concepts will be taught during theory lessons and rehearsals. |
None - will be taught throughout the year. |
None - will be taught throughout the year. |
|
Monday Band Wind Band for adults who play at an advanced level |
Grade 4.5 - 6 |
All of the major scales, and a chromatic scale, played over the full range of the instrument in a variety of articulation and rhythm patterns. Tone quality consistent with performing music at this level is essential.
*Performance of solo music in the form of solo repertoire, etudes, or studies is encouraged. |
Count and play both simple (2/4, 3/4, 4/4, 5/4) and compound (1/8, 3/8, 6/8, 9/8) rhythms. Count and play both regular and compound rhythms associated with the Grade 4 - 5 level of band literature. |
Grade 4 - 4.5 Music |
|
Tuesday Band |
Grade 3 - 4 |
F, Bb, Eb, Ab, Db, G, D and a chromatic scale, in a variety of patterns. An understanding of a variety of articulations and the ability to perform them. Tone quality should reflect the development of a sound, fundamental approach to playing. *Perform a short piece (16-32 bars) that demonstrates skill in rhythm, phrase, and articulation. |
An understanding of simple meters (2//4, 3/4, 4/4, common time) and compound meters (6/8, 9/8, cut time and common time, etc.) |
Grade 2.5 - 3 music |
|
Wednesday Band Wind band for adults who play at a novice level |
Grade 2 - 3 |
Bb, Eb, Ab, and possible F major scales, plus a Bb chromatic scale played in a variety of patterns. An understanding of slurred, legate, and marcato articulation styles and the ability to perform them. Demonstration of characteristic tone quality for your instrument. *Perform a short piece (16-32 Bars) that demonstrates skill in rhythm, phrase, and articulation. |
An understanding of simple meters and compound meters. All players should be able to read, clap, and play whole, dotted-half, half, dotted quarter, quarter, eighth, dotted eighth, and sixteenth notes. |
Grade 1.5 - 2 music |
|
Beginner 2 Wind Band with lessons and tutelage for adults who have some experience on their instruments |
Grade 1 - 1.5 |
Bb concert scale + chromatic scale played with a variety of tongued and slurred articulations. Demonstrate dynamic contrasts while maintaining tone quality. Play with a full sound, characteristic for your instrument. *Perform a short piece (16-32 bars) that demonstrates skill in rhythm, phrase, and articulation. |
An understanding of simple meters. All players should be able to read, clap, and play whole, dotted-half, half, dotted quarter, quarter, eighth, and dotted eighth notes. |
Grade .5 - 1 music |
|
Beginner Band Lessons and tutelage in wind band instruments for adults who have never played before or who wish to play a new instrument. |
Absolute Beginner |
An understanding of written music is helpful, although concepts will be taught during theory lessons and rehearsals. |
None - will be taught throughout the year. |
None - will be taught throughout the year. |
Percussion
| Name & Description of Group | Level of Music | Technical Requirements | Rhythmic Proficiency | Sight-Reading/ Singing Proficiency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Monday Band Percussion skills for adults who play at an advanced level |
Grade 4.5 - 6 |
All 26 rudimentary roles on the snare drum. Read music for tympani and all mallet instruments. Playing knowledge of all concert style percussion accessories. Various swing and rock styles on the drum set. |
Count and play both simple (2/4, 3/4, 4/4, 5/4) and compound (1/8, 3/8, 6/8, 9/8) rhythms. Count and play both regular and compound rhythms associated with the Grade 4 - 5 level of band literature. |
Grade 4 - 4.5 Music |
|
Tuesday Band Percussion skills for Adults who play at an intermediate level |
Grade 3 - 4 |
The 7 essential rudiments which include Single Stroke Roll, Multiple Bounce Roll, Five Stroke Roll, Single Paradiddle, Flam, and Drag. Intermediate technique for tympani and mallet instruments and all percussion accessories. |
An understanding of simple meters (2//4, 3/4, 4/4, common time) and compound meters (6/8, 9/8, cut time and common time, etc.) |
Grade 2.5 - 3 music |
|
Wednesday Band Percussion skills for adults who play at a novice level |
Grade 2 - 3 |
Rudimentary technique for the snare drum, concert bass drum, suspended cymbal, crash cymbal, triangle, woodblock, and note reading for mallet instruments, and basic tuning of the tympani. |
All players should be able to read, clap, and play whole, dotted half, half, dotted quarter, quarter, eighth, and dotted eighth notes. |
Grade 1.5 - 2 music |
|
Beginner 2 Percussion skills with lessons and tutelage for adults who have some experience on their instruments, NOT trap-set drumming |
Grade 1 - 1.5 |
Rudimentary technique for the snare drum, bass drum, suspended and crash cymbals, triangle, claves, wood block, tympani - including tuning, and mallets - including reading music. |
All players should be able to read, clap, and play whole, dotted-half, half, dotted quarter, quarter, eighth, and dotted eighth notes. |
Grade .5 - 1 music |
|
Beginner Band No previous percussion skills are required. the focus will be on concert percussion instruments, NOT trap-set drumming. |
Absolute Beginner |
None - will be taught throughout the year. |
None - will be taught throughout the year. |
None - will be taught throughout the year. |
Jazz Orchestra & Big Band
Jazz Orchestra
| Name & Description of Group | Level of Music | Technical Requirements | Rhythmic Proficiency | Improvisational Ability | Comping | Sight-Reading/ Singing Proficiency |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Jazz Orchestra Wind Jazz Orchestra for adults who play at an advanced level |
Grade 2.5 - 4+ |
F, Bb, Eb, Ab, C, G, D, and chromatic scale played in a variety of patterns and articulations. Tone quality should reflect the development of a sound, fundamental approach to playing the instrument. Prepare and play one piece of music that demonstrates your current skill level. *Performance of an except from a Big Band arrangement or of a piece from a Jazz etude or study book. |
An understanding of simple meters (2/4, 3/4, 4/4, 5/4) and compound meters (6/8, 9/8), cut time and common time, etc. A basic understanding of Swing and Latin styles, etc. |
An ability to improvise over a basic chord/scale, 12 bar blues form and standard song form. More importantly is the desire to improvise and create! |
N / A |
Grade 2.5 - 3 |
|
Jazz Orchestra Piano Jazz Orchestra for adults who play at an advanced level |
Grade 2.5 - 4+ |
F, Bb, Eb, Ab, C, G, D, and chromatic scale played in a variety of patterns and articulations. Tone quality should reflect the development of a sound, fundamental approach to playing. |
An understanding of simple meters (2/4, 3/4, 4/4, 5/4) and compound meters (6/8, 9/8) cut time and common time, etc. A basic understanding and ability with Swing, Latin, Pop and Rock styles of music. |
An ability to improvise over a basic chord / scale, 12 bar blues form and standard song form. More importantly is the desire to improvise and create! |
An understanding and ability to play chords and voicing from chords charts as well as written piano parts. An understanding of comping, voicing, and accompanying a jazz soloist. |
Grade 2.5 - 3 |
|
Jazz Orchestra Bass Jazz Orchestra for adults who play at an advanced level |
Grade 2.5 - 4+ |
F, Bb, Eb, Ab, C, G, D, and chromatic scale played in a variety of patterns and articulations. Tone quality should reflect the development of a sound, fundamental approach to playing. The ability to construct bass lines from chords charts as well as written bass lines. |
An understanding of simple meters (2/4, 3/4, 4/4, 5/4) and compound meters (6/8, 9/8) cut time and common time, etc. A basic understanding and ability with Swing, Latin, Pop and Rock styles of music. |
An ability to improvise over a basic chord / scale, 12 bar blues form and standard song form. More importantly is the desire to improvise and create! |
An understanding of the role of the bass in jazz combo as well as in accompanying a jazz soloist. |
Grade 2.5 - 3 |
|
Jazz Orchestra Drums Jazz Orchestra for adults who play at an advanced level |
Grade 2.5 - 4+ |
The ability to play fundamental rudiments. The ability to perform various styles of music - Swing, Latin, Pop Rock, Afro Cuban, etc. |
An understanding of simple meters (2/4, 3/4, 4/4, 5/4) and compound meters (6/8, 9/8) cut time and common time, etc. A basic understanding and ability with Swing, Latin, Pop and Rock styles of music. |
An ability to improvise over a basic chord / scale, 12 bar blues form and standard song form. More importantly is the desire to improvise and create! |
An understanding of the role of the drums in a jazz combo as well as in accompanying a jazz soloist. |
Grade 2.5 - 3 |
|
Jazz Orchestra Vocal Jazz Orchestra for adults who play at an advanced level |
Grade 2.5 - 4+ |
The ability to sing from written music or have a concept of the same. |
An understanding of simple and compound meters. An understanding and ability to sing Swing era music / Jazz Standards as well as comfortable with Latin and Pop Styles. All styles are on an "as needed" concert theme basis. |
An ability - and/ or willingness - to improvise in the Latin, Afro Cuba, and Swing styles of music. NOT critical!! |
An understanding of the role of the singer in the Big Band |
Grade 2.5 - 3 |
Jazz Big Band
| Name & Description of Group | Audition Information |
|---|---|
|
Jazz Big Band |
Audition pieces can be found below. Find the page that is the appropriate key and clef for your instrument. You may adjust the ranges as necessary. Be prepared to play all requirements, including blues improvisation. Sight-reading will be completed during the audition. |