Littlebirds are proudly sponsored by the Edmonton Jazz Society. Past participants who went on to become professional musicians include Don Berner, Jim Brenan, Craig Brenan, Doug Berner, Jerrold Dubyk, Audrey Ochoa, Leah Johnson, Rubin de Toledo, Efa Etoroma, and many more.
You must be between 11 and 21 years of age. If you are attending Junior High or High School, you must also be a member of your school band program, if it has one. Attendance at rehearsals is mandatory unless a player has good reason to be absent. Players who miss more than three rehearsals may be asked to resign from the band. Players are responsible for all music and materials furnished to them by the Littlebirds. All players are required to take an active role in selling tickets to their own performances. All rehearsals are at the Yardbird Suite.
In-person Auditions
Wednesday, June 10th, 2026, Yardbird Suite, 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Auditions are open to the following instruments: saxophone (alto, tenor, bari), trumpet, trombone, drums, bass (upright and electric), guitar, piano.
To sign up for an audition, please click this link and sign up for an audition slot.
All auditions are intended to be low-stress and brief (~8 minutes). Please come at least 15 minutes before your time slot to warm up.
Video Auditions
Please make sure that you indicate your age, parent/guardian name and email, and the school you are attending in your email along with the video submission.
If you cannot make the in-person audition, you can submit a video audition to littlebirdsdirector@gmail.com by 9:00 p.m. of June 10th, 2026.
Audition requirements
Horns (saxophone, trumpet, trombone): Play two major scales of your choice, one or two octaves. Perform a short musical excerpt of a prepared piece chosen by the student in any musical style. You will be asked to sight read a short excerpt
Guitar/Piano/Bass: Play two major scales of your choice, two octaves (2 hands for pianists). Perform a short musical excerpt of a prepared piece chosen by the student in any musical style. Please “comp” two choruses to the blues in Bb and one chorus of a jazz standard of your choice (such as Satin Doll, Take the A Train, It Don’t Mean A Thing, All of Me, etc.). This can be with virtual accompaniment (iRealPro or play-along track). You will also be asked to sight read a short excerpt
Drums: Play along to one track of music of your choice from any style. You will be asked to sight read a short excerpt
Be prepared to demonstrate as many of the following styles as you can play
- Medium Swing (sticks), qtr note = 120 bpm
- Up tempo Swing (sticks), qtr note = 240bpm
- Bossa Nova (sticks), qtr note = 120 bpm
- Samba (sticks), half note = 110 bpm
- Medium Swing (brushes), qtr = 120 bpm
- Fast Swing (brushes), qtr note = 240bpm
- Ballad (brushes), qtr note = 80bpm
- Jazz Waltz (brushes), qtr note = 144 bpm
- Boogaloo (sticks), qtr note = 144 bpm
- Funk (sticks), qtr note = 75 bpm
- Cha-Cha-Cha, 3-2 and 2-3 son clave (sticks), qtr note = 120 bpm
- Mambo, 3-2 and 2-3 son clave (sticks), qtr note = 240 bpm
- Afro Cuban 6/8 (sticks), dotted qtr = 120 bpm
Vocalists: Sing the head to one jazz standard of your choice with a virtual play-along (iRealPro or karaoke track)
Jazz Combo Auditions
Horns (saxophone, trumpet, trombone): As for senior big band, and you will be asked to improvise over two choruses of 12 bars of the blues in Bb. This can be with virtual accompaniment (iRealPro or a play-along track)
Guitar/Piano/Bass/Drums: As for senior big band
Horns (saxophone, trumpet, trombone): Play two major scales of your choice, one or two octaves. Perform a short musical excerpt of a prepared piece chosen by the student in any musical style. You will be asked to sight read a short excerpt.
Guitar/Piano/Bass: Play two major scales of your choice, two octaves (2 hands for pianists). Perform a short musical excerpt of a prepared piece chosen by the student in any musical style.
Drums: Play along to one track of music of your choice from any style. You will be asked to sight read a short excerpt. Be prepared to demonstrate as many of the following styles as you can play:
- Medium Swing (sticks), qtr note = 120 bpm
- Up tempo Swing (sticks), qtr note = 240bpm
- Bossa Nova (sticks), qtr note = 120 bpm
- Medium Swing (brushes), qtr = 120 bpm
- Fast Swing (brushes), qtr note = 240bpm
- Ballad (brushes), qtr note = 80bpm
- Jazz Waltz (brushes), qtr note = 144 bpm
- Boogaloo (sticks), qtr note = 144 bpm
- Funk (sticks), qtr note = 75 bpm
Senior Etudes
Junior Etudes
Fees
For those who are successful, the annual non-refundable membership fee for the big band and combo is $450 for the year. A deposit of 50% ($225) is required upon successful acceptance into the program, payable at the first rehearsal in October.