Ontario Wide - Pre-Professional; Musician AUDITIONS

Overview

The Pre-Professional Program is a full-time, paid summer opportunity for early-career musicians to level up their artist business in preparation for the Emerging Artist Program and careers in the music industry. Roles are available for singer-songwriters, self-accompanied vocalists, and instrumentalists in all genres. Pre-Professional Artists deliver Community Engaged Performances (CEPs) several times each week in their program location (approximately 50% of program time) and engage in interdisciplinary music business, performance training, and workshops (approximately 50% of program time).

You are applying for the Pre-Professional Program. Pre-Professional applications will only be considered for the Pre-Professional Program.

• Must have their own portable solo performance setup for in-person opportunities (amplification optional but recommended).
• Must have a minimum of 60 minutes of material suitable for public performance and be prepared to engage with and entertain the public.
• Must be prepared to perform for 2-3 hours in length in-person.
• Must be able to perform regularly at any locations indicated in your application.

• Perform music and provide engaging, high-quality entertainment at summer events such as festivals, community celebrations, tourism initiatives, and agricultural fairs in public and quasi-public spaces within municipalities partnered with the Co-op.
• Participate in career-related skill-development programs, workshops, rehearsals, and training to develop professional skills and attitudes that transcend the summer job period.
• Develop and publish a professional artist website, bio, and electronic press kit (EPK) that authentically supports your career.
• Respond to inquiries via electronic means (email, Slack, etc.) in a timely and professional manner.
• Maintain professional workplace behavior and confidentiality in all interactions.
• Provide support for company programs (No More Starving Artists Program, Wellness, etc.).
• Complete administrative tasks on time and with accuracy as assigned.
• Attend functions such as job fairs, networking events, and other approved locations to promote Co-op programs.
• Clock in and out and provide daily shift reports using Employee Self-Service in the HRIS, Payworks.
• Use assigned PPE and follow Health and Safety protocols.
• Wear a clean Co-op program shirt and employee g all in-person performances.
• Complete SOCAN Notification of Live Music Performance and other reports as needed.
• Complete other tasks as assigned.

• Professional Development:
  Tuesday–Friday
• Performance:
  Wednesday–Friday evenings, and weekends, as scheduled by your Artist Coordinator
• Performance slots are typically 2 hours long, approximately 16 hours per week
• No program activities scheduled for artists on Mondays
• Length: approximately 8–10 weeks, commencing in late June and ending near the end of August
• Summer Contracts are typically 280 hours, 30–35 hours per week

• Upload your artistic résumé and cover letter, and include a professional headshot specific to your artist-business if available.
• Submit a link in the pre-screening questions to a You Tube video (2–3 minutes) of yourself performing one or more songs that best represent your musical ability.
• Original material is preferred.
• Video must be unedited (no vocal tuning, audio processing, or video editing).
• Links to public performances are permitted if they clearly hear and identify your performance.
• Review allows a maximum of three minutes of content. You may provide a link that starts at a specified timestamp.
• Video may be uploaded as “unlisted” on You Tube if preferred. Ensure the link is not private, or your application may not be considered.
• Attendance at a local Round One Audition may be substituted for online video.

Bands or ensembles are encouraged to apply, but members must apply and audition individually. Returning participants should submit a cover letter detailing their growth since the last season, why they would like to return, and what they hope to gain from the program if selected for 2026. Returning participants must check the pre-screening box indicating their status and understand they may not return to the same position.

To advance to screening, ensure all pre-interview questions are completed. After the initial screening, applicants may be invited to a virtual callback audition that includes a live audition in front of a jury, a short media interview, and a formal job interview. Interviews typically take place from March/April onwards until positions are filled. The Canadian Musicians Co-operative does not use AI tools in screening candidates.