Do you like working as a team, or are you curious about virtual theatre? Joining our band is an exciting opportunity that is open to all students at the University of British Columbia! Whether you have played in the band before or are an avid Broadway fan, STEP IN TIME will provide a new experience that is both challenging and extremely rewarding.

Throughout the rehearsal process, band members get to know their tight-knit group of fellow musicians and develop their musical ability in a fun, supportive environment. They then go on to combine their talents with the cast and crew to put on a great production.

Rehearsals will be held weekly Tuesdays, 6:00 – 8:00 PM and Saturdays, based on availability, over zoom. Rehearsals begin Tuesday, September 29th and lead up to the performances on November 27th and 28th. These rehearsal times may be subject to slight changes, but it is expected that members attend all rehearsals which should not exceed a total of 3 – 6 hours / week.

WHAT IS STEP IN TIME?

Due to COVID-19, we are unable to host our fall production. Instead, we want to create a virtual musical revue highlighting our members’ talents. This project will have many similar aspects to our normal fall productions.

The final result will be a video compilation of various numbers that follow the theme “Musicals through Time”. The Creative Team will create a set list and decide on an overall vision for the project. We hope that all the songs will be linked together by a common thread, for example, an emcee. There will be ensemble, smaller group, and solo numbers in the revue.

The piece will not be recorded live, but filmed in advance and edited. Our crew members will act as virtual consultants to the actors, assisting them in setting up their space, deciding what to wear, etc.

Instruments for STEP IN TIME

The STEP IN TIME set list is currently being determined by our creative team. Below is a list of instruments that we are looking to include, however any other instruments are welcome.

  • Piano 
  • Violin
  • Bass
  • Drums
  • Trumpet
  • Tuba-Bass
  • Trombone
  • Reeds

Applying for STEP IN TIME:

  1. Complete this application form by Saturday September 19th at 11:59 PM.
  2. Schedule a fifteen-minute informal audition with our band director, Ashley Babcock, on Monday September 21st or Tuesday September 22nd.
  3. Successful applicants will receive an email by Saturday September 26th at 8:00 PM.

Audition preparation:

For your audition you will be expected to prepare a short piece of your choice, which should showcase your abilities on your chosen instrument. Your song should be around 1-2 minutes long and can be in any style or genre you choose. Musical theatre songs are especially welcome! Choose a song that includes a variety of dynamics or changes in tempo. Feel free to pick a song that is challenging for you but can show off more of your playing abilities. Don’t worry about making a few mistakes!

You will also be asked to do some sight reading of music from our past productions or additional musical exercises selected by our band director. We’re not looking for perfection, this informal audition will be to gauge your ability and comfort with your instrument. We look forward to getting to know you better as both a musician and an individual.

Thank you for your interest in the band! We are very excited about the upcoming year and can’t wait to welcome you into our band. For any band-specific inquiries, please email Ashley at mttcreative@gmail.com. 

BAND – FAQ

Due to the virtual nature of this review, certain adjustments will need to be made. The Band Director will be a key player in adapting the rehearsal process to this new reality. The VP Production will support the band director during this process.

WHAT SONGS WILL BE IN THE REVUE?

The set list of STEP IN TIME will be determined by the Creative Team. The Band Director will have an important say in this decision. They will pick numbers that use the same or similar instruments and that work well for our band.

HOW WILL REHEARSALS WORK VIRTUALLY?

Band Rehearsals will be a mix of one-on-one, small group, and larger group meetings. The Band Director will talk about the music and go through it with the whole band. In smaller groups, specific instruments can play together virtually. The Band Director will also meet one-on-one with each musician to help them practice. Each instrument will be recorded separately, and our crew will layer the tracks together to create our own STEP IN TIME soundtrack. Some rehearsals may take place in person, at the discretion and based on the availability of band members.

WHAT IF A BAND MEMBER DOES NOT HAVE THEIR OWN INSTRUMENT?

MTT will help band members source instruments if required.

HOW WILL THE SONGS BE RECORDED?

Each instrument will be recorded separately and edited together by our crew. Cast members can then sing over the recordings, creating our very own STEP IN TIME soundtrack.