Beyonce [ tickets ] Knowles, who earlier this month held a nationwide search to find musicians with which to form an all-female band, has selected her new bandmates.

About 1,000 hopefuls showed up for open-call auditions in New York, Houston, Chicago and Los Angeles, and the field was narrowed down to 40 finalists who were subjected to "an intense set of decisive auditions" at Sony Music Studios in New York City, according to the label. Knowles then selected the final lineup on Sunday (6/19).

The winning musicians--whose names will be revealed "soon," according to a press release--include a three-person horn section, two drummers, a percussionist, two keyboardists, one bassist and one guitarist. The collective will make its first public appearance while backing Knowles during a performance at next Tuesday's (6/27) BET Awards Ceremony, which is scheduled to air live on the cable channel.

Knowles is gearing up for the release of her sophomore studio album, "B'Day," which is due in stores Sept. 5, the day after her 25th birthday. The set's lead-off single is titled "Deja Vu" and features a guest appearance from Beyonce's boyfriend, rap-mogul Jay-Z. Knowles produced, wrote and arranged all of the music on the new disc, according to Sony.

"B'Day" follows Knowles' multi-platinum 2003 solo debut, "Dangerously In Love," which earned her five trophies at the 2004 Grammy Awards, tying the record for Grammy wins by a female artist in a single year.

According to her label, "Dangerously in Love" has sold more than 11 million copies to date worldwide.

Earlier this year, Knowles took home her ninth Grammy Award, for "So Amazing," a duet with Stevie Wonder.