Diverse as This Land: Apply Now

The Diverse As This Land program explores how land shapes voice and reveals the dynamic spectrum of Indigenous artistry today. The program enrolls 12 singers, actors, and storytellers in the performing arts each year and is currently accepting applications.

From banffcentre.ca:

Indigenous Arts at THE BANFF CENTRE offers a 10-day voice intensive which is an in-depth examination of the human voice as primary channel for communication in the performer-audience relationship. Working from the feet up, the emphasis will be on establishing a grounded, spine-breath relationship that enables free expression of creative impulse.

During the voice intensive, participants will have opportunities to: develop a deep understanding of your unique breath and voice foster a tangible awareness of your own vocal and physical habits experience and incorporate a voice warm-up progression into your artistic practice explore a wealth of tools with which to tap into your imagination build a coherent and integrated approach to physical, vocal, and text/lyrics preparation deepen your ability to be in relationship with your music or scene partners, and your audience The program is intended for anyone who works in any sound tradition with physical, emotional, and vocal freedom. Singers, actors, storytellers.

Enrolment is limited to 12 participants of Indigenous descent who are 18 years of age or older. Full scholarships are available. You only have to pay for your travel to get to Banff. Imagine 10-days in Banff working on your voice.

It's an incredible opportunity to develop your voice in the beautiful setting of The Banff Centre! Apply now - the deadline is April 18th - and tell us all about it.

More information and application form available here.

Kinnie Starr and Cris Derksen: The National Music Centre Artists in Residence

The new Astral Radio Artist-in-Residence program at Calgary's National Music Centre is currently hosting electro-cellist Cris Derksen and hip-hop chanteuse Kinnie Starr for a week of collaboration and experimentation.

The National Music Centre (NMC) kicked off the Astral Radio Artist-in-Residence (A.I.R.) earlier this year with Kurt Swinghammer and last week welcomed Cris Derksen and Kinnie Starr to collaborate, record and perform with the NMC collection - a collection that boasts over 2,000 instruments and artifacts.

From nmc.ca:

The National Music Centre (NMC) and Astral Radio are thrilled to welcome the fifth installment of the NMC Astral Radio Artist-in-Residence program with Toronto’s Kinnie Starr and Vancouver’s Cris Derksen tackling the amazing NMC collection for a week of recording and sonic experimentation...

Together, they are launching their new collaborative project, BEAMS. Sharing a strong interest in landscape and heritage both physically and sonically, they are a perfect match for exploration and creative discovery.

“We are extremely excited to work with the instruments at NMC” says Derksen “to expand on what we’re already doing, but to also delve into a whole new world of experimentation with instruments we’ve only heard about, but never had  the chance to actually play.”

The goal of the residency is for Starr and Derksen to use these new and innovative instruments to collaborate in creating something unique and fresh. “It’s an incredible opportunity to be able to expand the perimeters our tools can take us,” says Derksen “I think KStarr and I are a perfect match – we instantly speak the same language about music and how to take it to the places we want to go, seeking the same path and outcomes.”

We're big fans of both Derksen and Starr here at RPM (in case you hadn't noticed) and are thrilled about this new project. The outcome is sure to be fantastic.

For anyone in the Calgary area, you can attend the performance this Friday December 7th at 8pm. Visit nmc.ca/whats-on/kinnie-starr-and-cris-derksen-in-concert for details.

For more information on the NMC Artist-in-Residence program including how to apply, visit nmc.ca/musicians.

Artist Call: Asinabka Festival Residency in Music Production

Calling First Nations, Métis and Inuit musicians between the ages of 18 and 30! The Asinabka Festival is offering a one-week residency in music production. Apply now.

Asinabka is a festival of film and media, but they are also presenting a residency for emerging and aspiring musicians and those interested in music production. The deadline for applications is April 30th, so read on and submit soon.

From Residency in Music Production, Call for Applications:

Are you an aspiring First Nations, Métis, or Inuit musician? Are you between the ages of 18 and 30? Do you want to learn how to produce your own music?

The Asinabka Festival is partnering with Sign Star Records, an Aboriginal owned Record Company based in Ottawa, and the Saw Video Media Arts Centre, to offer a one-week residency in music production.  This residency is for beginners and emerging artists, who will learn and work hands on with one of the music industry’s top production/recording software’s.  Participants are encouraged to have a draft of a song, either partially or fully written, so that they can incorporate their own music into the workshops.  After the residency, one applicant will be given the opportunity to continue working with Sign Star Records to produce their music!  Non-musicians interested in the post-production of music are also welcome to apply.

HOW TO APPLY

1. A brief bio: Tell us about yourself! Where are you from? Where did you go to school? Where have you worked or volunteered?
2. A letter of intent (1 page): Tell us why you want to participate in this residency, and how you think you will benefit! What type of music do you play? Do you have a specific song that you’d like to work on?  Do you have any performance experience?
3. Support material: Please submit a demo, a recording of your music, or music you’ve helped produce (MP3 or CD format, or an Internet Link to the works online location).

Email submissions are welcome!

DEADLINE:  Friday, April 30th 2012

For more information visit asinabkafestival.org/asinabkafestival/Events.html.