Application Deadline Monday, December 7, 2009.
“My participation in this program has been a highlight in my music education. I was excited to participate in the rehearsals of my composition ‘Nebula’ and to hear its performance by such a high-calibre ensemble. The various discussions that we had with the faculty, covering topics generally untouched in the typical university settings, were thought-provoking and beneficial. And it was very interesting to me to see what the other young composers, at a similar point in their career, are doing musically and what their musical views are.” Matthew Todd, 30, Gravenhurst, ON, Composers Program 2009 participant
NAC Award Composer, Gary Kulesha, returns to lead the 8th annual Composers Programme June 22 - 28, 2010 in Ottawa.
The National Arts Centre is pleased to announce that American composer George Tsontakis will be our Guest Composer this summer joining NAC Award Composer Gary Kulesha to provide leadership and instruction during the 1-week workshop.
George Tsontakis has been the recipient of the two richest prizes awarded in all of classical music; the international Grawemeyer Award, in 2005, for his Second Violin Concerto and the 2007 Ives Living, awarded every three years by the American Academy of Arts and Letters.
He studied with Roger Sessions at Juilliard and in Rome with Franco Donatoni. Born in Astoria, NY into a strongly Cretan heritage, he has, in recent years, become an important figure in the music of Greece. His music is increasingly performed abroad with dozens of performances in Europe every season. Most of his music, including eleven major orchestral works and four concertos has been recorded by Hyperion and Koch, leading to two Grammy Nominations for Best Classical Composition in 2009 and 1999. He has been Distinguished Composer-in-Residence at the Bard Conservatory and Composer-in-Residence with the Aspen Music Festival for decades, where he was founding director of the Aspen Contemporary Ensemble, from 1991-99. He served for three years as Composer-in-Residence with the Oxford (England) Philomusica, continues a six-year Music Alive residency with the Albany Symphony and was the featured Composer-In-Residence with the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center in the 2008-09 season. He lives in New York State’s Catskill Mountains, in Shokan.
Five talented, emerging professional composers will be selected by application to participate in an intense programme of study this summer at the NAC for 7 days from June 22 – 28, 2010. Composing fellows will be required to write, in advance of the programme, a new work of 7 – 10 minutes in length for a professional ensemble of up to 12 parts. (flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, horn, 2 violins, viola, cello, bass, piano, percussion). Each composition will be work-shopped in several sessions with a dedicated ensemble from l’Orchestre de la francophonie canadienne, led by its Music Director and Conductor Jean Philippe Tremblay.
Works by Kulesha, a guest composer and the composing fellows will be presented in a public concert as the culmination of the programme. Participants will take part in several informal discussions and information sessions during the 7-day programme. Composing Apprentices will be selected upon approval of applications and existing compositions to take part fully in all group discussions and lectures with the possibility of having one of their works read by the ensemble.
Fees (in Canadian dollars):
$1500 Composing Fellows, includes tuition, room & board. Full support provided to Canadian fellows. Partial support provided to international fellows who are required to pay $500.
$200 Composing Apprentices, tuition only; Composing Apprentices are responsible for their own travel, room & board.
Application Requirements
Deadline: Monday, December 7, 2009
The Composers Program is designed for those at a graduate level of study or higher or who have equivalent experience and are preparing for a professional career in composition. The programme is ideally for those 35 years of age and under. Exceptions may apply.
Applicants must send a DATA CD containing the following:
- mp3 files of 3 sample compositions written within the past two years showing a variety of skill and abilities.
- Scores of each composition (PDF files acceptable) with a brief description of the pieces. Hard copies of scores may be sent by post if necessary.
- A recent resumé and photo of the applicant included on the Data CD or sent by email to the Composers Programme. Résumés should be attached as a MS Word or plain text document (.doc or .txt). Photos (.jpeg) should not be more than 200k file size.
In addition to: A $55 CDN non-refundable application fee.
DATA CDs must be labeled with: name of applicant, “NAC Composers Programme 2010”, date of recording(s), list of repertoire titles and other information to clearly identify the content of the data CD.
Application Process
- Complete the required on-line application and submit by the deadline date of Monday, December 7, 2009.
- Forward the required application materials to be received by the NAC no later than Monday, December 7, 2009. All applicants are strongly urged to use a courier service including brokerage services to ensure a timely delivery and efficient customs clearance for those applying from outside Canada. Recordings & scores sent to complete an application not received by the NAC by the deadline risk having their application forfeited. Applications will not be processed until all materials including recording, resumé and $55 CDN non-refundable application fee, have been received. (See below for details)
- The main form of communication for this program is by email. Applicants and those accepted to the Composers Program are advised to have an email address. It is the responsibility of the applicant / participant to check email on a regular basis for communications.
- $55 CDN non-refundable application fee payable by cheque (made out to National Arts Centre), Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or International Money Order. The NAC does not guarantee a secure site. Those wishing to pay by credit card may include credit card information in their application package. Applications will not be processed without receipt by the NAC of the application fee.
Please note: Application materials become the property of the National Arts Centre.
Mailing Address for application materials and for further information:
NAC Composers Programme
Attention: Ms. Christy Harris, Manager, Summer Music Institute
National Arts Centre
Music Department
53 Elgin Street
Ottawa, Ontario
K1P 5W1
Canada
Tel: 613-947-7000, ext. 568
Fax: 613-943-1400
Email: charris@nac-cna.ca
