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Program Information
Niloufar Shiri and Aida Shirazi, Banff Centre 2024. Photo by Rita Taylor.
Dates
Application Deadline: November 20, 2024
Program Dates: April 28 – May 09, 2025
Overview
This two-week residency offers musicians and ensembles from diverse cultural and artistic backgrounds dedicated space and time to focus on their craft. Embracing music from all traditions and breaking boundaries, the program encourages connections between musicians using both traditional world instruments and Western instruments and voice.
Participants shape the residency with their own historical and contemporary practices. With the freedom to design your own schedule, you'll receive guidance from esteemed global artists and mentors. The diverse artistic influences, coupled with peer collaboration, will inspire new discoveries and transformative experiences throughout the program.
Description
Soundweavings will offer individuals and ensembles of all musics time and space to focus on research, development and creation of their own project. This program gives the opportunity to:
- take risks, explore new ideas, and elevate your creative practice in a supportive environment.
- create a framework for discussions, collaborative music making and shared listening experiences.
- focus on creative exploration and experimentation through peer and mentor-led collaborations and discussions.
- performance opportunities to showcase their work.
- be exposed to diverse musical traditions, instruments, musical systems, and historical and aesthetic perspectives.
- build an inclusive and diverse community.
- collaborate with Audio Engineer recording practicum participants for demo recordings.
A limited number of studio recording possibilities will be offered by the Professional Training program Audio Engineer: Soundweavings 2025 participants.
Requirements
This program is open to:
- National and international post-secondary students.
- Early and mid-career artists who have achieved an advanced level of accomplishment.
Applicants should have:
- A well-documented record of musical exploration, performance, or creation.
- Experience with traditional world music instruments or Western instruments.
Eligibility
Applicants must be 18+ at the time of the program start date.
Domestic and international applications are welcome.
Visa Eligibility Information:
- Please note that Banff Centre programs do not meet the eligibility requirements for a Canadian Student Visa.
- If you are accepted into our program, you must obtain a Visitor Visa to enter Canada. Accepted participants are responsible for identifying and complying with the immigration requirements to enter Canada as a visitor from their country of origin. If you require a Visitor Visa please check the current expected processing times well in advance of applying.
Inclusivity Statement
We welcome applicants of all ages (18+), backgrounds, gender identities and expressions to apply. Artists from historically underrepresented and equity deserving groups are especially welcome.
Itinerary
Participants arrive on campus April 27, 2025
Program elements include:
- Program and Banff Centre Orientation
- Three faculty lectures
- Sharing Circles 2-3 times a week in Bentley (Music and Sound)
- Camp Fire
Public Performances:
- Concert 1: May 01, 2025
- Concert 2: May 03, 2025
- Concert 3: May 07, 2025
- Concert 4: May 09, 2025
Participants depart May 10, 2025
Faculty
Megumi Masaki
Megumi Masaki is a pianist, multimedia performing artist, educator and curator. She is recognized as an innovator that reimagines the piano, pianist and performance space. Her work pushes boundaries of interactivity between sound, image, text and movement in multimedia works through new technologies, including hand-gesture-motion tracking to generate and control live-electronics and live-video, AI, 3D visuals, keyboard-controlled computer game, e-textile sensors and active infra-red tracking. As a Japanese-Canadian artist, her work also explores how human rights and environmental issues can intersect and be communicated through music. Over 70 compositions have been created with/for Megumi and she has premiered 150 works worldwide. Megumi was appointed to the Order of Manitoba and Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada.
www.megumimasaki.com
Director, Music
Sandeep Bhagwati
Sandeep Bhagwati is a multiple award-winning composer, theatre director, poet and academic, born in Mumbai (India). He studied composition and conducting at Mozarteum Salzburg and Musikhochschule München, and computer music at IRCAM Paris. His operas, multi-disciplinary staged works, compositions and comprovisations are performed worldwide at leading venues, festivals, theatres and museums and by renowned ensembles* and by eminent soloists**. He has published widely, both as a public voice and in academia, and is a sought-after keynote speaker and jury member and has founded/curated inter-arts festivals (e.g. A*Devantgarde München) and trans-traditional (a term he coined in 2010) projects with Asian composer-performers and European new music ensembles. Professor of Composition at Karlsruhe Music University since 2000, he became Canada Research Chair for Inter-X Arts at Concordia University Montreal in 2006. There he founded matralab, a interdisciplinary and trans-traditional research/creation node for live arts. Since 2013, he founded and directs trans-traditional music ensembles in Berlin, Pune, and Toronto. Between 2017-2023, he led the TENOR Network, a global research forum for new music notation practices and technologies. Since 2020, he is co-founder / co-editor of “TURBA - The Journal for Global Practices in Live Arts Curation”. His artistic work was the focus of a “Homage Season” 2023/24 initiated by the Quebec New Music Society (SMCQ) and has been a consultant for New Music Concerts Toronto since 2022.
Photo credit: Alain Lefort
What's Included
Meal Plan
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Using a credit-based system to dine on campus, our flexible meal plans allow you to select meals according to your own needs during your stay. Banff Centre can respond to most dietary requests.
The Regular meal plan is equivalent to $53 credit per day, equivalent to two meals at our Buffet service.
Accommodation
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Your program fee includes a single bedroom on the Banff Centre campus for the duration of your program.
Get connected with other artists on campus and focus on your projects in a creative environment while we take care of the day-to-day essentials.
Studio Space
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Create in the privacy of one of our specialized studios.
Group Seminars/Workshops
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Group seminars and workshops with faculty.
Performance Opportunities
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This program offers opportunities to showcase your work in one of our performance venues or in the community.
Recording Opportunities
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A limited number of studio recording possibilities will be offered by the Audio Recording Engineer CWT (Creative Workforce Training) program for Soundweavings.
Paul D. Fleck Library and Archives
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The Paul D. Fleck Library and Archives are delighted to support Banff Centre Participants, Artists, and Faculty
Campus Facilities
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- Participant Resources: Enrich your experience and get to know other artists on campus by taking advantage of the activities and support provided.
- Sally Borden Fitness and Recreation Centre: Your program fee includes free access to the swimming pool, climbing gym and fitness centre.
- Box Office Discounts: Enjoy special artist rates or complimentary access for ticketed performances.
Fees & Financial Assistance
Application Fee
$65 for individuals or groups, $35 for applicants who identify as Indigenous.
The application fee is non-refundable. 100% of this fee goes towards the cost of administering the application in SlideRoom.
Scholarships
We are pleased to offer scholarships to support participants in our program. Below are details regarding the scholarship amount and how they are applied.
- Standard scholarship: covers 100% of tuition fees, and 50% of meals and accommodation costs
- Canadian Indigenous scholarship: covers 100% of tuition fees, meals, and accommodation costs
If you would like to be considered, please complete the Financial Aid section when uploading your supporting materials.
Help fund your experience at Banff Centre by viewing our compiled list of national and international opportunities here.
Cancellations
Information on our cancellation policy can be found here.
Tax Information
Banff Centre will issue official tax receipts for eligible tuition fees and financial assistance and awards as required by the Income Tax Act. You will receive a T2202 (Tuition and Enrolment Certificate) for eligible tuition fees paid and a T4A (Statement of Pension, Retirement, Annuity, and Other Income) for applicable financial assistance and awards.
How to Apply
Learn more about the steps to Complete Your Application.
Step 1:
Complete the Online FormStep 2:
Please login with the username and password emailed to you on completion of step 1.
Step 3:
Upload Your MaterialsResume
A one-page resume or C.V. describing academic, professional, and other relevant experience.
Group applications should submit all resumes in one document.
Cover Letter
A one-page cover letter explaining why you are interested in this program and what you hope to achieve by attending it.
Project Proposal
Provide a 500-word description of your proposed project, including the theme, an outline of materials and facilities that may be required, and a breakdown of timelines. These summaries will be used as a narrative for administrative and public use.
Resource request form
Please fill out the technical resource form with a list of technical equipment & instruments bringing and what is needed from Banff Centre.
Portfolio
- Musicians: Up to three samples of your work as audio or video recordings, for a maximum duration of approximately 10 minutes in total. You should aim to demonstrate the full scope of your artistry by selecting contrasting works. Pre-formed ensembles must submit group recordings. Please upload up to three files only.
- Composers: Scores of two of your compositions (can be a graphic score or traditional score) and, if possible, a recording of these works. Indicate performance history if applicable. Compositions and recordings submitted should have been completed no more than five years prior to the application deadline.
Financial Assistance
Be sure to complete the Financial Aid question in SlideRoom to be eligible for the financial assistance.
Group Applications
The lead applicant should complete:
- Step 1: One application form
- Step 2: Pay the $65 processing fee on behalf of the group
- Step 3: One SlideRoom application
Note: An additional $35 registration fee will be added for each member upon acceptance to the program.
Adjudication
Participants are chosen by an adjudication panel comprising of internal and external assessors. The selection criteria include:
- Quality, originality and artistic merit.
- Required skills and experience.
- The potential for the applicant's work to benefit from the program.
- Banff Centre’s ability to support the project.
Our programs are highly competitive with a limited number of places available. Applicants will be notified of their selection status as soon as the adjudication process is complete. Due to the high volume of applications individual feedback will not be provided.
Disclaimer
All programs, faculty, dates, fees, and offers of financial assistance are subject to change. Program fee is subject to applicable taxes. Non-refundable fees and deposits will be retained upon cancellation. Any other fees are refunded at the discretion of the Banff Centre. The application deadline is 11:59 p.m. Mountain Standard Time.
Contact Admissions
For questions on preparing your application, please contact Admissions:
Toll Free Number (Canada + USA)
1.800.565.9989
Phone
403.762.6180
