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Program Information
Melody McKiver, violist / percussionist / composer; Cris Derksen, composer / cellist during first iteration of Canadian Indigenous Classical Music Gathering, 2019. Photo by Jessica Wittman.
Overview
Banff Centre is excited to invite folks to the third iteration of the Indigenous Classical Music Gathering (ICMG), led by faculty members Cris Derksen and Eliot Britton. Building on the groundbreaking work previously established by the Canadian Classical Indigenous Music Gathering, Indigenous composers and performers will come together to cultivate their individual crafts through collaboration and personal development.
Participants will spend time each day to gather and discuss current classical music issues, unpack our shared history of being Indigenous within the genre, and shine a light onto where we would like to see classical music go.
The ICMG values the integral role relationship building plays in ensuring healthy careers for all involved in the genre. There will be a guest faculty of Indigenous and non-Indigenous professionals to assist participants on their journey.
What Does the Program Offer
A space for Indigenous classical musicians and composers to explore experimental elements of their craft, as well as finalize productions of their work to the best of their capacity, in a fully supported environment without barriers of micro-aggression, racism, or cultural bias.
Who Should Apply
This program is geared towards regional, national, and global Indigenous music practitioners including: composers, singers, instrumentalists, scholars, students provocateurs, disrupters, advocates pushing the boundaries of their artistic practice, artists that serve their community, and artistic leaders in classical music.
One does not need a university degree in music, however should be working or intending to work in the field.
For full details on vaccination requirements, masking, safety protocols, and COVID related policies please visit: www.banffcentre.ca/covid-19-measures
Itinerary
Program will be structured daily to include:
- Self- Practice
- Gathering discussions
- Guest Faculty professional development sessions
- Collaborative performance experience.
Faculty
Cris Derksen
Juno nominated Cris Derksen is an internationally respected Indigenous Cellist and Composer. In a world where almost everything — people, music, cultures — gets labelled and slotted into simple categories, Cris Derksen represents a challenge. Originally from Northern Alberta she comes from a line of chiefs from North Tallcree Reserve on her father’s side and a line of strong Mennonite homesteaders on her mother’s. Derksen braids the traditional and contemporary, weaving her classical background and her Indigenous ancestry together with new school electronics to create genre-defying music. As a performer Derksen performs nationally and internationally as a soloist and in collaboration with some of Canada’s finest, including Tanya Tagaq, Buffy Sainte Marie, Naomi Klein, and Leanne Simpson, to name a few. Recent concert destinations include Hong Kong, Australia, Mongolia, Sweden, and a whole lot of Canada: the place Derksen refers to as home.
2021 commissions include pieces for the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, Ottawa's Chamberfest, the City of Toronto, Edmonton New Music, the Edmonton Symphony with support from the National Arts Centre, Vancouver's Blueridge Chamber Festival, Vancouver Transform Cabaret, and a 4-part docuseries for the Knowledge Network.
Faculty
Eliot Britton
Eliot Britton (b.1983) bridges sound worlds. From the imperceptible rhythms of the natural environment to towering, digitally magnified timbres, his musical language uses the tools and techniques of the 21st century to build and share networks of music and meaning. Britton’s fiercely virtuosic and award-winning aesthetic brings together performers and technology, finding new modes of expression and collaboration. From soloists, drum machines and orchestras to augmented reality and machine learning, Britton seeks innovative ways of connecting and expressing Canada’s contemporary soundscape. As an Anglo-Metis from Manitoba, Britton is passionate about collaborating on narrative expanding indigenous projects.
A graduate of the University of Manitoba (w. Michael Matthews) and McGill University (w. Sean Ferguson), Britton is now a teacher, researcher, and composer at the University of Toronto. There he is the Director of the newly rebuilt Electronic Music Studios (UTEMS) and splits his time between the Composition and Music Technology areas. Britton is currently the composer in residence at Red Sky Performance, as well as co-director of Cluster New Music + Integrated Arts Festival. His work at UofT seeks to expand the framework for research creation, opening new spaces for diversity in the creative applications of music technology.
Faculty
What's Included
Single Room
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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.
Full Flex 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 Full Flex meal plan is equivalent to $58 credit per day, equivalent to breakfast, lunch and dinner at our Buffet service.
Showcase Your Work
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This program offers opportunities to showcase your work-in-progress in one of our performance venues.
Studios & Facilities
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Create in one of our specialized studios and utilize shared production facilities in printmaking, ceramics, sculpture, photography, digital media and more (subject to additional fees) Collaborative groups share studio space.
Group Seminars/Workshops
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Join in group seminars/workshops.
Gym Membership
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Your program fee includes free access to the swimming pool, climbing gym and fitness suite as well as discounted rates for classes at the Sally Borden Fitness and Recreation Centre.
Paul D. Fleck Library and Archives
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Limited access to the Paul D. Fleck Library and Archives.
Although the doors remain temporarily closed, you can still access a wide range of books, periodicals, recordings and scores through our digital databases available on the digital resources page, and physical items through our curbside pick-up service.
Participant Resources
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Enrich your experience and get to know other artists on campus by taking advantage of the activities and support provided by our Participant Resources team.
Fees & Financial Assistance
Application fee: $65 ($35 for applicants who identify as Indigenous)
*Financial Aid of 100% of tuition fee, meal and accommodation fee is available for this program.
Application fees are not refundable.
Help fund your experience at Banff Centre. View a compiled list of national and international opportunities here.
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.
Letter of Intent
What do you hope to achieve with your time here? Share background on the project you are working during your time at the Banff.
Resume
A one-page resume or C.V. describing academic, professional, and other relevant experience.
Resource Request
You will be asked a series of questions please also provide a list of repertoire you would like to perform or workshop. For each piece, please include the title, composer, approximate duration, instrumentation including a detailed list of percussion (if any), along with any technical requirements such as electronics, video, or staging directions. If the piece is in the process of being composed and some aspects are unknown, please provide as many details as you can.
Final resource allocation is at the discretion of the department.
Portfolio
Up to 5 samples of relevant recent artistic work.
- Performers can submit a Video – max 5 min.
- Composers can submit Scores - if you have links online or an MP3, both are acceptable.
Financial Assistance
Be sure to complete the Financial Aid section to be eligible for financial assistance.
Adjudication
Participants are selected by impartial adjudication on the basis of their submitted material. In addition to artistic merit, consideration will be given to the likelihood that the artist's work will benefit from the program.
Please note, application fees are non-refundable and go towards supporting the review of each program application and the adjudication process. All submitted applications are reviewed by a panel of adjudicators, and due to the competitive nature of Banff Centre’s programs, we do not provide feedback on applications or guarantee acceptances into programs. All applicants will be notified of their application status via email following adjudication.
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
