The Canadian League of Composers (CLC), in partnership with Continuum Contemporary Music and the Canadian Music Centre, is pleased to announce that applications are now open for the 2023-24 PIVOT Mentorship Program.
Deadline: Sunday October 1 2023 @ 11:59PM EDT
PIVOT is a mentorship program for self-identified early-career Canadian artists working in music and sound, presented by the CLC, in partnership with various ensembles and organisations across the country. It is an unparalleled opportunity for composers across Canada to develop a work with the guidance of a mentor-composer, while also working directly with a professional ensemble specialising in contemporary music performance.
Five composers will be selected for this program. Participants will be guided by their mentors as they compose, workshop, and complete a new piece for Continuum Contemporary Music, one of Canada’s most celebrated and innovative chamber groups. Continuum will then premiere these five works at a public concert on Sunday, April 7 2024, at The Music Gallery in downtown Toronto.
Eligibility Requirements
- Self-identified early-career artist working in music and sound (please feel free to contact PIVOT organisers if you have questions about your eligibility status);
- Training and/or experience in their artistic practice. Post-secondary training is not a requirement.
- Anyone residing in Canada or Canadian citizens living abroad;
- There is no age restriction;
- Administrative Staff and Board / Council members of CLC, the CMC, and Continuum Contemporary Music are not eligible.
Submissions are encouraged in a wide variety of styles, reflecting the plurality of composition today. Diversity in all its forms (race, culture, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, language, physical ability, and age) will be a guiding factor. We particularly welcome applications from artists who are women, non-binary, trans, Black, Indigenous, People of Colour, as well as artists from traditionally under-represented populations. PIVOT organizers are available to consult on the application process, and will prioritise dialogue with community members from equity-seeking groups.
Instrumentation & Technical Considerations
Works of 10-12 minutes in duration may be proposed for the Continuum core ensemble including flute, clarinet, violin, cello, piano, percussion, and conductor. Proposals for subsets of this ensemble are also welcome but are subject to approval from Continuum. Composers will be provided with a list of available percussion once their participation is confirmed – additions to that list will need to be negotiated with Continuum. Works containing electronic and/or electroacoustic elements will not be considered.
Project Timeline (subject to change)
- Application Deadline: Sunday, October 1 2023 @ 11:59 EDT
- Jury process: late-September/early-October
- Participants notified, mentors selected, composing starts: October
- Delivery of sketch materials: Monday, January 15 2024
- Workshop with Continuum: week of January 29 2024
- Delivery of final score and parts: Friday, March 22 2024
- Rehearsals: week of April 2 2024
- Premiere: Sunday, April 7 2024
Applicants must submit the following through an online form:
- Basic information (full name, address, phone, email, etc.);
- Current CV including a highlighted list of works, ideally with embedded links to streaming audio/video where available (maximum 3 pages, PDF document);
- A 250-word bio;
- Links to streaming audio/video recordings of 2 recent works (do not submit scores);
- Answers to three questions about your work and the piece you are proposing to write(total word count should not exceed 1000)
Applications must be submitted through the ONLINE FORM by Sunday, October 1 2023 @ 11:59 EDT
Duration of program: October 2023 to April 2024
Finances: The CLC will provide a $1500 honouraria for composers’ artistic work. The CLC will also provide written support for grant applications associated with the proposed works.
Selection: Five applicants will be selected by a four-person jury composed of a CLC board member, a representative from Continuum, and two external jurors. The jury will convene in late-August/early-September
This year’s jury will consist of Ryan Scott, Steven Webb, TBD, and TBD
For further clarity on the assessment criteria used, please see the jury guidelines.
Contact:
August Murphy-King
General Manager, Canadian League of Composers
20 St. Joseph Street, Toronto, ON, M4Y 1J9,
416.964.1364
The Canadian League of Composers gratefully acknowledges the financial support of the Ontario Arts Council, the SOCAN Foundation, the Canada Council for the Arts, and the Azrieli Foundation
