Deadline for music residency for Indigenous artists fast approaching

Indigenous music artists from across Canada are being called on to apply for the CBC Indigenous Music Residency by Aug. 29.

The program is an initiative between the SOCAN Foundation and CBC that will provide invaluable mentorship to six music creators from First Nation, Métis and Inuit communities.

The residency will be held in Toronto from Oct. 14 to Nov. 8.

“The biggest thing is that this is supposed to benefit, it’s customized around the people that are applying,” said Nic Meloney, CBC production executive for the residency. “So, if they feel it within themselves that they’ve got the confidence to be able to deliver, the confidence and the creativity to be able to step into a realm like that and they’ve got the time, if there’s something within them, this little tiny spark that says ‘Oh I really want to do this’, then they have to apply because it’s such a rare opportunity.”

SOCAN Foundation is an organization dedicated to the creation of Canadian music through grants, awards and programs. The SOCAN Foundation is part of the SOCAN Group of organizations.

The partnership developed via a commitment from CBC to acknowledge requests from Indigenous communities for colonial institutions to create new strategies for how they work alongside Indigenous communities and for them.

Meloney explained how there was a conversation taking place between the director at CBC Music and SOCAN Foundation.

“The SOCAN Foundation said ‘Listen, we’ve got a model for songwriting camps and music residencies. We know how to do it,’” said Meloney, adding together the two developed the plan, retained resources and the CBC Indigenous Music Residency was launched.

“We’re looking at regional and national representation as part of it, but any genre as well. People that are at a stage of career where they’re looking to take the next step or take the first step.”

Those chosen to take part in the residency will travel to Toronto for four weeks where they will collaborate with other artists under the mentorship of world-class sound engineers and music producers. They’ll also be commissioned to write two new works during the residency.

“It’s going to be four weeks of some of the most rare industry experiences in Canada that you can expect,” said Meloney.

In addition to their travel being paid, participants will receive four weeks of accommodations, $2,000 spending money, Canadian Federation of Musicians scale rates for commissioned work, paid composer fee, a public transit card, singer-songwriter showcase at Songwriters Circle, possible video/documentary coverage to be disseminated on CBC, access to extensive resources of CBC and the rights to two new professionally recorded songs.

“We are going to help them record with world-class sound engineers and music producers, Indigenous and non-Indigenous industry professionals across the board and industry standards equipment and resources,” Meloney said.

Organizers are hoping to fill the spots with representation from different provinces and territories with individuals with varying skill sets to create a cohesive team of music creators.

“We’ve got a panel of experts to examine all of these (applicants) to look at all of the eligibility criteria and build a customized team that’s going to be able to work together really well,” Meloney said. “We’re aiming for the top level of success for every particular candidate.”

Each participant, “if they’ve got the skill set to be able to compose” whether they are a song-writer or a fiddle player, are encouraged to apply.

“Participants will engage in educational sessions and community-building opportunities, while also having the flexibility to explore the Toronto music ecosystem,” said Charlie Wall-Andrews, executive director of the SOCAN Foundation. “The program aims to empower participants to move closer to achieving their creative and professional goals.”

Another key area of the mentors for the residency will be teaching the residents how to utilize press, digital media and media engagement.

“I’m thinking of all my cousins on the rez at home like they may never have considered anything (like) ‘I could be a professional recording engineer’, they may have never thought of that, but they may have everything it takes to do it,” said Meloney. “So that’s what we’re trying to do. This is an opportunity for people to really get a glimpse at what they’re capable of and we have a lot of safety nets and a lot of resources to help them do that.”

For more information or to apply visit SmartSimple | SOCAN Foundation.

Indigenous music artists from across Canada are being called on to apply for the CBC Indigenous Music Residency by Aug. 29.

The program is an initiative between the SOCAN Foundation and CBC that will provide invaluable mentorship to six music creators from First Nation, Métis and Inuit communities.

The residency will be held in Toronto from Oct. 14 to Nov. 8.

“The biggest thing is that this is supposed to benefit, it’s customized around the people that are applying,” said Nic Meloney, CBC production executive for the residency. “So, if they feel it within themselves that they’ve got the confidence to be able to deliver, the confidence and the creativity to be able to step into a realm like that and they’ve got the time, if there’s something within them, this little tiny spark that says ‘Oh I really want to do this’, then they have to apply because it’s such a rare opportunity.”

SOCAN Foundation is an organization dedicated to the creation of Canadian music through grants, awards and programs. The SOCAN Foundation is part of the SOCAN Group of organizations.

The partnership developed via a commitment from CBC to acknowledge requests from Indigenous communities for colonial institutions to create new strategies for how they work alongside Indigenous communities and for them.

Meloney explained how there was a conversation taking place between the director at CBC Music and SOCAN Foundation.

“The SOCAN Foundation said ‘Listen, we’ve got a model for songwriting camps and music residencies. We know how to do it,’” said Meloney, adding together the two developed the plan, retained resources and the CBC Indigenous Music Residency was launched.

“We’re looking at regional and national representation as part of it, but any genre as well. People that are at a stage of career where they’re looking to take the next step or take the first step.”

Those chosen to take part in the residency will travel to Toronto for four weeks where they will collaborate with other artists under the mentorship of world-class sound engineers and music producers. They’ll also be commissioned to write two new works during the residency.

“It’s going to be four weeks of some of the most rare industry experiences in Canada that you can expect,” said Meloney.

In addition to their travel being paid, participants will receive four weeks of accommodations, $2,000 spending money, Canadian Federation of Musicians scale rates for commissioned work, paid composer fee, a public transit card, singer-songwriter showcase at Songwriters Circle, possible video/documentary coverage to be disseminated on CBC, access to extensive resources of CBC and the rights to two new professionally recorded songs.

“We are going to help them record with world-class sound engineers and music producers, Indigenous and non-Indigenous industry professionals across the board and industry standards equipment and resources,” Meloney said.

Organizers are hoping to fill the spots with representation from different provinces and territories with individuals with varying skill sets to create a cohesive team of music creators.

“We’ve got a panel of experts to examine all of these (applicants) to look at all of the eligibility criteria and build a customized team that’s going to be able to work together really well,” Meloney said. “We’re aiming for the top level of success for every particular candidate.”

Each participant, “if they’ve got the skill set to be able to compose” whether they are a song-writer or a fiddle player, are encouraged to apply.

“Participants will engage in educational sessions and community-building opportunities, while also having the flexibility to explore the Toronto music ecosystem,” said Charlie Wall-Andrews, executive director of the SOCAN Foundation. “The program aims to empower participants to move closer to achieving their creative and professional goals.”

Another key area of the mentors for the residency will be teaching the residents how to utilize press, digital media and media engagement.

“I’m thinking of all my cousins on the rez at home like they may never have considered anything (like) ‘I could be a professional recording engineer’, they may have never thought of that, but they may have everything it takes to do it,” said Meloney. “So that’s what we’re trying to do. This is an opportunity for people to really get a glimpse at what they’re capable of and we have a lot of safety nets and a lot of resources to help them do that.”

 

For more information or to apply visit https://www.socanfoundation.ca/