About Our Programs

• Jazz Programs
• Summer Music Programs
• Career Development Residencies
• Audio Programs

About Music & Sound Programs

Music & Sound programs at The Banff Centre support and inspire the artistic development of emerging and mid-career musicians, composers, and audio engineers.

World-renowned for their transformative impact and dedication to the artistic growth of each participant, our intensive programs provide opportunities for collaboration, development of new work, and preparation for international competitions, auditions, and performances. View our 2007-08 programs.

Located in the Canadian Rocky Mountains, The Banff Centre is both an inspirational and practical setting for artists. The Music & Sound Building houses dozens of beautiful studios equipped with concert-level grand pianos, two performance stages, and well-equipped practice huts located among the trees close to the building. More on facilities.

A proud legacy

For over 60 years, some of the world’s best and brightest musicians have passed through our doors, including Dave Holland, Oscar Peterson, Menahem Pressler, John Cage, Aaron Copland, and Krzysztof Penderecki.

Our alumni teach at music school and conservatories across Canada and around the world, perform on international concert stages, record for top classical and jazz labels, and contribute to many of the world’s leading orchestras and chamber ensembles.

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About Jazz Programs

The Banff Centre is renowned worldwide as one of the most important training grounds for jazz musicians and composers. Annual workshops bring together leading performers and composers with high-calibre emerging artists for an intense program of master classes, ensemble playing, discussion, and experimentation. The impact of the program is felt around the world – a network of alumni continues to foster exciting international artistic developments.

International Workshop in Jazz and Creative Music

Director: Dave Douglas
May 21 - June 9, 2007
Application deadline: January 26, 2007

Jazz Composers Residency

June 9-11, 2007
Application deadline: January 26, 2007

Jazz Orchestra Workshop
with Hugh Fraser

June 13-23, 2007
Application deadline: January 26, 2007
Guest Artist: Chucho Valdés

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About Summer Music Programs

Under the direction of Barry Shiffman, a co-founder and member of the St. Lawrence String Quartet for 17 years, and Henk Guittart, one of Europe’s most recognized musicians and a founding member of the Schoenberg Quartet, our summer music programs provide an inspired setting for learning, collaboration, and artistic development. The Banff Summer Arts Festival runs concurrently with the programs, offering dozens of performance opportunities with participating musicians as well as the world-class faculty and visiting artists.

Summer Chamber Music Residency

June 11-29, 2007
Application deadline: February 2, 2007

Master Classes for Strings & Wood Winds

July 2-20, 2007
Application deadline: February 2, 2007

Composers Residency

July 2-20, 2007
Application deadline: February 2, 2007

Brass Residency

July 23 - August 4, 2007
Application deadline: February 2, 2007

Piano Master Class

July 23 - August 10, 2007
Application deadline: February 2, 2007

Opera and Concert Orchestra Residency

July 23 - August 12, 2007
Application deadline: February 2, 2007

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About Career Development Residencies

Music & Sound Residencies are self-directed in nature, providing participants a period of focused time to concentrate on personal artistic development and work towards a specific project of their own choosing, using the resources available at The Banff Centre. Instrumentalists, composers, singers, and ensembles of all genres of music participate in The Banff Centre’s music residencies for a number of reasons. Some are on leave from universities or orchestras and looking for artistic renewal, while others are preparing for competitions or auditions, developing new repertoire, creating new work, or exploring new ways of interpreting and presenting music. Artists participating in the Music & Sound residency programs interact with other musicians and artists in The Banff Centre community, have numerous public performance opportunities, and are supported by the facilities and staff of The Banff Centre. The result is a program that is inspiring, enriching, and transformative for the participating artists.

Fall: September 17 to December 7, 2007

Winter: January 1 to March 28, 2008