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Program Information

A person is singing into a microphone, accompanied by a person playing the bass guitar, and a person playing the drums.

Zac Sakrewski (bass), Chloë Lewer (vocals), Benjamin Shannon (drums). 2024 Banff Musicians In Residence. Photo by Rita Taylor.

Overview  

This program provides space and focused time for musicians of all genres to concentrate on artistic development while working on projects that can be either individually or group/ensemble based. You may be working in your established genre(s), or exploring a new one.

Along with the freedom to structure your time around the needs of your project, you will receive artistic inspiration and career advice from well-established faculty. You will have access to a range of artistic influences across the three weeks with the opportunity for interaction and collaboration to produce outstanding, creative results.

Those interested in additional professional development can apply for the role of Artistic Associate and act as the liaison between faculty and musicians for the program's duration. An individual of exceptional musical ability and maturity will be offered this unique opportunity to be involved in the delivery and event curation of the Banff Musicians in Residence program. The Artistic Associate will liaise between visiting artists and resident musicians as well as Music programming and production staff. 

What does the program offer?

While this program is largely self-directed, there will be opportunities to gather as a group for lectures, seminars, and collaborative jam/listening sessions with esteemed faculty the Kronos Quartet and others. Faculty will be present to assist and mentor you throughout the program for group and/or one-on-one consultations. A personal studio space is provided, accessible 24 hours per day, while production spaces are shared among all participants in the residency. Instruments including pianos, keyboards, harpsichord, fortepiano, percussion instruments, concert harp, string instruments and sound equipment for practice, explorations and self-recordings in individual studios may also be available upon request. Depending on the scope of the projects, a limited number of studio recording possibilities will be offered. Any additional technical requests for lighting, projections or sound amplification for your project may be limited and require review to confirm availability.

Culminating in a series of public concerts in an intimate Banff Centre venue for a receptive and casual local audience, you will have opportunities to explore new material, perform repertoire, and share the stage with fellow artists and faculty. These concerts are also recorded for your archival use.

You may also sign up for additional walks and day trips within Banff National Park as well as campus-wide activities organized by our Participant Resources team.

Who should apply?

The program is ideal for individual musicians, ensembles, bands, composers, and music researchers, to spend focused time working on a specific project; creating new works; preparing for concerts, auditions or competitions; or exploring and researching innovative ideas. 

Participants should be comfortable working autonomously in an unstructured environment to benefit the most from the program. Musicians at all levels are encouraged to apply. Participants must attend all three weeks of the residency.  

We welcome musicians of all ages (18+), backgrounds, gender identities and expressions to apply. Artists from historically underrepresented and equity seeking groups are especially welcome.

Itinerary

Participant and Faculty concerts are provisionally scheduled for Friday January 10, 17 and 24, 2025. 

Faculty

What's Included

Meal Plan Icon
Full Flex Meal Plan Read more Close

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 $70 credit per day, equivalent to breakfast, lunch and dinner at our Buffet service.

Accommodations
Single Room Read more Close

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.

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Studio Space Read more Close

Create in the privacy of one of our specialized studios.

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Group Seminars/Workshops Read more Close

Group seminars and workshops with faculty.

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Participant Resources Read more Close

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.

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Gym Membership Read more Close

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.

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Box Office Discounts Read more Close

Enjoy special artist rates for ticketed performances or complimentary access to events.

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Showcase Your Work Read more Close

This program offers opportunities to showcase your work-in-progress.

Paul D. Fleck Library and Archives Read more Close

The Paul D. Fleck Library and Archives are delighted to support Banff Centre Participants, Artists, and Faculty with access to collections, including program-relevant books, scores, artists’ books, recordings, periodicals, and an object library.

Fees & Financial Assistance

You pay (fee after scholarship applied)
$1 680.00
Total fee per person (Tuition, Accommodation and Meal Plan)
$8 148.00
Scholarship amount applied*
$6 468.00

Application fee: $65 for individuals or groups ($35 for applicants who identify as Indigenous).
Application Fees are non-refundable.
Individual group members must pay an additional registration fee of $35 on acceptance. 

*Scholarship of 100% is available and will be applied to cover tuition, and 50% is available to offset meals and accommodation costs.

Scholarship of 100% is available to Canadian Indigenous participants and will be applied to cover tuition, meals and accommodation costs.

If you would like to be considered, please complete the Financial Aid section when uploading your supporting materials.

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.

Help fund your experience at Banff Centre. View a compiled list of national and international opportunities here.

How to Apply

Learn more about the steps to Complete Your Application.

Resume

A one-page resume or C.V. describing academic, professional, and other relevant experience.

Cover Letter

A one-page cover letter explaining why you are interested in this program and what you hope to achieve by attending it.

Portfolio

  • Performers: Up to three samples of your work on audio or video support, for a total maximum duration of approximately 10 minutes. You should aim to demonstrate the full scope of your capability by selecting contrasting works. Pre-formed ensembles must submit group recordings.
     
  • Composers: Scores of two of your compositions and, if possible, a recording of these works. Indicate performance history if applicable. Compositions submitted should have been completed no more than five years prior to the application deadline.
     
  • Music researchers: Two to three essays/papers whose topics are closely related to your residency project at Banff Centre. If published, it is recommended to indicate the date of the essay/paper's publication as well as the periodical(s) it is published in.

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. 

Technical Questionnaire

Outline all studio, equipment, software, facility, or staff support required for your project. Final resource allocation is at the discretion of the department. This form can be found in the SlideRoom portion of the application.

Financial Assistance

Be sure to complete the Financial Aid question in SlideRoom to be eligible for the financial assistance.

Artistic Associate

If you are interested in applying for the role of Artistic Associate please provide a letter of intent, explaining why you are interested in taking on the additional responsibilities with this role. Please explain how your experience meets the Artistic Associate criteria and how it would benefit your career.

Additional Information

  • If you are applying as an individual, you must complete both the online application form (including $65 processing fee) and a SlideRoom application.
  • If you are applying as an ensemble, the ensemble leader must complete both the online application form (including $65 processing fee) and a SlideRoom application. Please submit only one SlideRoom application per group. There will be a $35 registration fee of each member upon acceptance to the program.

Adjudication

Participants are selected by impartial adjudicators 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.
Applicants will be notified of their status as soon as adjudication is complete. 

International Applicants

Banff Centre welcomes domestic and international applicants for this program. Please note, Banff Centre programs do not meet Canadian Student Visa eligibility requirements, you must obtain a Visitor Visa to enter Canada. Accepted individuals are responsible for identifying and complying with the immigration requirements to enter Canada as a visitor from their country of origin. Current wait times to receive a visa are much longer than normal, so applicants who require a Visitor Visa should check the current expected processing times prior to applying.

Eligibility

Applicants must be ages 18+ at the time of the program start date.

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