Program Information

Overview
Featuring a faculty of performers drawn from the ranks of the International Contemporary Ensemble, along with an extraordinary group of composers, improvisers, and conversation partners, Ensemble Evolution explores the evolving range and depth of ensemble playing in the early 21st century.?
Through workshops, performances, collaboration with faculty on newly commissioned works, and group conversation, participants will engage in a holistic approach to making music, building community, and imagining pathways forward for the future of the ensemble. The composition faculty includes internationally renowned composers George Lewis, Liza Lim, Alvin Lucier, Yvette Janine Jackson?and Miya Masaoka, and the improvisation faculty includes luminaries Matana Roberts, Peter Evans, Mazz Swift, Levy Lorenzo, Wifrideo Terrazas and Cory Smythe.?Ensemble Evolution also welcomes Rania El Mugammar as a conversation partner who will guide discussions and workshops around equity and social responsibility in the music field.
As a part of Ensemble Evolution’s ongoing commitment to the creation of new repertory for a new generation, 2019 Banff Centre-commissioned works?by Alvin Lucier, Miya Masaoka and?Yvette Janine Jackson will premiere this summer in Banff.?
Over the course of the program, participants will take increasing responsibility for programming, rehearsing, and producing the concerts, resulting in a participant-driven day of performances at the culmination of the program. Ensemble Evolution prepares the 21st century musician by promoting artistic excellence, seeding collaboration, fostering social consciousness and exploring new modes of community-building through music.
What does the program offer?
Ensemble Evolution prepares the 21st century musician by promoting artistic excellence, seeding collaboration, fostering social consciousness, and exploring new modes of community-building through music.?
Participants will present various public and in-house performances — nearly a concert per day — from publicized, ticketed events to participant-driven “throw downs” to simultaneous performances called The Arcades. There will be ample opportunity to perform! Participants will take increasing responsibility for programming, rehearsing, and producing concerts over the three weeks, resulting in a participant-driven day of performances at the residency’s end. ?
Participants will also convene in a daily meeting for high-level presentations by select faculty. Presentations will include musical aesthetics, interpretative issues, ensemble management, and issues of equity and social responsibility. ?Performance faculty will offer lessons, and composers will receive instruction and mentorship from internationally distinguished composition faculty, as well as have their pieces performed by participants.
Who should apply?
Performers of any instrument or vocal quality along with composers, improvisers, and scholars are encouraged to apply. The successful applicants will be post-secondary students or emerging artists, already at an advanced level of accomplishment and with a well-documented record of musical exploration.?Artists from historically underrepresented groups are especially welcomed.
Faculty
What's Included
When applying, choose between staying in a single or a shared 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.
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.
The Regular Flex meal plan includes $30?credit per day, equivalent to lunch and dinner in Vistas Dining Room.
This program offers opportunities to showcase your work-in-progress in one of our performance venues.
Demo recordings: you’ll have the option to record up to 30 minutes of music at a reduced rate as part of your program. These recordings are intended to be used for auditions or personal promotion, not for commercial purposes.
Studio recordings: commercial recordings can also be integrated into a music residency at normal rates.
Access a wide range of publications, books, music, and films in the Paul D. Fleck Library and Archives, open six days a week.
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.
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.
Enjoy special artist rates for ticketed performances or complimentary access to events.
Fees & Financial Assistance
Application Fee: $65
*Financial Aid up to 100% is available to cover tuition (meal plans and accommodations are not eligible).
If you would like to be considered, please complete the Financial Aid section when uploading your supporting materials. Help fund your experience at Banff Centre! View a compiled list of national and international opportunities?here.
How to Apply
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.
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 the Registrar
For questions on preparing your application, please contact the Office of the Registrar: