Ensemble Evolution | Summer Music 2019

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.

Application Deadline: January 16, 2019

Date: June 24 - July 13, 2019