Composers At Work

Programs/Exams > Composers At Work
Northern Lights CNCM is committed to supporting and promoting Canadian music at all levels. The CNCM Composers At Work programs have been designed to connect composers, teachers, students and families through three exciting interactive online options.
 
Teachers, students and aspiring composers now have the opportunity to interact with Canadian composers from across this great country regardless of where they live and work.

Composers at Work programs include:
  1. Composers & Educators: a hands-on session with one of CNCM’s listed composers to discuss the composer’s selected work(s) with demonstrations and Q&A interaction. 
  2. Composers & Composition: a hands-on session with one of CNCM’s listed composers. The aspiring composer submits an original piano composition (with a video/recording) for review prior to the online session. 
  3. Composers & Kids: a hands-on session with one of CNCM’s listed composers. Participant will submit a performance video for the composer to view prior to a C&K session. Applicants will each interact with the composer during the online session. 

Composers & Educators Program

Composers & Educators is a hands-on session with one of CNCM’s listed composers to discuss the composer’s selected work with demonstrations and Q&A interaction. The applicants will select their preferred composer and works. Discussions may include: the back stories regarding the work, pedagogical values and teaching ideas.
 
General Information
​
Time:  40 minutes online session

Fee:     $80.00 per application
​
Participant Options:
1.  one-on-one  OR
2.  up to 4 participants (one application) plus the composer (and possibly a CNCM rep) consisting of:
                i. a group of up to 4 teachers/educators. OR
               ii. a teacher plus up to 3 of the teacher’s students OR
3. groups of 5 to 10 participants (plus the composer) MUST meet live in one location requiring one link (one application)
​
Host Composers and How to Select Your Composer:
  1. the host composer will be selected from the CNCM composer list on page 3
  2. before making an application for your Composers & Educators session, contact the CNCM Office at [email protected] with the name of your preferred composer, and a minimum of 3 possible dates (and times).
    CNCM will then confirm the composer’s availability
 
For best results plan your Composers & Educators session early.
CNCM recommends allowing 6-8 weeks lead time.
 
What You Need to Know about a Composers & Educators session:
  1. once your composer and date has been confirmed, ONE online application (on behalf of the group) MUST be completed and submitted within 48 hours of CNCM’s confirmation
  2. the person submitting the Composers & Educators application will be the contact person for the session
  3. all participants of a group MUST be listed at time of application
  4. list of repertoire to be discussed (to a maximum of 4 works) which MUST be listed on the application
  5. be prepared to engage in the question-and-answer session

​Topics may include: the back stories regarding the work, pedagogical values and teaching approaches and ideas
  1. this is not performance based
  2. session may be video recorded by CNCM for archival purposes
  3. a release form will be issued to the contact person and MUST be signed by all participants prior to the session date

Composers & Composition Program

Composers & Composition is a hands-on session with one of CNCM’s listed composers to discuss the aspiring composer’s submitted composition. The applicant will submit a copy (handwritten or type-set) of their composition along with either a video or audio recording of the composition. The composition will be reviewed by the selected composer prior to the online 30-minute discussion/assessment session (with the selected composer).
 
General Information
​
Time:  30 minutes online session

Fee:     $80.00 per application
​
Participant Options:
  1. one-on-one with the selected composer (and possibly a CNCM rep)
  2. submission of ONE piano solo OR ONE song with full piano accompaniment with vocal  (song-writing)
Parents and teacher are welcome to audit (for free) the online session.
The applicant may record the online session for personal use ONLY. This recorded session MUST NOT be circulated or posted without CNCM consent.   
 
Host Composers and How to Select Your Composer:
  1. the host composer will be selected from the CNCM composer list directly below.
  2. before making an application for your Composers & Composition session, contact the CNCM Office at [email protected] with the name of your preferred composer, and a minimum of 3 possible dates (and times). CNCM will then confirm the composer’s availability
 
For best results plan your Composers & Composition session early.
CNCM recommends allowing 6-8 weeks lead time.
 
What You Need to Know about a Composers & Composition session:
1.     once your composer and date has been confirmed, ONE online application MUST be completed and submitted within 48 hours of CNCM’s confirmation
2.     the composition must be submitted at the time of application and include:
                 i.   the score (handwritten or type-set pdf form)
                 ii.  performance video OR          
​                 iii. audio recording (mp3/4, etc.)
3.      the aspiring composer (or parent of the aspiring composer) of the Composers & Composition will be the contact person for the session
4.      the aspiring composer MUST be listed at time of application
5.      the title and short description of the composition MUST be included on the application
6.      be prepared to engage in the question-and-answer session (this is not performance based)
​7.      a release form will be issued to the contact person and MUST be signed by all participants prior to the session date

​Composers & Kids Program

Composers & Kids is a hands-on session with one of CNCM’s listed composers. Participants will upload a performance video of work(s) written by the selected composer to their private YouTube channel. The selected composer and other participants will view the videos during the Composers & Kids session. Each participant will interact with the composer and other students during the online session. Although CNCM’s Composers & Kids includes performance, the composer will not provide an assessment of that performance. Instead, the composer will share back stories, compositional features, inspirational ideas and work with the performers as a group on concepts which may enhance the performance of the featured works.
 
General Information
Time:  40 minutes online session
  •     $80.00 per application
Participant Options:
  1. one-on-one with the composer (and possibly a CNCM rep)  OR
  2. up to 4 participants (one application) plus the composer and teacher (and possibly a CNCM rep) 
 
Teachers will act as host/organizer.
CNCM recommends that this should be a group session (to a maximum of 4 students plus the teacher).     
 
Host Composers and How to Select Your Composer:
  1. the host composer will be selected from the CNCM composer list on page 7
    1. before making an application for your Composers & Kids (online) session, contact the CNCM Office at [email protected] with the name of your preferred composer, and  a minimum of 3 possible dates (and times). CNCM will then confirm the composer’s availability
 
For best results plan your Composers & Kids (online) session early.
CNCM recommends allowing 8 -10 weeks lead time.
 
What You Need to Know about a Composers & Kids (online) session:
  1. once your composer and date has been confirmed, ONE online application (on behalf of the group) MUST be completed and submitted within 48 hours of CNCM’s confirmation
  2. the teacher will submit the online application for the Composers & Kids online session and will be the contact person and host for the session
  3. all participants of a group MUST be listed at time of application
  4. list of repertoire for each participant MUST be listed on the application
  5. participants may perform more than one work within the following guidelines:
    1. 4 participants: individual performances MUST NOT exceed 3 minutes
    2. 3 participants: individual performances MUST NOT exceed 4 minutes
    3. 2 participants: individual performances MUST NOT exceed 6 minutes
  6. pre-recorded videos will be uploaded by the participants to their private YouTube channel by the deadline provided by CNCM. The videos will be managed in the following manner:
    1. participants may choose to have their face visible during the recording
    2. a short oral introduction is recommended
    3. memory not required; only original source scores may be used during the performance
    4. links to the participant’s private YouTube channel will be shared with the composer, teacher, CNCM representative and participants ONLY
    5. CNCM will provide a ‘how to list’ for posting videos
    6. participants will need to be able to view the YouTube videos and interact with the online group at the same time. CNCM recommends that a second device might be the best approach to viewing these videos.
  7. session may be video recorded by CNCM for archival purposes
  8. a release form will be issued to the contact person and MUST be signed by all participants/parents prior to the session date