Canadian new music composers are invited to apply now for the inaugural edition of the Canadian New Music Workshop (CNMW), designed to uplift three mid-career Canadian composers through a focused, collaborative environment. Over the course of the workshop, each composer will spend one hour working directly with a 15-piece large chamber ensemble – an internationally recognized format in contemporary music – culminating in a high-quality audio-video capture of their session.
The workshop offers a platform to develop new works while receiving thorough feedback from an exceptional ensemble. Travel and accommodations are fully covered for all participants, along with a $500 honorarium for incidentals. Applications are open to Canadian citizens and permanent residents living in Canada.
By fostering artistic growth and expanding visibility for mid-career composers, the Canadian New Music Workshop underscores a commitment to advancing contemporary Canadian music on the global stage.
“This new partnership with the Glenn Gould School New Music Ensemble provides an enriching learning experience for musicians interested in working with new music composers committed to driving innovation in contemporary music,” said Charlie Wall-Andrews, Executive Director of SOCAN Foundation. More details about the program can be found on the SOCAN Foundation website.
Applicants are invited to submit their scores by 11:59 p.m. ET on March 15, 2025. Three participants chosen for the program will be invited to create pieces or excerpts of no more than 10 minutes in length, composed for an ensemble of 15 players. The Glenn Gould School New Music Ensemble is typically comprised of traditional classical chamber music forces, but participants are encouraged to think unconventionally – with options to include vocalists, electronics, and/or non-Western musicians, in addition to the regular ensemble members.
The three winning compositions will be selected, and final scores must be delivered to The Glenn Gould School by 11:59 p.m. ET on Oct. 10, 2025. This year’s workshop will take place on Nov. 10, 2025, from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. ET, in the Temerty Theatre at The Royal Conservatory in downtown Toronto. Each composer will be allotted one hour to rehearse and record their piece with the ensemble.
“The Glenn Gould School is proud to partner with the SOCAN Foundation to support the creation of new Canadian works, and offer our students the opportunity to collaborate with Canadian composers,” said James Anagnoson, Dean of the Glenn Gould School. “We’re thrilled with the innovative work of our New Music Ensemble conductor, Brian Current, and excited about how this partnership will enhance our students’ artistic growth, and expand their musical horizons.”
The Glenn Gould School aims to foster sustainable careers in performance, and is one of the foremost music schools dedicated exclusively to performance training. With a maximum enrollment of 130 students, the school offers a nurturing environment and close mentoring from its acclaimed faculty. It provides talented students of classical music with the skills and attributes necessary for professional success. It’s also one of the few music schools in North America that’s integrated with a major performing arts centre, the acoustically superb Koerner Hall.