Canadian Composers

With a mandate to encourage and support young musical creativity, the ECM+ has created Generation, a project that offers young composers a platform and a tool for professional and musical education. The only project of its kind in Canada, Generation discovers the next generation's composers and provides them with a unique environment for musical research and exploration involving live experimentation with musicians. Over the course of 18 months, young composers explore their musical voices, are introduced to new music circles, present their work across Canada, and obtain a high quality recording of their work.

Want to take part in Generation? Consult the Registration Guide and send us your application.

Please note that the Generation competition is on pause for the moment.

Watch these videos to familiarize yourself:
> Interviews of the four Generation2020 composers
> Generation2018 concert excerpts
> Anniversary Book Génération 20 years 1994-2014

Presented with the generous support of the Steven R. Gerber Trust, the Azrieli Foundation and the RBC Foundation.

                    

Procedures

Spring Year 1- Application deadline for the competition.

Summer Year 1 – Selection of composers by competition: ECM+ brings together a jury of 11 experts from the national new music community who select four Canadian composers of 35 years old and less, among more than 50 applications received from across the country. An ensemble of 11 musicians – with or without soloist – is available for the composers to elaborate their project. Discussions with ECM+’s artistic director starts in order to secure the project’s different steps and objectives within the expected schedule.

February Year 2 – Workshops in Montreal: Before submitting a final score, the selected composers prepare excerpts, sketches and exercises for a 1 ½ hour workshop with the conductor and musicians of ECM+ in Montreal. Composers also have a series of personal consultations with the artistic director. After their visit, composers have roughly six months to complete their composition of about 10 to 12 minutes duration.
Mini Concert: a performance of a chamber work by each composer (selected among their existing repertoire) opens each workshop session in Montreal. Sessions are open to all and offer the public an opportunity to observe the process.

August Year 2: Final score submission deadline.

October Year 2 – Rehearsals and Canadian tour: A tour of 6 to 10 concerts across Canada's major cities, presenting the final versions of the new compositions, will be the high point of Generation. Before the tour, the composers attend one week of rehearsals of the four pieces. Finally, the composers join the ensemble on tour, presenting their works to different audiences and having the opportunity to network with the different musical communities across Canada.

Steven R. Gerber Generation National Jury Award

This prestigious award comprises:
- A $4,000 grant given by ECM+

This prize rewards the piece considered the most deserving of the 4 new works presented during the Canadian tour. It is awarded by votes from approximately 40 experts from the Canadian new music scene and spread out through the tour’s concerts. Since its inception, this prize has been awarded to composer-laureates Matthew Ricketts (2020), James O'Callaghan (2018), Taylor Brook (2016) and Anthony Tan (2014).

Generation National Audience Choice Award: The audience of each concert votes for their favourite composition. The composer with the most votes in the country receives $2,000. Established in 2010, this prize has been awarded to Christopher Mayo (2010), Riho Esko Maimets (2012), Anthony Tan (2014), Sabrina Schroeder (2016), James O'Callaghan and Sophie Dupuis (ex-aequo 2018) as well as Bekah Simms and Stefan Maier (ex-aequo 2020).