Student
Composer
Symposium
The Strata Festival of New Music is pleased to announce the return of the Strata Festival Online Student Composer Symposium! Now in its second year, the program has been expanded to include a singer/songwriter and classical stream. From May 27th – 30th students have the opportunity to study and create with some of Canada’s best and busiest players and composers. Over the course of the Symposium, students will create a piece of music that is recorded by professional musicians in Saskatoon, and premiered online during the 2021 Strata Festival on June 5th at 7pm.
The SCS concert will be available to watch on YouTube at 7:30 pm on Thursday, June 10th.
”This week has given me invaluable insight on how some of Canada's greatest jazz composers approach creating new music. This week-long structure was perfect -- not too intimidating-- and the smaller class sizes meant more opportunities for discussion from every one in the group. Finally, it was a treat hearing the pro band bringing our visions to life, which is so encouraging and inspiring to hear, especially for the young and budding composers of the group.
Student comment from the 2020 symposium
Jazz Stream
For students who want to learn more about jazz harmony, lead sheets, and other jazz composition tips and tricks. Goal of the weekend for the jazz stream is to have a lead sheet composition completed by the end of the symposium.
Students enrolled in the Jazz stream will have their lead sheets recorded by a Jazz Septet: Trumpet, Saxophone, Trombone, Drums, Piano, Bass and Voice (optional).
Age and Experience requirements: For high school aged students and older. Students should have a basic knowledge of chords/keys. Recommended that students are able to use music notation software like Finale or Sibelius.
Classical Stream
For students with looking to improve their instrumental writing. Program ideal for students with some instrumental writing experience. Goal of the weekend for the Classical stream is to have a short piece, or a section of a piece composed by the end of the symposium (does not need to be a complete piece.)
Students enrolled in the Classical stream will have their pieces recorded by a professional Woodwind Quintet: (Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, French Horn, Bassoon).
Age and Experience requirements: For high school aged students and older. Students must be able to use music notation software such as Finale or Sibelius. Must be familiar with keys/clefs/and instrument transposition.
Singer/
Songwriter Stream
For students looking to enrich their songwriting and take it to the next step. Ideal for singer/songwriters with a few songs under their belt. Goal of the weekend for the Singer/Songwriter stream is to have one song written by the end of the symposium.
Students enrolled in the Singer/Songwriting stream will have their pieces recorded by a Septet: Voice, Trumpet, Saxophone, Trombone, Drums, Piano, Bass.
Age and Experience requirements: None. Basic instrument knowledge an asset.
Registration and Placement
Cost for the program is $100 per student, and available to anyone in Saskatchewan.
After submitting your registration, when students are accepted into the program, you’ll be given information how to pay the program fee via E-transfer.
Registration is capped at a maximum of 5 students per teacher – so register soon!
*Students that have interest in composition, but are unable to afford the registration fee, please contact Paul Suchan at paulsuchan@gmail.com
Registration for this year's SCS is now closed.
Schedule
Monday May 23rd 10:00pm
7:00 Registration Closes
Schedule for Jazz/Song Writing Students
Thursday May 27th
7:00 to 7:15pm All students and instructors meet and greet
7:15 to 8:30pm Groups meet with instructors
Friday May 28th
7:00 to 8:30pm Groups meet with instructors
Saturday May 29th
9:30 to 11:00am Groups meet with instructors
11:00 to 11:15am Break
11:15 to Noon All students/instructors meet for general topic session
Sunday May 30th
9:30 to 11:00am Groups meet with instructors
10:00 to 11:15am Break
11:15 to Noon All students/instructors meet for general topic session
Schedule for Wind Quintet Students
Thursday May 27th
7:00 to 7:15pm All students and instructors meet and greet
7:15 to 8:30pm Groups meet with instructors
Friday May 28th
7:00 to 8:30pm Groups meet with instructors
Saturday May 29th
9:30 to 11:00am Groups meet with instructors
11:00 to 11:15am Break
11:15 to Noon All students/instructors meet for general topic session
7:00 to 8:30pm Groups meet with instructors
Sunday May 30th
11:15 to Noon All students/instructors meet for general topic session
