Well, we’re into our third week of the 2018 RBC Emerging Musician Program, and I wanted to provide an update and some insights into the program in general. So far, the response has been overwhelming – we’re on track for a record year in terms of submissions, which I think goes to show the reputation that the program has garnered since its inception in 2013! There has been a lot of interest in the program with artists reaching out from all over the country – it’s been inspiring to listen to some of the tracks this week and there’s still lots of time left in the submission window, which closes on July 15th at midnight.
Judging will take place through July and August, and we plan on announcing the winners in late August. The 5 winners will receive their prizing and take part in the programming and showcase in Toronto around October. In 2017, we moved the showcase from an open-air festival format to a club show at The Great Hall to great reviews – we even brought back our 2015 Grand Prize Winners Ivory Hours to headline the showcase. We’re hoping to do the same this year. Planning on some special surprises for the showcase as well, so stay tuned!
Running this program is fun at all stages (from planning, to reviewing submissions to meeting and working with the winners), but by far one of the most rewarding aspects is watching artists who have been through the program take the next steps in their careers. It’s what the program is designed to do – provide tools and opportunities to artists on the cusp of great things – to see the eventual payoff is a real thrill.
A couple of examples off the top of my head:
Last year’s Grand Prize Winner Jaryd Stanley appeared on CTV’s hit show The Launch and has been added to the lineup at 2018 RBC Bluesfest lineup through RBCxMusic!
2017 Finalists Birds of Bellwoods signed with record label eOne Music (home to The Lumineers and Death From Above), who will be releasing their debut album Victoria!
Nuela Charles, one of our Finalists in 2016, was nominated for a 2018 Juno Award for Adult Contemporary Album of the Year for her album The Grand Hustle!
Lastly, I wanted to remind this year’s EMP applicants, as well as applicants from previous years to also take some time to apply to the Emerging Musician/Metalworks Institute Scholarship. The selected participant will receive $10,000 to go towards an in-class or online course. They’ve got a ton of great courses on offer, and the online additions this year means that you can take part from anywhere in the country.
Best of luck to all applicants!