Submissions Are Now Open For Canada’s Walk of Fame RBC Emerging Musician Program
Details available at newly launched EmergingMusician.ca
(Toronto, ON) July 12, 2021 – Submissions are now open for the ninth annual Canada’s Walk of Fame RBC Emerging Musician Program, one of Canada’s most successful programs supporting aspiring Canadian musical artists. With prizing valued at more than $100,000, the program provides up-and-coming musicians with unprecedented access to the business side of the music industry, from introductions to established and renowned artists and music industry influencers to mentorship sessions and studio recording time, artist development and funding. In addition, all winners will have chances to participate in national showcase opportunities. Song submissions are accepted today through Sunday, August 22, 2021, at 11:59 PM EST.
Canada’s Walk of Fame CEO Jeffrey Latimer describes the RBC Emerging Musician Program as a catalyst for breakthroughs in Canada’s renowned music landscape. “We are extremely proud of this program, which continues to attract talented musicians from every province and territory, as well as partners and influencers who want to join us in fostering the next generation of musical achievement in Canada,” he continued.
Joining the mentors this year is Grammy® Award-winning singer/songwriter, 12-time JUNO winner and 2012 Canada’s Walk of Fame Inductee Sarah McLachlan. The Diamond-certified songstress will provide two 45-minute virtual group sessions with the grand prize winner and the finalists. Also added to the prizing is financial support for a live-off-the-floor performance video and a dedicated artist page on the newly launched EmergingMusician.ca, the official website for Canada’s Walk of Fame RBC Emerging Musician Program. (Prizing details included below).
The program is supported by the RBC Emerging Artists Project, which supports organizations that provide the best opportunity to advance an artist’s career trajectory in genres such as visual arts, music, theatre, performance, literature and film. Since 2015, over 24,000 alumni have been supported by the RBC Emerging Artists Project through RBC Foundation donations benefiting hundreds of arts organizations across Canada, totalling more than $8 million annually.
“At RBC, we recognize that the arts play an important role in building vibrant communities and strong economies. Our commitment to emerging artists includes helping them bridge the gap from ’emerging’ to ‘established’,” said Mark Beckles, Vice-President, Social Impact & Innovation at RBC. “Due to the ongoing impacts of COVID-19, the need to support and elevate Canadian musicians is more critical than ever. We wish all applicants the best of luck and look forward to watching their careers advance for years to come.”
Since its inception in 2013, Canada’s Walk of Fame RBC Emerging Musician Program has ignited the careers of its Grand Prize Winners, including last year’s recipient Allydice, of Mississauga, ON, who spoke of the opportunities the program has offered to them. “We have been making music for years and have had some successes. Nothing compares to the magnitude of being chosen as the Grand Prize winners of Canada’s Walk of Fame RBC Emerging Musician Program; this has been one of the best experiences in our lives.”
Prixing Details
The Grand Prize Winner will receive a cash prize of $20,000, performance opportunities at Canada’s Walk of Fame events, and private studio recording time at Metalworks Studios. The Second Prize Winner will receive $6000. Three Third Prize Winners will each receive $4000.
In addition, all winners will have the following opportunities to elevate their career:
- New! Online group mentorship sessions with Canada’s Walk of Fame Inductee, Sarah McLachlan
- New! Dedicated artist page on the newly launched EmergingMusician.ca, the official website for Canada’s Walk of Fame RBC Emerging Musician Program
- New! Financial support ($2000) for a live-off-the-floor performance video
- Career development mentorship sessions with A&R executives, a music lawyer and an experienced music industry agent*
- A showcase opportunity at Canadian Music Week 2022 along with a Festival Access Pass*
- Participation in a creative workshop at Toronto’s ArtHaus*
- A performance at Winnipeg, Manitoba’s Festival du Voyageur in February 2022*
*Subject to COVID restrictions.
In addition, through a long-standing partnership with Metalworks Studios, all past and future Canada’s Walk of Fame RBC Emerging Musician program applicants are eligible to apply to Metalworks Institute Scholarship that provides a selected recipient with a $10,000 tuition scholarship towards any full-time diploma program or online certificate course bundle at Metalworks Institute of Sound & Music Production.
Visit EmergingMusician.ca for details on eligibility and submission requirements.
The winners will be chosen by a selection committee comprised of music industry experts and will be announced in the fall.
Additional Quotes
“We are truly honoured to partner with Canada’s Walk of Fame by supporting the RBC Emerging Musician Program. Metalworks Studios is a founding partner of this esteemed program and we have witnessed the incredible talent that has participated year after year. We’re excited to celebrate Canada’s emerging talent and look forward to hosting the winner at Metalworks Studios!” says Gil Moore, CEO of Metalworks Group.
“ArtHaus is honoured to partner with Canada’s Walk of Fame RBC Emerging Musician Program. We are committed to fostering new talent and bridging the gap between emerging and veteran artists and industry professionals, and this program is an exciting way to empower artists with the knowledge, resources and network necessary to build impactful, long-term careers,” says Sandy Pandya of Pandyamonium Management and founder of ArtHaus.
“We are excited to build on the tremendous success of the past two years of Canada’s Walk of Fame RBC Emerging Musician Program at Festival du Voyageur. Supporting emerging musicians is at the heart of our event, and we are looking forward to a return to live performances in February 2022,” says Darrel Nadeau, Executive Director of Festival du Voyageur.
“We are extremely excited to work side-by-side with our friends at Canada’s Walk of Fame and RBC. Canadian Music Week has had close to 40 years of experience launching careers of new artists and is now an international platform to propel artists to the next level,” says Neill Dixon, President of Canadian Music Week.
