Welcome, (art) Song Lab 2024 Participants.
This is your go-to location for important information. Please bookmark this page so you can refer back here often.
If you have any further questions, please don't hesitate to contact your CoDirector, or email artsonglab@gmail.com.
CONTACT
For any questions you have during the program, the fastest ways to get in touch are:
EMAIL: artsonglab@gmail.com
Phone/Text/Whatsapp: 1-778-866-5638 (Michael Park)
Google Calendar (Bookmark/Subscribe/Add)
(updated June 23)
Added: Zoom URLs for rehearsals. If there’s any reason you are unable to attend in person, please communicate with your collaborative partner(s) (And Michael) to make arrangements to attend via zoom.
A Note on Participation: The more you participate, the better! We also understand that life gets in the way and most people will have to miss at least something during the program. The absolute top priorities for composer/writer attendance (that you should not miss) are the first few rehearsals of your piece (Monday especially), and the SongSparks at which your piece will be performed. The Guest-Artist Workshops and drop-ins are things you really won’t want to miss, but the rest of the activities are aimed at group participation, so no individual’s absence will be a hindrance to an overall valuable experience for those in attendance.
Schedule Update Re: Food on Campus
(updated June 18)
It’s come to our attention that summer hours on campus are in direct conflict to being able to eat on campus after 5pm. Please note the updates to the calendar.
We have adjusted the schedule for afternoon coachings to ensure participants will have time to grab dinner. There are lots of food options near the intersection of University Crescent and Pembina Highway, which is approximately 30 minutes walking or 15-20 by transit.
Public Events
(posted: June 17)
As participants, you have access to all the events - no need to worry about tickets.
Many of our events (blue on the google calendar) are also open to the public. Tickets are available online by donation. Feel free to share our website, or eventbrite page to friends, family, and acquaintances that might be interested in attending.
Participant Bios
(updated June 17)
Thank you all for your photos and updates. They look great and the updated versions will be included in the concert program.
What to expect from the process
Rehearsals
I’ve gotten lots of questions about wanting to make changes to the score after submitting. In short, no!
Now that the performers have their scores, we need to honour their time to prepare the version that was prepared for their deadline. In addition to learning the notes, our faculty will come in with questions and suggestions based on their experience with the final score. It is very common for pieces to go through big and many changes during the week, so please come with an open mind, ready to work together to bring the piece to life in a way that honours all the collaborators in the process!
For those composers who keep finding edits in their score they’d to make, I'd suggest pre-making those changes in your score, and be ready to implement any additional edits after the first rehearsal. Please don't show up with an edited score to give the performers before you've even heard the work they've put into the original version they've received.
Group Class on Monday, June 24
This event is intended for everyone. The welcomes and introductions are really important to setting a group vibe for the week. Every year, the group dynamic is very different, so it's important we have everyone there to set expectations and intentionalities.
Participant Show & Tell
Each participant will have 5 minutes to present whatever they like to the group. This INCLUDES talking, setup, loading, playback, etc. This is an intentionally short period of time, so plan (and practice) your presentation. If you'd like to play audio/video, the clip should be no longer than 4 minutes.
SongSparks
These are informal workshop-concerts organized by voice-types. This is a great chance for everyone to hear each other's works. The audience can ask questions, and often the performers will use the opportunity of having an astute audience to test out different approaches/interpretations. These are open and free to the public.
Planning your Trip
All events will be held on the University of Manitoba campus at the Desautels Faculty of Music. The building is called Taché Hall, and we will be using a variety of rooms within.
Click the location point on the map below to access the full Google Map which you can use to search for transit directions and other wayfinding.
ACCOMODATIONS
Below is an image of Winnipeg’s Rapid bus line. Finding housing (hotel, airbnb etc) close to any of these stops will simplify your navigation of Winnipeg Transit.
We have created a Facebook Page to facilitate coordinating efforts with other participants. If you know of any great deals or have a room to offer up, or you’re looking for a roommate, the FB page is the place to do it!
The Process for 2024
Each trio of participants will collaborate closely on creating one new song for the program. Because of the faculty's limited availability before the program, participant singers will be able to provide feedback on the piece as it is being written. Inspired by the long tradition of song transpositions (ex. for high/low voice) composers are expected to prepare a second version of their song for one of our faculty pairs. This can be as simple as direct transposition of the original OR trios can choose to create slightly/vastly different versions of the song.
At the final concert, each piece will be premiered by our faculty performers. Participant performers will also perform a piece of their choosing* at the final concert. They will also play a vital role in developing the program order for the concert. Singers are expected to prepare at least one of this year's songs in addition to the pieces that they have collaborated on. They are also encouraged to bring pieces of their own repertoire that they would like coached during the program.
Tidbits and Helpful Info
Extended Piano Techniques
Safe Practice of Extended Piano Techniques, by Rachel Iwaasa