Archive for News – Page 4

Member Release: Julie Title

Julie Title – After the Sun

After the Sun is the debut full-length record from singer-songwriter Julie Title. Written and recorded from home after a break-up during the height of pandemic lockdowns, the loneliness and heartache on the record are palpable.

Title collaborated with award winning musicians and engineers both in person and remotely as the pandemic allowed. The result is a warm wave of melancholic folk that falls and rises from stasis to action, from pain to hope.

Click here for more info

Nominations Open: Ontario Folk Music Awards

Time to celebrate the finest in folk music! Nominations are now open for the 2022 Ontario Folk Music Awards! This year, we will be honouring our nominees and winners at an awards gala on Sunday, October 16th, 2022, at the Aeolian Hall in London, Ontario.

Awards Info and Nomination Forms
Deadline to Apply: August 26, 2022

There are 6 categories for 2022:

  • Song of the Year Award (Formerly known as the ‘Songs From the Heart’ Award)
  • Colleen Peterson Songwriting Award (Presented by The Ontario Arts Council)
  • Album of the Year Award
  • Performing Artist of the Year Award
  • ACTRA/RACS Recording Artist of the Year
  • Estelle Klein Award

Click here for more information and to apply

If you have any questions regarding the awards or nomination process, please contact us directly at office@folkmusicontario.ca.

Job Posting – Program Coordinator, Folk Music Ontario

Job Title – Program Coordinator

Job Description

Working closely with and reporting to the Executive Director, the Program Coordinator will assist with planning and coordination of all aspects of programming leading up to FMO’s 36th annual conference in London, Ontario, October 13-16th, 2022. This position provides a unique opportunity to gain valuable experience in arts and cultural administration; learn the logistics and processes required to program a live music industry event, work in collaboration with our partners, build relationships with key stakeholders; and work directly with artists and music industry in the facilitation of programs. The Program Coordinator will work closely with staff, contractors and programming committees to deliver high-quality, low-barrier programming for the Folk Music community, fostering well-being, creativity, career development, and connection across the province of Ontario and Canada.

Duties and Responsibilities

  • Works alongside the staff and volunteers to fulfil mandate of FMO and represent the organisation
  • Project Management: Works with the Executive Director and staff to develop program schedules and project specific budgets.
  • Contributes to maintenance of the organisation’s website and program-specific social media posts.
  • Contributes to the development of the volunteer staff plan for year-round activities and annual conference.
  • Supports the grant writing process, providing the programming content and relevant data for such grants, completes program reports, supports the organisational work plan and budgeting processes and ensures program work plans and budgets are effectively implemented and monitored.
  • Assists with programming and coordination of FMO’s Developing Artist Program, Export Development Program, Festivals Retreat, Art Beat, Folk Music Ontario Conference, and year-round activities.
  • Assists in drafting Letters of Agreement and contracts for participating artists, mentors, and panellists.
  • Maintains and contributes to critical paths for the FMO Conference and related events, identifies scheduling conflicts and ensures programs adhere to deadlines.
  • May assist staff with artist and delegate travel, hotel, and related hospitality
  • Assists with sourcing and engaging contractors such as catering and technical crews, as assigned, in line with established procurement processes.
  • Provides curatorial and logistical research and programming.
  • Compiles, commissions, and creates graphic and marketing materials for programs, and writes copy for multiple platforms where assigned.
  • Works with the Executive Director, committees, and other staff and contractors to develop programming content and secures participants in support of outreach and education initiatives aimed at engaging new and diverse audiences
  • Participates in the development of marketing strategies for the FMO Conference, increasing public profile and targeting specific audiences.
  • Undertakes other duties related to Folk Music Ontario’s conference and year-round activities as required.

Qualifications

  • Are legally entitled to work in Canada.
  • Are of legal age of majority in the province of Ontario.
  • Are willing to commit to the full duration of the work assignment.
  • Will not have another full-time job (over 30 hours a week) while employed with the organisation.
  • A passion for Music / familiarity with the Folk Music genre / the music industry.
  • Post-secondary education in a related field (arts, arts administration, community arts, music, music industry arts) or equivalent education or work experience in cultural programming or the arts & culture sector.
  • A proactive and open-minded team player who thrives in a fast-paced, high-volume environment with multiple competing / shifting priorities and deadlines.
  • Familiarity or willingness to learn to use the following programs: Microsoft Office, Google Suite, Zoom, WordPress, Bandzoogle, Mailchimp, Canva, Asana.
  • Familiarity with a variety of social media platforms.
  • Excellent planning and organisational skills as well as public presentation and written communication skills. Detail Oriented.
  • Available to travel-to and work in-person at the Folk Music Ontario Conference, October 13-16th, 2022 (with additional on-site days as required).
  • Comfortable working remotely, using technology to communicate with staff/team.
  • Bilingual or multilingualism is considered an asset, but not required.

Application Deadline: August 5th, 2022 5:00PM EST
Expected Start Date: August 15, 2022 (Start date flexible for the right candidate)
Contract Length: Contract, Full-time, 20 Weeks with opportunity for extension if applicable.
Compensation: Hourly at $25/hr – to a maximum of 35hrs per week
Location: Remote work, candidates may apply from anywhere in Canada, willingness and ability to travel to FMO Conference in London, Ontario, October 12-16 required.

How to Submit

Please submit a cover letter and CV in a single PDF to director@folkmusicontario.ca with the subject “[your name] Program Coordinator Application” by August 5th, 2022. We prefer to receive applications electronically. Should you require accommodation at any time throughout the application process, please contact office@folkmusicontario.ca

We thank all applicants, but only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Interviews will take place via ZOOM.

Folk Music Ontario is committed to anti-racism and anti-oppression. We invite individuals who reflect diversity in our community to apply, including those who identify as Indigenous, black, persons of colour, 2SLGBTQIA+, and people with disabilities. Our commitment is reflected in our programming, the community we engage, and the team members we employ. We encourage a workplace in which individual differences are recognized, appreciated and respected. If accommodation is required during any part of the application and hiring process, applicants are asked to make their needs known in advance.

Nominations Open: Folk Music Ontario Board of Directors

Call for Nominations: Folk Music Ontario Board of Directors
Deadline: 11:59PM ET, August 19th, 2022
Online Nomination Form
What to Expect if You’re Elected

Folk Music Ontario (FMO) is now seeking individuals to stand as candidates in the 2022 election of its Board of Directors. Directors will be elected by electronic ballot (or acclaimed) ahead of this year’s Annual General Meeting (September 27, 2022) with terms concluding with the 2025 AGM. For 2022, FMO is looking to fill three board positions through this process.

This year we will be welcoming our community to our 35th annual conference in-person, in London, Ontario, October 13-16th, 2022. We hope that nominees will plan to attend the conference, regardless of their nomination status, and if elected, will attend their first board meeting at the event.

Nominees are required to read our What to Expect If You’re Elected document to better understand the responsibilities of board members.

It is preferred that people use the Online Nomination Form, but if an alternative is required, please contact office@folkmusicontario.ca.

Please submit nomination forms by 11:59PM ET on Friday, August 19th. We thank all our members for their continued support of the organization, and hope some of you will step forward to help guide FMO into the future.

If you have any additional questions or wish to further discuss your interest in running, please contact Joel Elliott, Operations Manager at office@folkmusicontario.ca.

Folk Music Ontario invites self-nominations from all qualified individuals. We welcome submissions from all cultures, religions, and ethnicity, people with disabilities, people of colour, Indigenous peoples, and those of any sexual orientation or gender identity.

We welcome submissions from individuals residing outside of Ontario.

FMO aims to reduce financial barriers to participating in Board activities. If the purchase of an FMO membership is prohibitive to you, feel free to contact FMO and inquire about accommodations.

Member Release: The George Crotty Trio

The George Crotty Trio – Chronotope

The George Crotty Trio’s second studio album, Chronotope, emerged from a desire to travel through music at a time when travel was restricted. Recorded in Toronto, the new tunes engage in cross-cultural interplay between post-bop, South American grooves, Indian Raga, and Arabic Maqam.

George Crotty has forged his own vocabulary on the cello. Following his graduation from the Berklee College of Music, he immersed himself in New York’s jazz and world music scenes, joining several ensembles such as the Brooklyn Raga Massive and the Detroit-based National Arab Orchestra, in addition to collaborating with Paquito D’Rivera, Anat Cohen, and Darol Anger.

Powered by drummer Matias Recharte (Kuné, Jesse Cook) and bassist Jonathan Chapman (Travis Knights, Laura Anglade) their collaborative sound deviates from a trio’s typical hierarchy. The three players intertwine on their own spontaneous terms in an exploration of groove and colour, lending Crotty’s tunes an exciting three-dimensional quality.

The album will be released on July 22nd and will be celebrated with a performance at The Rex in Toronto on August 9th in addition to an October tour.

Click here for more info

Member Release: Michael Darcy & The Atlantic Tramps

Michael Darcy & The Atlantic Tramps – Down to the Roots

After releasing his impressive solo debut ‘Simple Drop of Rain’ in 2018, Canadian-based, Irish singer-songwriter Michael Darcy returned to the studio with his new band ‘The Atlantic Tramps’ in tow for the eagerly-awaited follow-up album, ‘Down to the Roots’. Released on July 8th 2022, it can be described as a whirlwind of folk traditions – where greengrass meets bluegrass. Drawing from the well of rich Irish music that he grew up with and also being inspired by gritty American songwriters like John Prine & Guy Clark, Michael’s songs bear the earthy tones of his Old Country roots, and the freshness of a newly cut path. Americana.

Most recently, the band received a scholarship to attend the 2022 Folk Alliance International Conference in Kansas City, Missouri where they performed multiple showcases at the world’s largest gathering of the folk music industry and community. Their single “Sweet St. John’s”, released in March 2022, was featured on the popular ‘St. John’s Morning Show’ for CBC Radio One in Canada which also included an in-depth interview with Michael.

Down to the Roots’ is available on all major streaming platforms so check it out now. It will be supported by a full band album release party with The Atlantic Tramps on Thursday July 21st at the Dakota Tavern in Toronto and also a solo Ontario summer tour which will be announced very soon.

Keep up to date with the tour schedule by clicking here!

Member Release: Tragedy Ann

Tragedy Ann – Heirlooms

Tragedy Ann is a Forward-looking Folk duo from Guelph, Ontario. With their latest album Heirlooms, Liv Cazzola and Braden Phelan issue a call for deeper connection with each other and with the natural world. The answer to this call is reflected both in the collaborative creation process and the meaningful ways in which Heirlooms is being shared. Setting these intentions rooted them and provided the insight needed to nourish the project and create something lasting.

“We want Heirlooms to encourage listeners to question their individual choices and reconsider the experiences of others in their communities, provoking critical thought rather than merely expressing our opinions. In order to encourage this in others, we must do so ourselves.”

Heirlooms is an opportunity to reconnect, share stories and learn.

Click here for more info

2022 Developing Artist Program: Apply Now

2022 FOLK MUSIC ONTARIO DEVELOPING ARTIST PROGRAM
October 13-16, 2022 – London, Ontario
Application Deadline: Monday, July 25, 2022
Click here for more info and to apply

The Folk Music Ontario Developing Artist Program is an opportunity like no other. Learn directly through one-on-one mentorship with established artists, sharpen industry and skills at workshops and master classes, and integrate into a welcoming community at Canada’s largest annual Folk Music industry gathering.


Check out the video for some great info! Make sure to subscribe to our YouTube Channel while you’re there!

Thanks to the past EDP Participants for sharing their thoughts: Campbell Woods, Annie Sumi, Julian Taylor, Chloe Lukia Pilar, Wesli, YAO Musique & Christa Couture!

Click here for more info and to apply

Member Tour: The Co-Conspirators

The Co-Conspirators – On Tour

Following the January release of their 2nd CD, The Unreliable Narrators, The Co-Conspirators will be taking their act across the country in July and August.

A west coast jaunt in July will culminate with an appearance at the Islands Folk Festival in Duncan, BC on July 23rd.

August sees the duo sticking closer to home with shows around Quebec and Ontario. On August 20th, The Co-Conspirators will be sharing the stage with Canadian folk legend Valdy, followed by two shows with Emily Triggs. They are very much looking forward to being busy again.

Please contact The Co-Conspirators for information on the house concerts. Click here for more info

Member Release: Emily Gilbart

Emily Gilbart – From the Road

Emily Gilbart is a singer/songwriter and alumni of the Folk Music Ontario Developing Artist Program (2019).

Her latest EP From the Road reflects many core themes including heartbreak and the challenges associated with LGBTQ2S+ relationships. A small tour of southern Ontario is in progress with a focus on mental health resilience and pandemic recovery.

Click here for more info