International call for proposals: Create the official sound for the European Capital of Culture 2017
When Aarhus and the region celebrate the title of Capital of Culture in 2017 the event will have its own sound. The Capital of Culture and the three composer’s associations in Denmark are now announcing a competition open for all composers to make their bid for the notes that will signify the year 2017.
Call for proposals - please see PDF-attachment below text
European Capital of Culture, Aarhus 2017 and the three composer’s associations Danish Jazz, Beat and Folk Authors (DJBFA), the Danish Composer’s Association (DKF) and Danish Popular Authors (DPA), have joined forces on a new culture project that will resonate all over the region. “The sound of Aarhus 2017” is the title of the project that aims to give the Capital of Culture a unique sound. Composers from all genres are invited to propose their view of the Capital of Culture sound.
The selected piece will sound across the region for the official opening in 2017 and will be replayed at events all through the year and reproduced in various formats. The winning composer will help shape formats and reproductions.
Programme Director Gitte Just has great expectations for the competition, which she hopes will inspire people to take part in the Capital of Culture:
“I am happy we can now present an international call for ideas for “Sound of Aarhus 2017”. We hope to receive ideas for a piece that can mark the Capital of Culture year across the region, all over Denmark in an unusual and memorable way. We also hope the piece can become a reminder of experiences and memories of Aarhus 2017, leaving behind a legacy beyond the year itself,” says Just.
“We have made a very competent and exciting jury who will assess the bids we receive. The jury composition is our way of signifying that we would like to see a different and unusual piece with potential to develop along with citizens. A piece that can be experienced and listened to in various formats and settings – in the city, in nature, concert halls, bunkers, in schools etc. We hope citizens challenge our views of how and where we experience the Sound of Aarhus 2017 – and that they will rethink with us,”she continues.
Tjill Dreyer, Head of Secretariat in the Composer and Song Writer’s association DJBFA, agrees with Gitte Just on the project’s perspectives and connecting it with the Rethink theme.
“We envision a piece that is a unifying event for all citizens in the region. A piece that fosters recognition, surprise and joy. For instance by using fragments of the region’s narrative and legacy. For the RETHINK theme, it is important that the piece is generated through various types of collaboration with citizens of the region – we will leave the how up the composers,” says Dreyer.
All proposals will be judged by a select jury comprised by representatives from the international music scene:
- Mary Miller, General and Artistic Director for Bergen Nasjonale Opera
- Georg Weckwerth, Sound Artist and Curator
- David Moss, Singer and Performer
- Christian Skovbjerg Jensen, Head of Inter Arts Center Malmö
- a fifth jury member to be announced
The winning piece will be awarded with 200,000 DKK (approximately 27.000 Euro)
Project timeline:
- 01.12.2014: Deadline for proposals
- January 2015: All proposals are judged by the jury, shortlisted proposals are informed.
- Spring 2015: Further process with shortlisted proposals
- 01.06.2015: Winning proposal announced
- 01.06.2016: Deadline for score, voices, sound files and technical rider
- January 2017: First performance
The Jury:
Mary Miller
General and Artistic Director for Bergen Nasjonale Opera, former Director of Stavanger 2008 (European Capital of Culture), former Head of festivals in Scotland and USA, for a number of years she headed development of new repertoire for the English National Opera etc.
www.bno.no
David Moss
Performer, Singer, Curator etc. Based in Berlin. Founder of the Institute for Living Voice, with which he has done several major performances and projects with audience participation. Among other things a major singing project for professional singers, amateurs and “non-singers”, performing concerts in public spaces and most recently an event in Umeå, Capital of Culture 2014 involving an orchestra, a choir, children and athletes.
www.davidmossmusic.com
Georg Weckwerth
Sound Artist and Curator, based in Vienna. Has produced major sound art projects in public spaces in among other cities; Berlin, Vienna and Prague. He is among the most knowledgeable re sound in public spaces. He has curated a sound art exhibition in the old control tower on Knippelsbro during the 2012 Copenhagen Art Festival.
www.georgweckwerth.org/?m1=projects
Christian Skovbjerg Jensen
New manager of Inter Arts in Malmö, has previously spent many years curating art in the public space in Denmark. Among those Copenhagen Art Festival, where he was responsible for curating pieces in public spaces.
www.iac.lu.se
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Questions related to the call for proposals: Sine Tofte Hannibal, +45 30263719
Questions related to European Capital of Culture 2017: Christopher Just, +45 28923441
Media: Peter Vestergaard, +45 20131090
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