Kingston’s legacy as a hotbed for musical talent is well known. From The Tragically Hip, The Glorious Sons and Sarah Harmer, to John Burge, Marjan Mozetich and Leonid Nediak, the talent produced in YGK is as impressive as it is diverse.

This fall, local up-and-coming acts will have the opportunity to take the stage for the 2019 YGK Emerging Musician Competition. Open to emerging musicians of all cultural backgrounds and genres, this competition is presented by the Isabel Bader Centre for the Performing Arts, inspired by local entrepreneur Claire Bouvier and Aaron Holmberg, technical director at the Isabel, and made possible by The Ballytobin Foundation, Venture Club, and Kingston Economic Development Corporation (KEDCO).

“Emerging musicians need a platform and the tools to launch successful careers. The inaugural YGK Emerging Musicians Competition seeks to support and showcase Kingston’s rising musical talent,” says Tricia Baldwin, Director, Isabel Bader Centre for the Performing Arts. “We are grateful for the community support and the enthusiastic response to this competition so far.”

Selected by an independent jury of notable Kingston arts talents, the five finalists will each be awarded a prize package valued at $7,500, which includes:

• A professional audio recording of the musician’s original work or work of their choice
• A video of a work of the musician’s original work or work of their choice, to be used by the musician and posted on the Isabel’s website for one year
• Professional photography and media kit
• Career and business workshops with Claire Bouvier and business consultants
• One-year Venture Club membership
• A showcase performance at the Isabel, with all the finalists, on Friday, Sept. 20, at 7:30 pm.

Applicants must be Canadian citizens or permanent residents of Canada; 18 years and older; self-identify as emerging musicians; reside in the City of Kingston or within 50 kilometres of Kingston’s borders; and aspire to a professional concert career.

Aspiring musicians of all cultural and music genre backgrounds are both welcome and encouraged to apply. This competition is for artists with one to five musicians in their band/ensemble, and an original work must be submitted online. 

“Kingston has a fabulous music scene and this competition exists to help emerging musicians put their best foot forward, to share their talents widely, and launch themselves,” Bouvier says. “This competition offers a fabulous opportunity and we encourage all up-and-coming musicians in Kingston to apply.”

The competition also has its own Facebook page.