With September 1^st and our new fiscal year right around the corner, I would like to inform the membership that we have added another payment option; e-transfers. The office is now set up to take this popular payment choice. To pay by e-transfer, send the funds to calgarymusicians@shaw.ca ; no question or password required.

We still accept cash, cheques and Visa or MasterCard debit/credit card payments. To pay by debit or credit card, please contact the office. Thank you for your continued support.

The Music Performance Trust Fund’s 2021 Music Family Scholarship

OVERVIEW A scholarship fund utilizing the assets of the recording industry’s Music Performance Trust Fund (“MPTF”) was established in June 2020 to encourage the children of professional musicians to pursue higher education and to become leaders in their chosen fields. In the second year of such fund, the MPTF intends to grant $100,000 in scholarship funds. Scholarships will be awarded based on the verification of all required information submitted by each candidate and the strength of each candidate’s essay and video submission.

TIMELINE The application deadline is 8 PM ET/ 5 PM PT on Tuesday, June 1, 2021 at scholar@musicpf.org. Semi-finalists will be selected by August 1, and finalists announced on or about September 1. Recipients will be notified by email and letter.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Contact scholar@musicpf.org  or https://musicpf.org/scholarship-application/ 

THIS IS NOT AN EXEMPTION LETTER

OIC 50: 2021-0313

Dear Alan Willaert,

Thank you for your correspondence seeking an exemption from the COVID-19 related travel restrictions on behalf of performers travelling to the US for work. Please accept our apologies for our delayed response.

The Government of Canada implemented restrictions, testing requirements and quarantine measures to help limit the spread of COVID-19 and its variants. Travel plans could be subject to significant change as new measures come into effect.

The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) is of the opinion that the performers may be exempt from pre-entry or arrival testing, or quarantine requirements. PHAC’s opinion is based on the Emergency Orders as they currently exist.

Additional Information

COVID-19 Testing, Hotel and Quarantine Requirements

The Emergency Order, referred to as Quarantine, Isolation and Other Obligations (updated April 21, 2021) requires all travellers, regardless of citizenship, to provide proof of a valid COVID-19 molecular test result prior to entry into Canada. Upon entry, all travellers are also required to take a test on arrival (at the airport or land border crossing), and another toward the end of their 14-day quarantine period.

Air travellers, with limited exceptions, must provide evidence of a prepaid, three-night stay at a Government-Authorized Accommodation (hotel) prior to their entry. Travellers need to stay at their reserved accommodation while they await the results of their arrival test, and are also required to pay for their hotel and associated costs for food, cleaning and security. Answers to frequently asked questions about the mandatory hotel stopover can be found here.

There are certain exemptions from testing and quarantine, but these are limited to minimize the spread of COVID-19. As per the Order, the following persons are exempt:

• Persons who must cross the border regularly to go to their normal place of employment, including critical infrastructure workers (Energy and Utilities, Information and Communication Technologies, Finance, Health, Food, Water, Transportation, Safety, Government and Manufacturing), provided they do not directly care for persons 65 years of age or older within the first 14 days after their entry to Canada

In order to be exempt upon entry, travellers must demonstrate they are travelling across the border to their normal place of employment (i.e. same company, same work site, etc.) from their residence on a regular basis (i.e. daily, weekly, or following a rotational schedule). Occasional travel to attend meetings or other work-related activities does not meet this group exemption.

Based on this information, the performers may qualify for an exemption from pre-entry or arrival testing, or quarantine requirements, including the three-night hotel stopover, provided they demonstrate the regularity and frequency of their work related travel.

As per this Order, exempt travellers must wear a mask in public settings, even if physical distancing can be maintained. In addition, they must maintain a list of all close contacts during the 14 days post-entry into Canada. If symptoms develop or further guidance is needed, travellers are encouraged to contact their local public health authority.

Please note that travellers do not require a letter of interpretation from PHAC in order to be exempt from Emergency Orders. It is the traveller’s responsibility to demonstrate that they qualify for an exemption from mandatory testing or quarantine measures. Government representatives at the border use the information available at the time of entry to determine what instructions will be provided to a traveller regarding their public health obligations. Further details on documents needed can be found here under the heading “Who is exempt from quarantine”.

Travellers are advised to refer to the following driving or flying to Canada checklists to understand all the travel requirements, and the following Travel web page for additional information related to testing, exemptions, quarantine requirements and ArriveCAN. (https://travel.gc.ca/covid-19-travel.)

We hope that this information assists you in understanding the Government of Canada’s position at this time.

Kind regards,

Emergency Orders and Policy Interpretation Team

Public Health Agency of Canada

phac.emergencyorder-decretdurgencecovid19.aspc@canada.ca

Équipe des décrets d’urgence et interprétation des politiques

Agence de la santé publique du Canada

phac.emergencyorder-decretdurgencecovid19.aspc@canada.ca

Presented by the Arts Touring Alliance of Alberta, this interactive, free virtual workshop is hosted by artists Von Bieker and Amelie Patterson who will talk about at what it takes for an artist to present a successful live-stream concert.

Discussion will include:

1) Video considerations
2) Sound considerations
3) Platform and monetization considerations
4) Marketing
5) Working with others versus soloist streams

Join them April 10th at 11AM

REGISTER NOW

JazzYYC and the Calgary Musicians Association are offering a $1000.00 scholarship to an individual who is a professional performing jazz musician. This scholarship is to be used to further the applicant’s studies in jazz (i.e. tuition fees, private lesson fees, workshop fees etc.).

The applicant’s proposal will:

• present in a clear and concise manner, the applicant’s artistic vision.
• show leadership in the Calgary jazz community.
• show some originality of concept.
• outline how the funds will be used, including a complete budget that includes the Calgary Musicians Association/JazzYYC scholarship funds as part of the overall funds needed for the project and a timeline for when the funds will be used. A written report that includes the actual expenditures will be required at the completion of the project.

 DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSIONS; May 14^th, 2021

 All submissions must include the following:

• contact information.
• a short personal biography, including your artistic vision.
• a description of the planned use of the funds, including a timeline for the usage.
• a complete budget for the project, which includes the use of the scholarship funds.
• a copy (CD/Album), link or .mp3 of your most recent representative work (please label the case cover for CD/Album submissions).

Mail, email or drop submissions to:

Calgary Musicians Association

#5 - 606 Meredith Rd NE, Calgary, AB   T2E 5A8

info@calgarymusicians.org

The successful applicant will be announced on or before June 4^th, 2021.

A performance appearance by the winner will be sponsored and scheduled with JazzYYC for the 2021-22 season, however it will be dependent on COVID restrictions and availability of venues for either live or virtual performances.

The intake for 2021 Alberta Culture Days grant applications is now open.

Alberta Culture Days will once again be celebrated from September 1 to 30, 2021 to align with and complement Month of the Artist.

National Culture Days will be celebrated from September 24 to October 24.

For more info visit:

Alberta Culture Days Grant | Alberta.ca

Albertans can now enjoy reduced public health restrictions while strong measures remain in place to protect hospitals and limit the spread of COVID-19. There's good news for musicians too!!!

Full details below:

Alberta moves into full Step 2 of Path Forward | alberta.ca