"This collaboration with Place des Arts is a fantastic opportunity for our students to perform in a more intimate setting." | Photo by Gabriel Fournier
Montrealers visiting Place des Arts this year will have the opportunity to see Concordia's jazz students perform on multiple occasions. As part of an initiative that invites emerging musicians, these jazz sessions will take place at the Salon urbain on December 12, 13 and 14. Additional performances are scheduled for April.
"This collaboration with Place des Arts is a fantastic opportunity for our students to perform in a more intimate setting, different from the typical larger venues they are used to," says Baron Tymas, associate professor of jazz studies at Concordia.
The performers for each concert, who will be selected by mid-October, will be students from the program's ensembles.
"It's also a great way for us to connect with a diverse audience people who might not seek out a jazz club but will get a feel for what's happening at Concordia. This year, by performing, the students will be supporting each other as they help raise funds for student scholarships. Place des Arts will remit artistic fees and funds to the university to distribute toward scholarships for several deserving students."
Place des Arts programming director Clothilde Cardinal shares her insights into this musical initiative.
Left: Clothilde Cardinal, photo by Monic Richard. | Right: Baron Tymas, associate professor of jazz studies.
'As a university city, Montreal is full of promising young talents'
How did the collaboration between Place des Arts and Concordia's Department of Music come about?
Clothilde Cardinal: Place des Arts hosts a wide range of events developed with various partners to animate these indoor and outdoor public spaces, with support from the Place des Arts Foundation. These activities include visual and digital art installations.
In 2023, we started offering free 5 à 7 musical sessions featuring graduates from Montreal universities. We are thrilled that Concordia's Department of Music is joining this year. However, our collaboration with the university dates back a few years, as we participated as a cultural institution in a laboratory as part of the Alan Shepard Summer Residency.
Why did you choose to highlight Concordia's jazz students for these fall 5 à 7 performances?
CC: Place des Arts hosts some of the most renowned local and international artists, but we also have a strong desire and commitment to support young and emerging artists. As a university city, Montreal is full of promising young talents, and we believe it's essential to provide them with a stage where they can flourish and make a name for themselves.
That's why, when planning our series of 5 à 7 musical events for 2024-2025, it felt natural to highlight the jazz students from Concordia: an institution with an excellent reputation. By including them in our programming, we are also enriching the experience for our audience while celebrating the energy and creativity emanating from the city's universities.
What sets these performances apart and what can the public expect from the shows?
CC: Every year, Place des Arts welcomes nearly one million spectators, who come to enjoy a rich and diverse artistic and cultural program in our six venues and public spaces. Our 5 à 7 musical sessions present a unique opportunity for this audience to discover promising young talents in a relaxed setting, free of charge. These performances, which often precede evening shows in our main halls, allow visitors to extend their experience by enjoying a convivial moment, with drinks and snacks, while supporting emerging artists.
What sets these 5 à 7 sessions apart is their ability to create an atmosphere where connection is at the heart of the experience. The young artists can perform under the best possible conditions and engage in meaningful exchanges with the audience, thanks to the intimacy of the Salon urbain. For most, this is their first professional experience, and it takes place in the largest performing arts centre in Canada!
The public can expect a series of performances where the freshness of emerging artists, from Concordia and other universities in the city, will not only enrich our programming but also encourage the discovery of the next generation of Montreal artists.
Catch Concordia's jazz studies students performing at Place des Arts on December 12, 13 and 14, 2024, and again on April 3, 4, and 5, 2025.
