CFMTA - Young Artist Series

Young Artist Series - History

Application Forms: BC Alberta Saskatchewan Manitoba Ontario Atlantic

HISTORY

The Young Artist Series, which is sponsored by the Canadian Federation of Music Teachers' Associations, had its beginnings in 1941 when Lyell Gustin (1895 -1988), a prominent Saskatoon music teacher, implemented his idea of a concert tour to provide experience for budding young musicians in the West. In that year, an exchange was arranged between his studio and that of Myrtle Ruttan Patterson of Winnipeg. Neil Chotem, who was to become a leading Canadian music personality, represented the Lyell Gustin Studio and Gordon Kushner, pianist, well-known through his association with the Royal Conservatory of Toronto, assisted by James Duncan, baritone, the Winnipeg studio. The following year, Gustin approached the Canadian Federation at its convention and the series was launched, taking in, eventually, all four Western provinces. For a number or years there were two recitals - one in the Fall and the other in Winter and, for a while, the tour included Ontario with one set of artists representing the West and the East being represented at the following tour. The East-West arrangement proved to be somewhat unwieldy and the tour settled back to the Western region only.

In 1980, however, Ontario began its own series which was followed by the Maritimes region in 1985. In the course of time, British Columbia and Alberta dropped out of the Western tour leaving only Manitoba and Saskatchewan. At present, therefore, there are three areas promoting the Young Artist Series, Atlantic, Ontario and Western, thereby expanding Lyell Gustin's original vision into a national concept.

Young Artists must be studying with a Registered Music Teacher in order to be eligible for the tour. Auditions are held in the spring in each region and an artist is chosen from those auditioning. Frequently, if the winner of the audition is a vocalist or string player, then one of the pianists auditioning will be chosen to act as accompanist and will, probably, have a segment on the program for solo piano pieces. Professionals have also been used as accompanists. The majority of artists have been pianists but violinists, cellists and vocalists have also been selected for the tour. On one occasion a piano duo team were the Young Artists.

The tour has its national, regional and local conveners. Young Artists are billeted in private homes or stay in a local hotel. Travel expenses - plane, bus, private vehicle - and some advertising expenses are met by the CFMTA Young Artist Fund. The local sponsoring group looks after accommodation and all the requirements for a successful recital - recital location, advertising, tuning, reception, etc. Young Artists are also to be available to perform in schools and, if the local sponsoring group wishes, a qualified local artist can assist at the recital, though this hasn't occurred for some years. Recital dates usually have at least one day between concerts but due to recent developments in students study locations, it is sometimes only possible to hold concerts on weekends. Up to a few years ago, a Young Artist received a $200.00 honorarium following completion of the tour. At present the performer receives $100.00 per concert with a minimum of $300.00 and a maximum of $1000.00 per tour. Depending on the year, the Atlantic and Ontario tours have between 5 and 10 centers sponsoring the tour whereas the West has had up to 16.

The CFMTA Young Artist Fund is sustained by a levy of $2.00 per CFMTA member, interest from a bequest by Lyell Gustin, and a $75.00 return from each branch sponsoring a recital.

Invariably the touring artist finds the tour an exhilarating and artistically profiting experience and the sponsoring centers, most of which are off the beaten track of professional concerts, find the artists presenting a high standard of performance brimming with youthful freshness. Through the years many of the Young Artists have entered the music field as professional performers or have located in centers where they have become leading teachers either privately or in music schools and universities. Though the list is far too long to mention each name, some of the recent performers before the public eye (or ear) that have been Young Artists include Angela Cheng, Andrew Dawes, his sister Marylou, Valdine Anderson, and the list goes on with some 140 artists listed nationally. Lyell Gustin would be most gratified that his original idea has developed to its present-day scope. Hopefully the series will continue to provide deserving young performers with a rewarding experience that will help them find direction in their early musical careers.