For gifted young musicians ages 12 to 18

The Morningside Music Bridge at Mount Royal University is a unique international summer training school — a bridge to knowledge and a bridge to lasting, lifelong learning. This prestigious event, for the most talented young artists from Canada and around the world, is held for one month each summer. An extraordinary group of internationally renowned teachers, drawn from leading music schools, offers students (ages 12 to 18) of violin, viola, cello and piano unparalleled opportunities to develop their musical talents. The context of this multicultural program nurtures cultural awareness among all its participants.

The Morningside Music Bridge program welcomes diversity and accepts applications in either of our official languages. Although the language of our instruction and correspondence is conducted mostly in English, applicants, upon request, can receive services in French.

Le programme international «Morningside Music Bridge» du collège Mount Royal est un programme exceptionnel qui réunit chaque été, pendant un mois, de jeunes musiciens talentueux venus du Canada et du monde entier, pour les encourager à approfondir leurs connaissances et à continuer dans ce sens tout au long de leur vie. Ce programme donne aux élèves de 12 à 18 ans une occasion unique de développer leurs talents musicaux (violon, alto, violoncelle et piano), sous la direction de professeurs chevronnés, choisis dans les conservatoires les plus prestigieux. Ce programme a également pour objectif de promouvoir une plus grande conscience multiculturelle chez tous les participants.

Encourageant la diversité culturelle, le programme «Morningside Music Bridge» accepte des demandes d'inscription dans les deux langues officielles du Canada. Bien que l'anglais soit utilisé pour l'enseignement et la correspondance, nous pouvons, sur demande, offrir des services en français aux intéressé(e)s.

Program Overview

The first Morningside Music Bridge (MMB) was held in Calgary in 1997. The program’s catalysts were Conservatory Director Paul Dornian and Andy Chan, a member of the Morningside Group, an international investment company based in China. The pair planned to expose Canadian and Chinese students to exceptional teachers, as well as facilitate a broad cultural exchange. Through this exchange the Morningside Music Bridge would offer these students, aged 12 – 18, a unique opportunity to expand their artistic and cultural horizons. The program was originally planned to be held exclusively in North America, but has since been held in Shanghai, China (2006) and Gdansk, Poland (2009).

In addition to its two original focus countries, Canada and China, the Morningside Music Bridge now attracts students from Japan, Taiwan, The Netherland, Russia, Poland, New Zealand and the United States.

Objectives

to identify and promote outstanding young musicians;
to create enhanced educational and training opportunities for outstanding young musicians;
to promote inter-cultural understanding and mutual respect among all participants;
to expand community and corporate based support for cultural interaction in the participating countries;
to create enhanced professional development opportunities for leading music educators and trainers from different countries and cultures by allowing them to work alongside each other;
to develop a viable long-term model for ongoing cultural enrichment between classical music communities of Canada, and build a bridge of understanding and creativity that spans the world;
to promote a healthy and professionally attractive performing arts community in Canada.

Activities

Morningside Music Bridge core activities include private lessons, masterclasses, chamber music, individual sessions with a professional accompanist, performance at public recitals and the opportunity to make digital recordings. The cultural component of the program includes billeting with Canadian families, participating in recreational day trips (including rafting on the Bow River and visiting Banff) and social activities in the evenings. Special performance events include concerts by noted international artists, faculty and alumni concerts and numerous free student recitals. The annual Concerto Competition with orchestra occurs at the beginning of the program. A Highlights Concert is the pinnacle event of the program.

Audition requirements and application deadlines

General Rules & Guidelines

For student obligations and behavior guidelines for Morningside Music Bridge, please see General Rules & Guidelines