Attention Kenyan Musicians! Applications for OneBeat 2013, Now Open [From Dec. 17 2012]

OneBeat is open to musicians ages 19-35, who demonstrate both an advanced proficiency in their musical work, an interest in cross-genre collaboration, and experience with or interest in developing strategies to use music as a way to improve their communities. If you are an adventurous, socially-committed young musician looking for a chance to collaborate with other like-minded musicians from around the world, please consider applying!

Program Overview: September 9 – October 6, 2013
OneBeat is an international cultural exchange that celebrates the transformative power of the arts through the creation of original, inventive music, and people-to-people diplomacy. In the fall of 2013, approximately 25 musicians (ages 19-35) from around the world will come together in the U.S. for four weeks to collaboratively write, produce, and perform original music, and develop ways that music can make a positive impact on our local and global communities.
OneBeat 2013 will take place from September 9 to October 6, and is divided into two segments, a residency and a tour. During the residency, OneBeat Fellows will spend two weeks at the Atlantic Center for the Arts in central Florida, immersed in a process of collaborative music creation and experimentation. During the two-week tour, OneBeat ensembles will collaborate with local musicians to give public performances and lead workshops with youth and community groups. OneBeat Fellows will also work with a diverse group of expert Collaborating Artists— including luminaries of classical music, hip-hop, jazz and more—to develop and deepen the scope of their collaborative work.

Eligibility
OneBeat is open to musicians ages 19-35, who demonstrate both an advanced proficiency in their musical work, an interest in cross-genre collaboration, and experience with or interest in developing strategies to use music as a way to improve their communities.

Eligible Countries
In this second year of the program, applications are open to musicians who are both residents and citizens of the following countries:
Bangladesh, Bolivia, Burma, Cambodia, China, Czech Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Denmark, Egypt, Haiti, Honduras, Hong Kong, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Israel, Jamaica, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Mozambique, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Palestinian Territories, Panama, Philippines, Poland, Russia, Senegal, South Africa, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Tunisia, United States, Venezuela, Vietnam.

Important Information for Applicants
We are glad that you are interested in applying to be a 2013 OneBeat Fellow! To prepare for the 2013 application potential applicants should plan to write about their musical background and interests as well as future projects and goals. Potential applicants will submit 3-5 solo and collaborative samples of their work (both audio and video are accepted).

Here are a few important things to know when applying for OneBeat:

1) Musicians from all musical backgrounds are welcome. Musicians from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply, with or without formal musical training, from all genres, including but not limited to: hip hop, traditional, experimental, electronic, jazz, classical, sound design, beat-making, multimedia art, or any combination of these styles. In additional to full-time professional musicians, we also invite adventurous musicians who double as community organizers, instrument builders, writers, videographers, musicologists, educators, storytellers, dancers, shadow-puppeteers, and more.
2) Collaboration is central. OneBeat offers musicians the opportunity to collaborate on new projects, and to explore new musical traditions. Rather than simply showcasing solo talent, OneBeat is meant for musicians to work together across across stylistic and cultural divides in the pursuit of new musical possibilities.
3) OneBeat is socially engaged. We are particularly looking for musicians who have a strong commitment to their communities and who are seeking new ways to engage in youth development, music education, music therapy, conflict resolution, and other musical ways of working towards more egalitarian and democratic societies.
4) OneBeat is a FREE program! (but not a paying gig) OneBeat is a free fellowship program, with all Fellows’ travel, transportation, food, and lodging costs covered. We also offer Fellows a modest stipend, as well as a per diem to cover food and other expenses while on tour. While we are not able to pay Fellows performance fees, OneBeat will offer Fellows a lot of visibility, as well as the chance to create new material, establish lifelong musical partnerships, learn new marketable skills, and develop professional connections.

Review Criteria
1. Musical Excellence – A high level of performance, composition, improvisational, production and/or technological skill. Ideally OneBeat musicians will be innovating either stylistically, lyrically, or technologically within their musical worlds.
2. Collaboration — Applicants’ willingness to cross cultural and musical divides in creating original music, or re-interpreting traditional music, while respecting the essence of each tradition.
3. Social Engagement – Musicians who have used music to serve their communities or greater societies. This might consist of starting a music school, promoting peace and democracy through musical content, reviving dying musical traditions, and more.
4. English Proficiency – Applicants should be able to converse in basic English, as it will be the common language of all OneBeat Fellows. Interpreters will be provided during the first and last days of the program if necessary.
5. Internet Proficiency – When possible, OneBeat Fellows should actively use email and be able to connect to the internet to participate in OneBeat website-based activities.

OneBeatSM is an initiative of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, and produced by Bang on A Can’s Found Sound Nation.

Full info available here: http://www.1beat.org/2013apply/