ABOUT

* Applications for the 2012 program are now closed. Please sign up for the newsletter to receive OneBeat updates and info about the 2013 program.

OneBeat^SM is an international music exchange that celebrates musical collaboration and social engagement through innovative people-to-people diplomacy. In the fall of 2012, 30 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 will be a musical journey like no other. It is a chance for adventurous musicians from an incredible diversity of traditions to seek common ground, creating new musical combinations, pushing the boundaries of music technology, and finding ways to involve all members of society in the process of musical creativity. OneBeat endeavors to be the nexus of a new way of thinking about how music can connect people from across the world and around the block.

One Beat^SM is an initiative of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, administered by Bang on a Can’s Found Sound Nation. OneBeat builds on Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton’s vision of “smart power” diplomacy. It embraces the use of a full range of diplomatic tools, including music, to bring people, especially youth, together for greater understanding.

2012 PROGRAM

* Applications for the 2012 program are now closed. Please sign up for the newsletter to receive OneBeat updates and info about the 2013 program.

The inaugural OneBeat will take place from September 10 - October 7, 2012. OneBeat will consist of two segments, the Retreat and the Tour, each of which will run for about two weeks. All costs will be covered for OneBeat Fellows, including travel and accommodations. Fellows will also receive a per diem and modest honorarium.

Retreat OneBeat begins with a two-week musical residency at the Atlantic Center for the Arts, nestled in the coastal mangrove forests of Northeastern Florida. There OneBeat Fellows will form creative ensembles to invent new musical works, record and produce them in custom-built mobile studios, design original education workshops, and work with master musicians from various musical disciplines ranging from hip hop to classical. The Retreat is a time for Fellows to listen to one anothers’ musical voices and to weave together their interests, histories, and skills into original works that build on each others’ diverse visions to create new musical landscapes.

Tour OneBeat will then go on the road, touring from Florida up the east coast, through the Appalachian mountains, Washington D.C., and finishing with shows in New York City. At each tour location, OneBeat Fellows will perform the music they have developed during the residency, lead workshops with local youth and community groups, and continue to record and rehearse their original music. In addition, Fellows will get a chance to experience the unique musical culture of each location by performing and recording with local musicians, attending concerts, and exploring community cultural centers and the local environment. At each location OneBeat ensembles will perform in public spaces ranging from outdoor music festivals to concert halls.

One Beat, Three Approaches OneBeat Fellows will form groups that work in three styles, which we call Analog, Digital, and Social. Analog refers to creating music the ‘old fashioned’ way, getting together to make some noise with instruments and voices. In the Digital approach, groups will make use of the latest digital technology, build elaborate instruments and work with music and video software programs. Social groups will design and lead workshops that share their musical traditions with the surrounding community and will collaborate with youth and community groups in creating original music.

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.

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. We invite adventurous musicians who double as community organizers, instrument builders, writers, videographers, musicologists, educators, storytellers, dancers, shadow-puppeteers, and more.

We are especially looking for musicians who have a strong commitment to their communities, and who are seeking new ways to engage in youth development, arts-in-education, music therapy, conflict resolution, and other ways of working towards more egalitarian and democratic societies.

Eligible Countries

In this first year of the program, applications are open to musicians who live in 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, Mali, Mozambique, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Palestinian Territories, Panama, Philippines, Poland, Russia, Senegal, South Africa, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Tunisia, United States, Venezuela, Vietnam

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. Age – Applicants must be 19-35 years old.
5. 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.
6. Country of Origin – OneBeat Fellows must live full-time in one of the 40 eligible countries and territories, and have not traveled extensively to the U.S. or have rarely performed in the U.S.
7. 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.

FAQs

1. What are the costs of the OneBeat program for participants?
2. Will OneBeat help secure Visas to enter the United States?
3. Are musical groups able to apply together?
4. Who is eligible to apply?
5. How do musicians apply to become OneBeat Fellows?
6. When is the application deadline?
7. What is the selection process? When will artists be identified?
8. What are the eligible countries and territories?
9. Are U.S. musicians also eligible?
10. Will artists be chosen from every eligible country and territory?
11. How many artists will be selected?
12. Do OneBeat applicants have to play a particular genre of music?
13. Do the participants need to speak English?
14. How long will they stay in the US? What will the participants do while in the U.S?
15. Will there be post-OneBeat activities for OneBeat Fellows after the program in fall 2012?
16. Do I have to be a full-time professional musician to apply?
17. Are non-musicians who work in related fields eligible to apply?
18. Can I apply if I am from one of the eligible countries, but currently live in a non-eligible country?
19. Can I apply if I am currently a resident of one of the eligible countries, but am originally from elsewhere?
20. Can I participate in only part of the program?
21. What technology and equipment will be available to OneBeat Fellows during the program?

1. What are the costs of the OneBeat program for participants?
All costs will be covered for the Fellows, including travel and accommodations. Fellows will also receive a per diem and modest honorarium.

2. Will OneBeat help secure Visas to enter the United States?
Yes, OneBeat Fellows will travel under a J-1 Visa, a non-immigrant visa for individuals approved to participate in work- and study-based exchange visitor programs.

3. Are musical groups able to apply together?
OneBeat fellows will be chosen as individuals, although several members of a group may all apply separately.

4. Who is eligible to apply?
See the ELIGIBILITY tab or click here

5. How do musicians apply to become OneBeat Fellows?
See the APPLY tab or click here

6. When can musicians apply? When is the application deadline?
Applications for the fall 2012 program are due February 24, 2012.

7. What is the selection process? When will artists be identified?
All applications will be reviewed by the OneBeat Selection Committee, made up of OneBeat staff, U.S. Department of State staff, and accomplished musicians who may also play the roles of Facilitators and Master Artists during the OneBeat program itself. Selected Fellows will be notified by April 2012, and will have 2 weeks to confirm their participation in the program.

8. What are the eligible countries and territories?
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, Mali, Mozambique, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Palestinian Territories, Panama, Philippines, Poland, Russia, Senegal, South Africa, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Tunisia, United States, Venezuela, Vietnam

9. Are U.S. musicians also eligible?
Yes. We anticipate accepting a number of U.S. musicians out of the approximately 30 OneBeat 2012 Fellows.

10. Will artists be chosen from every eligible country and territory?
Because of the number of eligible countries and territories (40), and the number of inaugural OneBeat Fellows (approximately 30) we will not be able to accept Fellows from every country. We do intend to invite Fellows from all six regions.

11. How many artists will be selected?
Approximately 30 participants will be selected each year.

12. Do OneBeat applicants have to play a particular genre of music?
Musicians from any genre or background are encouraged to apply. We are looking for musicians who have achieved an advanced proficiency in styles and skills such as: Hip-Hop, electronic music, traditional music, jazz, experimental, classical, sound-art installations, DJing, audio engineering, etc.

13. Do the participants need to speak English?
Participants must have a basic grasp of English, in order to participate in ensembles and creative sessions.

14. How long will they stay in the US? What will the participants do while in the U.S?
The program will be 26-28 days in length. While in the U.S. the Fellows will participate in a two-week residency, during which they will develop and rehearse original material. Afterward, they will go on a 10-14 day tour, when they will perform the music they developed and rehearsed during the residency period. Throughout the tour Fellows will develop and lead creative educational workshops for youth and community groups along the tour route.

15. Will there be post-OneBeat activities for OneBeat Fellows after the program in fall 2012?
Yes. We will encourage OneBeat Fellows to be part of a vibrant and growing OneBeat online community, through which Fellows will continue to be able to collaborate on new work.

16. Do I have to be a full-time professional musician to apply?
No, we encourage advanced students and highly skilled semi-professional musicians to apply. (We understand that music isn’t always the easiest way to make a living!)

17. Are non-musicians who work in related fields eligible to apply?
OneBeat is only open to musicians, although we do encourage musicians to apply who also work in other fields.

18. Can I apply if I am from one of the eligible countries, but currently living in a non-eligible country?
While we are sensitive to the fact many countries have an extensive diaspora, in order to be eligible for OneBeat, applicants must be residents of one of the listed countries.

19. Can I apply if I am currently a resident of one of the eligible countries, but am originally from elsewhere?
Yes, you are eligible for OneBeat if you are a resident of one of the eligible countries, regardless of country of origin.

20. Can I participate in only part of the program?
No, OneBeat Fellows must commit to participating in the entire program, which will last approximately 28 days, from September 10 to October 7, 2012.

21. What technology and equipment will be available to OneBeat Fellows during the program?
During the program OneBeat will provide 24-hour access to three mobile studio setups for recording, mixing, and video editing.

APPLY

Applications for the 2012 program are now closed. Applicants who applied for the 2012 program will be notified of the review panel decision at the end of April 2012.

Applications for the 2013 program will be available in January 2013. To prepare for the 2013 application potential applicants should plan to write several short essays about their musical background and interests as well as describe previous works (both solo and collaborative) and also future projects or goals. Potential applicants should also prepare 3-5 samples of their work (both audio and video are accepted). Please sign up for the newsletter to receive OneBeat updates and info about the 2013 program.