ABOUT CASP
The Story behind the Project

 In an effort to revive the existing art song repertoire and to develop new vocal works for Canadian professional artists, tenor Lawrence Wiliford joined with pianist Steven Philcox and together founded the Canadian Art Song Project (CASP) in 2011. CASP promotes art song written by Canadian composers for Canadian musicians. More than simply encouraging artists and presenters to include some “Canadian content” once in a while, its mission is to encourage us all to embrace Canadian art song as a vital art form that speaks to performers and audiences today.

Since its founding, Canadian Art Song Project has commissioned numerous works for voice and piano by composers including Brian Current, Brian Harman, Marjan Mozetich, Norbert Palej, James Rolfe, Erik Ross, Ana Sokolovic, Peter Tiefenbach and others. These commissions are made with the intent to bring the performing artists together with the composer in the hope that the works might stand the test of time and that  a new generation of advocates for Canadian song might be established.

In collaboration with the Canadian Music Centre, CASP has begun a series of recordings highlighting the wealth of song by Canadian composers and is working towards making available new editions of scores by Canada’s most important song composers. Canadian Art Song Projects recordings can be purchased through Centrediscs, iTunes, Amazon, and many other online music sites.